1867 Roper Steam Velocipede

1867 Roper Steam Velocipede

The Roper may well be the world's first true two-wheeled motorcycle, built by Bostonian inventor Sylvestor Roper who built his own steam-engine carriage at 14, which he drove around the city. The lefthand grip on this steam velocipede is rolled forward to open the steam valve and backward to operate the spoon brake. In 1896, Roper died of an apparent heart attack while steaming along on his velocipede.