There was already plenty of material in 1903 (the features section is a doozy) but, thanks to my acquisition of early volumes of The Motor (née Motor Cycling and Motoring) a positive cornucopia of stories and pics unseen for 120 years awaits your attention. There are bags of forgotten bikes, the first generation of sidecars (and the cartoon that inspired their invention), races between motor-bicycles and airships, experiments with more potent fuel, the first 60mph racer…and a death toll in the Paris-Madrid race that stopped the race at Bordeaux and led to a French ban on road racing.
“PICRIC! Extract from a letter received from a reader: ‘Sir, I have lately been trying a mixture of Picric and Petrol, with gratifying results.'”
That’s it; 1902’s in the bag, all 143,000 words of it (not counting features). This is the year motor cycling came of age; the word-count software reckons you can read all about it in 12 hours. The final (for now) instalment includes reports from the Stanley and Paris shows including a shedload of marques lost to history. You’ll also find the first motor cycle to carry the Rudge name, the first bike cop, the first Xmas story in a bike mag and…you get the picture.
Here’s a jovial cartoon from the Christmas issue…hohoho.
More firsts from 1902: The first wheelie; the first bike cop (“He has to race motorcars transgressing the speed limit.”) and the first reported bike theft (of a one-off prototype destined for the Stanley Show). There’s also a 12hp pacer which “has touched 55mph on the track” and a 32hp 4.2-litre vertical twin ‘bête de vitesse’ trike of which Motor Cycling said: “This machine is claimed to have—and we give the information with all reserve—a speed of 124mph.”
“The 32hp Buchet Racing Tricycle.” Claimed top speed: 124mph.
More stories, more bikes, more reports, more firsts (probably) including a lurid newspaper report of a rider’s injuries, a two-speed transmission, a cantilever frame, a purpose-built, a machine-gun trike, a racetrack (at Spa) and a clip-on two-stroke.
The Hewiston—as the excellent Laurin-Klement was known over here.
Just added to 1902, loads of good stuff including reports from the Paris-Vienna Great Race (the motor-bicycles did remarkably well), the Westerham Hill-Climb, notes on upgrading a 1900 front-wheel-drive Werner and a first-hand account of the first motor-bicycle run from Land’s End to John o’Groats (which has joined the rest of the E2E and round-the-coast yarns in the 1911 features section). Ixion reckoned this run, by MCC Captain EH Arnott, was the most impressive of them all; It’s a ripping yarn. You’ll also find some Stateside bikes you’ve never heard of and an editorial pointing out that motorbikes are the safest vehicles on the road…and this cartoon, which rings horribly true today.
“Moting joys. When you are cautiously venturing on a little speed increase, and from around an abrupt corner a sweet vision like this floats across your fevered goggles!”
The country’s first racetrack opened at Bexhill-on-Sea and, while the Earl De La Warr (who owned the seafront) envisioned a south coast Le Mans, motor cyclists got in on the act, competing for a rather fine cup presented by Motor Cycling. What would evolve into the Green ‘Un was also running reviews of the leading designs if the day so you can read all about the New Pattern Werner, Clement-Garrard, Phoenix, Singer, Auto-Bi, Excelsior, FN…with plenty more to come. There’s also a report on the Crystal Palace trials, two show reports and news of French plans to use surplus wine and beetroot crops to power bikes. And a five-pot rotary engines. And heated discussion about the perils faced by novices on 2¾hp speedsters. The first riding gear was arriving. The accessory market was finding its feet. More stories are being added on an almost daily basis so, enjoy. I certainly am.
“Usefulness vs Art 1: Bjones scandalised his eminently respectable neighbourhood by razing his flower beds and erecting a hideous donkey engine and crane in his front garden! Just fancy!! “Usefulness vs Art 2: But when the truyly intelligent community saw it was really the most practical way of getting his motor-bicycle into the hall they bore the inflictiojn with resignation. This is truly a utilitarian age and art must be subservienbt to usefulness.”
Among the latest additions to 1902 are the launch story of the ‘New Pattern’ Werner—arguably one of the most influential bikes in history—and the launch of what would become the ubiquitous (in Britain) Smith’s speedo. The introduction to the Smith’s story is gloriously steampunk: “Messrs S Smith and Sons, the well-known horologists, of 9, Strand, WC, have just completed the first specimen of their new patent combined motor chronograph and speed indicator.”
“The New Type Werner: method of fixing the engine.”
Race reports from Brummagen, Brighton and London…a 46sec flying kilometre at Lyon aboard a 5hp Perfecta trike…should racers be allowed to pedal?…a note on motor cycling in Japan…Alpine touring on a Derby and a Trent…checking platinum points with aqua fortis…a revamped Starley…timely advice on protecting your battery with fuse wire…enthusiasts abound on what would become the A1, A3 and A23…Italy decides motor cyclists don’t need to take a test…and Marconi revealed as a motor cyclist. All this and much more await your attention in 1902.
“The human form divine. MOTIST: ‘By St Petrol and all that’s puncturable, what must he look like when they’re pumped up hard?’ HUNTIST: ‘Gwacious! What have we found? Paw beggah looks cold!’”
“The first race meeting in England confined to purely motor bicycles”—read all about it in 1902. There are also warnings to heed: wrapping your legs in brown paper will make you rustle—and take care when handling petrol “which to the observer appears about as harmless as water”. Plus news of a carb incorporating a spinning brush in place of jets; a two-speed gearbox; a folding teak paddock stand; a poem lauding bio-fuel (“It’s my artichokes and turmuts What’s a-driving that there car!”; a 65mph record; and a petrol/electric hybrid. And don’t miss my favourite caption of 1902 (thus far): “Feeding on a big bun.”
Carb designers—don’t bother with jets…switch to a brush!
Another batch of American iron has been added to the Melange; you’ll find them under their respective logos. And a good number of assorted snaps await your attention in the second melange. Meanwhile in 1902 you’ll find a report on the race meeting that was held during the Crystal Palace show—the sketches that illustrate the report are well worth a look.
“In a quiet corner. Westlake’s peculiar position. Tessier.”
Motorcycle Timeline 