A Chronology of Motorcycle Building in the Black Country

1897

 

 

Stevens Brothers

Wolverhampton

 By the late 1890s the Stevens brothers were riding around Wolverhampton on their first motorcycle, powered by an American 'Mitchell' engine.

12 years later they founded A.J.S.
1897

Barnsley

Bilston

 Around this time, William Barnsley, a bedstead maker in Bilston built several machines.

He claimed to have built the first machine with the engine inclined within the frame.

  
1899

New Courier

Wolverhampton

 Bicycle manufacturer, New Courier of Alexander Street, Wolverhampton exhibited two tricycles at the 1899 National Cycle Show at Crystal Palace. One was a motor-carrier tricycle, the other a passenger carrier, both powered by a 2 hp. De Dion engine. It seems likely that very few were made, possibly only the models displayed at the show.  
1901

 

 

 

 

Wearwell-Stevens

Wolverhampton

 The Wearwell-Stevens motor bicycle manufactured in Wolverhampton, appeared in the spring of 1901.

It was fitted with a 4-stroke Stevens engine, and sold for 42 guineas.

Production ended in 1910.
1901

 

 

 

 

Roper

Wolverhampton

 J. Roper produced a few motorcycles between 1901 and 1905, possibly at his Curzon Street premises in Wolverhampton.
1902

 

 

 

Juckes

Wolverhampton

 Mr. Juckes built his first motorcycle in 1902. He started to produce machines commercially in 1923. 719 Juckes machines were built at his factory in Bilston Road, Wolverhampton.

The business closed in 1925.
1902

 


  

Star

Wolverhampton

 Star began selling motorised tricycles as early as 1899.

The first Star motorcycle, imported from France in 1902 was called the 'Griffon'.

In 1903 Star began to build motorcycles in Wolverhampton. Production ended in 1914 at the beginning of the First World War.
1902

 

 

Rudge Wedge

Wolverhampton

 

 Bicycle makers, Harry Rudge and C. Wedge built a few motorcycles in 1902 at their Mander Street factory, in Wolverhampton.

There were 2 models which sold for £40, and £42.
1904

 


 

Beau Ideal

Wolverhampton

 Mr. Charles Richards ran the Beau Ideal Cycle Company, based in Frederick Street, Heath Town, Wolverhampton.

In 1904 he produced a few motorcycles powered by 3.5 hp. German Fafnir engines.

The photograph shows part of what is possibly the only survivor, now in Australia.
1904


   

Olympic

Wolverhampton

 Cycle maker Frank Parkyn produced a number of Olympic motorcycles at his factory in Granville Street.

Production soon ended, then began again 1919 when a range of machines was on offer. Manufacturing ceased in 1923.
1905

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wolf

Wolverhampton

 The Wolf name first appeared on the side of the Wearwell-Stevens machines produced by the Wearwell Motor Carriage Company Limited.

By 1906 there were more than a dozen models.

They were later produced in Great Brickkiln Street and Colliery Road.

The name continued to be used until production ended at the outbreak of World War 2.
1908

 

 

 

Diamond

Wolverhampton

 The Diamond Cycle Company of Wolverhampton began to produce motorcycles in 1908.

In the early 1920s the company had a lot of successes  in trials and racing events.

Unfortunately sales were poor and production ended in 1933.
1909

 

 

 

A.J.S.

Wolverhampton

 The Stevens brothers founded A. J. Stevens & Company Limited in 1909. Motorcycle production began in 1910 with the model 'A' and the model 'B'.

They went on to become Wolverhampton's largest motorcycle manufacturer.
1909

 

 

 

 

 

Omega

Wolverhampton

 Mr. S. Dawson, and Mr. R. S. Roberts founded the Omega Motorcycle Company in St. James' Square Wolverhampton.

Sales were low and only a few were made.
1910

 


  

Clyno

Wolverhampton

 Two cousins, Ailwyn and Frank Smith moved their motorcycle manufacturing company, the Clyno Engineering Company to Wolverhampton, where they were very successful.

Around 15,000 motorcycles were produced between 1910 and 1923.
1911

 

Rolfe

Smethwick

 Rolfe motorcycles were manufactured in Bridge Street, Smethwick.

Only a small number of machines were made.

Production ended in 1914.

  
1912

 


 

Sunbeam

Wolverhampton

 Bicycle and car manufacturer, Sunbeam, began to produce motorcycles in 1912 at Sunbeamland in Wolverhampton.

The machines were known for their high quality finish, and many sporting achievements.

Production in Wolverhampton finished in August 1937.
1913

 

 

 

Orbit

Wolverhampton

 

 A few Orbit machines were built in 1913, in Wolverhampton. Production ended during the First World War.

Production restarted in 1919 after the First World War, when a 250 cc. machine was launched.

Sales were poor, production ended in 1924.

1915


   

 

De Luxe

Wolverhampton

 Wolverhampton school teacher, Mr. A. E. Bradford built a few machines using the 'De Luxe' name at his home in Sweetman Street, Wolverhampton.

He later sold motorcycles in kit form from his premises in Vane Street.
1916
   


   

Shacklock

Wolverhampton

 Mr. C. H. Shacklock designed and built a few prototype machines at his Manby Street premises in Wolverhampton.

They had a V twin engine, chain drive, and enclosed moving parts.
1919


  

H.B.

Wolverhampton

 Hill Brothers of Wolverhampton produced the first H.B. machine in 1919.

Sales were poor, and production ended in 1923.
1919

 

 

Carfield

Smethwick

 The Carfield Motor Company was based in Windmill Lane, Smethwick.

Motorcycle production began in 1919, and lasted until 1928.

Sales were never good, not many were built.
1920

 


   

Rockson

Cradley

 J. S. Rock & Sons began producing motorcycles at their factory in Beecher Road, Cradley.

They were well made. About 400 were produced between 1920 and 1925.
1920
 
Bluebird

Wolverhampton

 During the early 1920s John Ireland produced a number of motorcycles at his garage in Wolverhampton.

His 'Bluebird' machines were powered by V twin J.A.P. engines.

  
1920

 

 

 


   
    

Sharratt

West Bromwich

 West Bromwich cycle maker John Sharratt began to produce motorcycles at his workshop in Carters Green.

A number of different models were made. By the time production ended in 1931 over 100 machines had been built.

 
1921
 
 

 


   

Pen Nib

Wolverhampton

 Bill Boulton opened a garage at Penn, Wolverhampton, from where he made several motorcycles, each with a petrol tank which was shaped to resemble a pen nib.

There were 2-stroke and 4-stroke versions, with an H.B. frame, a Royal Ruby engine, and an Albion gearbox.
1922

New Courier

Wolverhampton

 A few machines carrying the 'New Courier' name were produced by Frank Parkin at the Olympic Cycle and Motorcycle Company Limited in Granville Street.

Production ended in 1923.

  
1924

 


   

HRD

Wolverhampton

 HRD was founded at Heath Town, Wolverhampton by Howard Davies, a successful competition rider.

The machines were very successful in trials and competitions.

Around 850 were built.
1934

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stevens

Wolverhampton

 In March 1934 the Stevens brothers of Wolverhampton began to build motorcycles using the 'Stevens' name. The first two models were the 'D.S.1' and the 'U.S.2'.

Production continued until 1938 by which time around 1,000 machines had been built.
1939

 

 

Chell

Wolverhampton

 The Chell Motor Company Limited of Wolverhampton built several motorcycles in 1939, all powered by Villiers engines.

They never went into production because of the War.
1946

 

 

 

 

LDV

Wolverhampton

 The Turner Manufacturing Company of Wolverhampton formed Light Delivery Vehicles Limited to produce the 2-wheeled 'By-Van', the 3-wheeled 'Tri-Van' and the passenger carrying 'Rixi'.

They only sold in small numbers. Production ended in the early 1950s.
1946

 

 

 

 

Swallow

Walsall

 Sidecar manufacturer, the Swallow Coachbuilding Company Limited began producing motor scooters in 1946 at the company's factory in Walsall.

Several versions of the  'Gadabout' scooter were produced.

Production ended in the early 1950s.
1947

 

 

 

 

DMW

Wolverhampton
and Sedgley

 Leslie Dawson built a few DMW machines in the early 1940s in Wolverhampton.

He joined forces with Harold Nock and production started on a large scale in 1947 at Valley Road, Sedgley.

Manufacturing ended in 1978 by which time around 15,000 DMW machines had been built.
1951

 

L.D.E.

Wolverhampton

 Frank Desborough built a machine to compete in the Isle of Man T.T. at his premises in Commercial Road, Wolverhampton.

Its performance was not very good, and no others were made.

  
1956

 


 

 
Mercury

Dudley and
Wolverhampton

 Mercury Industries (Birmingham) Limited produced motorcycles and motor scooters at Dudley. The company later moved to Pool Street, Wolverhampton, and produced the 'Pippin' scooter.

Few were built, and the business soon went into liquidation.
1957

 

 

 


   
DKR

Wolverhampton

 D.K.R. was formed in 1957 to manufacture motor scooters, which were popular at the time.

They were built at Neachells Lane, Wolverhampton.

Production ceased in 1966 due to falling sales, and increased foreign competition.
1964

 

 


Sprite

Oldbury and
Halesowen

 Sprite motorcycles were built in Ell Street, Oldbury by Hipkin & Evans, and later in Halesowen by Sprite Developments Limited.

The machines were built for use in trials and scrambling. Complete machines and do-it-yourself kits were produced until 1974 when production ended.
1969


    

 

 
Norton Villiers

Wolverhampton

 In 1966 engine manufacturer Villiers was taken over by Manganese Bronze Holdings, which also owned A.M.C.

The company began to produce motorcycles at the old Villiers factory in Wolverhampton.

Return to the
previous page