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Daimler "Reitwagen"
Three photos below optimized for 800 x 600
screen res.........151KB
The very first motorcycle ever - named "Reitwagen" ("riding
car") - was built by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach.....Photo:
DaimlerChrysler Additional preparation for
the web by MBEP
webmaster
The author Werner Oswald writes in his German language book
"Mercedes-Benz Personenwagen 1886-1984" (published by Motorbuch Verlag,
Stuttgart, Germany, in 1984, ISBN 3-87943-976-1,
the title translates to "MB Passenger Cars 1886-1984")
on page 78:
"As their first motor vehicle Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm
Maybach built their so-called "Reitwagen"
in 1885. From that - without intention - the first motorcycle
resulted. Both inventors only were concerned to test their new fast-running
combustion engine practically in a most unproblematic vehicle, a vehicle
which e.g. was fitted with an uncomplicated steering and which needed no
differential.
This experimental vehicle, which they called "Reitwagen",
had a standing four-stroke one-cylinder engine with a displacement of 264ccm
(58x100mm) and 0.5hp power output at 700rpm, additionally a hot tube ignition
and blower cooling. Other data: Two-gear flat belt drive, wood frame, wheelbase
1030mm, weight 90kg, max. speed 12km/h ((7.4mph)), climbing ability of
up to 9 per cent. The Reitwagen in the museum of the Daimler-Benz AG is
a replica, because the original was destroyed at the fire in 1903 in the
Cannstatt plant".
And on page 66 Oswald writes:
"In the roomy greenhouse of his villa Daimler installed
a garage where he, together with Maybach, immediately began to develop
a fast-running combustion engine. This happened in the incredibly short
time of little more than a year and another year took the fine-tuning until
the
practical usability of the new engine was reached....
Both photos below : Book "Mercedes-Benz Personenwagen 1886-1984"
by Werner Oswald
To prove and determine this effectively Daimler and Maybach
built the so-called "Reitwagen" in the summer of 1885. This already well
thought two-wheeler gave the easiest possibility the test the new engine
in driving. It was relatively easily to be built and there were no problems
with the steering or a differential. Paul Daimler, the eldest son of the
inventor, in November 1885 made multiple rides on the three kilometres
long route from Bad Cannstatt to Untertürkheim. The vehicle worked
quite good and with this - without really wanting to be - Gottlieb Daimler
was the inventor of the motor cycle. But because there were no such ambitions
and the Reitwagen was only thought as an experimental vehicle
any further development of this new means of transportation
did not take place."
End of article - translation by MBEP
webmaster
As usual remarks in ((blabla)), but (blabla) belongs
to the original text.
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