Wolf
From GracesGuide
Wolf were motorcycles produced from 1903 to 1940, by Wearwell of Wolverhampton. This model took over from all the others, including Wulfruna.
- 1903 Late in the year the company began to use the Wolf name on the Wearwell Motette forecar, when it was revised to use an 3.5hp water-cooled Stevens engine with chain drive to a Bowden rear-hub with clutch.
- From this modest start came a good range of singles and V-twins, using Stevens engines ranging from 2.5hp to 5hp. These were fitted to solos, forecars and even a three-wheeled car, which they built for a couple of years.
- At the bottom end was the Wolf Featherweight, with its 1.5hp Stevens engine mounted inclined high up in the frame with belt drive over a jockey pulley. All models had many options and improved through the Edwardian era, in line with most other makes.
- 1911 During the year, the Wulfruna name began to be used by the firm, with the range down to three singles all with Stevens engines.
- 1912 There was a V-twin fitted with a Moto-Rêve engine. That year they were also advertised as using Arno engines and Thornton two-speed gears.
- 1913-1917 For a list of the models and prices of motorcycles see the 1917 Red Book
- 1913 Late in the year the tanks again carried the Wolf name and the machines were using JAP as well as Arno engines, an Illston for the 2.5hp model, and a variety of transmissions, many with chain drive.
- 1916 The range continued until that year, using Villiers, TDC, JAP and Abingdon engines. War-time restrictions brought production to a halt.
- Post-War. The range continued in reduced form, with just a 269cc Villiers two-stroke model. This was soon joined by a 292cc sv JAP model, plus two machines with 348cc and 545cc sv Blackburne engines.
- In time the range increased with changes every season until the mid-1920s, mostly with chain-cum-belt transmission.
- 1924 By now, all-chain drive and three speeds had been introduced on some models. There were also ohv sports models with Blackburne engines.
- 1925 A 172cc Villiers sports model arrived and stayed in the range for a few years.
- 1927 The sports model was accompanied by two variants with 147cc Villiers engines. All the four-strokes had gone.
- 1928 Production fluctuated on and off and then ceased.
- 1931 They came back again with two models, again using Villiers engines - of 147cc and 196cc.
- 1930s From there thy expanded their range to add 98cc, 122cc, 148cc and 249cc engines at various times, and built lightweight models throughout the decade.
- 1940 Production ceased.
[edit] 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
- [1] Ian Chadwick's motorcycle web site
- [2] Cyber Motor Cycle web site on Wolf
