1907 Quadrant 453cc

• Rare Coventry-built example
• Restored by a previous owner
• Pioneer Run participant in 2018
• SMCC Pioneer Certificate

In the early 1880s, Walter and William Lloyd patented a pedal tricycle steering mechanism, calling their invention 'Quadrant', a name that would later be applied to complete bicycles, tricycles and motorcycles. Built at Sheepcote Street, Birmingham, the first of the latter appeared in 1901, making Quadrant one of this country's earliest motorcycle manufacturers. Called the 'Autocyclette', the first Quadrant was little more than one of the firm's bicycles with a proprietary Minerva engine attached to the front down-tube. For 1903 the design was revised, the engine, now Quadrant's own, moving to the conventional 'Werner' position within a new loop frame.

Early in 1907 the Lloyds split with fellow board member Tom Silver, Walter going his own way to manufacture the LMC while Silver retained the rights to the Quadrant name and designs. After a relatively brief sojourn in Coventry, the firm returned to Birmingham in 1911. A 1,129cc v-twin was added to the range for 1913 but did not last long, the mainstay of Quadrant's production at this time being a 600cc single. Post-WWI, large-capacity singles, of 654cc and 780cc, continued to be a fixture of the range, to which was added a 490cc model in 1924. An overhead-valve, twin-port version of the latter was new for 1927, but by now Quadrant was in terminal decline and production ceased in 1928.

This magnificent Veteran-era Coventry-built Quadrant was restored over a period of years by a previous owner. The extensive history file contains numerous hand-written notes and technical drawings relating to its 'last nut and bolt' restoration. The previous owner kept the Quadrant in immaculate condition and rode it on the Pioneer Run in March 2018 (number '36'). A centrifugal clutch was fitted at some time in its history, which makes this Quadrant a very practical machine, and it also has a later carburettor (original supplied). The aforementioned file also contains photocopies of old-style registration documents; photocopied marque-related literature; a current V5C document; and a Pioneer Certificate (issued 1999). It should be noted that the latter states 'engine is not original but is period'.

The old-style registration documents quote engine number '3432' which relates to the crankcases offered within the machines' accompanying spares. There are hand-written notes within the history file relating to the engine change.