This is an antique Harley-Davidson Model 9B that we saw at the Handbuilt Motorcycle Show. It has a 35 ci single-cylinder IOE engine. The “B” indicates a chain-drive (the Model 9A has a belt-drive). This Harley model originally sold for $235.
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First, the 2017 Handbuilt Show in Austin did not disappoint again. In part because there was a wide variety of early-era to modern motorcycles.
And one of the impressive bikes was the custom “Dead Pan.” This chopper was built from a 1951 Panhead by The Forge in Loveland, Colorado. And Josh (fabricator) and Mike (owner) are the two builders.
Then, to get more details, we got in touch with the shop. Some of the details on the Dead Pan include a 21-inch front rim, a 16-inch rear rim, a rear drum brake, no front brake, and a slap-shift foot clutch. And this makes for a good start on a classic-looking chopper. But this isn’t “just another” chopper. A lot of thought went into building the bike. And of course, it took a lot of skill to design and fabricate so many one-off parts.
In addition, the majority of the Panhead Chopper was handmade: gas tank, rear fender, seat, oil tank, bars, foot pegs, controls, rear brass cover plates, kicker pedal, and high chopper exhaust were all built by Josh. Other details include a Panic Cycles headlight, an After Hours Choppers rear taillight, and a BDL belt-drive system. Although the hidden gas cap came about by accident, Josh went with it, and it looks good.
Then Josh used a hand-copper-plating technique. And as you can see, all of the work really paid off.
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What was the very first motorcycle ever built? It’s a question that comes up often in the motorcycle world — and depending on who you ask, the answer can be very different.
A big part of the disagreement comes down to definition. What exactly qualifies as a motorcycle?
• Most people agree it must have some propulsion system — but what kind? Does it have to be powered by an internal combustion engine, or do steam engines and electric motors count?
• Must it have only two wheels?
• If it has small outrigger wheels that don’t touch the ground while riding, does this disqualify it?
• And are we talking about the first motorcycle in the world, or just the first built in the United States?
Fifteen or more years ago, the debate centered largely on engine type. Many enthusiasts insisted a “real” motorcycle had to use an internal combustion engine. Others were satisfied with steam power.
Today, with the rise of electric motorcycles — regardless of where you stand on them — the conversation has evolved yet again, reshaping how some people view the earliest machines.
Pierre Michaux Velocipede
In the 1860s, Pierre Michaux built pedal bicycles known as velocipedes in France. In 1867, his son Ernest mounted a small steam engine onto one of these machines. For some historians, this antique steam-powered velocipede qualifies as the first motorcycle.
Sylvester Roper Steam Velocipede
In 1868, Sylvester Roper of Massachusetts designed a steam-powered velocipede featuring a twin-cylinder engine. He continued developing and demonstrating his machines until 1896, when he tragically died while riding one. Many consider Roper’s creation the first motorcycle built in the United States.
Daimler Reitwagen
Developed in 1885 in Germany by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach, the Reitwagen used an internal combustion engine — a key point for those who insist that “true” motorcycles must run on gasoline.
The machine had two large primary wheels and two small outrigger wheels. Because of this, some argue it was technically a four-wheeled vehicle. However, since it could operate without the outriggers, many historians recognize it as a strong contender for the first true motorcycle.
Below are some other notable motorcycles.
Butler Petrol Cycle
Introduced in England in 1884 by Edward Butler, the Butler Petrol Cycle had three wheels — making it technically a tricycle rather than a motorcycle. Still, it was notable for its petroleum-powered engine and innovative design, setting it apart from traditional four-wheeled vehicles of the time.
Hildebrand & Wolfmüller
Built in Germany in 1894, this machine is significant because it was the first production vehicle officially called a “motorcycle.” It had two wheels and an internal combustion engine — features most people associate with modern motorcycles.
The design differed from today’s bikes: the engine placement was unconventional, the frame lacked a backbone, and it resembled a 1970s moped. Unlike the Michaux and Roper machines, it also had no pedals.
Orient-Aster Motorcycles
In 1898, Charles Metz began producing Orient-Aster motorcycles in Massachusetts. Though the company eventually went out of business, these are widely recognized as the first production motorcycles made in the United States.
Peugeot Motorcycles
In 1898, Peugeot also produced its first motorcycle. While the company now focuses primarily on scooters, some historians consider Peugeot the oldest surviving motorcycle manufacturer in the world.
With all of the above being noted, the “first motorcycle” depends on how you define a motorcycle. Some people and historians prioritize gas engines, steam-powered engines, models that went into production, or the geographic location where each motorcycle was made. Each of these machines has a legitimate claim. The answer to the question of who made the first motorcycle isn’t easy — but that is one reason why motorcycle history is interesting.
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The Cyclone Motor Manufacturing Company manufactured the Cyclone Motorcycle. Andrew Strand designed the Cyclone. He was of Swedish descent and had worked in the American automobile industry. The motorcycles were manufactured by the Joerns Motor Manufacturing Company in St. Paul, MN, from 1912 to 1917.
How fast was it? In 1914, it broke Excelsior’s record by reaching 111 mph. The Cyclone bikes were estimated to have a top end of 115 mph.
With only 13 Cyclones left, the price tag for one of these is high. In 2015, a Cyclone owned by Steve McQueen was sold at auction for $852,000.
The company closed after finding that the Cyclones could not compete in the marketplace with lower-cost competitors’ motorcycles.
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In 1949, the Italian Vespa Company unveiled prototypes of a scooter with a bazooka cannon mounted on it. In 1952, the Vespa 150 TAP (Troupes Aéro Portées) scooters were modified for use by paratroopers. The “150” part of the model name was used because the Vespas used a 150cc engine. With this upgraded engine and lowered gearing, the Vespa’s could go 40mph.
The Vespas were also modified by the French company, Ateliers de Construction de Motocycles et Automobiles (ACMA). This was the assembly plant for Vespas in France at the time.
The TAP Vespas were dropped with two-person parachute teams. To avoid damage to the scooters when dropped from planes, they were protected by hay bales. On one Vespa, there would be the gun; on another, a tripod. Although the preferred way to shoot the cannon was on a tripod, it could be fired directly from a moving Vespa in an emergency.
The M20 was initially designed as an armor-piercing, anti-tank weapon using the HEAT warhead. Manufacturers said the M20s could penetrate 100mm of armor and had a range of 7,000 yds. Although this didn’t prove to be the case, it could fortify positions in war.
In 1959, because there were many new vehicles, weapons, and ways to quickly and easily get things into battle areas, production of the Vespa 150 TAP scooter ceased.
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You’ve seen this black and white picture of a gigantic motorcycle with a guy on it, but what’s the story?
The bike is the Gelbke Motorcycle Company’s Roaddog, and it is the World’s largest motorcycle. I say this in the present tense because the bike is still around and is now displayed at the National Motorcycle Museum.
The rider is William “Wild Bill” Gelbke, and he built the first Roaddog in 1962. This 17-foot-long, 3,280-pound motorcycle monstrosity has a 4-cylinder, 152 cubic-inch Chevy Nova engine, an automatic transmission, two forward gears, and even a reverse. It has been said that it was reliable enough that Gelbke put 20K miles on it in the first year.
In 1965 Wild Bill built the Roadog II (an improved version of his first giant creation) and later he also built what he hoped were going to be productions motorcycles called the Gelbke Auto-Four. Only a handful of the Auto-Fours were built and although they were a smaller motorcycle by comparison to the Roaddogs, they were a lot bigger when compared to even the largest motorcycles made by other manufacturers.
One of the infamous stories was when Will Bill, who was living in Chicago at the time, decided he wanted to enjoy the good steaks and beer in Texas, so he hopped on the Road Dog, rode to Texas, enjoyed his steak and beer, and then rode back to Chicago.
So what happened to Wild Bill? He died in 1978 in a shootout with the police. He may have passed, but this gigantic motorcycle and the stories about Wild Bill still survive today.
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In the early 1920s, Georges Roy began experimenting with building motorcycles. He wanted to build bikes without a conventional tube frame to achieve better performance at higher speeds and to give them an Art Deco look.
In 1926, his “New Motorcycle” was completed and patented, but it was not successful. This was due to poor service and sales. That did not stop Roy, as he went back to the drawing board.
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First, in 1878, John Starley began to build bicycles in Britain under the name Rover Company. Then, in 1896, Starley started the Rover Imperial brand.
And, just like many bicycle manufacturers, the Rover Company began building motorcycles. Next, in 1902, the company’s first motorcycles were built under the Rover Imperial brand. Then, from 1903 to 1924, the company built around 10,000 motorcycles.
Unfortunately, in 1901, Starley died, and Harry Lawson took over the business. Next, the 1902 motorcycles featured a 3.5 hp engine and many innovative parts. In 1910, John Greenwood was hired to build a 500cc bike that was shown for the first time at the Olympia show.
Then, in 1913, the TT (Tourist Trophy) for motorcycle racing was launched. During WWI, the company began building and selling engines to the Russian Army. After the War Rover started making cars. Unfortunately, due to the lack of sales, the Rover Imperial Company went under in 1924.
Below is a cool video on how Rover Imperial motorcycles were made – everything from engines to the completion of the motorcycles.
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Article by Revolution Motorcycle Marketing
Perry E. Mack, an engineer, worked for Harley-Davidson in 1905. In 1910, he worked for the Steco Cyclecar Co. That same year, Mack was hired by Waverly Manufacturing. In 1911, he created a 500cc single-cylinder overhead-valve engine capable of up to 5 horsepower. This engine was named P.E.M., which utilized Mack’s initials.
For a short period, up to 1911, he produced these motorcycles with Frank Kenzler under the name Kenzler-Waverly. In 1912, Mack left the company and joined A.O. Smith. He assisted in the design of the engines used in the Smith Motor Wheel. The company then moved to Jefferson, Wisconsin.
Many of the Jefferson motors were used in racing machines because of their powerful overhead-valve design. The engine could produce 9 horsepower. The motors were made until 1919, when the company was dissolved. Even though the engines found success in races, by 1919, the competitive nature of the industry forced the company out of business.
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The Handbuilt Motorcycle Show was held in Austin, TX. There were a lot of amazing antiques and more recent years motorcycles.
Some of these were from the Quail Motorcycle Gathering:
1) 1924 Brough Superior SS-80, registration number SC8730
2) 1925 Brough Superior SS-80, registration number DD7078
3) 1932 Vincent HRD Python Sports, known as “America’s Oldest Vincent”
4) 1950 Vincent Rapide, known as the “Woodward Avenue Vincent”
5) 1951 Black Shadow Vincent
Next, read more on the Quail Motorcycle Show.
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