Excelsior Classic Motorcycles
The origins of Excelsior
lay with the Bayliss Thomas partnership
who originally made bicycles and then
fitted Minerva engines to them at the
very dawn of the motorcycle industry in
this country in about 1896. By WWI, although
showing interest in sporting events, they
proceeded to manufacture ever larger single
cylinder machines, one model being an
incredible (at the time) 5.6hp.
Excelsior was also noteworthy
for their early involvement in motorcycle
racing, which started around 1900. In
1910 the company was renamed, The Excelsior
Motor Company Co Ltd.. In 1940 Excelsior
changed to war related work, manufacturing
the 'Wellbike', which was a collapsible
small motorcycle used by Allied Paratroopers.
Civilian motorcycle manufacturere re-commenced
in 1946.
| Bike |
Image |
Description |
| 1910 Excelsior USA Single, 499cc |
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| 1917 Excelsior Combination, 1000cc |
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| 1918 Excelsior USA Twin, 974cc |
 |
This machine is an example of the
974 cc twin, with bore and stroke dimensions
of 84x88 mm. It has a three speed gearbox
and a foot operated clutch. The seat
post is sprung for extra comfort. Ignition
is the best there was at the time: Bosch.
|
| 1920 Excelsior Series 20, 974cc |
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| Excelsior 680 Manxman 350cc |
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| 1922 Excelsior GB V, 770cc |
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| 1923 Excelsior JAP 300 |
 |
Albion 3-speed gearbox. It has a rare
JAP engine. Belt Driven. |
| 1926 Excelsior GB JAP OHVV, 350cc |
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|
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| 1929 Excelsior Henderson Super X |
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| 1930 Excelsior Hill Climber |
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| 1931 Excelsior Midget |
 |
98cc. |
| 1933 Excelsior Empire |
 |
148cc. Twin Port model BE1.
She was registered in the port of
Milford Haven on 12th January 1933
and was used as transport around the
port every day by the same person.
When the Second World War came she
was saved from being melted for scrap
to make war machinery (like happened
to so many other bikes and cars at
the time) as the bike and owner were
classed as essential war workers because
by then, the usual fishing fleet in
Milford Haven had been replaced by
Royal Navy warships and also Sunderland
flying boats. The bike was used
throughout this time, escaping the
Luftwaffe bombing of the port with
just the loss of a headlamp (still
never been replaced) and the girder
forks which were replaced with the
correct items. She continued in service
up until the 1970s by which time the
exposure to salt (and bombing) had
taken its toll. She was repainted
a dark red by hand - probably to hide
the rust) |
| 1933 Excelsior Empire BE1 |
 |
148cc Twin Port 2 Stroke. |
| 1935 Excelsior Manxman 350cc |
 |
Image provided by www.BuyVintage.co.uk.
|
| 1946 Excelsior 125cc |
 |
This Excelsior was originaly registered
in 1946. This model was very popular
although few have survived. It has a
125cc Villiers engine. |
| 1947 Excelsior Autobyk |
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| 1948 Excesior Auto-Byk, 98cc Junior
Deluxe |
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| Excelsior 98cc 1954 |
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| Excelsior 125 Universal |
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| 1934 Excelsior 246cc Road Racer |
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| Excelsior Manxman - 1935 |
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- Engine - 249cc, single-cylinder
overhead-cam four-stroke
- Launched - 1934-1939
- Gearbox - three-speed close-ratio
- Cylinder Head - two-valve aluminium-bronze
- Compression Ratio - 6.5:1
- Weight - 280lb
|
| 1936 Excelsior GB Manxman, 250cc |
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|
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| Excelsior Welbike |
 |
- Engine - 98cc, two stroke, petrol
lubricated
- Suspension - none
- Launched - 1939
- Gearbox - single speed
- Wheels - 10 in, 20 psi front,
35 psi rear
- Fuel Consumption - 45mpg
|
| 1949 Excelsior Universal |
 |
Engine - 10D villiers 122cc engine
Gearbox - three speed gearbox with
direct lighting |
| 1951 Excelsior 'Roadmaster', 197cc |
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|
Excelsior Skutabyke
98cc 1957 |
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| 1958 Excelsior 150 Courier |
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| 1959 Excelsior Skutabyke, 98cc |
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Image provided by Rex Judd Motorcycles.
|
| 1959 Excelsior Consort |
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Image provided by Rex Judd Motorcycles.
|
Excelsior Consort
98cc 1959 |
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|
| 1963 Excelsior U14 |
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150cc. |
