Raleigh: Motorcycles
Note: This is a sub-section of Raleigh Cycle Co.
1901 Using an imported Schwan engine, the first motorcycle was built. It was belt driven and mounted over the front wheel.
A much better and stronger machine, with a 3hp engine set vertically ahead of the pedals, then made an appearance. G. P. Mills was soon to set a record on the Land's End to John O'Groats run and this gave a boost to the firm's reputation. Although it took fifty-one hours, the engine performed faultlessly.
1903 Introduced the Raleighette, a belt-driven three-wheel motorcycle with the driver in the back and a wicker seat for the passenger, placed between the two front wheels. Due to financial losses the production only lasted until 1908.
1905 There had been a downturn in the trade generally and Raleigh began to advertise their machines at a very discounted price.
1906 Trade had become very poor so the company turned its attention to the production of bicycles until after the Great War.
1913-1917 For a list of the models and prices see the 1917 Red Book
1920 They returned to the motorcycle market with a brand new flat-twin model. This had the engine fitted in line with the frame.
1922 Two conventional singles were added to the lists, with either two or three speeds and belt final-drive.
1924 The reliability of the marque was demonstrated by Hugh Gibson who rode a combination round the British coast, while Marjorie Cottle reversed the direction on a solo.
1933 The production of motorcycles stopped once again and the company returned to manufacturing bicycles. This trend lasted for many years.
1958 Late that year came the appearance of a moped using a 49cc Sturmey-Archer engine made by BSA.
1960 A complete turn-about saw a replacement of their own moped by a model built under licence from Motobécane and a copy of the French Mobylette. Throughout the 1960s a variety of models came and went - all using the same basic engine and transmission. The only true variation was the Wisp, which had been turned into a moped from a small-wheeled bicycle.
1971 By now, most models had gone; production was faltering, and although there was a trickle of mopeds and scooters - some built in Italy - the market had seriously declined. As a result, the company returned to the production of bicycles.