websaytko.com - raredog’s chronicle

1894 - The first successful production two-wheeler was the Hildebrand & Wolfmueller, patented in Munich. It had a step-through frame, with its fuel tank mounted on the downtube. The engine was a parallel twin, mounted low on the frame, with its cylinders going fore-and-aft. It was water-cooled and had a radiator built into the top of the rear fender. The bike became the first powered two wheel vehicle to be offered to the public on a production basis and was crucial in its move away from the foot pedal as the main source of engine power. Maximum speed was 40km/h. The rear wheel was driven by pistons similar to those in a locomotive. Only a few hundred examples of this model were ever built. Apart from the high purchase price, technical difficulties prevented the bike from becoming a commercial success. The venture ended up as a financial failure for both Wolfmüller and his financial backer, Hildebrand. Read more…