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British Motorcycles

F. and H. Melen Motorcycles

Melen motorcycles were produced by F. and H. Melen of Cheapside, Birmingham, from 1912 to 1913 and from 1922 to 1926.
  • 1912 The first machine, a combination, was exhibited at the late Olympia Show. It had a 6hp JAP V-twin engine, Roc two-speed gear and belt drive. The wicker sidecar had a four-point attachment.
  • 1913 The enterprise was short-lived and did not last beyond that year.
  • 1922 The Melen resurfaced on a tradesman's motor carrier tricycle, in the form of a conventional motorcycle with the exception of the front. This had two wheels and a closed-top delivery box positioned between them. It therefore resembled the rather out-dated forecar of yesteryear, and was powered by a 292cc two-stroke Union engine.
  • 1924 By now, the Union engine had been replaced by a 343cc Villiers, but otherwise the design was virtually unchanged.
  • 1926 Production continued until this year and then stopped.

Melen-1922-Tricycle-Oly-p758.jpg
Melen tradesman's motor carrier tricycle.


MELEN. Stand 105.

Box Carrier Motor Tricycle.

2¾ H.P. Model.

70x77 mm. (297 c.c); single cyl. four-stroke: drip feed lubrication; Amac carb.; direct-driven mag.; 3-sp. gear; chain drive; 24x2¼in. tyres. Price £80.

F. AND H. Melen, Ltd., Sherlock Street, Birmingham.

A unique little business three-wheeler is shown on the Melen stand, which otherwise is for the most part devoted to bicycles. It is fitted with a 297 c.c. two-stroke engine, three-speed gear, and chain transmission. Two brakes act on a single rear drum; one is an external contracting band and the other is a shoe, pulled on to the inner periphery by the hand lever. From experience on the road it has been found to be a particularly stable little vehicle, efficiently sprung, economical, and very suitable for the type of driver who is likely to handle it. The accommodation, too, is good, the carrying capacity being from 1½ to 2 cwt.

Olympia Show 1922
The Motor Cycle

Sources: Graces Guide


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