Multiple Cylinders
Engineers saw multiple-cylinder engines as a way of increasing power output, especially for sidecar pulling, and achieving greater flexibility along with smoother running. The V-twin seemed the ideal solution, compact and a perfect fit in a normal frame, but others tried flat-twins in various layouts, or even in-line four-cylinder engines mounted car-like, fore-and-aft in the frame.
Minerva 4½ V-twin, 1906
| Origin | Belgium |
| Engine | 577 cc, V-twin |
| Top speed | 50 mph (80 km/h) |
Sylvain de Jong’s Minerva built high-quality V-twin (as here) and single-cylinder machines until 1909, but then turned production over to luxury cars.
Norton 5 HP V-twin, 1906
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 700 cc, V-twin |
| Top speed | 80 mph (129 km/h) |
Starting up in 1902, James Norton was soon fitting Peugeot engines. His rider Rem Fowler won the twins class of the first Isle of Man TT in 1907 on a machine like this one.
FN Four, 1911
| Origin | Belgium |
| Engine | 498 cc, in-line four |
| Top speed | 45 mph (72 km/h) |
This revolutionary luxury four-cylinder motorbike with shaft drive started with a 362 cc capacity in 1905 and grew to 748 cc in 1914, continuing after WWI.
Wilkinson TMC, 1912
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 848 cc, in-line four |
| Top speed | 75 mph (120 km/h) |
Built by the Wilkinson Sword company from 1911 to 1916, this top-of-the-line motorcycle featured shaft drive and full suspension, with a car-type water-cooled engine.
Zenith 8/10 HP Gradua, 1913
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 986 cc, V-twin |
| Top speed | 85 mph (137 km/h) |
Freddy Barnes devised the Gradua gear, combining a variable pulley with sliding the rear wheel fore and aft. It was briefly banned as an unfair advantage in competitions.
BAT Combination, 1913
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 770 cc, V-twin |
| Top speed | 45 mph (72 km/h) |
In 1905 T.H. Tessier took over BAT, which went on to build a good reputation for its sturdy and comfortable V-twins that were ideal for sidecar combinations.
NUT 3½ HP Sports, 1914
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 497 cc, V-twin |
| Top speed | 65 mph (105 km/h) |
Founded in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1912 by Hugh Mason and Jock Hall, the NUT factory made well-engineered and fast V-twins. Mason won the 1913 Junior TT on this one.
Royal Enfield 3 HP V-twin, 1914
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 425 cc, V-twin |
| Top speed | 60 mph (97 km/h) |
After concentrating for a few years on cars. Royal Enfield returned to building motorcycles in 1909. By 1913 its inlet-over-exhaust twin was enjoying race track success.
AJS Model D, 1915
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 749 cc, V-twin |
| Top speed | 65 mph (105 km/h) |
The Stevens family were building engines very early in the century and started AJS motorcycles in 1909. This big V-twin of 1913 was popular for combinations.
Douglas 2¾ HP Lady’s Model, 1915
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 345 cc, flat-twin |
| Top speed | 45 mph (72 km/h) |
Douglas was among the first to introduce a specific model for ladies. This bike’s lower frame top tube and added guards made riding in a long skirt possible.
Woolen 2¾ HP Flat-twin, 1919
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 345 cc, flat-twin |
| Top speed | 55 mph (89 km/h) |
Boasting variable speed gearing and full suspension, the advanced Wooler, painted yellow and nicknamed the “Flying Banana”, competed in the 1919 Isle of Man TT—but without success.
It is a quote. The Motorbike Book – The Definitive Visual History 2012
