Ackland Motorcycles Co

The Ackland Motorcycles Co is a defunct British motorcycle manufacturer. The company was founded by William Charles Ackland (1871-1942)[1] in 1895 and originally manufactured cycles.[2] The company was located on St. Mary's Road in Southampton.[1] Ackland's son William George Ackland (1903-1994) later joined the company.[2]

Ackland Motorcycles Co
IndustryMotorcycle manufacture
Founded1919 in Southampton, England
FounderWilliam Charles Ackland
Defunct1924

Motorcycle production

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In 1919 Ackland started producing motorcycles. He used proprietary components from suppliers for the hubs, engine and gearbox. Whilst most similar manufacturers chose two-stroke engines from Villiers Engineering, Ackland used the more expensive, heavy-duty V-twins from JA Prestwich Industries (J.A.P.).[1][3] Production lasted from 1919 to 1924,[1] although bicycle production continued until 1936.[2]

A restored 1922 example is on display at Southampton Museum.[4] This particular machine has a 680 cc JAP engine, a Sturmey Archer 3 speed box and carbide lighting.[1][2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Ackland". OTTW - One Two Three Wheels. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "1922 Ackland Classic Motorcycle Pictures". www.vintagebike.co.uk. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  3. ^ Bacon, Roy (2004). The British Motorcycle Directory: Over 1,100 Marques from 1888. Crowood Press UK. ISBN 978-1-86126-674-3.
  4. ^ @SotonStories (7 July 2020). "This motorcycle is part of our museum collection" (Tweet) – via Twitter.