British

Elswick Motorcycles

Elswick-1913-Sidecar-1-R-Side-NZM.jpg
Elswick 1913 Combination

The Elswick Cycle Co produced motorcycles from 1903 to 1915, in Barton-on-Humber, Yorkshire. The company was founded, as Elswick-Hopper Cycle and Motor Co, in 1880.

  • 1894 Exhibited cycles at the Antwerp Exhibition as Elswick Cycle Co of Newcastle.
  • 1903 The company had made purpose built frames to attach engines to bicycles and, having previously been involved in the production of cycles, they went on to list machines with either a 2hp or a 4hp V-twin engine. One or both cylinders of the latter could be used as necessary. The make then disappeared for a few years.
  • 1912 They returned to the market in with two models. Conventional in format, both were fitted with Precision 348cc / 498cc engines of 2½ hp and 3¾ hp. Later they produced 4¼ hp and V-twins and a model fitted with a 269cc Villiers engine or a 2hp Precision.

Elswick-1914-TMC-BG.jpg
Elswick 269 c.c. Two-stroke 1914

ELSWICK.
Engine - 2 h.p. two-stroke, 269 c.c.
Iqnition - U.H. magneto, chain-driven.
Carburetter - Amac or Senspray.
Change Speed - Fixed gear.
Transmission - Belt.
Dimensions - Height of saddle from ground, 30in. Ground clearance, 5in. Wheelbase, 50in.
Lubrication - Oil mixed with petrol.
Other Features - Girder spring forks. Full set tools, etc.
Price - £24. Three-speed, £34 10s.
Similar machine with 2 h.p. Precision unit, incorporating two-speed gear. £30.

Elswick Cycles Mfg. Co., Barton-on-Humber.

British Lightweights, 1914

  • 1915 Production ceased.

    1919 Olympia Show

On this stand are shown two motor cycles. Both machines are identical except for finish, though one is known as the Elswick and the other as the Torpedo. The Elswick is an extremely neat lightweight, fitted with a Precision 3 1/2 hp two-stroke engine, which has sump lubrication as described in the Beardsmore-Precision. The machine is quite simple and on strictly conventional lines. It is finished in the well-known Elswick shade of green and lined with gold and this has a particularily distinctive appearance. The engine chain is neatly encased, the cover also enclosing the outside flywheel. A Sturmey-Archer two-speed gear box with kick-starter is fitted and the machine has Brampton Biflex spring forks.

The Motor Cycle, November 27th 1919

  • There were plans to resume production after the end of the Great War, but these did not come to fruition. The Olympia Show report above is believed to refer to remaining stock being sold off. Elswick concentrated on making bicycles.

Scoo-ped-49cc-Trojan.jpg
Scoo-ped 49cc Trojan

Scoo-ped

  • Elswick Cycles and Manufacturing Co of Barton-on-Humber, built rather attractive Trojan-powered moped scooters with fibreglass bodywork in the 1950s.

Lynx

  • In the early 1950s Elswick embarked on a moped project, working with Trojan to test the Piatti Mini-motor. This came to naught and a little later they tested a Dunkley engine, which proved disappointing. A VAP 57 engine was the next in line, and proved a winner. It was displayed at the 1960 Earls Court show, presented as a Scootamatic Lynx.

    Sadly, production costs proved too high and it did not enter production. Six prototypes were constructed, of which two remain.

Sources: Graces Guide, icenicam.org.uk, inbarton.atwebpages.com



If you have further information or a query related to this page, please contact us

British Motorcycle Manufacturers
British Motorcycles