Bicycle “Motor Wheel” at the Heart of Briggs & Stratton History

(Page 2 of 2)

December 2004
Leslie McManus 
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When Derek found his Smith Motor Wheel, it was barn fresh: “The magneto didn’t have any spark, and it had the original tire [which Derek did not retain in his restoration because the tire was in poor condition], but otherwise it was original. I just cleaned and painted it, and a friend charged the magneto.”

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The Briggs, on the other hand, was closer to a basket case. “When I got the Briggs, it had no gas tank, no fender and no drive wheel,” Derek recalls. “It was just an engine.” Now fully restored, it sports a reproduction tank, fender and a homemade drive wheel.

Derek is intrigued by the differences between the Smith and Briggs models. “The biggest technological change between the two was that the Smith Motor Wheel has an external magneto, but the Briggs has a flywheel magneto,” he notes. “The ‘horn’ on the Briggs is hollow, but the Smith ‘horn’ [which is removable] houses the muffler and oil reservoir. Both used the same carburetor, but they had two different pressure release valves. The Smith drive wheel is attached to the camshaft with five bolts; the Briggs drive wheel is attached to the camshaft with three bolts. And the Smith is rated at 1-1/2 hp; the Briggs is rated at 2 hp.”

Derek’s collection was inspired by friends who collect Briggs & Stratton engines. “They had all the usual ones,” he says, “but I really like having the Motor Wheels. I’m looking for a period bike to put the Smith on.” Motor Wheels are rarely found complete, he says, but in one form or another, they turn up at auctions, motorcycle swap meets and on eBay, where Derek found his. “I had some discretionary funds at the right time,” he explains, “and a wonderful wife who encourages my involvement in this hobby.

The hobby, Derek said, has been a pleasure in every way. “You get to meet all kinds of great people,” he says. “I’ve made lasting friendships in this hobby.” FC

For more information on the Motor Wheel, visit the A.O. Smith website: www.aosmith.com/about/history.
 
For more information: e-mail Derek Watt at dewraw@starpower.net.
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Comments

  • Alan Babey 6/13/2009 7:03:26 PM

    I am trying to find an instruction manual for the wheel. It's for my neighbor who just acquired one. Can anyone halp?? Thank You

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