drawings, the partners were allowed to continue
their work uninterrupted.
In 1885 Daimler patented what is generally
recognized as the prototype of the modern day
gas engine. The so called “grandfather clock”
set up had an enclosed crank case on which the
air-cooled cylinder was mounted in an upright
position. The single cylinder engine weighed in
at a mere 132 pounds with a displacement of 264
cubic centimeters and developed an output of 0.5
horsepower at 650 rpm. This model’s intake valve
operated automatically, and the exhaust valve was
actuated by curved groove control in the flywheel.
Daimler was confident that this prototype’s low
weight and compact size ensured its suitability for
installing in vehicles.
The next logical step for the innovative pair was
to put their engine into something and see just what
the hell would happen. Daimler chose a wooden
framed bicycle on which he installed workable
controls. The pair called it the “Reitwagen”, or
two wheeled riding carriage. Also known as the
“Einspur”, or single track, it featured 2 additional
spring mounted out-rigger wheels…“training wheels”
if you will, added for balance.
November 10th, 1885 Daimler put his son, Paul,
onto the machine and sent him off on a test ride.
At just 17 years old, I’m not sure if Paul was just
as eager as any other
teenage boy to hop on
two wheels, or if he was
possibly the “problem
child” and so was
chosen by his father in
an attempt to rid himself
of one of the pains in
his ass. At any rate, the
test ride was successful…
Paul made the inaugural
trip from Cannstatt to
Unterturkheim and back.
That’s approximately an 8
mile trip. Considering that
the road con ditions in 1885
had to be horrendous, that’s
quite a haul. The maiden
voyage had but one problem,
which Daimler felt was minor…
the heat of the engine set the saddle on fire.
I don’t know about you, but having my ass on fire for
8 miles seems like a big problem to me! Thankfully
a lot of improvements were made in the motorcycle
industry between 1885 and the first ride I ever took.
Daimler and Maybach continued to work on
engine concepts and improved models throughout
the late 1800’s. They completed single engines,
4 cylinder types, as well as V-twin models. While
Daimler’s Reitwagen is often named the first gas
powered motorcycle, the original was unfortunately
destroyed in 1903 during a factory fire in Cannstatt,
just 3 short years after Daimler’s death. Maybach
went on to create the Mercedes, and while there is
no extravagant story behind Daimler’s death, we do
owe him a great deal of gratitude. Gratitude for the
gunsmith’s apprentice, turned visionary. Gratitude
for the moment in Daimler’s head where the dual
development of a viable gas-powered engine and
the modern bicycle collided.
Following Daimler’s greenhouse conspiracy, the
doors were opened for large scale motorcycle
manufacturing in the 1900’s….seems like the perfect
place to take a closer look next time.
Melanie Schwarte, Thunder Roads® Iowa
Thunder Roads Magazine® Oregon 25