New Werner
Motorcycle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The New Werner was a motorcycle produced by Werner Motors beginning in 1901. It replaced Werner's 1897 model, whose motor placed above the front wheel caused handling problems.[2][3] Production ceased in 1908.[4] Some 50, now known as the "Leitner Rossiya Motorcycle", were also produced under license in Russia with Fafnir engines at the Riga bicycle works.[4]
1904 Werner | |
| Manufacturer | Werner Motors |
|---|---|
| Production | 1901–1908 |
| Predecessor | Werner 1897 "Motocyclette" |
| Engine | 217 cc single-cylinder, four-stroke, surface carburetor |
| Bore / stroke | 62 × 72 mm |
| Power | 1.5 hp (1.1 kW) |
| Ignition type | Platinum hot tube ignition or battery and trembler coil |
| Transmission | Rawhide belt drive |
| Weight | c. 100 lb (45 kg)[1] (dry) |
The New Werner's lasting innovation was to place the engine at the lowest point in a bicycle-style diamond frame, where a bicycle crank would have been (the bicycle pedals, crank and redundant chain were relocated rearward and retained for starting and hillclimbing assistance). The pattern of low-mounted engine inside some kind of motorcycle frame became the standard motorcycle layout for the 20th century.[5][6][7][8]
The intake valve was automatic (actuated by atmospheric pressure) and the exhaust valve was cam driven.[9]
At 30 miles per hour (48 km/h), it was the fastest production motorcycle from the time it was introduced until the 1911 model year FN Four was introduced.[citation needed]
The New Werner was selected by Cycle World's Kevin Cameron as the most influential motorcycle of all time.[10] It was shown in the Guggenheim Museum's 2001–2003 The Art of the Motorcycle exhibition in Las Vegas.[citation needed]
