The Defy-All was produced from 1921 to 1923 by the Supreme Motor Co to a design by a Mr. Craddock of Stalybridge, Cheshire.
The first engine used in the design was a 269cc two-stroke Villiers Mk IV, with two-speed Sturmey-Archer gearbox and chain-cum-belt transmission. This was followed by Blackburne 348cc and 549cc sv-engined models. The machine had leaf spring front forks and triangulated rear fork suspension. Despite its name, little came of it and the firm failed to survive.
With the carrier part of the main frame, the Defy-all lightweight leaves only the rear wheel unsprung.
The "Defy-all" spring fork dismantled.
The Defy-all Lightweight - the Product of a Well-known Designer.
PERHAPS the most interesting point of the Defy-all spring frame, apart from the refreshing originality of its carrier design, is the fact that it may be locked up solidly as a rigid assembly should a spring break.
It is a simple design, but, nevertheless, promises to be most efficient in action.
Mr. Caddick [sic], the designer (who, incidentally, was associated with the design of another well-known spring frame machine which has given most satisfactory service on the road for some years past), has followed the usual practice of pivoting the rear stays just behind the gear box. Another pair of stays and a curved vertical tube complete the rear wheel member. The curved tube is linked to a very much "humped" four-leaf spring, which, in turn, is housed at one end just behind the saddle-pillar, and at its lower extremity is linked to the saddle tube.
Insulating the Rear Lamp.
The carrier is an independent structure attached rigidly to the sprung portion of " the frame, and so designed as to allow ample clearance tor the moving wheel and mudguard. A special extension of the carrier is provided to carry the rear lamp - a commendable feature, as lamps attached to spring wheels usually receive much more vibration than is good for them.
In the illustration, the frame is shown in its " free " or springing form. It may be made rigid by attaching at one end the auxiliary struts on the lower carrier stays to bolts at the wheel spindle. Also extremely simple, the front forks of this machine work on the parallel link principle. A special housing extending upwards from the base of the steering head holds the single coil spring in a very neat manner.
At present the Defy-all is only made as a lightweight, but we understand that mediumweight and heavyweight models are on the stocks.
On the existing machine, such well-known components as the 2½- h.p. Villiers engine, Amac carburetter, and Sturmey-Archer two-speed gear box, help to form a very taking little machine both in appearance and design. It is possible, however, that later editions of the lightweight will be fitted with 2¾ h.p. Blackburne engines.
The makers are the Defy-all Cycle and Motor Cycle Co., Ltd., Chapel Street, Stalybridge, Cheshire.
The Motor Cycle, February 10th, 1921. Page 176
Sources: Graces Guide, The Motor Cycle.
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