A Brief History of the Marque
Built during the pioneer era of British motorcycling, between 1903 and 1906, Smith & Molesworth of Coventry produced a range of machines powered by a variety of Sarolea engines.
The Alert motorcycle was a very primitive machine with the engine hung from the downtube. There were two models in the range - a 2¼ h.p. Alert with a Belgian Sarolea engine and the 2¾ h.p. or 3¼ h.p. Coventry Alert. Another model was available with a Montgomery sidecar.
The company also supplied fittings to the trade.
In 1907 they built the Ayton-Riley for Robert Charles Ayton which was entered in the Tourist Trophy race. Ayton worked with the Roulette Cycle Co which at that time were not yet producing their own motorcycles.
The company continued to produce motorcycles, sidecars and bicycles until about 1914, and ceased trading in 1955.
Sources: Tragatsch p72; Graces Guide
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