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Today in Motorcycle History

Lloyd Motorcycles

Cycle Fittings, Birmingham W.A. Lloyd produced motorcycles from 1902 to 1903.

There were two Lloyd firms, but this was the earliest and was founded by W. A. Lloyd - see Lloyd Firms

They used their own 2 hp engine and primitive fittings.

W.A.(William Arthur) Lloyd, who worked with his brother W.J.(Walter John) Lloyd at Quadrant, later went on to produce the Dreadnought from 1915 to 1922.


Report from the 1902 Stanley Show

Stand 142. W. A. Lloyd's Cycle Fittings, Ltd., Birmingham. A motor cycle is exhibited, fitted with one of their own make 2 h.p. engines in which the cylinder and head are cast in one piece. The bore is 2.625 in. and the stroke 2.875 in. The connecting rod end is made in two parts to provide for adjustment on the crank pin. A new contact breaker of registered design is fitted and also a new fork crown. A combination hub, having a ball-bearing ratchet free-wheel without springs and a large silencer make up a motorcycle which will no doubt give general satisfaction.

Motor Cycling, 26th November 1902


Report from the 1903 Stanley Show

W. A. Lloyds Cycle Fittings, Ltd.

This important manufacturing firm of cycle and motor, components and fittings, will have on exhibition several complete motor bicycles entirely built up from fittings of their own make. They will also show several recently patented devices in the way of improvements in the design of the various parts which go to make up a motor cycle engine, amongst which we may mention a patent free engine clutch, with a very rapid and practical method of engagement and disengagement; also two improved details in motor cycle engine parts, of which we give rough sketches herewith. The small section drawing (fig. i) is the lower end of a connecting rod, having two oil catchers on either side of the crank pin bearing, and also a scoop or spoon fixed to the lower end. As will be apparent, this combination will be of great help in lubricating the crank pin, and also in ensuring that oil is projected well up into Fig. 1 the upper parts of the crank chamber and the engine cylinder. Fig. 2 is a rough sketch of their new method of building up the flywheels and crank axle of a motor cycle, discs of forged steel being screwed into cast-iron rims, by which means the main axle bearings of the engine are kept well within the crank case.

The Motor Cycle, November 18th 1903


Report from the 1905 Stanley Show

The 2½ h.p. Lloyd motor bicycle for 1906, although it does not possess any startling new features, is well made and well finished. All the control levers work in the same direction, and are fitted on the same side of the tank. The most interesting feature about Messrs. W. A. V. Lloyd's tricar; is the system of springing.

The front and rear seats and footboards are all completely insulated from the other portion of the frame by means of semi-elliptical springs. This appears to be the most simple way of overcoming the difficulty of springing a tricar. The motor power is a 6 h.p. engine, which drives by means of chains to a gear box having two speeds.

The Motor Cycle, 27th November 1905

W. A. Lloyds Cycle Fittings Ltd, of Clyde Works, Birmingham.

1879 Established, presumably as W. A. Lloyd and Co.

1897 Name changed to W. A. Lloyds Cycle Fittings

1898-1903 Annual reports in Coventry Archives

1903 Made motorcycles

1905 Made a three-wheeler

1908 Offered men's and ladies' lightweight racers as well as the usual range of Lloyd cycles.

Presumably later became W. A. Lloyds Cycles at Clyde Works, Droitwich (near Worcester).

1940 At the same address was W. A. Lloyd Cycles, maker of "Dreadnought" cycles

W. A. Lloyds Alloys, also of Droitwich, advertised aluminium ladders in the 1960s. This firm was acquired by Birmid Industries in 1965. By then all connection with the motorcycle trade had long ceased.

Source: Graces Guide