Birth Of An Industry
Hundreds of entrepreneurs jumped on the motorcycle-building bandwagon at the turn of the 20th century, seeing its huge growth potential. Some were motivated by cash, others by the chance to have a hand in the rapid development of new technology. All forms of suspension arrangements and early types of variable gearing were tried as engines became more refined and speed potential grew.
Laurin Klement Slavia 1½ HP Model B, 1903
| Origin | Bohemia (Czech Republic) |
| Engine | 184 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 25 mph (40 km/h) |
Founded in 1895 to build bicycles in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the company that became Skoda built motorcycles from 1899 with an underslung De Dion-type engine.
Allright 2¾ HP, 1903
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | 300 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 40 mph (64 km/h) |
Allright started making motorcycles around 1901. This model had a Belgian FN engine and front and rear contracting-band brakes; it was also sold as the Vindec Special.
Indian Single 1¾ HP, 1904
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 213 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 25 mph (40 km/h) |
George Hendee and Carl Hedström produced this, their first chain-driven motorcycle in 1901. In 1903 Hedstrom set the world motorcycle speed record at 56 mph (90 km/h).
Advance 2¾ HP, 1904
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 360 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 40 mph (64 km/h) |
Advance’s bikes had advanced engines, which used a mechanical exhaust valve and automatic flap inlet valve. Far more engines were sold than complete motorcycles.
BAT 2½ HP, 1904
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 327 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 35 mph (56 km/h) |
Samuel R. Batson mounted De Dion and then MMC engines in this simple cycle frame with probably the first rear suspension and healthy performance.
Rex 3 HP, 1904
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 372 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 30 mph (48 km/h) |
Calling itself the “King of British Motors”, Rex had over 50 machines on display at the 1904 Cycle Show, including this one, with all components built in-house.
Rex 500 SV, 1907
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 500 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 47 mph (76 km/h) |
Harold and Billy Williams steered Rex to lead the British bike market, with this patented engine cradle, spring fork, sprung saddle, mechanical exhaust-valve, and more.
Matchless 2½ HP, 1905
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 327 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 30 mph (48 km/h) |
Matchless added leading-link front suspension to their machines in 1905, fitting a range of MMC, De Dion, or JAP engines of which this MMC was the smallest.
NSU 3 HP, 1906
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | 402 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 35 mph (56 km/h) |
Originally a knitting-machine-maker NSU is named after the town of Neckarsulm. These simple and lightly built bikes benefited from the innovation learned from racing.
Lincoln Elk 3 HP, 1908
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 402 cc, single-cylinder |
| Top speed | 40mph (64km/h) |
James Kirby began making Origin UK Lincoln Elk motorcycles in Lincoln in 1902 with 2½ HP engines, later expanding the range to include 3 HP and 3½ HP variants.
Douglas Model D, 1910
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 339 cc, flat-twin |
| Top speed | 45 mph (72 km/h) |
From its first motorbike in 1907, Douglas built a flat-twin engine that was popular with other makers; by 1909 a two-speed gearbox was optional (though not fitted here).
It is a quote. The Motorbike Book – The Definitive Visual History 2012
