J.N. Taylor of 121 Grenfell Street, Adelaide built frames and manufactured engine components including pistons. They also imported JAP and Dalm engines.
BSA distributors SA 1918-1954 or later.
Agents for Indian, 1924-1931 or later. (Advertised as "Sole Distributors Indian and BSA in 1931)
Agents for Francis-Barnett, 1930s.
JAP distributor for South Australia
Prior to WWII motorcycle sales accounted for £25,000 of their turnover. In the early 1950s this had risen to £465,000. They acquired cycle manufacturer Osterstock Bros in Port Adelaide where they sold BSA, Norton, AJS, and Matchless. Osterstock closed in the early 1960s.
Victor
J.N.Taylor & Co manufactured these between 1919 and 1921
Motorcycles were built using JAP engines which the firm referred to as the JAP-Victor. A devastating factory fire in 1921 brought production to a halt.
SA Registrations (sample)
16535.— William Mundey, Edward's Hotel, Clare, 2¾ (h.p.) Victor. - Registered SA
April 1920
16869, R. H. Robertson, Glenelg, 6 (h.p.) J.A.P. Victor - Registered SA June 1920
17538, R. H. Hussey. Unley, 3½ (h.p.) Victor. - Registered SA Oct 1920
17879, Messrs. Peek Bros.. Adelaide, 2¾ (h.p.) Victor - Registered SA Dec 1920
17886, A. L. Pointon, Curramulka, 2¼ (h.p.) Victor. - Registered SA Dec 1920
Victor Blackburne
Leon Mitchel discovered such a machine, which he believes may be unique as there is no reference to it in the records. Powered by an 8hp Blackburne 60° V-twin, the fuel tank has green panels with "Victor Blackburne" in gold script. It has a Burman gearbox and an Excelsior frame from R. Walker & Sons.
Dalm
Image courtesy Terry Parker of the VVMCSA.
Dalm Two-stroke.
A consignment of Dalm two-stroke engines have been landed and unpacked by the South Australian wholesale agents, Messrs. J. N. Taylor &. Co., Limited. These are being built into two-stroke mounts locally, and the completed article looks neat and attractive...
The Mail, 10 Jun 1916
Two machines were registered as "Dalm" in 1920.
16504 W.A. Farratt, Finnis, 2¾ (h.p.) Dalm.
Registered SA April 1920
16759, R. E. Carter, Prospect, 2 Dalm
Registered SA May 1920
This new Francis Barnett just landed in S.A. is a twostroke motor cycle powered with the famous Villiers Long stroke engine of 148 c.c. For a small machine, this new model has a performance that will astound many. It has a strong, sturdy appearance, twin exhaust ports, 3 speed gears, electric light, and a host of other interesting features. For the buyer who wants a light machine with all-round economy and trouble-free running, J. N. Taylor & Co., Ltd., 147 Grenfell st., the agents, will pleased to demonstrate. [1]
The Advertiser, Thu 27 Feb 1936. (Trove NLA)
The Indian & B.S.A. M.C.C. Wilf Wood Memorial Four-hour Trial, to be run at 10 a.m. from J.N. Taylor's, Grenfell Street, Adelaide, on Sunday, May 4, has attracted a record number of entries...
Sport (Adelaide, SA) Sat 3 May 1947
Dave Basham was apprenticed to JN Taylor in 1956 at the age of 14. He went on to become an excellent competition rider in scrambles, observed trials and road racing.
Sources: Trove NLA; aussievelos.net; OTTW; Leon Mitchel.
N.B. 1. The 1939 149cc Plover illustrated differs slightly to the original newspaper illustration which has fishtail mufflers.
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