Quadrant Motor Cycles 1924

It's been a little while since any brochures were added to the RDM library so to make up here is a very tasty one. The Quadrant range for 1924.

1924 Quadrant Motor Cycles brochure front cover.

1924 Quadrant Motor Cycles brochure page 1.

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Book review - The Tricycle Book 1895 - 1902 Part One

Frankly this is as much of a recommendation as a review. I just recently got my sticky paws on a copy of Michael Edwards' The Tricycle Book and as it says on the tin the book covers early motor tricycles from 1895 to 1902. This volume covers French machines only, there is a part two on the way on the subject of British made tricycles and I am genuinely very much looking forward to it.

The Tricycle Book definitely falls into the 'boutique book' category and at GBP 80 plus postage represents a considerable outlay. However once you have seen it you have to concede that it is good value, the format is large and the publication luxurious. There are 364 pages and the book is very well illustrated mainly with photographs from the period. That Mr Edwards has managed to find quite so many early images is admirable, the majority of which are completely fresh to my eyes (and I do spend possibly more time than is healthy nerding away at early vehicles...)

Without doubt an authoritative work on the subject The Tricycle Book should be of interest to anyone with more than a passing interest in early vehicles. The righteous thing to do as ever is to buy direct from the author: https://surrendenpress.co.uk/the-tricycle-book-1896-1902

Tandon Superglid

Tandon motorcycles were the enterprise of a certain Devdutt Tandon and the first model, the Milemaster, was envisaged as a cheap rugged runabout for export to developing nations, particularly Devdutt's native India.

Like much in life Mr Tandon's export vision did not go to plan so he began to concentrate on machines for the home market of which the Superglid (yes, correct spelling) was the first. The Superglid was introduced in 1949 and was noteworthy amongst lightweights of the time for having rear suspension. The Superglid's rear suspension was of rather novel design and gave the machine a very distinctive profile. Rubber bands situated under the gearbox pulled by a bell crank connected to the swinging arm provided the suspension, rebound damping was controlled by a rubber block.

The Superglid's rear suspension borrowed from contemporary Italian designs but was unique amongst British machinery and in several respects ahead of its time. Tandons were never more than utility machines and the Superglid's Villiers 122cc engine was certainly not one to set the pulse racing but nowadays they stand out for their rarity and quirky design.

A pair of gents pose with a Tandon
Superglid.

Hints on Lucas Oil Lamps

A bit battered but I thought it might be interesting to reproduce this leaflet. It came in the box of a new old stock Lucas cycle light and is self explanatory.

BSA Bantam petrol tank doodads

I picked up a set of chrome petrol tank trims for my BSA Bantam D1 a while back but didn't get round to fitting them. Now with all the tender care that the Bantam has been receiving of late the time seemed right to take them off the shelf and put them on the bike.

Catalogue spec BSA Bantam petrol tank chrome trims.

These tank trims are original catalogue spec parts on many BSA Bantam model years. I couldn't tell you the exact years, suffice to say that they fitted them for a fair while. Nowadays they are extremely rare and it is unusual to see them fitted to a bike. Having fitted them I can understand why this is and if I had the bike as a ride to work machine back in the day I would have certainly discarded them and thrown them in the bin.

Rider's view of the Bantam tank trims.

The trims are the devil's very own parts to fit. Granted, these examples are around sixty years old and not in perfect shape but it took me a good hour to persuade them on. A job only achieved with several skinned knuckles, I must apologise to the neighbours if my workshop is not soundproofed enough to mask the profanities I uttered in the process. I guess if you were a mechanic dealing with them on a regular basis you would probably find an easy fitting technique but then again you would more than likely also try to persuade the owner to let you throw them away.

Back in the day when it was necessary to de-coke your two stroke on a regular basis these trims must have been highly burdensome. I do however really like their look and hope that now the bike is re-wired and the engine rebuilt I shall not be taking the petrol tank off for a good while. Famous last words....

Front fitting of the trims. Beware if you find any of these trims
as there are several shapes for the different Bantam tanks.

That dent in the tank has been there since before the bike
came in to my family's possession some forty years ago. The
dent is suspiciously knee profiled. A bit of character and
'patina' but I hope whoever did it was not too badly hurt.

Early grass track

A small collection of images from an early post war grass track meet. This was how motorcycle sport got back on its feet following WWII. Cheap racing in fields on converted road bikes. Even so, it drew in the crowds. Sadly I have no idea of date or location, if anyone has an inkling of either then please get in touch.

Happy Valley Ariel

Recently I got hold of the photo album of a moto enthusiast who was stationed in Kenya back in the early post war era. I'll post up snippets from it over the next while. First up this page contains images of the protagonist with his '43 ex-WD Ariel in the Gilgil and Naivasha area.

Gilgil is a town in Kenya halfway between Nakuru and Naivasha and became infamous as one of the hubs of the 'Happy Valley set' of high living colonial aristocrats.

Broken down with a puncture on the 'short' Gilgil -
Naivasha road. Aug 1950.

Me and my 350cc 1943 Ariel.

Bill and I about to leave for a ride. Gilgil Aug '50.