Phelon & Rayner 1.75 hp

Manufacturer Phelon & Rayner
Production 1901 - 1903
Engine 260cc
Transmission single speed friction disc

The Phelon & Rayner 1.75 hp was a British motorcycle made by Phelon and Rayner (P&R). There was only one P&R model which had a 1.75 h.p., 260 cc. engine with 66 x 76 mm bore and stroke fitted in a standard bicycle type 28" frame (with 23" and 26" options). It was fitted with a surface carburettor, single speed friction disc transmission, a 9 pint combined oil and fuel tank, bicycle pattern front forks and 28" x 2" wheels (except for the 23" frame option that had 26" x 1&5/8" wheels). The colour scheme was black frame and mudguards with an aluminium enameled fuel tank with coach lining.[1]

A prototype was based on a patented design.[2] The key innovation was to replace the frame's front down-tube with a four rod frame that held a small de Dion type engine. This 'Sloper' engine was the hallmark of P&M / Panther motorcycles until the last Model 120 more than sixty years later. Production machines of the same design as this prototype were hand-built in 1901 through to 1903.[1]

Development

This model was the first motorcycle produced by P&R.[1]

1900 prototype built based on a patented design.[2] The key innovation was to replace the frame's front down-tube with a four rod frame that held a small de Dion type engine. This 'Sloper' engine was the hallmark of P&M / Panther motorcycles until the last Panther Model 120 more than sixty years later. Production machines of the same design as this prototype were hand-built in 1901 through to 1903. This prototype machine also featured a further patented innovation:[3] a half compression device to make starting easier. This featured on all future heavyweight P&M / Panther motorcycles.[1]

1901 was the first year of production of the Phelon and Rayner (P&R) 1.75 hp. It had a 1.75 h.p., 260cc. engine with 66 x 76 mm bore and stroke fitted in a standard bicycle type 28" frame (although 26" and 23" became options, presumably due to experience showing 28" was too tall for a motorised bicycle). It was fitted with a surface carburettor, single speed friction disc transmission, a 9 pint combined oil and fuel tank, bicycle pattern front forks and 28" x 2" wheels (although smaller wheels were fitted to the smaller frame). The colour scheme was black frame and mudguards with an aluminium enameled fuel tank with coach lining.[1]

1902 P&R Motorcycle

1902 was the second year of production of the 1.75 hp. It was fitted with a surface carburettor, single speed friction disc transmission, a 9 pint combined oil and fuel tank, bicycle pattern front forks and 8" x 2" wheels (although smaller wheels were fitted to the smaller frame). The colour scheme was black frame and mudguards with an aluminium enameled fuel tank with coach lining.[1] Photographic evidence indicates it was available with (carbide) lights.

1903 P&R Motorcycle pulling a trailer chair

1903 was the last year of production of the Phelon & Rayner 1.75 hp.[1] Photographic evidence shows it was used to pull a trailer chair.

Sources

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The Panther Story" by Barry M Jones, Panther Publishing Ltd.
  2. 1 2 GB Patent No. 3516, "Improvements in Motor Vehicles, Tricycles and Similar Vehicles", Joah Carver Phelon
  3. ↑ GB Patent No. 8937, May 1901, Joah Carver Phelon
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 3/11/2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.