The Hildebrand & Wolfmuller

Alois Wolfmuller patented a two wheeled vehicle in Germany in 1893, and formed a partnership with the brothers Hildebrand.  The Hildebrand & Wolfmuller motorcycle was designed from the frame up to be a motorcycle, unlike other motorcycles like Roper's and others that were modified bicycles.  The H & W frame was angled and built to house the internal combustion engine. The engine was a two cylinder four stroke engine that drove the rear hub with connecting rods, like a steam locomotive.  The engine was 1488 cc, 2.5 hp, and drove the step-through cycle to 25 mph. This  beautiful drawing from  Motorcycles of the  20th Century.