Zenith Motorcycles
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Industry | Manufacturing and engineering |
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Founded | 1904 |
Defunct | 1950 |
Headquarters | London |
Products | Motorcycles |
Zenith Motorcycles was a British motorcycle and automobile manufacturer established in Finsbury Park, London in 1903,[1] by W. G. Bowers.[2] Automobile manufacture only lasted from 1905 to 1906. The first Zenith motorcycle was the 'BiCar' of 1903, based on Tooley's Bi-Car design, which was purchased by Zenith for its own production. The BiCar was a unique design with hub-center steering and a low-slung chassis with the engine (from Fafnir in Germany) centrally fixed.
Fred ('Freddie') W. Barnes was hired as chief engineer in 1905, and patented the "Gradua" variable-ratio belt drive transmission that year. The Gradua system simultaneously changed the diameter of the crankshaft belt-drive pulley to alter the drive ratio, while moving the rear wheel forward or back to maintain belt tension.[3] The Gradua's action was controlled by a rotating lever atop the fuel tank, and was among the first attempts to provide multiple drive ratios for a motorcycle, at a time when very simple, direct belt-drive transmission was the industry norm. Variable drive ratios proved a significant advantage in competition, leading riders of other marques to complain the Gradua gave an unfair advantage; eventually Zeniths with Gradua gears were banned from many competitions. Zenith capitalized on this ban, adding the word "Barred" to their advertising and logo. The Gradua system was replaced by the now-standard gearbox and chain transmission in 1924.
In 1914, the factory moved to larger premises, quite close to the
Zenith was a relatively small manufacturer, but had significant success in speed contests throughout the 'Teen and 1920s. Chief Engineer Freddie Barnes personally oversaw Zeniths in competition, and in the 1920s racing Zeniths held more 'Gold Stars' on the Brooklands racing circuit (for 100+mph laps in competition) than any other marque.[6] Racing engines of single and v-twin configuration included the most advanced designs available, including the DOHC single-cylinder JAP, the twin-cam JAP sidevalve v-twin, the Martlett OHV 1000cc v-twin, the Blackburne OHV 1000cc v-twin, and the JAP KTOR and JTOR OHV 1000cc v-twins.[7] Riders included 'Ted' Baragwanath, Bert LeVack, Owen Baldwin, H.M. Walters, and Joe Wright.
In the 1931 Zenith declared
Automobile history
Between 1905 and 1906, the company introduced the Popular model, which had a two-cylinder, 6HP Stevens engine and a belt driven rear axle.[9]
Speed records
Zenith were always keen to promote themselves via competition. Freddie Barnes competed and won regularly on his own machines in 1909–1913,[10] and in 1922 it was a Zenith that was the first British machine to do a 100 mph (160 km/h) lap of the Brooklands circuit with rider Bert le Vack.[10] In 1925 Zenith held the record for the number of over 100 mph laps of the bumpy Brooklands circuit.[10] Works rider Joseph S. Wright held the lap record at Brooklands from 1925 until 1935.[10]
Zenith held the
Models
![1924 Zenith JAP 346 cc](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Zenith_JAP_346_cc_1924.jpg/350px-Zenith_JAP_346_cc_1924.jpg)
Model | Year | Notes |
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Zenith Bi-Car | 1903 | Hub-center steered, full suspension |
Zenith Tri-Car | 1908 | Fafnir single-cylinder |
Zenith 'Zenette' | 1908 | Fafnir single-cylinder |
Zenith 'Zenette' Tri-car | 1908 | J.A.P. water-cooled 6HP, Chater-Lea 2-speed gear[16] |
Zenith Gradua 6HP (770cc) | 1911 | "Gradua" variable drive belt |
Zenith 3 1/2HP | 1911 | JAP single-cylinder sidevalve 500cc |
Zenith Lightweight | 1911 | JAP single-cylinder OHV 250cc |
Zenith 8HP Twin-Cylinder Racer | 1913 | JAP twin-cylinder '90 Bore' OHV |
Zenith 3 1/2HP Single-Cylinder Racer | 1913 | JAP single-cylinder '90 Bore' OHV |
Zenith Models E, G, J | 1914 | JAP V-twin sidevalve 770cc, 1000cc, 1100cc |
Zenith Gradua 680 cc | 1918 | JAP Twin
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Zenith-Bradshaw 494cc | 1922 | Oil-cooled horizontally opposed Bradshaw engine |
Zenith "Brooklands". | 1923 | 344 cc JAP engine
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Zenith 346 cc | 1924 | JAP engine
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Zenith 680 cc | 1926 | Side-valve JAP engine
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Zenith C5 Special 500 cc | 1936 | JAP 500cc OHV engine
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Zenith 750 cc | 1948 | JAP engine
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The Zenette motorcycle and Zenette tri-car had a novel form of rear suspension at a time when most motorcycles had none, partly because of the effect rear suspension had on the tension of the drive belt. In the Zenette this was overcome by having the swinging arm pivoted near the centre of the engine and mounting the engine on the swinging arm.[17] The Zenette motorcycle had another instantly recognisable feature, the fuel tank and battery were at the rear of the engine space, leaving a bare top tube.
See also
- List of car manufacturers of the United Kingdom
- List of motorcycles of the 1910s
- List of motorcycles of the 1920s
- List of motorcycles of the 1930s
References
- ^ The Motorcycle, 'Milestones of Design', London, Sep.15, 1937
- ^ VMCC Bulletin, Letters, January 1969,
- ^ The Motor, Sep. 26th 1905
- ^ "East Molesey Mill".
- ^ "Zenith Motorcycles". Retrieved 14 August 2008.
- ISBN 0-85242-620-8
- ISBN 0 900404 00 0
- ^ The Motorcycle, 'Milestones of Design', London, 15 September 1937
- ISBN 978-3-8032-9876-8.
- ^ a b c d d'Orleans, Paul (17 October 2008), "F.W. 'Freddie' Barnes", The Vintagent
- ^ ISBN 0851122000
- ^ Zenith Motors, Graces Guide
- ^ a b c "Cork. 150 miles an hour on a motor cycle! Streamlined in every possible way even to his helmet - J S Wright and an O.E.C. - Jap-engined - wins back record for Britain from Germany.", Pathé News, Film ID 751.17, 10/11/1930
- ^ Barnes, F. W. (25 February 1931), "Letters to the Editor", Motorcycling
- ^ VMCC Bulletin, 'Letters', 14 October 1978
- ^ Zenith Motors Ltd, The Motor Cycle, 27th Nov 1907, p955
- ^ Zenith Motor Cycles for 1908, The Motor Cycle, 6th Nov 1907, p884