British

Today in Motorcycle History

E. A. Radnall and Co

E. A. Radnall and Co of Dartmouth Street, Birmingham, produced Radco motorcycles from 1913 to 1933; 1954; and 1966. Also produced cycle components.
  • 1913 Late that year the marque was first seen at the Olympia Show. The design was simple, with a vertically mounted 2½ hp two-stroke engine of 211cc, with rear magneto, petroil lubrication, external flywheel and Radco forks. A chain-driven two-speed Albion gearbox and belt final-drive, or a single speed with direct belt were offered.

    Radco 1914 Models

  • Post World War 1. The 211cc model continued.
1920 That model was joined by a 247cc version. Gearboxes were changed to Burman with two or three speeds.

1921 The smaller engine was dropped and a ladies' moped was added, plus a complete sidecar outfit and various transmission choices.

1922-1926 That range continued to the end of 1926, when they produced their first four-stroke model fitted with a 300cc sv JAP engine.

1927 A 248cc ohv JAP model joined the range.

1928 By now there were also two 490cc models, both with JAP engines. One was an sv and the other a sports model with a choice of single or twin-port engine and called the Radco Ace.

1929 All the models were retained, but the 247cc changed its engine to a Villiers, plus an Albion three-speed gearbox.

1930 They added models using 147cc and 196cc Villiers engines. They kept their own 247cc Radco two-stroke and reduced the JAP models to the 245cc and the two of 490cc.

1932 By now the range had been cut to just the two-strokes.

1933 The models of the previous year continued, after which they dropped motorcycle production and manufactured components only.

1954 The name returned on a lightweight that revived the Ace name. It was fitted with a 99cc Villiers 4F, two-speed engine unit and leading-link forks. This was a prototype but nothing more was heard of it.

1966 Late that year the name re-surfaced once again for the Radcomuter. This very basic machine was a mini-bike powered by a 75cc sv Villiers lawn-mower engine. Typical of its type, nothing further came of it.

Sources: Graces Guide, The Motor Cycle

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