Royal Riley Motorbike 1½hp (1902-03)
After 3 years of building motorised Tricycles and Quadricycles alongside their pushbikes, the Riley Cycle Co launched their first Motorbike in 1902. The tiny engine would have made progress slow compared to todays motorbikes, but at the time it was definitely faster than cycling, even if pedals were still included to help the engine up hills!
The engine itself was mounted on the front of the frame, behind the front wheel, with a chain drive to the rear wheel. This worked independently of the chain drive from the pedals, and drove a much larger drive gear, almost as large as the wheel itself.
ENGINEMinervaSingle Cylinder RAC Rating1½hp Capacity 232cc Bore65 Stroke 70 Carburation Longuemare Horizontal |
TRANSMISSIONFreewheel in rear hub for pedal driveFinal Drive Ratio 8:1 |
SUSPENSIONOptional sprung saddle |
BRAKESBlock brakes at front and Band Brakes at rear. |
PERFORMANCENegligible! |
DIMENSIONSFrame Size 21-23" (aprx. 530-580mm)Wheels Dunlop tangentially spoked Tyres 26x2 Fuel Tank 2 galls |
PRICE |