Military Power

At the turn of the century a large number of small bicycle manufacturers turned to the production of motorcycles. At the outbreak of the Great War most of these small manufacturers tried to obtain a contract from the War Office for their motorcycles, and although some received small contracts only one manufacturer, Clyno, received a really large order for the supply of motorcycles to the Army.

Clyno had only been in existance since 1908. Founded by two cousins called Smith, their first machine appeared a year later. The company had early problems with the supply of engines, but this was later remedied when AJS, another small firm founded by four brothers called Stevens opened a new factory in Wolverhampton. and by 1910 the Stevens engine was appearing in the Clyno frame.

In 1914, the company expanded rapidly to meet the demands of the army. Extra Staff were taken on,and the finished machines were ridden to the South of England where they were immediately shipped to France. In France some were fitted with a sidecar containing a Vickers Machine-Gun. A number of Clynos were also purchased by Russia.

Despite their success during the War years, when peace came again, their chief designer left the firm for a rival company, and the company went over to the production of small cars. Ultimately this change was to doom the company as it was unable to ride out the Depression.