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Aberdale Autocycles

A Brief History of the Marque

Built by the London-based Aberdale firm between 1947 & 1949, the Villiers Junior powered 98cc autocycle was typical of lightweights built during the immediate postwar era. The engine hung from the frame and it had petroil lubrication, direct lighting and blade girder forks. A carrier was positioned over the rear wheel, and side panels concealed the engine. It had basic controls (brake, clutch, throttle, gearchange), a bulb horn, drum brakes and a speedometer.

The motorcycles were manufactured in the Bown factory in Tonypandy in Wales. In 1949 they were re-badged and marketed under the Bown label.

The Aberdale Cycle Company was founded in 1919, and the founder's sons Joseph and Leslie Levy joined the company when they were quite young. Aberdale had acquired the Bown firm in the mid-1930s, and W.A.R. Bown retained a seat on the board. In 1941 Joseph was appointed Managing Director. During this period the factories were turned to war work, with the Aberdale plant producing generators for use in aircraft.

Sources: Henshaw, Graces Guide, motorencyclopedie.nl, icenicam.org.uk.

Facebook Warning!

08-Feb-2019
positivelydisillusioned at @gmail.com
Aberdale and Sturmey Archer
I am looking for an Aberdale moped. I haven't seen one here in USA though have been looking for 20 years. Perhaps I should look abroad. I do not want a pristine machine, I don't even want one that works. I enjoy building junk, you see. I don't know if this is a proper place to inquire but a shot in the dark is a shot in the dark. Also looking for Sturmey Archer stuff, thought I would shoot that into the dark as well. Help would be appreciated sincerely. Budget for a bike would be maybe a few thousand USD.
Trevor London Cochran
Seattle, USA

Sun, 07 Jan 2018
vin_dowd at yahoo.com
Excelsior Universal 1950

Hi Just thought you maybe interested in some pics of a recent universal 1950 and a 1948 Aberdale Autocycle restoration. I have attached a before and after shot of both.
Vincent dowd
South Australia Australia