Numero Uno?

[Greybeard]

On January, 20 1894 Patent No. 78553 was issued for the Wolfmüller motor bicycle.

Hildebrand & Wolfmüller Motorrad

The Hildebrand brothers formed a partnership with Alois Wolfmuller, producing their first machines in 1894 with a water-cooled twin cylinder fourstroke engine of 1488cc. Drive was by connecting rods to the rear wheel. Built from 1894 to 1897, these were the world's first production motorcycles.

In France they were built by Duncan & Suberbie who in November of 1894 obtained the rights to manufacture the Motor-Rad.

The very first production motorcycle

The designers are Alois Wolfmüller, aviation pioneer, and Hans Geisenhof, mechanic. They partnered with publisher, cyclist and engineer Heinrich Hildebrand, who after tests with a steam-powered two-wheeler, also developed a petrol engine. Hildebrand financed the development. Thus, in 1892 after preliminary tests, a two-cylinder unit was decided upon. Bicycle frames were unsuited to this engine so with its own chassis, the vehicle was patented in 1894 as a "two-wheeler with petroleum or gasoline engine drive".

At the same time, the designers for the first time created the term "Motor-Rad" (Motor Bicycle). Perhaps somewhat optimistic, in 1894 they built a factory for mass production.

The water-cooled engine powered the rear wheel directly, in the manner of a steam engine, and the rear mudguard served as a reservoir for evaporative cooling. A surface carburettor provided the mixture, the exhaust control was from the rear wheel, with the inlet tract via a flutter valve. Adjustable rubber bands supported the engine.

The pneumatic tyres were another first.

After initial sales success the number of complaints increased, especially about the then questionable hot-tube ignition system. In 1895, the company filed for bankruptcy, having sold several hundred machines.

https://cybermotorcycle.com/euro/brands/hildebrand-wolfmuller.htm