Coventry-Eagle
Encyclopedia
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
manufacturer. Established as a Victorian
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
bicycle maker, the company began under the name of Hotchkiss, Mayo & Meek. The company name was changed to Coventry Eagle in 1897 when John Meek left the company .. By 1898 they had begun to experiment with motorised vehicles and by 1899, had produced their first motorcycle. The motorcycles were hand built from components and finished carefully, Coventry-Eagle motorcycles proved reliable and by the First World War the range included Villiers Engineering
Villiers Engineering
Villiers Engineering was a manufacturer of motorcycles and cycle parts, and an engineering company based in Villiers Street, Wolverhampton, England....
and JAP
JA Prestwich Industries Ltd
JA Prestwich Industries, was an English engineering company named after founder John Alfred Prestwich, which produced cinematographic equipment, internal combustion engines , and other examples of precision engineering.-History:J. A...
engines.
During the early 1920s, the models changed depending on what engines were available and the company swapped between four engine manufacturers. The model Flying 8 was probably the most iconic bike of its time and bore a resemblance to the contemporarythe Brough Superior. During the depression of the 1930s, the company concentrated on producing two-strokes. Production continued until the start of the Second World War in 1939.
Models
| Model | Year | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 269 cc | 1913 | Villiers-powered two-speed |
| 3.5 hp | 1913 | Single |
| 5 hp | 1914 | Three-speed V-twin |
| 500 cc single | 1921 | |
| 680 cc V-Twin | 1921 | JAP engine |
| Flying 8 | 1923 | |
| 8 hp Super Sports Twin | 1923 | |
| Flying 6 | 1927 | 674 cc side-valve twin |
| 150 cc | 1935 | Coventry Eagle twin-port two-stroke and with a left-hand gear change and Albion gearbox |
| L5 249 cc 35 Silent Superb De Luxe | 1935 | Villiers engine and a 4-speed albion gearbox |
| N35 | 1937 | Flying 350 |
| N11 250 cc | 1937 | Pullman |