Lathey
Robert Lathey of East Devonport, Tasmania (1913-16)
Built motorcycles using Precision and Villiers engines.
ACCIDENT TO A CYCLIST.
DEVONPORT, July 11.
Robert Lathey, a cycle machinist, was coming down Moriarty Hill, when his motor-cycle skidded, throwing him violently and breaking his leg. He lay there for some time before another cycle agent came along. He was then placed in a baker's cart, and brought to his home at East Devonport, where Dr. Addison set the limb.
The Mercury (Hobart, Tas.) Wed 12 Jul 1911
Sources: Trove NLA, Simon Fleming.
Leitch
Manufactured by Leitch & Co., Gray St, Hamilton, Victoria.
June 1904, Leitch Motors Built to Order. Ernest Leitch & Co. 385 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.
March 1912, advertised Leitch motorcycles, £65.
1913 advertised Rudge, Thor, E.W.B. (Melbourne-built), JAP, King Dick, FN, Douglas - but no mention of a Leitch motorcycle.
1914 & 1916 they advertised Indian. 1917 they advertised Leitch Cycles and Indian motorcycles.
A 1912 Grandex rebadged as Leitch was offered for sale in Belgium by hd-classic.be in 2021.
Trove NLA: Hamilton Spectator Tue 21 Sep 1909
N.B. 1. Hamilton had Leitch Pictures (cinema) in those days, possibly related. 2. In 1918 and 1924 there was a Sandford, Leitch Motors in Exhibition St, Melbourne, a car dealer. There is no indication that there was a motorcycle side to this business.
Lewis (Adelaide)
Lewis (VIC)
Based in Williamstown, and later in Melbourne, they are listed as a manufacturer from 1909 until about 1919. The are unrelated to Lewis of Adelaide.
Liberty by Acme of Melbourne, 1904~1916
LOB
Manufactured by J. L. Lob & Son, 129 Rundle Street, Adelaide using Minerva engines and BSA rolling chassis, 1904 to c.1907.
The Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA) Sat 2 Jun 1906
Source: Trove NLA
Local
Racing motorcycles built in Queenlsand 1906-1908, possibly other years, using 2 ¾ h.p. and 3½ h.p. engines, quite possibly Minerva.
The following records exist:
Rarer Australian Marques