chevysoldier Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 Now this is some history!!!http://tinyurl.com/yab2mmzThe 115-year-old bike is one of only 800 produced and is described as "exceedingly rare" by experts. The rusty contraption has a 1488cc engine and could hit a top speed of 30mph and was last ridden in the 1930s. It was manufactured in Munich around 1895 and was part of the first ever series of powered two-wheelers. It is also the first vehicle to which the name "motorcycle" – motorrad in German – was ever applied. Hugo Wilson, editor of Motorcycle News Classic department, said: "The engines of the Hildebrand & Wolfmüller were very big – the equivalent now would be something like the Kawasaki Zr1400, which goes up to about 186mph. "The crucial difference is that even though the engines were the same size, the Hildebrand & Wolfmüller's systems, like the ignition, were very primitive, like – almost a toy, and not a viable means of transport. "It would have broken down all the time and would have been very expensive too. "Speeds of 30mph were certainly unheard of at the time though, so in that sense it was ground-breaking." A spokeswoman for Bonhams, the auctioneers, described the Hildebrand & Wolfmüller as "the find of the decade" She added: "This wonderful machine represents the ultimate acquisition for the serious private collector or any museum devoted to the history of powered transport and is estimated at £40,000 – 60,000." "The Hildebrand brothers, Henry and Wilhelm, developed their motorcycle in partnership with Alois Wolfmüller and his mechanic, Hans Geisenhof. "Their design was powered by a twin-cylinder, water-cooled, four-stroke engine displacing 1,488cc, which until relatively recent times was the largest power unit ever fitted to a motorcycle. "Despite a maximum power output of only 2.5bhp at 240rpm, the H&W was capable of speeds approaching 30mph, an exciting prospect at a time when powered road transport of any sort was still a novelty. "Opinions differ with regard to how many machines were produced, figures range from as low as 800 to as high as 2,000. Survivors are, needless to say, exceedingly rare." Patented in January 1894, H&W’s motorcycle was greeted with considerable enthusiasm and plans were drawn up to build a factory in Munich to produce it. It was also licensed to a firm in France and marketed there as ‘ La Petrolette’. Despite some impressive demonstration performances by factory riders, the H&W’s shortcomings became all too apparent once deliveries to paying customers commenced, and early in 1897 both the German and French ventures collapsed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Likwid Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 that thing is awesome! I skimmed, did they list the sale price? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusion Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 It doesn't get much cooler than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crf69 Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 jay leno is all over it........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevysoldier Posted January 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 that thing is awesome! I skimmed, did they list the sale price? Hasn't gone to auction yet but expected price is $65-97k. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jporter12 Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 jay leno is all over it........Not so much since his ratings are in the toilet.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevysoldier Posted January 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 Not so much since his ratings are in the toilet.... I'm sure he could still afford it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC51 John Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 Wonder what kind of corner speed you could hold on that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e-flores Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 i dont know i would give it a hefty 13 deg. of lean angle though. i wonder if you could mount a set of diablos to the wooden wheels, that would help it out some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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