The Heritage of Coventry-Eagle Motorcycles

The Heritage of Coventry-Eagle Motorcycles

Coventry Eagle commenced in 1890 as Hotchkiss, Mayo & Meek, but they adjusted their identify to Coventry Eagle in 1897 when John Meek still left the firm.  In 1898, they also began to experiment with motorized automobiles and by 1899, creation of bikes experienced begun.

The bikes have been hand designed and finished meticulously, and proved responsible.  By World War 1, the assortment had expanded and included a Villiers run two pace 269cc lightweight, a 3.5hp single, and a three pace 5hp V-twin. 

Production was hampered all through the war, but in 1919 generation resumed, and by means of the steerage of Mayo, began to create equipment of large enchantment.

In the early 1920s, the line up chopped and changed dependent on what engines had been out there at the time and the business swapped amongst Abingdon, JAP, King Dick and Villiers motors.

In 1925, the two stroke motor was enlarged to an Aza 175cc with an Albion two velocity gearbox.  But then two strokes had been dropped altogether for a pair of seasons as the organization concentrated on a extensive variety of 4 strokes in one and twin forms and even with sidecar outfits.

In 1928, the plan of four strokes only ended with the arrival of the twin port, super activity Villiers engines in 147cc, 172cc and 172cc twin port, super sports activities forms.  The business also started to use forks from pressed sheet metal, and even though this was frequent in Europe, Coventry Eagle have been the initial significant British company to use this strategy, a shift that proved to be extremely productive for the future 10 years.

Coventry Eagle acquired the formula correct with probably the most legendary bike of its time the ‘Flying 8’.  This was a progress of the JAP V-twin, and in the beginning made use of the 976cc aspect valve motor, though a 50° 980cc OHV model trundled alongside for the 1926 time, with weighty obligation Webb girder front forks, and 8 inch Royal Enfield brakes on both of those wheels, it weighed 395lb and it’s wheelbase was 59 inches.

The Traveling 8 had a spherical and tapered fuel tank, and bore a placing resemblance to the Brough Superior of the exact period of time.  This is not surprising as George Brough and Percy Mayo spent some time alongside one another in the direction of the finish of Globe War 1 talking about the sort of bike they would like to manufacture when the hostilities had been more than and they discovered their tastes have been remarkably equivalent.  It experienced a guaranteed top rated pace of 80mph and when it was equipped with a Jardine gearbox, it did not appear low-cost and the OHV Flying 8 was the 2nd most costly bike on the marketplace at the time.

By 1928, the Flying 8 was outfitted with magazine dyno electric lights, ghost silencers and a steering damper, and this model was regarded 1 of the most handsome British bikes on the current market.

When the entire world economy crashed in the 1930s, Coventry Eagle was compelled to change tack and they concentrated on the two stroke “bread and butter” lightweights.  The past OHV Flying 8 left the factory in 1930 and the closing aspect valve design the next year.  Coventry Eagle ongoing setting up bikes until the outbreak of Globe War 2, and shown a variety for 1940, but very handful of had been crafted soon after the hostilities begun.

In 1931, twins were being dropped and the creation of two strokes continued for some many years.  Quite a few of the versions had been attractive and exclusive with significant exhaust methods, as on the ‘Silent Superb’.  The most standard product was the 98cc ‘Marvel’.  Other versions have been the ‘Wonder’ and ‘Eclipse’ and most ended up in a pressed steel frame.

The ‘Pullman’ arrived in 1935 with a new variety of pressed metal frame with enclosure of the mechanics and rear wheel.  The rear suspension was managed by leaf springs running alongside the frame sides.

In 1937, the 4 stroke solitary returned, utilizing Matchless engines in a few dimensions.  These, additionally a wide range of two strokes ran on to the finish of the 10 years.

In 1940 creation, considerably cut mainly because of the war, soon ceased – never ever to be resumed.