New Imperial Cycle Co.
Design of crank employed on the New Imperial motor cycles to enable a straight rod control to the clutch.
(R.) The clutch-operating pedal mounted on a special lug of the New Imperial.
The above firm is marketing three entirely new models, these being a 4½ h.p. sidecar machine, a 3½ tourist, and a 2½ lightweight. The sidecar vehicle is very carefully designed, and is the result of long tests. All lugs for brake rods, guides, and sidecar attachments, are brazed to the frame and have a very neat workmanlike appearance. A 4½ h.p. single-cylinder engine of 90 mm. bore x 95 mm. stroke is fitted vertically in the frame and drives through a Roc two-speed gear situated in the rear hub. The chief feature with regard to this engine is the fitting of a ratchet exhaust lifter which enables the rider to lift the valve right off the seat or to leave it just clear. It is claimed by the makers that when running at moderate speeds the engine keeps cooler and develops more power when the valve is held very slightly off its seating. The clutch and brake pedals are carried on special studs fixed in the engine plates and quite separate from the footrests. Side flaps are made in one piece with both front and rear mudguards, and the finish is in dark green, suitably lined. A substantial stand is used and the carrier is brazed to the frame; a special sidecar is being manufactured with heavy gauge tubing, and we understand that by show time we are likely to see something quite new in this line coming from the new Imperial works.
The first point to strike us on the 3½ h.p. model was the transparent bronze finish. We hear that this has excellent wearing qualities, and is certainly neat and distinctive. The engine has a bore and stroke of 85 mm x 88 mm. respectively, and the machine is in most respects similar to the 4½ h.p. type; it is, however, fitted either with fixed gear or a hub plate clutch. The 2½ h.p. lightweight is finished in black, and can be fitted with the Armstrong three-speed hub gear; the pedals for operating this are carried on a lug brazed to the frame. All three types have dropped top tubes, giving a low riding position, comfortable V handle-bars joined by cross bar and Druid forks. The brazed-on lugs make a very clean job, and we hear that in future even the controls will be brazed to the handle bars.
1911 Olympia Show - The Motor Cycle November 9th, 1911. Page 1179
NEW IMPERIAL, No. 42.
The New Imperial Cycle Co., Ltd., Lower Loveday Street, Birmingham. – This company is showing a neatly carried out 3½ h.p. model fitted with a Villiers hub clutch. The engine used is a 3½ h.p. Precision. The machine is on standard lines, and has a dropped top tube which gives an extremely low saddle position. Mudguarding has received special attention, side flaps being fitted on the mud-guards to both front and back wheels, while a large shield is fitted over the magneto, which lies in front of the engine. Both brake and clutch pedals are carried on separate lugs. Handle-bar controlled magneto is employed, and all lugs including those carrying the carburetter and magneto controls are brazed to the frame and handle-bars. A special fitting is the ratchet exhaust lift. The machine shown is finished throughout in transparent bronze, there being no nickel fittings with the exception of the saddle pillar and a few nuts and bolts. This finish gives the machine a particularly neat appearance, and should make it extremely waterproof.
This model is specially built for sidecar work, and has a frame designed throughout to withstand the extra strain of the attachment. The description of the 3½ h.p. machine applies to this model also, with the exception of the fact that it is finished in green tastefully lined with black and a paler green. Two pairs of footrests are fitted to the 4¼ h.p. model, the rear footrests taking the place of the pedalling gear on the 3½ h.p. type. Druid spring forks are employed throughout, and neat V-shaped handle-bars with a cross tie-rod.
The 2½ h.p. model is fitted with a loop frame and has the Armstrong three-speed as a standard fitting, but free engine or fixed gear can be supplied if required. The finish is in black with a green and white panel tank. In other respects this machine resembles the 3½ h.p. These types have been described in detail in a recent issue.
1911 Olympia Show - The Motor Cycle November 23rd, 1911. Page 1254
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