Swift motorcycles of Court Road, Coventry were produced for a short period from 1899 to 1915; here is a little information about this company that surfaced at a time when the automotive hysteria hit hard.
The foundations of the company date back to 1859 when James Starley and Josiah Turner established the Coventry Sewing Machine Co. to import and market sewing machines from America. As industrial Britain boomed, and the road network started to mature, the astute and sharp-eyed businessmen spotted an opportunity to enter the transportation market.
In 1869 the company started to manufacture velocipedes, bicycles, tricycles and quadricycles and became the second largest cycle maker in Great Britain under the name of the Swift Cycle Co.
In 1898 the first Swift motor tricycle was born. It had a French De Dion Bouton motor fitted ahead of the rear axle, and as the years rolled on, a number of motorcycles started to surface in modest numbers. The company also churned out some wonderful old motor cars. In 1902 a separate company was formed for motor vehicle production, registered as the Swift Motor Company.
The Swift Motor Company had a short stint in the two-wheel market and ceased the production of motorcycles at the start of the First World War, making this Cornish registered Swift one of the last made and the only known model in existence.
It is a 1915 500cc 3½ hp model and was said at the time to be the Rolls Royce of motorcycles. A snippet of information on the motorcycles available at the time is detailed in literature from the 1913 Olympia Show. In short, the 3½ hp model was available as standard, or with additional features such as a countershaft gearbox or a half compression device to enable a smoother start.
Three types of Swift motorcycles will be marketed in 1914. The engine is of 02 hp, 86×85 mm., with large valves and adjustable tappets. The transmission is by chain and belt. The newest model has a counter-shaft gear box, on which is also mounted the free engine clutch. The following ratios are provided: 5.25, 8.5, and 16 to 1. The design of the silencer has been somewhat improved and modernised.
Another model is the 3½ hp with half compression device to ensure easy starting; bore and stroke as before. This model is single geared, and, in common with the previous model, is provided with front and back stands, Brown and Barlow carburettor, waterproof Bosch magneto, etc. If desired, a three-speed gear, either Armstrong or Sturmey-Archer, may be fitted at slight extra cost.
A third model also has the engine fitted with a half-compression device, with the same design of engine. To it a three-speed hub gear, together with kick-starter, is fitted as an extra. This is the T.T. model, consequently wide racing handle-bars are fitted.
All the types referred to have black enamelled collettiside frames and are finished in excellent style.
This wonderful old three-speed Swift holds a Cornish index, and in its existence, it has never absconded from the West Coast. It was purchased by Daniel Perryman from the previous owner who had the machine since 1958. Daniel happens to reside in Cornwall, and the machine will therefore continue to remain close to its roots and maintain the native link.
If you take a close inspection, the Swift wears some fine equipment and there is some impeccable attention to detail such as foot pedals embossed with BRAKE and CLUTCH should the rider become confused whilst thumping down the rural lanes of Cornwall.
The bike features carbide lighting front and rear, a pillion seat to run a mate home from the public house, front and rear stands, and the added luxury of foot boards.
This ultra-rare Coventry-built motorcycle is quite possibly the sole survivor of its type, unless you can tell us otherwise. Thank you to Chris and Daniel Perryman for the input on this lovely old machine.
an article by The Girder Club
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