What was undoubtedly the first motorcycle ever built, fortunately still in existence, was an American invention. Built in the late 1860's by Sylvester H. Roper of Roxbury, Mass.
...although the machine appears at first glance to be merely a converted velocipede of the Hanlon type...examination reveals that the frame is a forging made expressly for the purpose...
..and what was the powerplant? A steam engine! Indeed, as rare as a 6-cylinder Henderson, this world's first motorcycle was a steamer...
...a vertical, fire-tube boiler is suspended between the wheels, and a chimney projects backwards at an angle...the lower half of the housing is the firebox...a small circular door on the left side of the firebox allows charcoal to be placed inside...
1962 The World's Oldest Motorcycle 1-Page Article available at www.DadsVintageAds.com
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