Thunder Roads LA Magazine September 2017 Thunder Roads September | Page 16

The History of Motorcycles - pt1 I often find myself asking the question “what if…?” What if forks weren’t called forks? What if no one had invented drinking straws? Who sat down and actually decided that toilet paper was a necessity, not just a luxury? And what did their friends and family think and say when these inventors announced their fabulous plans to change the world one convenience item at a time? I’m sure that Martin Cooper’s wife probably thought to herself “What in the hell is he thinking??” when he shared his idea in 1973 to revolutionize the world with the modern day cell phone…but we all know how that turned out for him. So this thought process has lead me to the following question… Who in the hell sat down and looked at their bicycle, and with what I assume was complete and utter disappointment in its slow moving, two wheeled existence and said… ”I can make that bitch fly!” Well that person just happened to be a Massachusetts born son of a carpenter, named Sylvester Howard Roper. Roper made his living as a machinist in Boston, but began inventing at an early age. By the age of twelve he had constructed a small stationary engine, and at only fourteen a locomotive engine. Roper continued to invent throughout his life, including guns, sewing machines, and finally steam powered carriages and bicycles. By: Melanie Schwarte Re-Print by Request The year is 1869, and the world was about to change. History states that when Roper began riding his two wheeled contraption it was not well received. It apparently spooked horses, and was loud, as well as emitting a noxious odor when he rode through town. Rumor has it, he was actually arrested once for riding it, but had to be released when it was determined they could not find any laws he was actually breaking… and; the modern day biker was born. Interestingly, this first model anticipated many modern motorcycle features. Roper used one steam cylinder of 2 ¼” bore by 2 ½” stroke to either side of the frame behind the seat and connected piston rods to cranks on the rear wheel axle. A firebox and boiler were suspended on springs attached to the hickory wood frame between the wheels. Piston valves for the cylinders were operated by eccentrics adjacent to their cranks, and the water pump was operated by the left-cylinder crank. Exhaust steam was carried via tubing into a short chimney projecting up from behind the saddle. A coal fire heated the water stored in a reservoir that was constructed as a part of the seat and generated steam to run the engine. 1867 Roper Steam Velocipede While this model utilized a twisting hand grip to serve as throttle control, You may be saying to yourself, a steam powered bicycle is not a motorcycle, and also had a cable that was attached to the handlebars to allow for breaking, but I believe it is clearly a predecessor to our modern day two wheeled objects it was still quite primitive in design. The operating temperature was nearly of affection. Riding on two wheels began with a primitive push bike on which 300 degrees Fahrenheit between the rider’s legs, and the travel distance was the rider sat, but there were no pedals. The rider propelled himself forward by extremely limited. A second model Roper designed later boasted a one gallon pushing his/her feet on the ground (a Flintstone’s bike if you will). Next came water reservoir and allowed for rides up to eight miles in length. the high wheelers with a huge front wheel and a small rear wheel, and nearly June 1st, 1896 Roper would showcase this model at the Charles River bicycle impossible to ride. Finally came the “safety bicycle”. Quite the invention in and racetrack in Boston. The idea was to test the motorcycles viability as a pace- of itself considering it had wheels of equal size, as well as a set of pedals to drive making machine for bike races. Initially Roper covered a mile in 2 minutes and the rear wheel through a chain linkage. 12 seconds…that’s roughly 30 miles per hour. Elated by his results, 70 year old The evolution of two wheel travel continued and it became a common means Roper apparently got that old feeling again, and decided he could definitely of personal transportation. Later it would come to be seen as a “racing” vehicle, go faster. Flying around the 1/3 mile wooden track he lost control on the back so of course it wouldn’t be long until someone looked at the bicycle and knew stretch and was thrown from his bike into the surrounding sand. Sylvester that it had a higher purpose. An evolutionary need to be better, and by better Howard Roper was pronounced dead at the scene, but later it was determined of course I mean faster. it was not a result of the accident itself, but rather heart failure. I don’t know I like to imagine that Roper arrived home after a long day to his little about you, but seems to me he must have died a happy man. inventors shop out back, tired after a long day, and an even longer ride home on Both of Roper’s steam powered motorbikes were purchased by museums… his bicycle. He sits down with a cold one and stares at his two wheeler…”stupid the original steam powered bike still residing at the Smithsonian. While bike anyway. No worldly reason it should take me so long to get home each Roper’s motorcycles never found commercial success, they surely provided a night. Keeps me from working on the things I love.” Then it hits him… the light source of inspiration and direction for inventors in the gas-powered motorbike bulb moment…”I’m gonna make this SOB fly!” Fast forward through hours and era. Speaking of the gas-powered era… I wonder what possessed Daimler to hours of painstaking disappointment and doubt to the design that actually put that first gas engine on his old wooden bike… works, and Ta-Daa! The first motorcycle is born. Melanie [email protected] 14 Thunder Roads Magazine Louisiana | September 2017 | www.thunderroadslouisiana.com Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa Maritime Biker In Remembrance of 9-11 By: Captain Steve In remembrance of 911 and to all that perished on a day that changed the world. During 9/11, first responders were responsible for not only evacuating a city of over 8 million people but also had the horrible task of recovering thousands of people that were trapped in the wreckage of the twin towers after being hit by our enemies... Our hearts go out to the families that lost loved ones that day. Our next Maritime Biker, Goran Gorbitz, is a helicopter pilot Originally from Norway, he moved to Slidell to work for Bristow running search and rescue missions in the Gulf of Mexico or flying over the Gulf working in hitches just like the rest of us. When he’s not flying a SARS 92 helicopter, you can often spot him out and about, riding a badass, bagged out, 2016 Harley Road Glide! He started riding a bike before he was able to drive a car in Norway, where you have a 3 month course just to get your motorcycle endorsement! Over there, he rode little Kawasaki bikes. After coming to America for work in 1995, he went through many different bikes, ending up with Harleys (of course). Since then, has made very good friends through riding in the Slidell community including his friends at Jandy imports. This is no surprise to us. Riding always brings a group of good people together! So, there is Goran’s story. Tell me yours. If you would like to be featured as one of our maritime bikers, just send the story of what you do, pics of what you ride, and where are you work to [email protected] and keep the Thunder rolling! www.thunderroadslouisiana.com | September 2017 | Thunder Roads Magazine Louisiana 15