Interesting short history of a steam-powered bike and the 73-year-old man who invented it. As the Boston Globe reported, he "died in the saddle."

In this final design, [Sylvester] Roper's engine consisted of a small boiler over a coal firebox that was good for about 7 miles on each stoking. As the inventor liked to say, "It would climb any hill and outrun any horse."

The Boston Daily Globe:

"The machine was cutting out a lively pace on the back stretch when the men seated near the training quarters noticed the bicycle was unsteady," the paper said. "The forward wheel wobbled, and then suddenly, the cycle was deflected from its course and plunged off the track into the sand, throwing the rider and overturning.

"All rushed to the assistance of the inventor, who lay motionless beneath his wheel, but as soon as they touched him they perceived that life was extinct," the paper added. "Dr. Welcott was summoned and after an examination gave the opinion that Mr. Roper was dead before the machine left the track."

Link (Thanks, Alan!)

Interesting short history of a steam-powered bike and the 73-year-old man who invented it. As the Boston Globe reported, he "died in the saddle."

In this final design, [Sylvester] Roper's engine consisted of a small boiler over a coal firebox that was good for about 7 miles on each stoking. As the inventor liked to say, "It would climb any hill and outrun any horse."

The Boston Daily Globe:

"The machine was cutting out a lively pace on the back stretch when the men seated near the training quarters noticed the bicycle was unsteady," the paper said. "The forward wheel wobbled, and then suddenly, the cycle was deflected from its course and plunged off the track into the sand, throwing the rider and overturning.

"All rushed to the assistance of the inventor, who lay motionless beneath his wheel, but as soon as they touched him they perceived that life was extinct," the paper added. "Dr. Welcott was summoned and after an examination gave the opinion that Mr. Roper was dead before the machine left the track."

Link (Thanks, Alan!)

Reader comment:

Justin Harris says:

Lindsay Books sells a book that includes a reprint of the Roper steam motorcycle plans. A modern reader recreated the steamcycle from scratch:

"Bob Jorgensen of Memphis took "Motocycles 1899" and immediately fabricated the engine that Sylvester H Roper used on his steam motorcycle."

http://www.lindsaybks.com/gallery/Jorg/cycle/index.html

photos and video of the repro here: http://www.lindsaybks.com/gallery/Jorg/cycle/index3.html

Sadly, I believe that the latest Lindsey book catalog related that Mr. Jorgensen has died.