Sylvester Roper built this steam-powered "motorcycle" about 1869. (Image courtesy the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History)

Remember the circa 1895 Hildebrand & Wolfmüller that Bonham’s auctioned last April for $132,000? Considered the oldest production motorcycle in the world, the Hildebrand & Wolfmuller was also the first machine to be described as a “motorrad,” German for motorcycle. Recently, we were reminded of what we think was surely the worlds first true motorcycle, the circa-1869 Roper Steam Velocipede, built by Sylvester Roper, Roxburry, Mass.

That reminder came by way of the latest eNewsletter from sister publications Farm Collector and Gas Engine Magazine, which published a reprint of an article that ran in the May/June issue of the now-defunct Iron-Men Album, a magazine we used to produce for collectors and restorers of steam-powered tractors, generally referred to as steam traction engines. We still publish an online version, SteamTraction.com, where you can find information on these leviathans of the prairie.

While there are various claims to the first true motorcycle, including Gottlieb Daimler’s 1885 gas-powered machine, Roper’s “steam velocipede” was the first powered two-wheeler to include elements that still define motorcycles today, including equal-sized wheels front and rear and a twist grip to control acceleration and braking. Power for Roper’s machine came from a two-cylinder oscillating steam engine with a 2.5 inch by 5 inch bore and stroke. (Also called a “wobbler” in some circles. The cylinders were bolted to the frame and the piston connecting rods ran to a lever or crank pin on the rear wheel. There was no intermediate point of articulation, so the cylinders and rose and fell lightly with the motion of the rear wheel.) And while critics say this feature denies the machine’s status as a motorcycle, it’s clear that’s precisely what Roper was constructing. Nicolaus Otto didn’t perfect his 4-stroke engine until 1876, so it’s hardly surprising that Roper turned to steam to power his invention.

A fascinating bit of motorcycling history, Roper’s contribution to motorcycling is often forgotten or simply ignored. Go here to read the rest of our story on Roper’s machine. For further discussion on the subject of the earliest motorcycles, check out Jeffry Tank’s article at virginiawind.com 

Roper, a relative of Dave Roper, currently the man to beat in vintage motorcycle road racing (and the only American ever to win at the Isle of Man TT, taking first in the Senior TT in 1984), continued developing his steam-powered machine. He died in 1896 while testing a newer version of his steam-powered motorcycle. His original 1869 machine is tucked away somewhere in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. – Richard Backus.

The AMA is promoting Ride to Work day, June 21, 2010. Read more below!

Consider this our Public Service Announcement of the week, a reminder to everyone in the motorcyling community that this coming Monday, June 21, is national Ride to Work Day.

Okay, so this isn't much of a blog and definately more of a PSA, but I won't apologize for that because Ride to Work day is our day to show the rest of the country just how many motorcyclists there really are among our citizenry and the impact - or lack thereof - motorcycles have on our public roadways. To that end, I encourage everyone who rides to make sure and ride this Monday, June 21. And to learn more about Ride to Work day and its history and impact, read the official press release from the AMA below. Ride safe! - Richard Backus

PICKERINGTON, Ohio --  The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is encouraging all motorcyclists to help demonstrate the tangible benefits of commuting to work on a motorcycle on Monday, June 21, in celebration of national Ride to Work Day -- and to be safe while doing it.

"Ride to Work Day is a great way to show that motorcycles are fun to ride as well as an economical way to transport yourself from one point to another," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "With so many more riders on the road at this time of year, it's also a good opportunity to extend a note of caution to riders and motorists alike as part of the I AMAware campaign, which emphasizes safety on the road through enhanced awareness of fellow road users.

"I AMAware is a national program that encourages both defensive riding by motorcyclists and alertness by fellow road users," Dingman said. "In most car-motorcycle crashes, the driver claims he or she never saw the motorcyclist. By increasing awareness of motorcyclists on the road, crashes can be avoided, and lives can be saved."

Since its inception in 1992 by Aerostich/RiderWearHouse's Andy Goldfine, who also sits on the AMA's Board of Directors, Ride to Work Day has become an international event, with participation in cities around the world and recognition by the U.S. government. In the United States in recent years, both U.S. Reps. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and Michael Burgess (R-Texas), co-chairs of the Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus and longtime supporters of motorcyclists' rights, have recognized the day on the floor of the House of Representatives.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Transportation, more than 80 million cars and light trucks are used for daily commuting on American roads, and about 200,000 motorcycles and scooters are a regular part of this mix. On Ride To Work Day, the practical side of riding becomes more visible as a larger number of America's motorcycles and scooters are ridden to work.

"Ride to Work Day is one of our best advertisements for the motorcycling lifestyle," said AMA Senior Vice President for Government Relations Ed Moreland. "With more riders on the road during rush hour, these benefits become even clearer. Motorcycles and scooters are a socially responsible form of transportation that reduce fuel consumption and wear and tear on roads, ease congestion, make parking easier and exponentially increase the fun of your commute."
 
This year will be the 19th annual Ride to Work Day. More information about Ride to Work Day can be found at RideToWork.org.

 
Bikes start lining up for the Motorcycle Classics Ride & Show at the inaugural Road America Vintage Motorcycle Classic, June 12, 2010.

The inaugural Road America Vintage Motorcycle Classic was held June 11-13. Organized by Classic Events and Road America, the new event was designed to capitalize on AHRMA vintage racing at Road America and the growing interest in classic motorcycle shows and swaps. And capitalize it did, with a great weekend of vintage motorcycling at one of the most storied race circuits in the U.S.

The track itself dates to 1955, but racing in the area goes back to 1950, when the racing took place on the streets and roads surrounding nearby Elkhart Lake, Wisc. Open road racing only lasted a few years, but its popularity led to the construction of the Road America circuit in 1955 and it’s been race city ever since. 

Last week’s Vintage Motorcycle Classic included rounds 8 and 9 in the 2010 AHRMA Michigan Engineering/RaceTech Historic Cup Roadrace Series. Racer attendance was extremely strong at almost 700 entries, with individuals and teams showing up from across the U.S., including well-known names and faces in the vintage race community like Dave Roper, Alex McLean, Wes Orloff and Karsten Illg.

From complete bikes to hard-to-find parts, there was lots of good stuff to be found in the swap meet. 

If you weren’t watching the races, you could spend time wandering around and checking out the bits and pieces – and entire bikes – for sale over in the swap meet area. An estimated 75 vendors set up for the weekend, a respectable showing for a first time event and a good indication of the interest in classic events like the Vintage Motorcycle Classic.

 
Restorable Suzuki Titan was nestled between a line of dirt bikes in the swap area.

Motorcycle Classics was there, hosting the Ride & Show featuring a beautiful ride through the surrounding Wisconsin countryside and a classic bike show with trophies awarded in seven categories. Thirty bikes headed out for the noon ride, and 30 bikes made it back to the track some 40 miles later, the only “breakdowns” a loose chain guard on one bike and running out of gas on another. For the record, I got lost when I got separated from the group. I’d lost my line of sight when a car came between myself and the bikes I was following, and then when the main group turned I went whizzing by. Turning around, I attempted to find the route and the group, but after about 10 minutes of fruitless searching it was painfully obvious I’d taken at least one wrong turn and lost the group for good. Fortunately, finding my way back to the track was fairly painless, and amazingly I ended up arriving exactly as the main group was pulling in!

Riders in the Motorcycle Classics Ride & Show pause mid-ride for a group photo.

Burt Richmond took People's Choice honors for his beautiful 1957 Aermacchi Chimera. 

Bikes on hand for our show ranged from Burt Richmond’s absolutely stunning 1957 Aermacchi 175cc Chimera to Jimmy Stock’s fabulous 1966 Suzuki X-6 Hustler, a bike he personally customized in 1969 and that remains unchanged from that time. Beautiful.

Jimmy Stock took Best Japanese for his 1966 Suzuki Hustler, still wearing its custom paint and mods from 1969! 

We also had our project Bonneville Build on display, the 2010 Triumph Bonneville we've been bobberizing with help from Dairyland Cycle Insurance and that we'll be giving away at the 6th Annual Barber Vintage Festival. Crowd response to our bobber Triumph was excellent, and arrogantly enough we think it should have been, as the bike is looking fantastic with its multitude of modifications including a custom exhaust from D&D, a lowered suspension with YSS shocks and fork springs, and a lovely coat of retro Triumph gold paint with gloss and flat black accents. Very cool, and it could be yours if you sign up now.

The Motorcycle Classics/Dairyland Cycle Insurance Bonneville Build at Road America.

Just to keep things interesting, I rode up to the show from the Kansas City area with pal Ken Tripkos, me on my 1983 Laverda RGS and he on his 1991 Honda ST1100. Okay, so they're not old-school classics, but the ride was excellent and I was glad to get some miles under my belt for a change, a total of 1,520 roundtrip in this case. Both bikes ran flawlessly, and despite a couple of hours riding in pouring rain never missed a beat. What a hoot.

Ken Tripkos with his Honda and editor Backus' Laverda RGS parked in front of the famous Siebkens Inn at Elkhart Lake, Wisc. Racers have been staying here for 60 years.

We’ll have more on the show and the Vintage Motorcycle Classic weekend in the September/October 2010 issue of Motorcycle Classics. Great racing, a great ride and a really fun show made for a spectacular weekend – we’re already looking forward to next year’s event! – Richard Backus

Lovely 1951 Vincent Rapide took top honors at the 2010 HoAME Rally & Show held at the Airline History Museum in downtown Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, June 6.

The Heart of America Motorcycle Enthusiasts Rally & Show at the Airline History Museum in downtown Kansas City, Mo., was a resounding success, as an estimated crowd of 2,500 classic bike fans roamed through the museum’s cavernous hangar to check out the hundreds of classic Hondas, Harleys, Nortons, Ducatis and more that were on hand for last Sunday’s show.

One-owner 1974 Ducati 750SS, all original except for paint. Beautiful.

Japanese bikes were strong this year, with an excellent sampling of Honda CB750s, CLs, a few Suzuki and Kawasaki dirt bikes and more. There was lots of variety, however, ranging from a beautifully restored 1968 Aermacchi/Harley-Davidson Sprint 350SS to a spectacular 1951 Vincent Rapide, and with just about anything else you could think of in between. Rarities on hand included a 1969 Norton 750 Ranger, a 1974 Ducati 750SS (one owner!), a 1952 Zundapp KS601 with factory-fitted Steib sidecar, a single-cylinder J.A.P.-engined flat tracker, a Laverda 1000, and my favorite, a one-owner 1967 Honda CB450 Black Bomber with just over 2,100 original miles on it – and the owner rode it to the show!

Lovely 1968 H-D Sprint 350SS.

The bikes were more than cool enough, but all eyes were on the tarmac when the museum staff fired up the 1958 Lockheed Super Constellation that’s part of the Airline History Museum’s permanent collection. Smoke belched from the plane’s left inside engine as it roared to life, then the air cleared and the staff gave the engine a little leash, letting it spin up and run smoothly for three or four minutes. Very, very cool, and I can only imagine what it sounds like when all four engines are running.

1958 Lockheed Super Constellation firing up for a short run during the HoAME Rally

They only fired up one engine, but it was still impressive!

The parking lot was a show in itself, with literally hundreds of cool bikes parked out in the afternoon sun. There were some nice machines for sale in the parking lot, including a very pretty BSA Lightning and a café-d Norton Commando.

Very nice BSA Lightning was for sale out in the parking lot, as was the tricked Norton Commando behind it.

Motorcycle Classics had a booth at the show, and our almost-complete Motorcycle Classics/Dairyland Cycle Insurance Bonneville Build was a hit. It was hugely gratifying to see the interest in our modern classic retro build, and we’re looking forward to showing our Triumph again at the upcoming Road America Vintage Motorcycle Classic June 11-13.

The Road America show is only a few days away, so now’s the time to check your tire pressure and top of your fluids for a spectacular weekend of vintage motorcycle racing, riding and showing. We’ll be there hosting the Motorcycle Classics Ride & Show, featuring a leisurely 40-mile ride through the Wisconsin countryside Saturday afternoon. The ride is scheduled to leave at noon, followed by judging and awards in seven classes at 5 p.m., including People’s Choice and Best Rider. Register your bike now for the Motorcycle Classic Ride & Show, and don’t forget to enter to win the Motorcycle Classics/Dairyland Cycle Insurance Bonneville Build.

2011 will mark the 20^th year for the HoAME rally, so expect even bigger and better things as the club prepares for what we’re certain will be their biggest and best show ever. Dates have yet to be set for the 2011 show, but plan for another early June Sunday; we’ll post them as soon as we get them. Don’t miss it! – Richard Backus

Almost done: The Motorcycle Classics/Dairyland Cycle Insurance Bonneville Build just needs a few more details to finish.

For the past few months we’ve been working on our latest project with partner Dairyland Cycle Insurance, taking a brand new, 2010 Triumph Bonneville and transforming it from what’s already an oh-so-nice retro classic into something with just a little more attitude and style; a new Triumph retro bobber. We’re getting close to finishing the bike, but while you’re waiting we thought we’d share a pic or two to give you a glimpse of what our new retro bobber’s going to look like.

The basic build is complete, now we’re just waiting for a few more bits and pieces to come together so we can finish the job. Major items still to come include the custom solo saddle, tail light/license plate assembly and a few other odds and ends.

Travis crafted this nice Dairyland Cycle Insurance custom script for the side covers on our bobber Bonneville ...

as well as this nice "Motorcycle Classics Custom" script

The beautiful paint you see here was applied by Travis Charbonneau at TC Concepts, and it’s pretty damn stunning. Besides laying down the body yellow and two shades of black (gloss and a flat black pin stripe), Travis also worked up the “Motorcycle Classics Custom” script on the front fender and the custom “Dairyland Cycle Insurance” logo on the side covers.

We're thinking our Bonneville's going to sound just a little bit different with the custom pipes we've installed from D&D Performance Exhaust. That'd be the D&D pipe on the right and the stock unit on the left.

We’ve tried to keep this project within the scope of the average weekend warrior, and so far we’ve kept true to that goal, with only the relocation of the gas tank filler and the custom seat pan, which we should have in our hands by the end of this week, requiring custom fabrication. You’ll be able to find more product and build details in the July/August issue of Motorcycle Classics, and we’ll run a follow up with full photos of the finished bike in the September/August issue.

Gas cap on our Triumph has been moved to the center of the tank. 

Can’t wait ‘till then to see the finished bike? Join us this coming weekend at the 19th Annual Heart of America Motorcycle Enthusiasts Rally and Show in Kansas City June 6, or next weekend, June 11-13, at the inaugural Road America Vintage Motorcycle Classic. We’ll have our Triumph at both shows, and don’t forget, you can sign up now for a chance to take this bike home, because once we’re done we’re giving it away. We’ll choose the winner during the 6th Annual Barber Vintage Festival October 8-10, so scoot on over to our Bonneville Build Sweepstakes page and sign up now! And good luck! – Richard Backus