Description
J.E.S. ca. 1920 auxiliary “model B” 147 cc IOE frame# B 892 engine # B 292
John Edwin Smith started manufacturing auxiliary engines for bicycles in Glouchester around 1910.
He offered engine sets as well as complete machines.
Capacities appeared to have changed several times: for 1915 two models were listed, a 1 HP machine of 116 cc and a 1 ¾ HP machine of 189 cc.
According to “The Motor Cycle Index” the 1920 J.E.S. had a capacity of 147 cc and was listed as “Model B” .
It was last offered in 1922 with a listed capacity of 142 cc.
New for 1922 was a two stroke model of 169 cc with 2 speed gear
.In 1923 a 247 cc two stroke was offered and in 1924 and 1925 both two stroke and four stoke models were listed.
Around 1924 the business moved to Aston, Birmingham, where Smith killed himself at the age of 47 because of “commercial worries”, according to a newspaper article that related Smith’s tragic dead.
The business was taken over by Connaught and production stopped around 1925.
This Model B is equipped with Runbaken magneto, single lever JES carburettor, mechanical oil pump and external flywheel.
This particular machine was for sale around 1920 in the cycle shop of a Mr.
Symmonds in Bedford but the machine didn’t sell so he used it himself for some time. In the early twenties he sold his business to his assistant Mr. Brightman .
The machine was kept on and eventually Brightman’s son sold it in 1986.
The charming little J.E.S. has been restored some time ago and is well-documented.