1910 Wilkinson Replica

SOLD on EAST COAST SALES

SOLD on EAST COAST SALES

SOLD on EAST COAST SALES

SOLD on EAST COAST SALES

SOLD on EAST COAST SALES

SOLD on EAST COAST SALES

SOLD on EAST COAST SALES

1910 Wilkinson

Sharp Business

For a company that started out making swords, knifes and anything else with a sharp blade, Wilkinson (Sword) really did diversify whenever they saw the opportunity.

The firm has made most of it money over the last 100 years producing razors and garden equipment but from 1903 until 1916 motorcycles were also produced bearing their name.

In 1909 they produced the Touring Auto Cycle (TAC) which spawned a larger sister the Touring Motor Cycle (TMC) in 1910.

The Wilkinson Touring Motorcycle was originally a four cylinder, air and liquid cooled engine displacing 676cc. The engine size was gradually increased to 848cc and eventually 996cc.

One of the weirdest things about the TAC however was that it was steered via a car style steering wheel rather than handlebars. The vehicle was redeveloped with a shaft drive in-line four cylinder engine in 1909.

Although the name Wilkinson appeared on the tank until the end of production in 1916, the motorcycle was actually produced by the Ogston Motor Company from 1914 till 1916.

The following information about the Wilkinson was found at:  http://www.bikerenews.com/AntiqueBikes/1909WilkinsonSword680TouringAutoCycle.html

Between the swords of yesterday and the razors and garden tools of today, "the name on the word's fines blade" was once applied to motorcycles, the most famous of which was the TAC ("Touring Auto Cycle") of 1909 to 1914, complete with spring steel suspension fore and aft.

From Machine Gun to Armchair
After a brief flirtation with a conventional Antoine-engined loop-frame motorcycle in 1903, Wilkinson's next two-wheeler was anything but orthodox. In 1908, a 21-year-old engineer named P.G. Tacchi designed an unorthodox military motorcycle with a transverse V-twin engine, shaft drive and rear suspension by two pairs of parallel quarter-elliptic leaf springs. On the handlebars was mounted a Maxim machine gun (also made by Wilkinson). Rejected by the British Army, the design was developed into a luxurious TMC touring machine, equipped with armchair seating and a four-in-line engine.

Steering Wheel or Handlebars?

The sturdy cast-iron crankcase was split horizontally, with four little inspection ports giving access to the big-end bearings. The gearbox was mounted separately from the engine and final drive was by shaft. The TAC could be ordered with either handlebars or a steering wheel and had quarter-elliptic springs for the front fork, one upper spring and on either side of the wheel. In 1911, Wilkinson introduced the TMC, with a water-cooled engine and Druid front forks, but disposed of its automotive side in 1914.

As you can imagine, the Wilkinson TMC is a rare bike,

and it is unlikely that you will find one in Australia,

as I could only find references to a couple of these in collections in Europe.

THE ITEM FOR SALE

IS A REPLICA

of the 1910 Wilkinson TMC

This replica was made in Melbourne by a retired engineer

interested in recumbent style bicycles. 

The bike is actually a power assisted pushbike, (no rego required)

utilising a new 30cc 4 stroke Honda engine

which is capable of powering the bike once it is moving. 

The bike is very comfortable and easy to ride.

The bike was featured in the 2^nd issue of

OLD BIKE AUSTRALASIA

This is an amazing bike that has a tendency to gather piles of people around it where ever I take it.

This replica has been displayed in my private collection for the past 12 months.

This bike is advertised elsewhere, and so this listing may be withdrawn.

It has to be sold, to make some space and cash for another project.

The bike is located on the south coast of NSW between Narooma and Bermagui, and is available for inspection prior to the end of this auction.

The successful bidder will need to pay for this bike within three days (or other by negotiation), or the bike will be relisted.

Transport of the bike is the responsibility of the winning bidder.  I may be able to assist by delivering in my ute a short distance (if we can negotiate an up front payment to cover fuel costs etc) or I can give you the contact details of a bike transporter who I have used a few times.

Email me if you have any questions.

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