Daimler granted German patent for the Reitwagen (1885)

Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach developed a high-speed internal combustion engine in 1885, which was fitted to a wooden two-wheeled frame known as the Reitwagen. This vehicle, regarded as the first gasoline internal combustion motorcycle, was patented in Germany. The engine featured a float-fed carburetor and hot tube ignition, marking a significant advancement in engine technology for transportation.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Daimler and Maybach moved to Cannstatt to develop a high-speed explosion engine. In 1883, they patented a horizontal cylinder engine fueled by ligroin. By 1885, they designed a vertical cylinder version, known as the 'grandfather clock engine,' which included a float metered carburetor and hot tube ignition. These innovations were essential for creating a compact engine suitable for transportation.

Development. The engine was installed in a wooden two-wheeler frame with outrigger wheels, creating the first internal combustion motorcycle. The original design used a belt drive and a twist grip for braking and power transmission. Over the winter of 1885–1886, the drive system was upgraded to a two-stage transmission with a ring gear on the back wheel.

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Sources

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