Industry | Motorcycle manufacture |
---|---|
Founded | 1919 in Southampton, England |
Founder | William Charles Ackland |
Defunct | 1924 |
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]
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]