A to Z Reference

Star of the 1908 Stanley Show, the PL Renouf designed James Safety with for the first time a James engine Jackson-Rotrax 1949-66 UK Superb 500cc JAP-engined speedway machines by Alec Jackson. Many were adapted for grasstrack using a variety of engines. Still active and a choice motorcycle for vintage grasstrack and speedway. Jamathi 1962-77 Holland…

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1974 rotary-engined DKW W2000 DKW 1919-81 Germany From the late Twenties until WWII, DKW was the most influential two-stroke motorcycle maker in the world. They pioneered the loop scavenge principle, which utilised crankcase compression, employed ‘supercharging’ pistons and, later, rotary valve induction on their racers. They were for many years the world’s largest volume motorcycle…

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Ambassador Popular 197cc, built from 1950-55 AJW 1926-77 UK Financed by his family’s printing works, Arthur Jack Wheaton (Jack) built two Anzani powered motorcycles in 1926, followed by a four cylinder version for the 1928 London Motorcycle Show. Production of Anzani and JAP powered V-twins began in 1929 then singles with JAP and Blackburne engines…

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John Tickle with his dohc racer, the T5 Thorough c1902-03 UK Pioneer assembler that used a small range of proprietary engines. One well known survivor with a Sunbeam MCC Pioneer Certificate was recently offered on the UK market. Tickle c1967-73 UK John Tickle established himself in the sporting motorcycle accessory market with a range of…

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1920 10hp Reading Standard – with electric lights! Ravat 1900 (1898)-1954 France Established business whose enterprises included cycles from Usines de Monthieux, Saint-Etienne. Entered the motorcycle market by fitting pioneer clip-on kits to its sturdy cycles, although exact production start-date is unclear. Progressed to earn a sound reputation for well-made, quality machines in the 100…

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Ner-a-Car 350cc sidevalve (Blackburne engine) Nassetti 1951-57 Italy Accessory maker Ettore Nassetti, who during the early to mid-1950s built friction drive cycle attachments, which were also supplied mounted in suitable frames. He went on to design and build 49cc mopeds including the Sery and Dilly, using both tubular and pressed steel frames. Neander 1924-29 Germany…

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Beryl Swain on her 50cc Itom at Brands Hatch Innocenti 1947-71 Italy Covered under Lambretta. Invicta 1913-23 UK Range of Villiers, JAP and Abingdon powered machines, some designed by Arthur Barnett of Francis-Barnett fame. Iso 1948-64 Italy Founded by Renzo Rivolta as Isothermos in 1939 at Bresso. The company was reformed as Iso Autoiveicoli SpA…

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1924 JAP-engined sidevalve Diamond Dalesman 1969-74 UK US financed production of well made lightweight off-road competition machines, using notably Puch and Sachs engines. Darmont-Morgan 1920-39 France Blackburne and JAP V-twin engined replicas of the British Morgan three wheeler built by French Morgan agent M Darmont – a former Morgan racing driver. Highly prized today. Dayton…

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Sporting ohv 349cc AJS K6 was available in racing trim to special order as KR6 1909-31 In 1874 Joe Stevens of Wednesfield, Nr Wolverhampton began trading as J Stevens & Co, engineering blacksmiths. In 1894 he relocated to Tempest Street, Wolverhampton and was joined by two of his sons, Harry and Joe Junior. An American…

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Tandon Kangaroo Talbot 1953-57 France Parisian maker of two-stroke mopeds, autocycle style machines and small motorcycles. Many were superbly built with swinging arm rear suspension, undamped telescopic front fork, white wall tyres, generous stylish valanced mudguards, full width hubs and in some case partial engine enclosure. Tandon 1948-55 (59) UK Indian Devdutt Tandon established Tandon…

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