The Holden of 1897

The first 4 cylinder motorcycle appeared in 1895. It was designed by Colonel Capel holden who also was the designer of the Brooklands race track. His machine had a flat water-cooled 4 cylinder motor which had only two connecting rods. the engine in effect had double acting pistons. the connecting rods were directly linked by cranks to the rear wheel which made control difficult at low speed.

A steam driven Holden of 1898

Thanks to Gazza for some of these pics

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Murray Barnard, Perth, Western Australia

© 1996 mbarnard