1928 AKD Model 10 1¾hp

This ultra-rare Vintage-era lightweight was manufactured by the Abingdon King Dick company of Tyseley, Birmingham, a firm whose name is more readily associated with high-quality tools. Known as Abingdon Motorcycles from 1903 until 1926, the company was renamed AKD (Abingdon King Dick) in 1926 and produced a range of 147cc to 346cc single-cylinder motorcycles until 1933, when they decided to concentrate on their successful range of King Dick mechanics' tools.The Model 10 formed part of AKD's all-new range for 1927 and was powered by a 174cc overhead-valve, four stroke engine, supplied by the Swiss Moser company, which drove via a three-speed Albion gearbox. This engine was also used by Rex Acme, though AKD's literature describes it as their own Abingdon King Dick unit.

To our eyes this little power unit seems a touch rudimentary but, in fact, it was quite advanced for its day. A single camshaft running across the back of the engine case is rotated by the half-time pinion, which also drives the magneto. The parallel pushrods are situated at the back of the cylinder, and operate rockers that run forwards to operate two parallel valves set vertically in the cylinder head. The high camshaft and compact valve gear would discourage valve float at any revs that could be sustained by the rest of the engine, and the nearly square engine dimensions and aluminium piston promised that plentiful revs would be available. The closely-spaced parallel valves allowed the combustion chamber to be efficiently shaped, and if their exposure looks a bit primitive, we have to remember that cooling was more important than lubrication in the 1920s. The good news continued inside the engine with a roller bearing big-end, and the crankshaft, camshaft and valve rockers all ran on ball bearings.

This 1928 machine (Frame no. 5215) was restored prior to being inherited from his uncle by the previous keeper, it was not known when it was last used, though it was entered in the VMCC's TT Week Vintage Assembly in 1981 (programme on file). Some re-commissioning has been carried out, and the AKD now runs and rides, however the customary safety checks will be required before it returns to the road. Accompanying documentation consists of a selection of 'before restoration' photographs, an old-style continuation logbook (issued 1934), ten old tax discs (1930-1934) and assorted correspondence.

This is a good-looking, late-20s British lightweight that would be welcome on the Banbury Run and any number of VMCC events.