1897 The New Centaur Cycle Co was registered on 27 February, to take over the business of the Centaur Cycle Co.
1906 In January, the original name was reverted to.
1912 Listed in Spennell's directory of Coventry as Cycle Manufacturers.
2 h.p. Ladies Model
Mechanically operated valves, side by side; B. & B. carburetter; belt; Armstrong three-speed hub gear.
The machine is particularly well designed, and should gain a large measure of popularity. The complication of small parts
usually associated with ladies' models is done away with, and the gear makes it a mount capable of
going anywhere. A sensible and neat dress guard over the belt is employed, and also an aluminium
fender covering the whole top part of the cylinder.
The Motor Cycle Nov 23rd 1911,
3½ h.p. Model (single-cylinder) : 84x85 mm.; side by side valves; Amac carburetter; belt; Armstrong VI.
The Centaur Co., Ltd., Coventry.
The new Centaur model may be distinguished by square cylinder radiating ribs. In most respects, however, they are similar to last year's model. The tank is circular and lubrication is by an enclosed pump. Neat rubber-covered footboards are fitted as standard.
The Armstrong mark VI. hub gear is used. A neat kick-starter is fitted on the off side, consisting of a pedal, which drives the rear hub clutch by a short length of chain. The magneto is gear driven, and lies behind the engine well out of the way of mud and water. The gear is operated by a single pedal, but the clutch may be held out by means of a spring catch. The rear rim brake is interesting in that the shoe is of unusual length; it operates inside the V of a dummy belt rim. The shoe is pivoted so that the full length of the shoe accommodates itself to the radius of the rim.
The front mudguard has side wings extending its full length, and the rear guard is hinged and has a neat belt protector attached to it. The carrier is of ample dimensions, and supports pannier toolbags which do not interfere with the luggage accommodation. The spring forks are of the Druid type made under licence. A large expansion box is fitted across the frame in front of the engine, which renders the exhaust extremely quiet.
1912 Olympia Show
The Motor Cycle Nov 28th 1912, p386
Sources: Graces Guide, The Motor Cycle, onlinebicyclemuseum.co.uk.
Fri Jan 02 2015
bernie.0205 at yahoo.co.uk
Engine
Centaur, Coventry Water Cooled
Please can you help? a friend in South Africa was given a Centaur, Coventry single cylinder water cooled engine c early 1900s. he has got it running but has no knowledge of what it was used for. Can you help please. Bernard Dodd.
Cleethorpes
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