First shaft drive..British,German...?

[threepot]

Interesting fact,away from the Brexit,Trump,EU etc debates First done by FN,Belgium.
This bike dates back to 1902-1905? Never heard of the marque?
Brings me back to a recent post..'one bike you've always wanted'
Most of you posting mainly Japanese bikes? But it seems to me,it's all been done before their era? Modern bikes are just faster,more reliable versions of stuff that was around years ago. But they don't get the credit they deserve IMHO.

20132F112Fmotorcycle-history-top.jpg (118.24 KiB) Viewed 2190 times

[jkay]

Make a decent 9mm as well

[Simon_100]

Answer to both, the Sunbeam S7/8, lovely bikes ...



OK, that's also what I'd like for Xmas (thumbs)

Regs

Simon

[BIG DON]

"9mm" FN Original concept of the SLR [for those of us who used them]and I don't mean camera.

Simon, I had a much older brother who had a S7 nice machine with the balloon tyres looked cooler than the 8 with the BSA front end, though both worthy of owning (thumbs)

D

[paco2cv]

Have a look at this

http://oldblokeonabike.com

rode an FN from Nepal to Belgium.

[Paul_C]

I'm pretty sure the Belgian company FN did make the first one in 1902. I too always fancied a S7. Ron Fellowes book No Room For Watermelons about his FN ride is excellent.

[Sanqhar]

How about the Hildebrand & Wolfmüller of the middle 1890s. Not quite shaft drive but connecting rod drive. Definitely not chain or leather belt.

This is regarded as the first proper motorcycle.

Tom G

[SteveW]

Make a decent 9mm as well

Their 7.62 SLR packs a punch as well.

[hotbulb]

I seem to recall that the Sunbeam's (S7 & S8) weak point was the final drive, specifically the worm and wheel, which tended to overheat.That was the main reason why the concept was never developed further by BSA beyond a sedate touring machine.
Brough Superior made a shaftie, too. It contained most of an Austin 7, and included twin rear wheels!

[Richard Simpson]

Don't forget the Indian/Henderson 4.

Indian was an earlier adapter of chain final drive, and had electric start pre WW1, I believe, but batteries made of wood and glass weren't brilliant for motorcycle use!