What Bike Is This?
- Thread starter DaveM
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Beats me too 
Well when I found the pic I also had no idea what it was. I had to do a bit of research on it.
No idea, but it doesn't look like the motor is as old as the trike, it has a proper carby rather than surface carb so it doesn't look like a really early pioneer engine..
Could be from one of the bicycle makers including Triumph, BSA, Enfield, but I have no real clues
Could be from one of the bicycle makers including Triumph, BSA, Enfield, but I have no real clues
The year is 1913 so it goes back some time, hope that was a bit of a clue on this one.
With a little hunting I found it, James is the make.
It seems rather primitive for something as late as 1913, when you look at what else was available at the time.
It seems rather primitive for something as late as 1913, when you look at what else was available at the time.
You are correct - 1914 James - Wall Quadricycle - British Car Auctions
JAMES / WALL QUADRICYCLE
The Wall Auto-Wheel was a 1 horsepower 118cc overhead inlet, providing side exhaust valve assistance for cycles first manufactured prior to the Great War. This was a relatively simple but effective device that could be fitted to bicycles, tandems, tricycles and tradesmen’s carriers, billed as “The Cyclist’s Energy Saver”, enabling cyclists to ride long distances over all kinds of roads, in any weather, without becoming fatigued. Auto-Wheel literature quoted 12 mph when fitted with the standard 20-inch wheel; however reference to tests included an official time-test carried out at Brooklands where 25 miles were covered in 55 minutes. The ability “to propel a heavy rider up the steep slopes of the Grampian Mountains” was acclaimed and it was reported that more than 100 units were purchased by the Automobile Association and Motor Union for Road Scouts, the members of which covered in excess of 24,762 miles in a single week.
This vehicle was originally assembled by a Mr Cecil Smith, an engineer at the Sopwith aircraft factory during the Great War, prior to which he raced at Brooklands as riding mechanic in a Metallurgique, most likely of the Warwick Wright stable. It is not known if Mr Smith ever rode the machine on the roads or registered it, as by 1918 he had apparently disassembled it to use the motor to power a bench grinder in his new workshop in Teddington until mains electricity came to the area, and it was discarded under a bench from where it was extracted by the vendor in the early 60s, along with the tricycle and associated parts.
Carefully restored using the majority of the original parts found, the Auto-Wheel is dated as a 1913 model and understood to be the second oldest extant, possibly of 1912 manufacture. The James tricycle to which it is attached is a 1914 “Modele-de-luxe” with 1905 patent “Bracket” two-speed chain wheel and 1914 patent enclosed twin contracting band brakes in the rear axle. After protracted communications with the authorities, the vendor managed to obtain the correct classification for the vehicle and regulations for MOT testing, to enable it to be registered for the road. This was completed in 1996.
Included with the vehicle are original and spare parts, tools including many James items, a friction starting rig working on the driven wheel (powered by an electric drill) and a custom built platform for transport and trailer. Also supplied is period Auto-Wheel literature, along with dating information and the correspondence with the DVLA etc. A V5 document and a new MOT certificate are expected to be applied for before the sale.
Year of manufacture: 1914
Estimate: £2,500 - £3,500
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWSBntw8gRw
JAMES / WALL QUADRICYCLE
The Wall Auto-Wheel was a 1 horsepower 118cc overhead inlet, providing side exhaust valve assistance for cycles first manufactured prior to the Great War. This was a relatively simple but effective device that could be fitted to bicycles, tandems, tricycles and tradesmen’s carriers, billed as “The Cyclist’s Energy Saver”, enabling cyclists to ride long distances over all kinds of roads, in any weather, without becoming fatigued. Auto-Wheel literature quoted 12 mph when fitted with the standard 20-inch wheel; however reference to tests included an official time-test carried out at Brooklands where 25 miles were covered in 55 minutes. The ability “to propel a heavy rider up the steep slopes of the Grampian Mountains” was acclaimed and it was reported that more than 100 units were purchased by the Automobile Association and Motor Union for Road Scouts, the members of which covered in excess of 24,762 miles in a single week.
This vehicle was originally assembled by a Mr Cecil Smith, an engineer at the Sopwith aircraft factory during the Great War, prior to which he raced at Brooklands as riding mechanic in a Metallurgique, most likely of the Warwick Wright stable. It is not known if Mr Smith ever rode the machine on the roads or registered it, as by 1918 he had apparently disassembled it to use the motor to power a bench grinder in his new workshop in Teddington until mains electricity came to the area, and it was discarded under a bench from where it was extracted by the vendor in the early 60s, along with the tricycle and associated parts.
Carefully restored using the majority of the original parts found, the Auto-Wheel is dated as a 1913 model and understood to be the second oldest extant, possibly of 1912 manufacture. The James tricycle to which it is attached is a 1914 “Modele-de-luxe” with 1905 patent “Bracket” two-speed chain wheel and 1914 patent enclosed twin contracting band brakes in the rear axle. After protracted communications with the authorities, the vendor managed to obtain the correct classification for the vehicle and regulations for MOT testing, to enable it to be registered for the road. This was completed in 1996.
Included with the vehicle are original and spare parts, tools including many James items, a friction starting rig working on the driven wheel (powered by an electric drill) and a custom built platform for transport and trailer. Also supplied is period Auto-Wheel literature, along with dating information and the correspondence with the DVLA etc. A V5 document and a new MOT certificate are expected to be applied for before the sale.
Year of manufacture: 1914
Estimate: £2,500 - £3,500
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWSBntw8gRw
I agree, 1 HP is too much for a man of my age and experience
How about another oddball motorcycle from the early days when everything was possible and had to be tried. as below and yes that is a 5 cylinder radial engine in the front wheel.
A motorcycle with a airplane engine !!!!
What next an amphibious motorcycle !!!!
What next an amphibious motorcycle !!!!
You want amphibious motorcycle - then try this link, its as close as you would find
http://jalopnik.com/this-crazy-russian-motorcycle-can-do-pretty-much-anythi-1554654820
http://jalopnik.com/this-crazy-russian-motorcycle-can-do-pretty-much-anythi-1554654820
Spanna
Well-Known Member
Some interesting facts about this motorcycle;
It had an overall capacity of 640cc. The engine rotated on the front axle at approx 6x the rotation of the front wheel.
It was started by someone spinning the front wheel while the bike was on its stand, or could be push started.
It had a top speed of approx 52mph which resulted in a win in the German championships of 1924.
It had an overall capacity of 640cc. The engine rotated on the front axle at approx 6x the rotation of the front wheel.
It was started by someone spinning the front wheel while the bike was on its stand, or could be push started.
It had a top speed of approx 52mph which resulted in a win in the German championships of 1924.
You got it spanna, your turn to post a bike
probably the most unusual bike ever made, I reckon it must be something else to see running with those stubby exhausts
probably the most unusual bike ever made, I reckon it must be something else to see running with those stubby exhausts
Must have been very loud too!
I never heard of or never even imagined a machine like that.
Quite interesting though.
Spanna
Well-Known Member
It resides in the Sammy Miller museum.
Verdel were a French aero engine manufacturing company. No records exist of them ever making motorcycles. There is some conjecture regarding the originality of this machine, but I'm sure it takes the radial engine theme a bit further?
Wow, that's really out of this world 
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