Dunelt

Dunelt produced motorcycles between 1919 and 1935, and again in 1957.

Based in Bath Street, Birmingham, Dunelt was an offshoot of Dunford and Elliott, steel producers in Sheffield.

• 1919 Late that year Dunelt was first seen at the Olympia show, although production was minimal.

• 1920 Production began in earnest with an engine that differed from most others. This was a 499cc two-stroke with a double diameter piston and cylinder. Whilst this improved compression, assembly proved tricky unless the compression ring supplied in the tool kit was used. Due to the design, acceleration was slow but the engine would pull well from very slow speeds. They were therfore ideal for sidecar use.

• 1923 The sole model was joined by three other versions with all-chain drive and light-alloy pistons.

• 1924 There were now eight versions, including outfits of commercial van, truck and box carrier types. They also used a threee-speed Burman gearbox, but reverted to the Sturmey-Archer the following year.

• 1925 Saw the production of fire engine and milk truck variants.

• 1929 Dunelt produced their first four-stroke engine. That year they also won the Maudes Trophy, and again in 1930.

Sources of Information

The British Motorcycle Directory - Over 1,100 Marques from 1888 - by Roy Bacon and Ken Hallworth. Pub: The Crowood Press