Roper Motorcycles
Roper motorcycles were built
from 1901 to 1905, initially in Curzon Street, and afterwards in Villiers
Street. Only a few were built. The companies main products were motor
fittings and gears.
Rudge Wedge Motorcycles
The 1902 Rudge Wedge. Courtesy of Jim Boulton.
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Harry Rudge, eldest son
of bicycle maker Dan Rudge, joined C. Wedge, to set up a cycle works at
Pelham Street, in 1891. In 1902 they moved to Mander Street, from where
they built a few motorcycles. They were powered by 1.75h.p. or 2.5 h.p.
engines and sold for £40, and £42 respectively. Production ended,
as the company decided to concentrate solely on its bicycles. |
Shacklock Motorcycles
| C. H. Shacklock sold
motor vehicles from his Manby Street premises. In 1916 he designed and
built a motorcycle with a 'V' twin engine, chain drive, and enclosed
moving parts. Only a single prototype was built. |
The 1916 Shacklock transverse 'V' twin. Courtesy
of
Jim Boulton. |
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The friction drive and engine. Courtesy of Jim Boulton |
| The friction drive and
transmission details..
Courtesy of Jim Boulton
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Star Motorcycles
| The Star motor tricycle from
1899. It was based on the popular De Dion model. |
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The 3h.p. machine from the 1904 catalogue.
Courtesy of Brian Rollings. |
The Star Cycle
Company started selling motorised tricycles as early as 1899. Its
first motorcycle, imported from France in 1902 was called the
'Griffon'. It had a 2h.p. engine and sold for £42. The following
year, Star began to produce the 'Griffon' in Wolverhampton.
Production ended in 1905. |
| The 1904 catalogue lists two models, a 2.5h.p.
machine and a 3h.p. machine, both using vertically mounted ZL
engines. Apart from a different engine both models appear to be
identical. They used a Longumare carburettor with an automatic air
inlet and battery and coil ignition. The 23 inch frame was built
from best weldless steel tube and every joint was reinforced. The
rear wheel was driven by a leather belt and coupled to the pedals by
a 0.5 inch Brampton chain. The raised handlebars were 1 inch in
diameter and the front and rear brakes were operated by a Bowden
cable. The machines included a Micrometer free wheel and 26 inch or
28 inch Dunlop tyres. The 2.5h.p. machine sold for £42 and the 3h.p.
version was £46. |
A diagram from the 1904 catalogue. Courtesy
of Brian Rollings. |
The Star Trailer, from the 1904 catalogue.
Courtesy of Brian Rollings. |
The 1904 catalogue included two trailers which were
suitable for use with bicycles or motorcycles. The Star Trailer had
a wicker body and was fitted with a comfortable cushion. It had 26
inch plated wheels which were fitted with Warwick or Clipper tyres.
The trailer sold for £9. |
| The Star Tradesman's Carrier
had a seasoned wood body that was fitted with a lockable hinged zinc
top. It had 26 inch enamelled wheels and cushion tyres. The basic
trailer sold for £9 and was available with fitted shelves for a
small extra charge. |
The Star Tradesman's Carrier, from the 1904
catalogue. Courtesy of Brian Rollings. |
The 4.5h.p. machine from the 1914 catalogue.
Courtesy of Brian Rollings. |
In 1912 Star decided to begin production again and
developed two machines in readiness for the 1912 Motorcycle Show.
The machines were put on sale in 1913.
The 4.5h.p. model had a single cylinder Star engine with a Star
3 speed gearbox, clutch and carburettor. The carburettor was
soon replaced with an Amac or Senspray model. |
| The transmission was via a Renold chain and a
leather to metal clutch. There was a Bosch magneto and a kick
starter. The petrol tank held two gallons of petrol and 2 quarts of
oil. There was a pannier toolbag which contained a complete set of
tools. The machine was finished in black enamel and suitably lined.
It sold for 65 guineas. |
Another view of the 4.5h.p. machine from the
1914 catalogue. Courtesy of Brian Rollings. |
The 6h.p. machine from the 1914 catalogue.
Courtesy of Brian Rollings. |
The 6h.p. machine was fitted with a twin cylinder
J.A.P. engine with 76mm bore and 85mm stroke, giving a capacity of
770c.c. It had mechanically operated side valves and a countershaft
type three speed gearbox. There was a Bosch magneto and an Amac or
Senspray carburettor. The machine had a kick starter and the
transmission was via a Renold chain, in a chain case and a leather
to metal cone-type clutch. |
| The petrol tank held two gallons of petrol and two
quarts of oil. The machine was fitted with 26 inch Dunlop tyres and
had a pannier toolbag which came complete with a full set of tools.
It was finished in lined black enamel and sold for 75 guineas. |
Another view of the 6h.p. machine from the
1914 catalogue. Courtesy of Brian Rollings. |
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The handlebars had special dropped grips with flats
for taking the control gear via four concealed cables.
Drawing courtesy of Jim Boulton. |
| The 4.5h.p. Star engine could be removed from the
frame complete with the gearbox, magneto and clutch. It had a very
heavy 10 inch flywheel which was fitted with substantial bearings.
Photo courtesy of Jim Boulton. |
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The timing side of the engine
showing the foot starter and valve shield.
Courtesy of Jim Boulton. |
A sidecar model was also
built, but very few of these motorcycles were made and production soon
ended.
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