Motorcycles

De Luxe Motorcycles

A proud owner with his 1921 De Luxe.
Photo courtesy of Jim Boulton

Mr. A. E. Bradford was a school teacher, who was very interested in motorcycles. Just before the first world war he obtained premises in Sweetman street and built a few machines. After the war he started to produce the 'De Luxe' motorcycle, using components that were available from other local manufacturers. He only produced a small number of machines. He also sold motorcycles in kit form from his 'Motorites' premises in Vane Street.

The same gentleman with his family.

Photo courtesy of Jim Boulton

Out in the country with a 1921
De Luxe 'V' twin.

Photo courtesy of Jim Boulton.

The D.H.&S. Diamond Cycle Company produced bicycles in Sedgley Street. In 1908 the company decided to add motorcycles to its products, and was restructured as the D.F.&M. Engineering Company Limited. D.F.&M. was an abbreviation for Dorsett, Ford & Mee and initially a few machines were built using Belgian F.N. engines.

In 1912 the 2.75h.p. 'Diamond' machine was launched. It had a J.A.P. 4 stroke engine, two speed gearbox and fully enclosed moving parts. The machine sold for 50 guineas, but sales were poor. A new factory called Diamond Works was acquired in Vane Street and the 'Model C', 'Model D', and 'Model E' were launched. Production ceased in 1916, because of the Government manufacturing restrictions.

After the war the company produced two new models. The first was powered by a 2.75h.p. J.A.P. engine, and was belt driven via a two speed gearbox. The second had a 2.5h.p. Villiers engine, a two speed gearbox and belt drive. Sales improved, and so in 1923 the product range was increased to nine models.

The 1915 'Model C' included a Villiers 2 stroke 70mm x 70mm 269c.c. engine, A.M.A.C. carburettor, 26inch wheels, Dunlop tyres, Brooks saddle and Druid forks. The machine sold for £50. It was also available as the 'Model D', with a 2 speed countershaft gearbox and sold for £60.

The 'Model C' from the 1915 catalogue.
Photo courtesy of Jim Boulton

The powerful heel-operated brake and the conveniently placed adjustable footrests that were a feature of the 1915 models. Courtesy of Jim Boulton.

The machines were fitted with a sturdy frame that had a slanting top rail with a special seat pillar which was curved to give a low saddle position. This method of construction added strength to the frame. The bottom rail was horizontal and had tank supporting platforms cast on the lugs at either end. The rear down tube terminated in a specially cast lug, which formed the engine supporting plates and chain stay attachment. The chain stay itself was secured to the lug by a single bolt.

An extremely simple yet effective rear brake was fitted which had very few moving parts. It was attached to the frame by a specially cast lug on the rear stay and consisted of just the brake pedal and a brake shoe. It was operated by the rider's heel and was a great improvement over the commonly used pull rod.

The machines were fitted with Dunlop or Avon 26inch by 2inch studded tyres and transmission was by an Avon belt. A large pan-seat saddle was fitted for extra comfort.

The special seat pillar lug and tank support. Courtesy of Jim Boulton.

The specially cast lug at the bottom of the rear down tube which formed the engine supporting plates and chain stay attachment.

Courtesy of Jim Boulton.

The 'Model E' from 1915, included a J.A.P. 293c.c., 4 stroke engine, A.M.A.C. carburettor, Enfield 2 speed gearbox, round top Dunlop belt drive, 26inch wheels, Druid forks, 2 leather pannier bags and a toolkit. The toolkit included a screwdriver, spanners, tyre lever and oil can. The machine sold for £66.

The 'Model E' from the 1915 catalogue. Photo courtesy of Jim Boulton

Another view of the 'Model E' from the 1915 catalogue.
Photo courtesy of Jim Boulton

An advert from 1920.

The 'Model A' from the 1922 catalogue.
Photo courtesy of Jim Boulton

The 'Model A' from the 1922 catalogue had a 350c.c. J.A.P. engine, Druid forks and was available with a 2 or 3 speed gearbox. The 2 speed model sold for 66 guineas and the 3 speed version was an extra 4 guineas.

The 'Super sports Model G' had a 70mm x 90mm, 350c.c. J.A.P. engine, 3 speed Sturmey Archer gearbox, Druid forks, Hans Renold or Coventry roller chain drive and sold for 80 guineas.

The 'Model G' from the 1922 catalogue.
Photo courtesy of Jim Boulton

The 'Model H' from the 1922 catalogue.
Photo courtesy of Jim Boulton

The 'Super sports Model H' had a 64.5mm x 76mm, 250c.c. J.A.P. engine, 2 speed Sturmey Archer gearbox, Druid forks, Hans Renold or Coventry roller chain drive and sold for 75 guineas. It was also available with a 3 speed gearbox for an extra 4 guineas.

The lightweight Diamond duplex frame. Patent number 155882/19.

Photo from the 1922 catalogue, courtesy of Jim Boulton

The 1.5h.p. model from the 1923 catalogue.
Photo courtesy of Jim Boulton

The 1923, 1.5h.p. ultra lightweight model had a Villiers engine, 2 speed Sturmey Archer gearbox, A.M.A.C. carburettor, Druid forks, Dunlop tyres and sold for £35.

The 1923, 2.5h.p. ultra lightweight model had a Villiers engine, 2 speed Sturmey Archer gearbox, clutch and kickstart, chain drive, A.M.A.C. carburettor, Druid forks, Dunlop tyres and sold for £52.10s. It was also available with a 3.5h.p. Villiers engine, 3 speed gearbox, shock absorber and was priced at £60.

The 2.5h.p. model from the 1923 catalogue.
Photo courtesy of Jim Boulton

In the early 1920's the company had a lot of successes in reliability trials and races, and won 65 awards in trials alone. In 1921, Diamond won the Flying Five Miles and the Standing 10 Miles at Brooklands. Sales were never good and by 1926 only two models were on offer, and production ceased in 1928. The story was not to end there, as Mr. W. Vincent Ford, who had been Diamond's managing director and designer, founded Diamond Motors in St. James' Square and motorcycle production began again in 1930.

The 'Diamond' from the 1930 catalogue.
Photo courtesy of Jim Boulton

The 1930 model was powered by a 247c.c., 2 stroke Villiers engine and included a 3 speed Burman gearbox with a 3 plate clutch, Druid sports forks and was priced at 35 guineas. It was also available with electric lighting for an extra £2.12s, and a dynamo charging set was available for £5. The machine was fitted with Dunlop 25 inch by 3inch tyres and 6inch internal expanding brakes.

Sales were poor and production finally ceased in 1933.

In 1931 the company acquired the A.J.S. sidecar chassis business, together with the 'Graiseley' trade mark. Motorcycle production ceased, and attention was turned to the manufacture of sidecar, trailer and caravan chassis.

One of the last machines, the 148c.c. model from 1933.

In 1935, production of the 'Graiseley' pedestrian controlled electric truck, began. It initially proved popular as a cheap milk delivery vehicle, but then found uses in hospitals, factories, and warehouses, where its fumeless, noiseless, and economical operation, made it an ideal form of transport.

The 'Graiseley' electric truck