All Our Yesterdays

All Our Yesterdays

During the 1960s the TV programme All Our Yesterdays traced the news events of WW2, 25 years before. This page represents our online version, and traces the history of the British Motorcycle Industry 100 years ago. Whilst we take care to ensure that the reported information is accurate, we hope that there will be others who can add and correct. We would be particularly interested in any pictures to illustrate the items. Please contact us at: info@fenlandclassics.co.uk

Click Here for All our Yesterdays  Aug 1914 >

February 1914

Phelon & Moore had won the contract to supply the Royal Flying Corps with motorcycles in January and were ramping up production. This was at the time the largest contract ever awarded to a motorcycle manaufacturer by the War Office

January 1914

By January 1914 The clouds of war were gathering and whilst the person in the street was largely unaware of what was ahead. The War Office were planning. In January 1914 One Thomas Edward Lawrence (of Arabia) was sent to map the Negev desert under the cover of an archaelogical expedition. This area was seen as an area of strategic importance to a Turkish attack on Egypt. As we all know Lawrence had a distinguished service during the First World War before owning several Brough Superiors before tragicly meeting his death. Meanwhile the media was looking in more depth at the line up of new motorcycles for 1914.

December 1913

As we reflect on Motorcycle Live complete with Royal patronage at the NEC last week one hundred years ago motorcyclists were reviewing the latest models and innovations at the recent Motorcycle exhibition at Olympia attended by 33,126 people.

Apart from the plethora of new models there was also a sprung saddle stem, a 2-Seater Sidecar, enclosed chain drives and even a speedometer lit via the acetylene front light.

It is interesting to study how various systems evolved. Here you have developments in gas lights even when 6volt electric lights were just beginning to be seen. There are also new developments in drive belts even when more bikes were now being sold with chains.

The first Wooler was also reviewed. Right from day one this bike had a front spring hub suspension system. The engine too was an innovation described at the time as:

“an unconventional type of two-stroke, in which there is no crank case compression. The piston is double-ended, and on its up stroke draws in mixture through an automatic inlet valve. An explosion at the other end of the piston causes the mixture to be compressed in the chamber, and forces it through the transfer pipe and a check valve at the end of it into the combustion chamber, where it is then fired. As the pressure falls at the return of the piston a fresh charge comes into the displacer chamber, and the exhaust is driven out by the in-coming charge through a port in the cylinder.”

Below is a much later but similar looking 1921 version of the Wooler at the Sammy Miller Museum.

Rear Lighting

Reading this now it is strange to think that in 1913 there was a lively debate about the law regarding the display of rear lights. This had resulted in a judgement in the High Court in October of that year which was regarded as vague. In December the matter clarified and it was announced that motorcycles would be exempted from carrying rear lights whilst all two track vehicles including sidecars and cycle cars would have to display rear lights. I just love the language below. Why use two words to describe a “Rear facing” red light when 14 will do:

“Exhibiting a red light visible in the direction contrary to that towards which the motor car is proceeding.”

MCC London- Exeter Christmas Run

Over 250 entrants took part in the London to Exeter Christmas Run on Boxing Day. Entrants started from the bridge House Hotel in Staines from 5.30pm to 10pm. The route took them to Basingstoke, Salisbury, Yeovil and Chard arriving in Exeter some 12 hours later.  After a short break riders returned along a southern route via Sidford, Lyme Regis, Dorchester, and Blandford before joining the original route from Salisbury to Staines arriving over 24 hours after the start.

Splash out 35 Shillings on this Motorcycle Jacket for Christmas 1913

November 1913

1914 Royal Enfield launched in November 1913

November was perhaps the busiest of the 1913 motorcycle calendar. The annual Motorcycle Show at Olympia at the end of the month meant that manufacturers were busy putting the finishing touches on their products for 1914. The First World War was just under a year away and although the military were aware of a growing risk of war this was yet to percolate to the general public.

James launched two new models to the press they were a 3 & half h.p. two cylinder three speed machine and a 4 & half h.p single primarily intended for sidecars.

Triumph launched a 2 & quarter h.p. 2 stroke motorcycle just before the motorcycle show and after its other 1914 models had launched in October. There was at the time some excitement about the new addition which featured pre-mixing of oil from the oil tank to petrol tank via measure incorporated into the filler cap. This seams a retrograde step from the pump system, but Triumph claimed that this system ensured an exact mixture.

AJS, Clyno, Rex, Scott, Royal Enfield Phelon & Moore, Humber and Zenith also had new machines in the press. The Zenith sported the Gradua gear system in which the belt-drive at the engine end can be adjusted. At the time this was likely to be seen as a smother experience than a lever change through a gearbox and had the advantage of less moving parts as there was no conventional gearbox.

Also launched was a 7 & half hp twin cylinder Indian. This was a beast of a bike and even had an electric start. (It needed one!)

Percy Lambert Who Died in Nov 1914

Percy Lambert died whilst attempting a record at Brooklands. Whilst at the time of his death he was setting records in cars. The Motor Cycle Magazine recalled his previous exploits on two wheels.

There was a proposal by the AA to launch a fund to upgrade road-signs which were reported to have been little changed since the days of stagecoaches. It was proposed that AA members subscribe 10 shillings each to the signpost committee’s £5,000 which would bring the total sum to £45,000 for the replacement of signposts throughout the UK. The proposal was:

‘for signposts to be placed in prominent positions, made easily legible, and the arms should be placed at different heights in order that they may be visible from any direction. Not only should they indicate the names and mileage distances of neighbouring places, but also the names of the localities in which they are erected.’

Tyre Sizes

Dunlop announced that they would be increasing the size of tyres for 1914. This was likely to be as a result of the higher mileage and use of sidecars.

The Olympia Show

The annual Motorcycle show was held at Olympia from 24 to 29 November 1913. This was the place to go to learn about new models for 1914 as well as be introduced to a huge range of accessories and customisations such as the sprung frame produced by Charles Edmund and Co shown below.  Rudge and NSU also set new records at Brooklands as publicity for their machines at the Show.  



Charles Edmund & Co Advert for its spring frame launched at the Nov 1913 motorcycle Show 

October 1913

Further 1914 models were launched as bikers of the era were looking forward to the annual motorcycle show at Olympia. See November 1914 for more details. The silly season continued with a three day accent of Ben Lomond and the press were reporting on the use of motorcycles in the recent Army manoeuvres.

Three day accent of Ben Lomond by motorcycle Nov 1913

September 1913

The clouds of war were gathering in the background and military planning was taking place. This included the testing of motorcycles, usually privately owned and provided by volunteers at the annual army manoeuvres taking place around the country during September 1913.

Carrier riding became an issue after several fatalities. The Motor Cycle magazine put themselves behind a campaign to persuade motorcycle riders it was not a good idea. It stated that the practice had become a trend over the previous 12 months stating:

 “we should be the last in the world to say anything that may militate against the proper use of motor cycles or to countenance any move antagonistic to the enjoyment of the pastime”

But went on to explain the dangers of the extra weight on the carrier and rear tyre which could result in skidding and injury. They also say

“and as the passenger is all too frequently of the fair sex, the resulting smash, if anything goes wrong, is all the more unpleasant to contemplate.”

New 1914 models were being presented to the press. Among these were a 3 and a half h.p. Sunbeam, an FN and a Comet.

Conquering Skidaw and Helvellyn on Motorcycles

Little & Drinkall at the summet of Helvellyn

After two unsuccessful attempts by two separate motorcyclists, the mountain was eventually claimed by W.B. Little riding a 3 and a half h.p. Premier. We are told from contemporary accounts that the route from Keswick to the summit took 61 minutes including about 10 minutes lost whilst opening two gates!... and that it may be possible to find a better route during springtime.

 The silly season continued with a ride up Helvellyn. This time W.B Little riding his trusty Premier was joined on his quest by Raymond Drinkall on a 4 and a half h.p. Quadrant. Both men were experienced trials riders of the day and contemporary accounts say that this was a complex climb during which both riders needed assistance. The quadrant suffered a hole in the crankcase which was mended with sticking plaster and string, whilst Little got stuck in a bog. The intrepid Little reached the summit first followed by Drinkall half an hour later with a sick, Quadrant which was by then completely out of oil. The run had taken two and a half hours.  

Patents

Among the motorcycle related patents for September 1913 was an interesting graduated gearing system similar to that later used by Zenith. It seems to employ a leaver rather than the winding system used by Zenith. The approach is clearly novel, but it is difficult to work out from the drawings exactly how it works as it appears to pivot the rear drive rather than the wheel as in the Zenith approach. We are not aware of this system ever being used, but as ever if you know different, please let us know.  Also Patented was an independent spring mechanism for sidecars which allowed the wheel and axel to rise independently from the body of the sidecar.   

August 1913

By August 1913 some local authorities had made rear reflectors compulsory and there was speculation that this would be extended nationally in 1914.

Brooklands held the thirteenth Eight  and a half   mile Long handicap race and the sixteenth short handicap race for motorcycles. E.E. Elwell won the long Handicap race easily on a Douglas at an average speed of over 50 miles an hour. Keneth Holden won the short race on a BSA. The meeting was held over the bank holiday in excellent weather.

The 5^th East Yorkshire Cyclist Corps carried out manoeuvres along the Yorkshire cost. This included a motorcycle and sidecar with gun carriage attached.

Whilst in 2013 there is some debate about the classification of 3 wheelers it would seem that even one hundred years ago people were corresponding about whether 3 wheelers were cyclecars.

Lastly this little gem from the August 1913 edition of Motor Cycle. This is an extract of a piece written by Mrs. Montgomary Saxby headed ‘Sidecaring for Ladies A Novitiate’s Experiences.’

SOME little lime ago I was consumed with a desire to drive a motor cycle, which, on the arrival of a 5-6 h.p. Clyno and sidecar, developed into a burning passion. As a perfect novice, without any particular inherent faculty for matters mechanical, my heart ebbed rather low at the possibility of handling this fearsome looking machine with, to me, such an apparent nest of complications. After one or two rides in the sidecar, when in the open country, I was persuaded to enter on my first drive. Having been initiated into the mysteries of tickling the carburettor, I succeeded, after one or two attempts, in starting the engine by means of the kick-starter and was agreeably surprised and not a little proud of myself to hear the engine purring gently, and metaphorically champing at the bit, ready for the actual start.

July 1913

A uneventful month in the world of motorcycling although we did stumble across this fact. 



Carl Stearns Clancy



Carl Stearns Clancy, the first man to ride round the world on a motorcycle was, during July 1913 on his epic trip on a 1912 Henderson. A well reserched book by Dr Gregory W Frazer is available, and we can't wait to get a copy and look forward to bringing you a review in due course.

Motorcycle Adventurer: Carl Stearns Clancy: First Motorcyclist To Ride Around The World 1912-1913 (Frazer, Gregory W)

Available on Amazon £12.83 (This is not an advert just a link)

June 1913



• Germany introduced a new tax to finance the doubling of their armies whilst in the UK The Epsom Derby took place on June 4th and it was here that Suffragette Emily Wilding Davison was to achieve her place in history by running under a horse and died of her injuries four days later.
• In 1913 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races were increased in length to a six lap (226 mile) Junior race and to seven laps (265 mile) for the Senior race. The highest number of entries to date, one hundred and forty seven, were received for these races, however, Frank Bateman, riding a Rudge was the first race fatality in a high-speed accident on the mountain that year. Click here to see more on the IOM T.T. Website.
• It would seem that June 1913 was also a time for publicity. Sunbeam motorcycles were being driven up Snowdon to promote their 1913 models June saw the launch of a 6 hp. Subeam machine, powered by a JAP 76 mm. x 85 mm. twin engine and a 3-speed gearbox. It was a similar design to the 2¾ hp. machine, but with a larger and stronger frame, Druid type forks, and Senspray carburettor.

May 1913

• The first ever race held for cyclecars at Brooklands and was part of the "Whit Monday" meeting of 1913. The race was held on the Brooklands circuit and covered a distance of 5.75 miles. There were seven entrants including the famous Archie Frazer-Nash driving one of his own creations, the "G.N." cycle car.

April 1913

• British suffragette Emily Pankhurst sentenced to 3 years in jail and Swedish engineer Gideon Sundback  was patenting an all-purpose zipper but little seems to have been reported on the motorcycle front. But if you know differrent contact us at history@fenlandclassics.co.uk or Twitter @fenlandclassics

March 1913

• The suffragette movement was gaining notoriety with a march in the USA. The long build up to WW1 continues with House of Commons voting to increase the British naval fleet by five battleships eight cruisers and 16 torpedo boats.
• The ripples of expanding military muscle were beginning to be felt in motorcycle manufacturing as the Royal Flying Corps ordered 12 Douglas 348cc Model O  and eight 3½hp Phelon and Moore twin speed motorcycles for testing at Brooklands Race track which was soon to be requisitioned during the war for further testing and military based motorcycle events. At the time “The Motor Cycle” Magazine reported that the tests included lapping the outer circuit at an average of 30 miles an hour over a 50 mile blast followed by an accent of the test hill.

February 1913

• Britain was learning of the death of Robert Falcon Scott (of the Antarctic) after failing to reach the South Pole and Percy Lambert had been the first person to cover over 100 miles in an hour in a Car at Brooklands race track in Surrey.

• The James Cycle Company was advertising a three speed motor cycle adding to their range.

• Companies such as BSA, Sunbeam, and AJS were continuing to establish themselves as major players and Sunbeam were planning the launch of a new model in June.

• On 25 February pioneer motorcycle racer Jake DeRosier died following injuries sustained in March 1912. Jake, born in Canada in 1880 spent most of his life in America. As a teenager he raced bicycles before being introduced to the moterised variety in 1898, and entered his first race in 1901. At the time of his death he was a works rider for Excelsior but most of his success had been riding Indians. By 1911 he held every F.A.M. motorcycle record and came to Britain to compete in the 1911 Isle of Man TT. Whilst he set the fastest qualifying time he found the course a challenge and is quoted as saying “It ain’t going to be no tea party”. He subsequently finished 12^th after setting a fasted lap on the first circuit only to be disqualified later for receiving outside help after breaking down following the loss of his tools on the bumpy circuit earlier in the race. (Source: AMA Hall of Fame)