Abingdon King Dick 1912ca 3½ HP 499cc 1 cyl sv 3512

Abingdon King Dick 1912ca 3 ½ HP Standard Model 499 cc side valve single frame # 1346 engine # 2447

Founded in 1856, Abingdon King Dick is to this day an established manufacturer of quality engineering tools, see https://www.kingdicktools.co.uk/info/index.asp?page=history-of-abingdon-king-dick-100

Originally called Abingdon Engineering, the company made a variety of goods, such as gear boxes, chains, tools, cycles and motorcycles. The latter were produced from 1903 to 1925 under the Abingdon name; from 1925 to 1933 the AKD name was used.
Already in the early 1900s the King Dick name and logo were adopted. It was that of the company owner’s show winning bulldog, and was seen as being symbolic of British tenacity and strength of character. Note the Bulldog head on the tank transfer! Abingdon machines were of sturdy design and they were very popular in the British colonies. A notable feature is the front fork suspension that acts with an enclosed central vertical spring and phosphor bronze guides in each fork leg. It’s constructed in such a way that there is no side play in the forks. Carburettor is Brown and Barlow, ignition is by a reliable Bosch instrument. Note the remarkable “spare belt and tyre tube receptacle annex rear number plate holder”, that is an original fixture on this model. The saddle is a Brooks B400 and accessories include a P&H acetylene lighting system, Lucas “No. 63 King of the Road” bulb horn, tank top mounted tyre inflator and a Philipson’s governor pulley. This device functions as a free engine system, actuated by a hand-operated lever with brake pad. When the brake pad is pressed to the brass spring box on the engine pulley its rotation is slowed and the pulley will open, thus crating a free running engine.

This goodlooking and sturdily built veteran has been very well restored a number of years ago and has hardly been ridden since, so some recommissioning may be necesary.