1921 Clyno 925cc V-twin with Sidecar
Registration no. DP 3348 (British registered)
Frame no. 173
Engine no. 173
Built in the heartland of the British Motor Industry at Wolverhampton, the Clyno motorcycle was the brainchild of cousins Ailwyn and Frank Smith who had set up The Clyno Engineering Co. in 1909 with initial modest intentions of designing and marketing an adjustable belt pulley for motorcycle transmissions. Their close involvement with the motorcycle industry spurred on their ambitions and by 1911 they were assembling complete motorcycles in their Pelham Street Works, using high quality components including Chater Lea frame fittings and Stevens engines. Clyno addressed the design of a suitable sidecar chassis, pioneering a much-imitated design involving four sockets mounted on the motorcycle frame to which the sidecar chassis attached via tapered lugs. This provided great rigidity and safety—hitherto riding in a motorcycle sidecar was a perilous occupation. Continuing their pioneering designs Clyno introduced the highly practical detachable and interchangeable wheel in 1912, taking motorcycle design to a new level.
Their 925cc V-twin of 1921 was of the highest quality - and indeed expensive. Its price however was justified by attention to detail and perfection of quality. Rear leaf springing set the machine apart from its peer group while all three wheels on the combination have jacks and are interchangeable. This example is indeed equipped with a spare wheel and comes with electric lighting, a feature rarely seen on such early machines. The speedometer is driven from a sprocket on the front wheel and the engineering aficionado should note particularly the fine cast alumnium chain cases and the detail of the nickel plated exhaust system, so carefully restored. The luggage platform at the rear with petrol can mounted underneath provide for the longer journey for which the Clyno was properly equipped. The sidecar is believed to be of Clyno manufacture, coachbuilt to traditional standards and equipped with a detachable flexible windscreen. Interior fittings include a lockable cupboard and a separate toolbox.
This outstanding early V-twin was in the previous owner’s hands for some 31 years and ten years were spent on a painstaking and carefully recorded restoration. Notes with the bike confirm that it had previously been in long term ownership and regular use. The detailed file with the machine is worthy of close inspection and includes copies of period magazine articles, advertisements and road tests. Full operating instructions are also provided. A delightful touch is the original tin of Moebius sight feed oil for the purist. This quintessentially English bike is beautifully painted in grey and black livery with blue lettering and lining and with nickel plated fittings. The machine is currently British registered.
