Duzmo Motorcycles
Encyclopedia
Duzmo Motorcycles was a British motorcycle
manufacturer. Founded in Enfield Highway
, London in 1919 by John Wallace, engines for the early Duzmo machines were manufactured by the Advance Motor Manufacturing Company
in Northampton
. Wallace had no training as an engineer but while he was still at school he set up a workshop in his garden and built a motorcycle from parts. This experience helped him secure an apprenticeship with Collier & Sons. His father bought him a Rudge
racing motorcycle and he began competing at Brooklands
. Originally riding for JAP
until they found he was under age, Wallace met Bert le Vack
and both found work at Scottish car makers Arrol-Johnston designing aircraft engines for the duration of the First World War.
After the war Wallace designed a racing motorcycle engine and sold the design to the Portable Tool and Engineering Company of Enfield Highway, who employed Wallace as their chief designer. Bert le Vack helped with development and between them created the Duzmo in 1920. They were keen to go into production but the Portable Tool directors decided to wind up the company. Wallace borrowed money to go it alone and built Duzmo motorcycles under his own name, with engines made for him by The Advance Motor Manufacturing Co. of Northampton
.
Wallace designed the last Duzmo in 1923. It had a number of novel innovations, including an inclined engine and low seat but only one was built before Wallace ran out of money and had to sell the business to D. J. Sheppards. He returned to aircraft engine design with D. Napier & Sons and died in 1983.
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. Founded in Enfield Highway
Enfield Highway
Enfield Highway is an area in the London Borough of Enfield, North London. It is roughly located in the area either side of Hertford Road between Hoe Lane and The Ride.-Etymology:...
, London in 1919 by John Wallace, engines for the early Duzmo machines were manufactured by the Advance Motor Manufacturing Company
Advance Motor Manufacturing Company
The Advance Motor Manufacturing Company was a British motorcycle and engine manufacturer established in 1905. As well as supplying aircraft engines to the pioneering monoplane developers, Advance engines were also used by Captain Robert Scott to power Antarctic snow sleds...
in Northampton
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
. Wallace had no training as an engineer but while he was still at school he set up a workshop in his garden and built a motorcycle from parts. This experience helped him secure an apprenticeship with Collier & Sons. His father bought him a Rudge
Rudge
Rudge may refer to:*Rudge Cup*Rudge-Whitworth, a motorcycle manufacturer*Barnaby Rudge: A Tale of the Riots of 'Eighty, a novel by Charles Dickens-People:*Dale Rudge, English footballer*Daniel Rudge , English engineer...
racing motorcycle and he began competing at Brooklands
Brooklands
Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
. Originally riding for JAP
JAP
Jap or JAP may refer to:* Journal of Applied Physics, scientific journal published by American Institute of Physics* Journal of Applied Physiology, scientific journal published by American Physiological Society...
until they found he was under age, Wallace met Bert le Vack
Bert le Vack
Herbert 'Bert' le Vack was a motorcycle world speed record holder throughout the 1920s and earned the nickname the 'Wizard of Brooklands' for his exploits at the Brooklands Track. An expert racing engine tuner, le Vack worked for some of the great marques and in the late 1920s joined Motosacoche...
and both found work at Scottish car makers Arrol-Johnston designing aircraft engines for the duration of the First World War.
After the war Wallace designed a racing motorcycle engine and sold the design to the Portable Tool and Engineering Company of Enfield Highway, who employed Wallace as their chief designer. Bert le Vack helped with development and between them created the Duzmo in 1920. They were keen to go into production but the Portable Tool directors decided to wind up the company. Wallace borrowed money to go it alone and built Duzmo motorcycles under his own name, with engines made for him by The Advance Motor Manufacturing Co. of Northampton
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
.
Wallace designed the last Duzmo in 1923. It had a number of novel innovations, including an inclined engine and low seat but only one was built before Wallace ran out of money and had to sell the business to D. J. Sheppards. He returned to aircraft engine design with D. Napier & Sons and died in 1983.
Models
| Model | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Duzmo 496cc | 1920 | Belt drive |
| Duzmo 992cc | 1922 | V twin |
| Duzmo | 1923 | Inclined engine |