c.1911 Abingdon King Dick 500cc

Registration no. SV 4992 Frame no. LVL0399CV871 Engine no. 198S

• Rare Veteran-era British motorcycle
• Part of the Senior collection for almost 20 years
• (Copy) Pioneer Certificate available

This ultra-rare Veteran-era machine was manufactured by the Abingdon King Dick company of Tyseley, Birmingham, a firm whose name is more readily associated with high-quality tools. Abingdon Engineering had been founded in 1856 to make chains and tools, diversifying into motorcycle manufacture around 1904 and trading as Abingdon-Ecco up to WWI. Like many 'start ups' of the period, Abingdon used various makes of proprietary engine at first before producing its own four-stroke single-cylinder 350cc and 795cc v-twin engines, which were also supplied to Ariel and Invicta. They also built tricycles and the Kerry-Abingdon motorcycle for the Kerry company. Much of Abingdon's production at this time was exported to countries of the British Commonwealth.

Civilian motorcycle production stopped at the end of 1916, resuming in 1919 when Abingdon offered three models to prospective buyers: two of 3½hp (one direct drive, the other with a three-speed gearbox) plus the 6/7hp v-twin. In 1926 the company was renamed AKD (Abingdon King Dick) and ceased producing motorcycles for a couple of years, returning in 1928 with a range of six models, all powered by the same 172cc overhead-valve engine. New designs were added to the catalogue over the next few years, the largest being a 350cc sidevalve, before production of motorcycles was halted at the end of 1932, the company concentrating on its highly regarded 'King Dick' mechanics' tools thereafter.

Offered from the collection of noted collector, the late Ken Senior, this rare machine comes with copy correspondence dated May 1980 from previous owner, VMCC stalwart Arnold Davy, stating that he had bought the machine from a Mr J F Hornsby. Also on file is a (copy) Pioneer Certificate issued to Mr Hornsby when the Abingdon was registered as 'BW 2947'. The machine has formed part of the Senior collection since March 2003, and at some time has been updated with later 1915 season Druid forks. Additional documentation consists of some expired MoTs and an old-type V5C document. It should be noted that we have been unable to locate the frame number '531' stated on the Pioneer Certificate, the machine having been stamped with a Local Vehicle Licensing Office frame number at some point; accordingly, the machine is sold strictly and viewed and prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to the validity of the VRN prior to bidding.
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