Teagle Classic
Bikes
The firm of Teagle was started
by Mr W T Teagle, originally a farmer, and still
very energetically concerned with the firm as
managing director and also very concerned with
the design of new implements. The firm progressed
from very humble surroundings to now three factories
embodying some of the most modern machine tools
and equipment.
They produced two basic engines:
a two-stroke 50cc and a four-stroke 126cc; both
being produced due to necessity, which is the
usual reason. The 50cc was designed as part
of a manually carried and operated hedge cutter.
The unusual feature of having the belt pulley
central was for a variety of reasons. It provided
the correct balance of the engine in the machine,
it enabled an on/off clutch by tightening the
belt and it enabled the use of an overhung crankshaft.
It also widely spread the crankshaft bearings,
a desirable factor. The overhung crankshaft
enabled a case-hardened crankpin, the use of
a needle roller big end and a lower standard
of lubrication, a very necessary feature where
farmers were concerned! The crankshaft was made
in three parts: the main shaft, web (a stamping
home-produced) and a high nickel case-hardened
pin. The shaft was welded with the pin under
water, thus retaining its hardness. The crankcase
& cylinder, cylinder head and cover &
cowling were pressure die-cast in high silicon
aluminium alloy by an outside firm to our design.
The manufacture of this engine
was tooled up in a responsible way. For example:
the cylinder & crankcase unit was mounted
in a machine; all machining, boring, drilling,
facing, etc being carried out completely automatically
and simultaneously. An unskilled operator loaded
and unloaded the casting, going in as a casting
and coming out ready for building into an engine
in about 30 seconds.
Many thousands of these engines
were made, in fact the normal daily output was
just over 100 engines. Although originally designed
for a hedge cutter, it eventually got used in
a motor scyth, lawn mower, motor cultivator
and a power pack on a bicycle. They were exported
to most countries. The engine, like the four-stroke,
was built up to a standard rather than down
to a price.
When treated properly, these engines
have an excellent life. Production of the 2-stroke
finished in about 1959.
Bike |
Image |
Description |
1955 Teagle |
![1955 Teagle](teagle-small.jpg) |
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1955 Teagle Cyclemotor |
![1955 Teagle Cyclemotor](teagle-cyclemotor-small.jpg) |
They were made in Cornwall, perhaps
the only motorcycle ever to be made
there, by an agricultural machinery
manufacturer and used a chainsaw motor. |
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