British

Today in Motorcycle History

Premier Motor Co

Premier Motor Co of Birmingham

1906 Produced four and six cylinder cars made in Belgium and sold under the Premier name.

Premo was a motorcycle produced in 1909, by the Premier Motor Co. This was the name used by the company for the two-stroke Rex model they sold.

They used the Premo name until late in 1909, when an injunction was taken out against them by the Premier Cycle Co of Coventry. They then became PMC. There was never any connection between the two firms.

1910 Cycle and Motorcycle Exhibition
Premier Motor Co.
Aston Road, Birmingham. Stand No. 77.

The Premier Motor Co. have a particularly attractive bill of fare to offer for 1911. The two-stroke 3½ H.P. single machine has not been greatly altered, as it was found quite satisfactory during the past season. An entirely new model will be introduced in the Motorette Sociability. This may be briefly described as a tri-car with the two seats side by side. This development of the body work is extended by covering in the back part of the machine, very much like the back of a beetle. At the front the passenger's comfort is increased by an ample sloping dashboard, and a hood can be raised for bad weather. The frame is carried on semi-elliptical springs in front, and by single arm springs at the back. Two types are provided, one, a two-stroke with fan cooling, and the other, a four-stroke with water-cooling. In both cases there are two exposed flywheels, one at each end of the crank shaft, and the spokes of the flywheels are formed as vanes, either for the cooling cylinders direct or by drawing air through the radiator, which is arranged in two parts on either side of the engine.

The steering is effected by an upright tiller, which carries the control levers of the Brown and Barlow carburetter. A Bosch magneto is employed for ignition purposes. The lubricating oil is fed by hand pressure to a well in the forward extension of the crank case. Thence it drops at a predetermined rate into the crank chamber, where it is kept at a fairly constant level by the crank throwing any surplus into a recess which is provided for the purpose. The change speed gearing is of the Roc type, and is mounted in the back hub, but a plate clutch is employed instead of usual band clutch for the high speed. The brake pedal is provided with a ratchet so that the foot is relieved in descending long hills.

In addition, the company have some of their well-known rigid side-cars.

  • Note: In 1912 the company turned to selling Rex-JAP models made for them by Rex with V-twin JAP engines and traded only through their own retail outlet.

Source: Graces Guide