Atomette Motorcycles
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An original single seater.
photo courtesy of Jim Boulton
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Allan Thomas of
Cleveland Street built several single seater, three wheeled
prototype cyclecar machines in 1921. In 1922 he introduced a 2
seater cyclecar which was powered by a 2.5h.p. Villiers 2 stroke
engine, mounted at the rear. Two wheels were at the front and
one at the back. The machine had a top speed of 30m.p.h. and
cost 90 guineas. Only a few were made over a period of about a
year.
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A 2 seater climbing Old
Hill, Tettenhall.
photo courtesy of Jim Boulton |
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Barnsley
William Barnsley was a bedstead manufacturer who was
based at Highfields in Bilston. He built about a dozen motorcycles and
completed the first one in the late 1890's.
Beau Ideal
Mr. Charles Richards started the Beau Ideal Cycle
company in about 1890 and was very successful. The works were in
Frederick Street, Heath Town, and the showrooms were at Gresham Chambers
in Lichfield Street. In 1904, at the Stanley Show, he exhibited three
motorcycles which were powered by 3.5h.p. German Fafnir engines. All of
the models were single speed, fixed gear machines and had all of the
rider's controls on the right-hand side of the handlebars. Only a few
were made, and the company decided to concentrate on bicycle
manufacture.
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The photograph is a close-up
of what is believed to be a Beau Ideal machine.
Courtesy of Howard Burrows. |
Chell
| The Chell Motor Company Ltd. of Moorfield Road,
produced a number of prototype motorcycles in 1939. In April,
details of the 'Chell Lightweight' appeared in the 'Motor Cycle
and Cycle Trader' magazine. The machine, which sold for
£25.10s., had a loop frame and was fitted with a 125c.c., or a
98c.c., two stroke Villiers engine, and had twin exhaust pipes,
which terminated in tubular silencers. |
The 'Chell Lightweight'. Photo courtesy of
Jim Boulton.
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Photo courtesy of Jim Boulton
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There were pressed-steel front forks and a two
gallon petrol tank. The machine had an 18watt electric light and
was complete with air cleaner on the carburettor, a horn, number
plates, central stand, licence holder, tyre inflator, a toolbox
complete with tools, and Dunlop tyres. A Smith's lightweight
speedometer could be fitted to the machine for an extra 35
shillings. |
All of the models were powered by Villiers 2 stroke engines, but as
World War 2 also started in 1939, the machines were never produced
commercially.
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