Not for nothing did Clyno’s 1913 advertising promote its product as ‘The Side-Car Motor Cycle’, for the Wolverhampton firm was one of the first to give serious thought to engineering an effective motorcycle combination. Cousins Ailwyn and Frank Smith had formed The Clyno Engineering Co in 1909 for the purpose of marketing an adjustable belt pulley for motorcycle transmissions, soon turning to the assembly of complete machines using Chater Lea frame fittings and Stevens engines. Participation in motorcycle trials was felt to be the best method of advertising in these pioneering days, and the Clyno achieved repeated successes in the ACU’s quarterly non-stop trials.

The following year a larger machine was built powered by a 750cc 5/6hp Stevens v-twin and again proved successful in trials, including the MCC’s prestigious London-Edinburgh and London-Exeter events. Long, low and lightweight - it weighed under 200lbs - the powerful, high-geared Clyno v-twin proved equally capable as a solo or when coupled to a sidecar. Quick to realise the limitations of a single fixed gear and belt drive, Clyno introduced a two-speed, chain-driven model, one of the first to enclose chains in aluminium cases. The design of a suitable sidecar chassis also was given careful attention. Hitherto, these had been lightweight constructions clipped to the motorcycle frame, usually in three places, and quite unsuited to any strenuous use. Clyno’s much-imitated solution was to braze four sockets to the motorcycle frame, to which the sidecar chassis attached via tapered lugs. It was one of these 5/6hp motorcycle combinations that Frank Smith rode so successfully in all the major trials of 1911, as well as embarking on a programme of tackling hitherto unclimbed hills. Notable successes included Porlock and Honister in North Devon as well as many of the Lake District peaks.

The result was a bulging order book for 1912, with demand exceeding supply. During this year Clyno introduced the detachable and interchangeable wheel - one of the most important technical developments of the time - and this invention was duly incorporated into all of its models. During WWI the Clyno combination was further developed for military use in conjunction with Vickers to carry one of the latter’s machine guns, a role in which it was conspicuously successful, being produced in substantial numbers.

Equipped with two-speed gearbox, foot clutch, all-chain transmission, full acetylene lighting and Clyno’s patented telescopic rear stand, this 5/6hp v-twin motorcycle is attached to an elegant ‘curved-dash’ sidecar, possibly also of Clyno manufacture. The machine was restored in New Zealand in the 1990s by VVCC member ‘Scotty’ Dalgleish, of Tauranga and after his death was sold to Europe. Benefiting from a recent mechanical check-over and reported as running well, the machine is offered with EU customs papers confirming duties paid, photocopied sales brochure and correspondence relating to its restoration.