J. L. Thomas
of 92 High Street, Barnet
Celeripede front fork for motorcycles
Thomas was a motorcycle produced from 1902 to 1904, by J. L. Thomas of Barnet, Hertfordshire.
Celeripede were motorcycles produced from 1902 to 1903. They were made by J. L. Thomas of Barnet, Hertfordshire.
This was a small producer that exhibited three machines at the late 1902 Stanley show. One was entirely of his own construction, including the engine, and had an extra-long wheelbase and Celeripede front fork.
The following year their own machine had gone, but they still had two machines on show, both still with the Celeripede front fork. One had an inclined Minerva engine, the other a Kerry made by Sarolea.
Celeripede machines first appeared at the late-1902 Stanley show and there was a choice of engine - either 2hp Minerva or a 1.5hp Celeri-mobile. Also shown was a motor-tandem with a 1.5hp Minerva engine and belt drive. Any of those models could be fitted with the firm's sprung front-fork - available from other makers under the Celeripede name.<ref>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</ref?