PDM-Illston motorcycles were produced in 1914. All the engines were made by G. H. Illston of Gooch Street, Birmingham.
The range comprised three models. Two were fitted with 2¾ hp or 3hp single-cylinder engines with overhead inlet valves, and the third had a 5hp V-twin.
It is likely that the firm then diverted to war work.
Made Wolfruna motorcycle engines
1913 - No. of Company: 127176; G. H. Illston and Son Ltd.
1914 - S. Wolf and Co, creditors of the company, petitioned for its winding up
Source: Graces Guide
Illston and Smith
are manufacturing a neat lightweight motor cycle engine of 75 mm. bore x 55 mm. stroke. It is fitted with a mechanically operated inlet valve situated directly over the exhaust valve. The magneto is carried behind the cylinder and is gear-driven. A simple form of adjustable pulley is fitted. There is a neat half compression device, which works as follows : The tappet has a D-shaped extension on the bottom end, which when parallel to the flywheels works in the ordinary manner, but when turned through an angle of 90° is brought over an auxiliary lever and operated by a half compression cam. Both tappets are adjustable. The inlet valve is detached by a single ring nut. The flywheels are exceptionally heavy, being [?]in. in diameter and weighing 14 lbs. The crankshaft is supported on ball bearings. The lubrication system is quite novel, the oil being led into a well at the top of the crank case, into which the piston dips. The valves are of large proportions. The Illston and Smith machine has been designed by Mr. H. A. Smith.
1911 Olympia Show - The Motor Cycle November 9th, 1911. Page 1181
N.B. It is not clear whether Illston & Smith are related to G. H. Illston, but it assumed so. Two Illston engines were displayed on the Edlin stand at the 1911 Olympia.
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