| Manufacturer | Enrico Bernardi (inventor) |
|---|---|
| Assembly | 1884 one-off |
| Engine | 122.5 cc single-cylinder, water cooled, gasoline engine with cast iron cylinder |
| Bore / stroke | 44 mm x 80.5 mm |
| Power | 0.024 bhp at 200 rpm |
| Frame type | Wooden tricycle |
| Fuel capacity | 0.2 L (0.044 imp gal; 0.053 US gal) |
The Motrice Pia was an early three-wheeled vehicle, introduced by Italian Enrico Bernardi, and credited as the first motorcycle by sources such as the Enciclopedia Italiana di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti. The exact year of introduction depends on which one of the following milestones one considers: the demonstration of a gasoline engine in 1882–1884 (first used to power a sewing machine), the application of the engine to a child's tricycle in 1884, the application of this engine to a motorized tricycle (or low cart) in 1893, or the mounting of the motor behind a bicycle on a one-wheel trailer via chain drive creating a "motorcycle" in 1894.
Specifications
Specifications in the box accompanying the article are from Museo Nicolis and refer to the 1884 tricycle.
References
- E.F., "Bernardi, Enrico", Encyclopedia Italiana (in Italian)
- ^ "Review of Heinlich and Shube's Traction Drives", History of Automobiles and Early Transmissions
- Terry Welshans (August 2013), A Brief History of Aircraft Carburetors and Fuel Systems, Aircraft Engine Historical Society
- ^ "Motrice pia" 1882, Verona: Museo Nicolis, archived from the original on 2012-06-23, retrieved 2014-05-26
- Italian automotive chronology (PDF), Politecnico di Torino, 2004
See also
| Early motorcycles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Steam |  | |
| Internal combustion | ||
| Pioneers | ||
| Outline of motorcycles and motorcycling | ||