Autoped
Motorised scooter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Autoped was an early motor scooter or motorized scooter manufactured by the Autoped Company of Long Island City, New York[2] from 1915 to 1922.[3][4]
1919–1922 (Krupp)
| |
| Manufacturer | Autoped Company, Krupp |
|---|---|
| Also called | Krupp-Roller |
| Production | 1915–1921 (Autoped) 1919–1922 (Krupp) |
| Class | Motor scooter Motorized scooter |
| Engine | 155 cc (9.5 cu in) air-cooled single (Autoped) 191 cc (11.7 cu in) air-cooled single (Krupp) |
| Bore / stroke | 56 mm × 63 mm 2.2 in × 2.5 in (Autoped) |
| Top speed | 20 mph (32 km/h) (Autoped) 22 mph (35 km/h) (Krupp) |
| Power | 1.1 kW (1.5 hp) (Autoped) 1.3 kW (1.7 hp) (Krupp) |
| Ignition type | Flywheel magneto[1] |
| Transmission | clutch operated by handlebar column |
| Frame type | welded steel |
| Suspension | none |
| Tires | 10 inches (250 mm) |
The driver stood on a platform with 10-inch tires and operated the machine using only the handlebars and steering column, pushing them forward to engage the clutch, using a lever on the handlebar to control the throttle, and pulling the handlebars and column back to disengage the clutch and apply the brake.[1][2][3][4] After riding, the steering column would be folded onto the platform to store the scooter more easily. The engine was an air-cooled, 4-stroke, 155 cc engine over the front wheel.[2][3] The bike came with a headlamp and tail lamp, a Klaxon horn, and a toolbox. It was quite efficient, but was not widely distributed.[2]
A patent for the Autoped as a "self-propelled vehicle" was applied for in July 1913 and granted in July 1916.[5][6] An early description of the Autoped described it as having a hollow steering column that acted as the fuel tank.[7] However, the production version had a fuel tank above the front mudguard.[3]
The Autoped went out of production in the United States in 1921, but was manufactured by Krupp in Germany from 1919 to 1922.[3][8]
Historical photo of an Autoped in use by a traffic cop in Newark, New Jersey, 1922
Krupp licence-built Autoped with seat
Lady Florence Priscilla Norman, a suffragette, on her motor-scooter in 1916
