Metro-Tyler
of Kilburn Lane, London W10
1919 The Metro-Tyler company was the result of a merger between the Birmingham based Metro Manufacturing Co, who had been producing motorcycles powered by a 269cc two stroke single of their own manufacture since 1912, and the Tyler Apparatus Co of London, in 1919.
1919 Post-war construction began with the continuation of the 269cc two-stroke with either single-speed belt drive or two-speed chain-cum-belt.
1920 The only model was the two-speed model which had been completely redesigned. They used their own two-speed gearing and enclosed primary transmission in a welded frame.
1921 A three-speed version was added and that model remained, with various gearbox options, including Albion, for the next few years.
1922 Two four-stroke models with Blackburne sv engines were added to the range. One was a 348cc single and the other a 698cc V-twin.
1923 A new miniature was added. This was the 147cc two-stroke called the All Black Baby. It had single or two-speed belt drive and all-weather finish. There was also an all-chain version of the 348cc Blackburne together with a similar size ohv machine, and the V-twin ran on as before. 1923 was to be the peak year.
1923 the company offered a number of variants including a fully enclosed model and a sports version with a two speed gearbox, kickstart and clutch which at 34 guineas was proclaimed in the catalogue as being "the cheapest and lightest 2 1/2hp Motor Cycle at present on the market".
1924 Grigg (1924) Ltd had sole rights to manufacture Metro-Tyler motorcycle and the Metro-Tyler light 2 seat 8/10 hp motor car [1]
1924 Only the 269cc two-stroke and a new 247cc Villiers model were listed - both had Albion two-speed gearboxes and chain-cum-belt drive. After that, the name disappeared.
1926 The Metro-Tyler Company Ltd was dissolved [2]
See Also
Sources of Information
- The British Motorcycle Directory - Over 1,100 Marques from 1888 - by Roy Bacon and Ken Hallworth. Pub: The Crowood Press 2004 ISBN 1 86126 674 X
- The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle by Peter Henshaw. Published 2007. ISBN 978 1 8401 3967 9