Roulette Cycle Co
of Coventry
Roulette were motorcycles produced from 1911 to 1914 by the Roulette Cycle Co of Gosford Street, Coventry.
1890 Company formed by Frederick Kerby and Henry Hewitt
1896/7 Directory: Listed under cycles. More details
1911 Late in the year the company showed a machine with a new kind of frame construction that they hoped to licence to other firms. It was invented by Fred T. Robb and consisted of duplex tubes bolted together. The result was a light and rigid frame with easily replaceable tubes. The prototype was fitted with a 2.5hp JAP engine and direct-belt drive.
1912 Listed in Spennell's directory of Coventry as Cycle Manufacturers. [1]
1913 A larger 4.25hp model was added.
1914 Only the smaller model ran on for that year. This was soon joined by a lightweight with a 269cc Villiers two-stroke engine, two-speed gearbox, belt final drive and Druid forks.
During the First World War production ceased and did not recommence afterwards.
- Note: The frame design later appeared on the Francis-Barnett.
See Also
Sources of Information
- The British Motorcycle Directory - Over 1,100 Marques from 1888 - by Roy Bacon and Ken Hallworth. Pub: The Crowood Press 2004 ISBN 1 86126 674 X
- Peck's Trades Directory of Birmingham, 1896-97: Cycles