E. A. Radnall and Co
E. A. Radnall and Co of Vauxhall Works, Dartmouth Street, Birmingham
Produced Radco motorcycles from 1913 to 1933; 1954; and 1966. Also produced cycle components.
1913-1917 For a list of the models and prices of motorcycles see the 1917 Red Book
1913 Late that year the marque was first seen at the Olympia Show. The design was simple, with a vertically mounted 2.5hp two-stroke engine of 211cc, with rear magneto, petroil lubrication, external flywheel and Radco forks. A chain-driven two-speed Albion gearbox and belt final-drive, or a single speed with direct belt were offered.
Post World War 1. The 211cc model continued.
1920 That model was joined by a 247cc version. Gearboxes were changed to Burman with two or three speeds.
1921 The smaller engine was dropped and a ladies' moped was added, plus a complete sidecar outfit and various transmission choices.
1922-1926 That range continued to the end of 1926, when they produced their first four-stroke model fitted with a 300cc sv JAP engine.
1927 A 248cc ohv JAP model joined the range.
1928 By now there were also two 490cc models, both with JAP engines. One was an sv and the other a sports model with a choice of single or twin-port engine and called the Radco Ace.
1929 All the models were retained, but the 247cc changed its engine to a Villiers, plus an Albion three-speed gearbox.
1930 They added models using 147cc and 196cc Villiers engines. They kept their own 247cc Radco two-stroke and reduced the JAP models to the 245cc and the two of 490cc.
1932 By now the range had been cut to just the two-strokes.
1933 The models of the previous year continued, after which they dropped motorcycle production and manufactured components only.
1954 The name returned on a lightweight that revived the Ace name. It was fitted with a 99cc Villiers 4F, two-speed engine unit and leading-link forks. This was a prototype but nothing more was heard of it.
1966 Late that year the name re-surfaced once again for the Radcomuter. This very basic machine was a mini-bike powered by a 75cc sv Villiers lawn-mower engine. Typical of its type, nothing further came of it.
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
- [1] Made in Birmingham - The Motorcycle Industry - web site