ABC on ePay

What do you reckon it is Kim; doesn't look like one of the transverse M/C engines, perhaps the earlier (and I believe much rarer) fore and aft jobs - but with that low-slung Claudel Hobson carb?

NHH

Yes, an early fore-and-aft engine that shows considerable likenesses to the stationary engine, That said, it is OHV & has coarse pitched, drilled cylinder fins.

I would very much like to look inside, but not THAT much!

Regards,

Kim Siddorn

Had flick through Bradshaw book over lunch and the 'touring' models were certainly EOI, there is however mention of OHV TT and Brooklands models. Since production of all types was next to nothing (1914 was hardly the best year to launch a new range of motorcycles) then these must be real rocking horse poop! The other curious thing is the accompanying 'box (can I just make out the word Burman on it?) which is fitted out for belt final drive like the pre-war racers.

NHH

Just noticed 1921 patent date on 'box, so poss nothing to do with engine unless it found its way into a later 'special'. Looking at that finning it is surely more suited to a dope burning sprint machine than anything road going.

BTW, How long was ABC Road Motors current for?

NHH

Yes, I didn't think the gearbox was especially relevant - might have come from the same bike as the engine, but there's no reason why it shouldn't have been a later edition - I can think of various Douglas' that are thus equipped.

I noticed that it had a Bosch magneto & the engine number was 801. I wonder what GB started at?

With the right engine, it should not be too much trouble for a well-equipped workshop to conjure the rest of a Brooklands or TT replica. £30k of anyone's money!

Regards,

Kim Siddorn

ABC Motors Limited (All British (Engine) Company) of Hersham, Surrey, England was a manufacturer of cars, aircraft, motor scooters, and engines for road and air. Established by Ronald Charteris in Byfleet, Surrey in

ABC Road motors Ltd (All British (Engine) Company), established in Brooklands, Surrey, manufactured cars, airplanes, motorcycles and engines. Later on the name was changed in A. B. C. Motors Ltd., Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, A. B. C. Motors (1920) Ltd., Walton-on-Thames, Surrey and The Sopwith Aviation & Engineering Partner. Ltd., Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey (1913-1921).

In 1914 Granville Bradshaw moved production to Walton-on-Thames and in 1919 he was building a 398 cc motorcycle. They were both expensive & unreliable & never made in great numbers. Sopwith must have fallen upon the idea with cries of glee with some 3,500 employees when the Armistice was signed.

In 1921all government support ceased for ABC & the Skootamota was built, seemingly by Gilbert Camp Ground Ltd. on the Isle of Wight.

Google is just wonderful!

Regards,

Kim Siddorn

Had a 45 min quick look around Old Warden on Saturday and saw an ABC flat twin in a case and one strapped to an aircraft, forgot to take my camera.

Yes, even if it is a bit like electronic Chinese whispers sometimes - could 'Gilbert Camp ground' be Gilbert Campling, late of Selsdon Aero Engineering!?

NHH

Ah. I was in a rush & could only find the info in - of all things - Dutch! This I translated on the first free translating site I found, mined it for info, put it up & rushed out the door! ;o))

I did wonder ............

Regards,

Kim Siddorn