Description
The Auto-Wheel is a fine example of Mr Wall’s design, even if this 1914 version was originally built at the BSA factory as a ‘De Luxe’ model under licence.
I am constantly amazed that such a machine has become almost value-less over a period of about three years. As a well known veteran machine, with a Pioneer Run certificate, and recorded performances on the Pioneer Run, Cyclemotor runs and Flat Tank Social Runs, I would have thought that younger riders would have started their veteran riding career on such a machine. From a starting price of £5000 over three years ago, the asking price has now dropped to £3600 today with only one offer being made of £2000, “because nobody wants these old machines anymore.”
Is this really true? Subsequently, turned down!
The Wall Auto-Wheel was designed for use by cyclists so that they could continue to accompany their friends on their bicycles but who had become much faster than they were. It takes most of the effort out of cycling on the level and, the only time when pedalling effort is required, is ascending hills to aid the engine. It is ideal for riding on local lanes at about 20 mph and when not going too far in much the same way as modern e-bikes are used today.
It is easy to ride with its simple control lever that the rider pushes away from them to lift the engine decompressor while pedalling. At just about walking speed, the lever can then be released, to the sound of ‘chuffing’, and by pulling the lever further, the engine will take over from the pedalling.
So we have a genuine machine, with a known history from 1914 that I have offered it to various museums, who have shown no interest. It has been sitting on a well known website for three years and has been advertised, with images in Club magazines during the same period, and as recently as July 2024.
I recognise that it has not got a large vee twin engine, three speed gears, a clutch and large brakes. It is a modified bicycle and takes effort to ride, but not requiring a high degree of fitness. So why is there so little interest? I can also offer an electric bike so that an accomplice can ride with you to give encouragement. This particular machine was probably owned by Edith Frith, a nurse working in London, and used by her to visit patients around London during the Great War. After the war, about 1920, she moved to Stroud in Gloucestershire, and when the buff log books were issued in 1921, it appears that she took the Wall with her. It next changed hands in 1941 and then in 1973, when it moved to neighbours. I saw it advertised in a local Stroud newspaper and went to view it in Cam, near Dursley, where a family member told me that the last owner had died. It was sold to me as just the wheel and the sub-frame mounting, which I then fitted to an appropriate 1914 bicycle and used it in local social runs and cycle-motor events.
It is easy to ride, a willing starter and a cruising' speed' of about 18mph. A gentle incline can be ascended without pedal assistance, but hills usually slow the motor down when the rider can help the motor by applying gentle pedal assistance. Steeper hills may require a rider to dismount and push uphill with the valve lifter used so that the engine will just turn over but not run.
The width of the bicycle and attachment is such that it can be loaded into a van using a scaffold plank. This Auto-Wheel has not done much mileage in its life so there has been very little maintenance required. The only adjustment that a new owner may have to do is raise or lower the saddle.
The leather saddle on the machine is quite firm and I usually ride with a 'comfort' saddle, which I will include. I still have the original front number plate, which was fitted in front of the headlamp.
I tend to use it mainly for riding in Cycle Motor events organised by the VMCC because they provide flat country lanes to ride on.
I doubt that this particular machine has done a large mileage. You will need to carry an extra pint of fuel for doing more than 40 miles, and I usually carry this on the rear carrier. This machine has had a variety of carrying bags on it and I am sure the next owner will also find better baskets, boxes or bags than I have tried.
