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Singer Motorcycles

Today in Motorcycle History

Singer Motorcycles 1903-1904

Singer and Co., Ltd.

To meet all tastes Singer motors are now made either as belt-drivers, chain-drivers, or gear-drivers. Specimens of all these types will be exhibited. The new patterns are the Special Singer B.D. (belt-driven), with 3 h.p. engine in the frame, and the Singer forecarriage - a special design embodying new and important features in method of attachment to the bicycle frame and in steering gear. The 3 h.p. chain-driver, although not exactly a new pattern, is exhibited for the first time. Handle-bar control and magneto ignition are employed in all types. The Special Singer B.D.(belt-driven) — a new pattern for 1904. This type is a departure from the well-known Singer models. The 3 h.p. engine is carried vertically in a frame of special construction. Spray carburetter and magneto ignition are employed. Singer chain-driven machines. These will be shown with 2 h.p. and 3 h.p. engines in both ladies' and gentlemen's types. The 3 h.p. engine has 28in. equal wheels.

The Singer gear-driver. Examples of this will be shown with 2 and 2½ h.p. engines. This is the original of Singer motors, and is too well-known to require special description. It will be shown both in ladies' and gentlemen's types. Singer motor tricycles. These will be exhibited with 2½ h.p. gear-driven engines, the engine, as is well-known, being situated in the front wheel. The Singer motor tandem tricycle will be exhibited with lady-back frame. The rear framework is detachable, converting the machine into a single tricycle.

Singer governess car. This type was shown last year, and attracted considerable notice. The car body, mounted on springs, is suspended over the axle of the tricycle, and is entered from the rear. Singer trivoiturette. This machine is a tricycle having a comfortable coach-built chair behind the axle for the accommodation of a passenger.

Singer forecarriage — a new type for 1904. This will be shown fitted to the 3 h.p. chain-driver, and also, to the 2½ h.p. gear-driver. The attachments are designed to obviate any possibility of the forecarriage shifting when fitted, imposition. The excellent Singer spring buffer chain wheel, which we illustrate herewith, is fitted on all the Singer chain-driven motor cycles. We are also informed by the makers that it is a pronounced success, as they have not yet had a single broken chain on any of their machines.

The Motor Cycle November 18th, 1903 Page 805
Crystal Palace Show 1903

The Belt-driven Singer.

Singer and Co., who were amongst the first British firms to devote attention to the motor cycle, makes a radical departure from their previous designs in gear-driven machines, and show for the first time a bicycle of the belt-driven type. The engine, which is of 3 h.p. of their well-known type, and fitted with the magneto ignition, is vertically placed forward of the crank bracket in the strutted down-tube, and is supported as; to its forward end by means of a cradle and tube clipped to the bottom end of the down-tube, just before this breaks away into a two-armed strut to accommodate the motor. As to its rear end, this is also supported by two plates bolted to each member of the strut. Petrol is supplied to a. Vaurs carburetter, lubricant being conveyed to the crank chamber of the engine from an oil tank placed forward of the petrol tank. On one of the machines shown is a belt of V-shaped canvas, while on the second — a similar machine — a similarly sectioned leather belt is used. Free engine is obtained by means of a conical clutch which is operated by a horizontal lever conveniently placed on the top tube. Twisting handle control is still retained, while the air regulation of the carburetter is operated by the usual lever as used on the firm's gear-driven machines. Ample braking power is provided by a back-pedalling band brake on the rear hub, and by a front rim brake which closes in on to the sides of the rims.

The machine is of particularly attractive design, and should be given special attention. Samples of gear-driven bicycle and tricycle are also shown, together with the chain-driven machine, all of which are sufficiently well known to render detailed description unnecessary. (Stands 78-80.)

The Motor Cycle November 25th, 1903. p847
Crystal Palace Show 1903

Singer Tricars.

It is only natural that such an old-established firm as Messrs. Singer should devote considerable attention to the two-seated variety of motor cycle, and a visit to their stand discloses several types of this class of machine. Two of them are of the convertible type — that is, they may be either used as a chain-driven motor bicycle or as a bicycle with forecarriage. The conversion is effected by attaching a forecar to the bicycle frame by means of clips at the head and forward of the bottom bracket, the steering gear being attached to a dummy spindle placed on the front forks, limit stops being provided to the steering gear to preclude the possibility of the wheel coming in contact with the front seat springs. One of the machines is fitted with a neatly-designed and light basket-work forecarriage, while the other is provided with a bucket or scolloped type coach-built seat. What may almost be described as a family motor cycle is also to be seen on Messrs. Singer's stand. This takes the form of a small tonneau body placed immediately over the rear axle. This gives comfortable seating accommodation for at least two occupants of the tonneau without in any wise interfering with the comfort of the driver. In this instance, a 3 h.p. motor is used, driving by gear on the front wheel. An alternative method is shown, in which the seat is arranged so that the passenger faces rearwards. (Stands 78-80.)

The Motor Cycle November 25th, 1903. p852
Crystal Palace Show 1903

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