Excelsior 1913 4½ hp 650cc 1 cyl sv

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Description

Excelsior 1913   4 ½ HP   650 cc  side valve single   engine # 4096

The Coventry firm of Bayliss, Thomas & Co.  was  established in 1874 so its roots dated from the solid-tyre bicycle era. 
Early manufacturers in both the motorcycle and the car fields, they were an established firm well before the Great War. 
For model year 1914 three types were available, all sturdy built singles in  499cc, 650 cc and 810 cc capacities. 
The 810 cc single with bore x stroke of 96 x 112  mm was the biggest available single cylinder model of its time.( And perhaps of all times?)
This model was meant for sidecar work. 
The 4 ½ HP model on offer here has bore x stroke of 86 x 112 mm  and  was  marketed as a dual purpose machine. 
The machine has quality fittings such as Brampton  Biflex forks, Binks carburettor, Bosch magneto, XL-All saddle  and  2-speed gearbox. 
Note the typical lubrication system: oil is led to a lug cast between the valves, from where a hole is drilled into the cylinder on a  level  with  the gudgeon pin when  at the bottom of its stroke. 
Thus the oil reaches the small end bearing through the hollow gudgeon pin. 
The lug is also drilled down to the crankshaft bearing, from which it is led by ducts to all the main bearings.
This practical veteran has been restored some time ago and comes complete with acetylene lighting system and bulb horn.