Riley motorcycles were produced between 1899 and 1906, in Coventry.
1900 At about this time engines were changed to a 2¾ hp or a 3½ hp MMC.
1901 The first motorcycle appeared as a typically primitive solo fitted with a 1½ hp Minerva or a 2¾ hp MMC engine.
1902 A forecar design was added to the range.
1903 During the year a further option was added in the form of a 3½ hp MMC engine. The solos were advertised as the Moto-Bi. Late that year, Riley started fitting their own engines in the vertical mounting position, but still kept the Moto-Bi name. Engine sizes were 2.25-hp, 3-hp and 3.5-hp. The largest of those was intended for forecar use, with the option of water- or fan-cooling, and both forecars and sidecars were included in the range.
1904 The forecar was revised that year.
1905 A further forecar was added to the range.
1906 A fairly heavy machine appeared, fitted with a 6-hp, 804cc V-twin engine, but early in the year the production of motorcycles stopped and the company turned its attention firstly to tricars and then to motorcars.
1912 Spennell's lists them at St. Nicholas Street, Coventry (Wire, Kite; Tel. 216) and as manufacturers of motorcycles.
See also The Riley Company
Report from the 1902 Stanley Show
Another machine, fitted with 2.5 Minerva, is also shown, with tandem attachment, which can be taken on and off in a few minutes, and is well worth inspection. This can be fitted to any of these machines at slight extra cost.
Motor Cycling, 26th November 1902
The Motor Cycle November 1907.
Sources: Graces Guide, The Motor Cycle
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