Australian Motorcycles

Today in Motorcycle History

Eureka Motorcycles

The bicycle manufacturer Hall and Warden of 196 Swanston Street, Melbourne, built motor cycles powered by Minerva engines from about 1903 to 1906. At the end of that year the partners split up and Warden purchased the business.

W. J. Warden traded as Warden's at the original address from early 1907 and continued to advertise Eureka cycles, but there was no mention of motorcycles. By 1910 the doors had closed.

C.J. Hall opened shop 107 Queens Bridge Street, South Melbourne, and advertised "Queen" pattern bicycles and "Genuine BSA Bicycles". He was still trading in 1909, but does not appear to have delved into motorcycles. He too was gone by 1910.

At least one Eureka motorcycle has survived and is listed in the TAVCCA index by veterancarclub.org.au.

EUREKA Cycles, best value in Melb. Call and Inspect. Secondhand machines taken In exchange. Hall & Warden, 196 Swanston-st.

The Age Fri 30 Aug 1901


The writer met a friend, on Monday, who had made a pleasant trip to Ballarat on his "Eureka" motor bicycle of only 2 h.p. It looked a neat little turnout, and upon being asked if he did not feel a bit knocked-up (for he only started on Saturday morning) he said, "No," but possibly would have done so had he not been fitted with spring saddle pillar and handle-bar, which, he states, absolutely dispenses with vibration, and, fitted with Dunlop tyres, made the riding really comfortable.

Punch (Melbourne, Vic) Thu 21 Jan 1904


Entrants in the Dunlop Reliability Motor Contest from Sydney to Melbourne
S. E. Withers. Vic. (3½ h. p. Eureka)

Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic.) Thu 16 Feb 1905


MOTOR CYCLE BUSINESS SOLD.
The business of the well known firm of Hall and Warden, importers and manufacturers of motors, cycles and perambulators, of Melbourne, South Melbourne and Sydney, was offered for sale by auction yesterday by Messrs. Baillieu Patterson and Sons in one line as a going concern in order to close partnership accounts, together with the whole of the stock in trade, plant, tools, patterns, fittings, furniture, book debts, leases and good will. Considerable interest was taken in the sale, which attracted a representative attendance of those interested in the trade. The first offer was for £5000, and this rapidly increased by £50 bids to £6000, at which figure Mr. W. J. Warden became the purchaser.

The Age (Melbourne, Vic.) Fri 21 Dec 1906

Source: Trove NLA

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