Steam motorcycle on display

Dan Zelinsky has once again put his steam powered motorcycle on display at San Francisco’s Musée Mécanique. Though it is unlikely that the motorcycle is coin-operated like most of its Musée counterparts.

Originally obtained through a smart trade by his father, Edward Zelinsky, the machine was built by Niles Gillenwaters, an expert machinist who lived in Sacramento in the early 1900s. The one on display is the only steam motorcycle built in 1912 by Gillenwaters.

Most steam powered motorcycles were being built at the turn of the last century. Trains and cars were prolific, but there were plenty of inventors working on plans for tricycles and motorcycles - anything an engine could be attached to.

Steam engines are more fuel efficient and create almost no emissions. Since the combustion is external, the steam powered engine lasts for ages longer and is much quieter than its internal combustion engine counterpart. If only a person didn’t have to carry water, steam oil and fuel it might be a viable option for today’s green consciousness.

By today’s standards these contraptions are not very time efficient, but at the time a motorcycle powered by steam could go 15 mph and could go for about and hour without a refill. Think about it this way: If all you had was your feet or a carriage, and all you wanted to do was get a loaf of bread, a container of milk, and a stick of butter, the steam powered motorcycle would be quite welcome.

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