1899
Perks and Birch Motor Wheel - Specifications & Review
Article Complete Info
| Articleid | 618468 |
|---|---|
| Category | Allround |
| Make | Perks and Birch |
| Model | Motor Wheel |
| Year | 1899 |
Chassis, Suspension, Brakes & Wheels
| Frametype | Steel |
|---|---|
| Wheels | 8-spoke aluminium rear wheel with engine |
Engine & Transmission
| Clutch | Direct |
|---|---|
| Coolingsystem | Air |
| Displacement | 208.00 ccm (12.69 cubic inches) |
| Enginedetails | Single cylinder, four-stroke |
| Enginetype | Engine mounted in rear wheel |
| Fuelsystem | Carburettor. Surface carburettor |
| Ignition | Low-tension magneto spark |
| Power | 2.00 HP (1.5 kW)) |
Other Specifications
| Coloroptions | Black |
|---|---|
| Comments | British motorbike. A lever under the left hand handlebar grip governed starting, increasing or reducing speed and stopping. |
About Perks and Birch
Country of Origin:
United Kingdom
Founder:
Perks & Birch (early 20th century makers)
Best Known For:
Veteran-era light motorcycles and engineering experimentation
Company History
Perks & Birch were part of Britain’s early wave of motor-bicycle builders who experimented with frames, belt drives, and small engines before standards settled. Their machines straddled the line between bicycles and motorcycles—slim tubes, rudimentary suspension, and controls that demanded mechanical sympathy. Though overshadowed by later giants, Perks & Birch contributed to the iterative learning that created the modern motorcycle: chain alignment, ignition reliability, and the geometry that keeps a lightweight stable at speed. Historically, they represent the thousands of shop-floor hours by small firms that turned airy patents into rideable reality—each solution a stepping stone toward the robust commuters and racers that followed.