Raynal Classic
Bikes
Assembled at 41 to 43 Fleet Street
in Birmingham the Raynal was the quintessential
English lightweight motor cycle of the period
being constructed by a virtually unknown company
from bought-in parts including, in the case
of the example below, a Mk. 1V 269cc Villiers
2-stroke engine fitted with a Senspray carburettor.
The Mk. 1V was the first Villiers engine to
have the luxury of an enclosed flywheel with
a (patented) built-in magneto ignition system.
Drive was by chain-cum-belt through a 2-speed
Sturmey-Archer gearbox and clutch. Being sprung
both vertically and horizontally the front fork
was of a more expensive type than normally employed
on this class of machine and made for reasonable
comfort on the poor roads of the time. Unlike
the very similar but better-known Sparkbrook,
made by a long-established bicycle manufacturer,
Raynal appear to have made just this one model
(and then only in very limited numbers), from
around 1914 to 1922.
One may search contemporary motorcycle
magazines and lists of exhibitors at exhibitions,
but nowhere can any mention of Raynal be found,
their publicity efforts being as low-key as
their bikes. However, someone must have
had an affection for the marque (possibly A.B.
Jackson) for in 1937 the name was revived for
use on a utilitarian, pedal-assisted auto-cycle.
This model joined Cyc-Auto and Excelsior as
Britain's only manufactures of this vehicle
type during the 1930s. After around 8000 Raynals
had been produced a halt was finally called
in 1951.
A.B.Jackson went on to produce
his own 98cc Villiers-engined motorcycle, the
ABJ, from 1949 to around 1954 - when the company
reverted to being a bicycle manufacturer. Thanks
to www.lathes.co.uk/raynal for providing this
information.
Bike |
Image |
Description |
Raynal Autocycle
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The Raynal had been introduced
during 1937 and became the archetypical
autocycle with production continuing
until 1950. This example is powered
by a Villiers Junior engine and
equipped with a large toolbox
mounted on the right of the carrier
and a full lighting kit. The machine
is hand-painted with a black finish.
Image provided by www.classic-auctions.com.
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1938 Raynal Autocycle |
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1938 Raynal Autocycle 98cc Villiers |
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The Raynal was a popular and
well-respected model in its day.
With the outbreak of war so soon
after its introduction, production
was limited, so it is not often
that a Raynal comes onto the market
these days. |
Raynal Auto Cycle
- 1940 |
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98cc |
Raynal Auto Cycle |
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This is Raynal Auto powered by
a Villiers 98cc JDL |
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