D.K.R. Scooters

D.K.R. Scooters

The 'Defiant' from the 1958 catalogue.
Courtesy of Jim Boulton.

D.K.R. was formed in 1957, by Barry Day and Noah Robinson, who were directors of the Willenhall Motor Radiator Company, and industrialist Cyril Kieft, who also built racing cars. D.K.R. produced scooters, which were very fashionable in the late 1950's.

The company was run from premises at Pendeford Airport. Cyril Kieft designed the machines, which were constructed at the Willenhall Motor Radiator Company's factory in Neachells Lane. The 'Dove', the first machine appeared in July 1957 and was powered by a Villiers 147c.c. engine. The engine had a "square" bore of 57mm x 58mm, a compression ratio of 7.5:1 and developed 6.3b.h.p. at 5,000r.p.m. It had a three speed gear box, was painted in 2 tone blue, and sold for £162 15s..0d.

The 'Defiant' with the side panel removed, to expose the compact engine. Photo courtesy of Jim Boulton.

The 'Defiant' handlebars and neat control panel. Photo courtesy of Jim Boulton.

Sales were very good and more models soon followed. The 'Pegasus', 'Defiant' and 'Manx' were introduced in 1958. The 'Pegasus' and 'Defiant' were identical apart from the engine. The 'Defiant' was powered by a 197c.c., blower cooled, single cylinder, two stroke Villiers engine. It had a Siba 'Dynastart' electric starter, which ensured first time starting, a 4 speed gear box, and a Villiers carburettor. Its maximum speed was 60m.p.h. and the petrol consumption was 90m.p.g. at 30m.p.h. The machine sold for £189.15s.5d.

Below the seat on a 'Defiant' were the two 6 Volt high capacity Silver Exide batteries which were wired in series to give 12 Volts.
Photo courtesy of Jim Boulton.

The side view of a 'Defiant'. Courtesy of Eric Loffman

The 'Defiant' and 'Pegasus' had a Reynolds all-welded main frame and sub-frame carrying a 10 piece panel assembly. 14s.w.g. mild steel plates were added to the tubular frame to give further rigidity. Girling type MDL lightweight suspension units were used and the side panels were easily removed to provide good access to the interior.

Both wheels had 3.5" x 10" tyres. The front wheel was of the split disc type with a 5" diameter brake. The rear wheel was fitted with a 6" diameter brake. The front forks were designed by DKR and were fitted with Girling units and hydraulic damping. The welded steel petrol tank had a capacity of 1.75 gallons and each machine was supplied with a tool kit, spare wheel and chrome luggage carrier.

Another view of a 'Defiant'. Courtesy of Eric Loffman

Another view of the 'Defiant' and 'Pegasus' handlebars and control panel. Courtesy of Eric Loffman

The control panel on the 'Pegasus' and 'Defiant' had a large ignition switch, a starter button, warning light, 3 position light switch and an 80m.p.h. Smith's speedometer in the centre. The handlebars, headlamp rim and exhaust tail were chrome plated. A 2 tone colour finish was available for all models in the following combinations:
pink, black, blue or maroon front and side panels with an ivory centre body. Alternatively a black and green finish was also available.

The 'Pegasus' was fitted with a 148c.c. Villiers 31C/3SF engine which was introduced for the 1958 season. The 'Pegasus' sold for £177.11s.11d.

A detailed drawing of the 'Defiant'.
Courtesy of Eric Loffman

The Villiers Mark 9E/4SF engine. Courtesy of Eric Loffman

The 'Defiant' was powered by a 197c.c. Villiers Mark 9E/4SF engine. In the top right-hand corner of the drawing is an enlargement of the 12 Volt Siba 'Dynastart' starter that replaced the kick starter that was still used in the 'Dove'.

The engine had a 59m.m. bore and a 72m.m. stroke. It was fitted with a Villiers S25 carburettor, had a compression ratio of 7.5:1 and produced 8.4b.h.p. at 4,000r.p.m.

A 'Defiant' with the side panel and seat removed. It shows the ease of access to the engine.

Courtesy of Eric Loffman

A day out on a 'Defiant'.
Photo courtesy of Jim Boulton.

The 'Defiant' offered cheap daily travel.
Photo courtesy of Jim Boulton.

The 'Defiant' luggage carrier was ideal for day-to-day shopping.
Photo courtesy of Jim Boulton.

The 'Defiant' from the Marston Heritage Trust's collection, on display at the Black Country Living Museum, Dudley.

Another view of the 'Defiant' from the Marston Heritage Trust's collection.

'Pegasus' scooters being evaluated for police duties, in 1959.

Left to right:
WPC Blossom Timmins, Inspector P.D. Peterson, Jimmy Goodhall (DKR Sales Manager), WPS Monica Taylor, Chief Constable Norman Goodchild O.B.E.

Courtesy of Jim Boulton.

An advert from Motor Cycling magazine, which appeared on 6th February, 1958.

Courtesy of Eric Loffman

Eric Loffman's fine 'Defiant' from 1959. As seen at the 2003 Black Country Vehicle Rally at the Black Country Living Museum.

The front cover from the 1960 catalogue. Courtesy of Jim Boulton.

1960 saw the launch of the 'Capella'. It was powered by a 148c.c., single cylinder, 2 stroke Villiers engine, had a top speed of 53m.p.h. and was priced at £144.9s.6d. It also had a 3 speed gearbox, Villiers carburettor and Siba electric starter. There was also the ' Capella Standard', which was powered by a 173c.c. Villiers engine. It had a 4 speed gearbox and sold for £152.13s.6d.

Another picture from the 1960 catalogue.
Courtesy of Jim Boulton.

The centre picture in the 1960 catalogue. Courtesy of Jim Boulton.

There were also two de luxe versions of the 'Capella'. The 173c.c. version was priced at £166.10s.10d. and the 200c.c. version was priced at £173.13s.10d.

Sadly production ceased in 1966, due to falling sales, and increased foreign competition.