First Autoped

 First Autoped

First Autoped

    Launched in 1915, the Autoped had wide appeal, with everyone.This fascinating machine represents the world’s first model of scooter. It was the only motorcycle to be built in New York City. Though adopted by the U.S. Post Office and other services – as well as fashion-conscious women in Europe and America – it was also used by New York gang members for easy getaways – they could motor down narrow alleys to escape police in cars behind them.

    The engine is geared to the wheel by means of a disk clutch. The flywheel, on the right side of the front wheel, contains a 6-volt lighting generator that originally furnished current for lighting and ignition, but the system later was altered by the addition of an ignition coil and four dry-cell batteries. The ignition switch is mounted on the right side of the frame, and the gasoline tank is above the front fender. All control of the vehicle is through the steering column. Turning the column steers the machine in the conventional manner; pushing it forward engages the clutch; and pulling it back operates the internal, expanding brake on the front wheel. Turning the left grip operates the throttle, and turning the right grip operates the compression release through a wire controlling the opening and closing of the intake valve. A hand Klaxon is mounted on the left grip.

The operation of the controls on the Autoped is reasonably simple, there’s a lever on the handlebars that controls the throttle, you push the handlebars forward to engage the clutch and begin moving, and you pull them backwards to disengage the clutch and engage the brake. The rider stands on a central platform between two 10 inch tires, and the motor is installed over the front wheel next to a small fuel tank. This method of moving the handlebars forwards or backwards to operate the engine/clutch/brake was almost certainly designed to make the Autoped as user-friendly as possible, and to ensure that if the rider fell off the back the handlebars would automatically move back to disengage the clutch and engage the brake

Power for the gasoline Autoped was provided by an air-cooled, four-stroke, 155cc single-cylinder engine wth a single carburettor and a small exhaust with a discreet muffler. This engine only produced approximately 1.5 hp however that was more than enough given the typically rough roads of the era and somewhat limited brakes. It was the world's first scooter, manufactured in New York from 1915 to 1921. It sold for just US$100, offering 125 mpg (1.9 l/100km) transportation at 25 mph (40 km/h). It was perhaps too far ahead of its time, but it remains one of the most significant transportation devices in history ... and there's one about to be auctioned.