Timeline of motorized bicycle history

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This timeline of motorized bicycle history is a summary of the major events in the development and use of motorized bicycles and tricycles, which are defined as pedal cycles with motor assistance but which can be powered by pedals alone.

[edit] Some Events (Not Exhaustive)

1886 – eric lee Gottlieb Daimler of the Württemberg high speed internal combustion engine; a simple, light, compact, vertical cylinder engine was applied to a motor bicycle
1898 – The 1898 Werner motorcycle was a bicycle powered by a De Dion-type engine mounted above the front wheel
1900 – The Singer Motor Wheel was a wheel attached to a small internal combustion engine that would be substituted for the front wheel of a bicycle, motorizing it
1903 – The "Shaw Manufacturing Co." (1903–1962) of Galesburg, Kansas advertises an engine kit (1903–1915) for motorizing a bicycle in "Popular Mechanics" magazine for $90. The engine is 241cc.,Dry cell battery ignition, slip belt drive, cruising speed of 20 m.p.h., and a top speed of 30 m.p.h. A later kit features the improved H-20 engine (1915–1920's), a working clutch, a magneto ignition, and chain drive.
1914 – The Smith Motor Wheel was introduced, similar in concept to the Singer, but was designed to be fixed to the rear of the bicycle, rather than to replace the front wheel. The design was later picked up by Briggs & Stratton. [1]
1939 – The bolt-on Whizzer bike motor is introduced; production continues until 1962 [2]
Just before WWII – In Australia, the Autocycle Malvern Star, followed the pattern of the British autocycle [3]
1946 – In Italy, Vincenti Piatti had designed a 50cc engine unit for driving portable lathes and also foresaw the possibilities of this engine power-assisting a bicycle – the Mini Motore. [4]
1946 – The initial iteration of the VéloSoleX motorized bicycle is introduced to the French Public. [5]
1948 – The Trojan Minimotor begins production in Britain and becomes immediately popular. [6]
1950 – The British-made Cyclaid 31cc bolt on bicycle motor is introduced. [7] This same year also sees the introduction of the popular Cyclemaster motor wheel, also made in Britain from a design by the German DKW company. . [8]
1952 – The 18cc German Lohmann is one of the few semi-diesel bike motors ever produced and is claimed to be the world's smallest bike motor. [9][10]
1966 – The Vélosolex 3800 is introduced and becomes the most popular version of the Vélosolex motorized bicycle, production continues until 1988. [11]
1968 – The Honda P50 the last vehicle to incorporate a motor wheel as a power unit is discontinued. [12]
1975 – Sears begins selling the Tanaka Bike Bug motor under its own Free Spirit brand name; U.S. sales of the Bike Bug continue until 1985. [13]