I cannot help at all with your query but it would make a great Yowl article. Good luck!

Keith

The attached contemporary road report might not be that instructive – it appears that the tester might have been persuaded in some way as his observations are at odds with all other comments I know of. This is for the 1929 model rather than the 1930 updated model. I have never seen an example of the latter and wonder whether any at all were produced prior to the Liquidation and rationalisation of the catalogue in 1931. There is an example in the National Motorcycle Museum, there used to be one in the M&C Collection of Historic Motorcycles at Bakewell and I have one which is incomplete, all 1929 models. I have a works picture of the 1930 model somewhere at home which I will post if I remember.

In my opinion there is likely to be no real difference between the single and a two-speeder when it comes to usability. Many of the parts of the 1929 model were left-overs from 2 speeders (forks,bars,front hub) and the rear hub is a heavy Webb hub as used on the Flying Squirrel Tourer. The frames are longer than a two-speeder and not necessarily lighter. The engine is rudimentary and has been likened to a saucepan in construction.

With two-speeders more readily available and unlikely to be much more expensive, if at all,I know which I would choose!

Glancing at Lewis’s photos, and remembering an earlier post in this thread, I thought it impossible that this little machine could possibly weigh as much as 330 lbs. I had handled one of these rare and not particularly desirable models when we offered it at a Bonhams sale a few years ago, and it was definitely a lightweight. The 1930 catalogue shows the weight as 230 lbs, while “The MotorCycle” road test of 18th July 1929 quotes “225 – 228 lbs according to equipment”. Like Lewis, I would prefer any model of the iconic two speeder to this. It is not surprising that it wasn’t a success.
Best wishes to all
Martin

The 1931 Catalogue including less fulsome details of the updated model is now available in the Documents section of the Members area. It also includes details of the “new 650”, based on the troubled TT machines and which never saw it into production.