This rare as hens teeth 1919 Briggs and Stratton scooter has just come in to stock at Dutch Lion Motorcycles over in the Netherlands. I've never seen one in the flesh before and it seems that there are only a few left worldwide. The scooter is in beautifully original condition and it would be absolutely criminal for whoever buys it to even consider doing anything more than a mechanical restoration.
The Briggs and Stratton Motor Wheel attachment was a development of the British Wall Autowheel. The design was first brought to the States by the A O Smith company and marketed as the Smith Autowheel. Some improvements were made on the original design including a disc wheel and more importantly doing away with the drive chain by running the wheel directly from the camshaft. The Smith Motor Wheel ran from 1914 to 1918 and in 1919 the rights to manufacture were sold to Briggs and Stratton. Briggs and Stratton made a couple more changes with a slight raise in capacity and a move over to a flywheel magneto.
As with the Wall Autowheel in the UK the American engines were used for an ingenious number of applications, from water pumps through to buckboard four wheelers. It is hard to say if the scooter sold in any numbers, presumably it rode the wave of the post first world war scooter fashion, ie sold strongly for a year or two and then died a quick death. The design concept is very similar to the ABC Scootermotor from Britain. Probably awful to ride but a great display piece, the Briggs and Stratton scooter is likely something that you will not see offered again for a long time.
More info on the Smith Motor Wheel and Briggs and Stratton Motor Wheel on these sites:
The Briggs and Stratton Scooter is available from:
Briggs and Stratton Scooter advert taken from:
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| 1919 Briggs and Stratton Scooter. |
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| 1919 Briggs and Stratton scooter. |
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| Briggs and Stratton scooter petrol tank detail. |
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| Briggs and Stratton scooter advert. |
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