.jpg?w=1)
Details
1914 ZENITH GRADUA MOTOR CYCLE AND SIDECAR
Registration No. AJ 2396
Frame No. 3829
Engine No. 52005
Black with cream tank and green detailing.
Engine: V-twin J.A.P. sidevalve, 550cc, 5hp; Transmission: Gradua variable gearing; sprung front forks, rigid frame; Brakes: stirrup to front, against belt drive pully to rear.
In the early years of the century, Freddie Barnes began building Zenith motorcycles and in 1909 introduced his ingenious Gradua variable gearing. With a range approximately between 3:1 and 7:1 instantly available, the Gradua mechanism gave riders so great an advantage that promoters of hillclimbs and other speed events began to ban Zenith Gradua motorcycles, a situation Barnes turned to his own advantage, taking as his slogan 'Zenith barred'. Ban or no ban, Zenith flourished for many seasons, using a variety of big vee-twin engines. From the Tourist Trophy races to Joe Wrights 150mph record in 1930 with a double supercharged JAP big vee-twin powered Zenith, the speed machines were seldom out of the news, while production models appealed because they were so simple to use.
This superb and well-known machine with 550cc vee-twin JAP engine is believed to be the only surviving Zenith Gradua with the countershaft box mounted forward of the engine, a feature introduced for the 1914 season. There is a cone clutch in the countershaft and a belt clutch; the machine can be driven using either system. Belt tension is controlled by allowing the rear wheel to move in the familiar Gradua arrangement of slots at the fork ends of the frame.
This machine, acquired in derelict condition, was totally restored in the 1970s by the present owner and has been kept in superlative condition ever since. Carrying Pioneer Certificate no. 777, it won the VMCC Banbury Run Premier Award six times in succession between 1975 to 1980, and took the Graham Walker Memorial Run Premier Award for the same period. Attention to detail in the presentation of this machine is remarkable, with correct numbers throughout for all components. Amongst the beguiling detailing, there is a correct toolbox, a full carbide lighting set, and the correct Zenith Barred transfer on the rear mudguard. Typical of the care with which this Zenith is presented is provision of correct period sparking plugs for use in static displays. With more modern plugs the Zenith has a good reserve of power, the vendor recalling that on the Banbury Run it was always capable of climbing the notorious Sunrising Hill under its own steam, carrying the rider, with his wife in the single-seater sidecar, when so many machines had to be helped up the acclivity.
Presented in pristine black with cream petrol tank, picked out with green lining to match the green buttoned leather of the sidecar seat, this lovingly restored outfit, every component and fitting absolutely as it should be, is quite probably the finest example in the world of a veteran model of this unconventional make. It is the only known veteran machine with countershaft box; the unit carries a full MoT until April 1999.
Registration No. AJ 2396
Frame No. 3829
Engine No. 52005
Black with cream tank and green detailing.
Engine: V-twin J.A.P. sidevalve, 550cc, 5hp; Transmission: Gradua variable gearing; sprung front forks, rigid frame; Brakes: stirrup to front, against belt drive pully to rear.
In the early years of the century, Freddie Barnes began building Zenith motorcycles and in 1909 introduced his ingenious Gradua variable gearing. With a range approximately between 3:1 and 7:1 instantly available, the Gradua mechanism gave riders so great an advantage that promoters of hillclimbs and other speed events began to ban Zenith Gradua motorcycles, a situation Barnes turned to his own advantage, taking as his slogan 'Zenith barred'. Ban or no ban, Zenith flourished for many seasons, using a variety of big vee-twin engines. From the Tourist Trophy races to Joe Wrights 150mph record in 1930 with a double supercharged JAP big vee-twin powered Zenith, the speed machines were seldom out of the news, while production models appealed because they were so simple to use.
This superb and well-known machine with 550cc vee-twin JAP engine is believed to be the only surviving Zenith Gradua with the countershaft box mounted forward of the engine, a feature introduced for the 1914 season. There is a cone clutch in the countershaft and a belt clutch; the machine can be driven using either system. Belt tension is controlled by allowing the rear wheel to move in the familiar Gradua arrangement of slots at the fork ends of the frame.
This machine, acquired in derelict condition, was totally restored in the 1970s by the present owner and has been kept in superlative condition ever since. Carrying Pioneer Certificate no. 777, it won the VMCC Banbury Run Premier Award six times in succession between 1975 to 1980, and took the Graham Walker Memorial Run Premier Award for the same period. Attention to detail in the presentation of this machine is remarkable, with correct numbers throughout for all components. Amongst the beguiling detailing, there is a correct toolbox, a full carbide lighting set, and the correct Zenith Barred transfer on the rear mudguard. Typical of the care with which this Zenith is presented is provision of correct period sparking plugs for use in static displays. With more modern plugs the Zenith has a good reserve of power, the vendor recalling that on the Banbury Run it was always capable of climbing the notorious Sunrising Hill under its own steam, carrying the rider, with his wife in the single-seater sidecar, when so many machines had to be helped up the acclivity.
Presented in pristine black with cream petrol tank, picked out with green lining to match the green buttoned leather of the sidecar seat, this lovingly restored outfit, every component and fitting absolutely as it should be, is quite probably the finest example in the world of a veteran model of this unconventional make. It is the only known veteran machine with countershaft box; the unit carries a full MoT until April 1999.