World’s oldest production bike for sale

The world’s first production motorcycle is to be auctioned at the Stafford Classic Motorcycle Show on April 25.

The 1894 Hildebrand & Wolfmuller motorcycle is the first powered two wheeler to which the name ‘motorrad’ (motorcycle) was ever applied.

The bike is a twin-cylinder, water-cooled four stroke with a huge 1488cc displacement producing a slightly underwhelming 2.5bhp at 240rpm.

Opinions differ on how many of the German machines were produced, figures range from as low as 800 to as high as 2,000. Survivors are, needless to say, exceedingly rare.

This example has been in the USA since the early 1930s, which is when it last ran.

Presented in original, un-restored condition the bike has an estimate of £40,000 – 60,000.