British

ASL Motorcycles

Associated Springs Ltd of Corporation Street, Stafford produced ASL motorcycles from 1909 to 1914.

  • 1909 The machines differed from most others in two main ways. Firstly they had both front and rear suspension (most others had rigid frames) and secondly they used air springs instead of steel. In all other respects the machine was conventional and fitted with either single or V-twin Peugeot engines.
  • 1910 The single was changed to a Fafnir engine.

  • 1911 The company name changed to Air Springs and either White and Poppe or JAP engines were used.

    1912 Engines used in that year were either Precision or Fafnir.

    1913 An unusual design appeared. This had a chain-driven two-speed gearbox, mounted ahead of the engine rather than behind, from where it drove the rear wheel by a long belt with pulleys much the same size. A conventional three-speed gearbox was a further option for the single.

    1914 Engines used were single and V-twin Precision as well as a 5hp Fafnir V-twin. All models had front and rear air suspension and a three-speed Sturmey-Archer gearbox. It was the last year of production.

ASL-1909-12-TMC-0701.jpg
ASL 1909 5 h.p Twin

A.S.L., No. 142.

  • 3½ h.p. Model: 80 x 90 mm.; m.o.i.v.; Bosch b.b. magneto; B. and B. carburetter, h.b.c.; 3¾ to 1 gear; 2¼ in. Shamrock-Excelsior tyres; V-belt transmission.

Air Springs, Ltd., Kingsway, W.C.

The A.S.L. machine is new to the show, and also to many readers of The Motor Cycle. The firm, however, have decided to market two models of their spring frame motor cycle for 1910, and splendidly finished specimens are staged on their stand at the show. The spring frame enables small sized wheels to be used without any undue vibration being noticed. Of course, the advantage of small wheels, as most readers know, is to lower the centre of gravity, and thus increase the stability of the machine on grease.

Professor Sharp's air spring is a patent device which has already been dealt with in these columns. These springs give most luxurious riding, even on bad roads, and have many advantages over steel springs; but the trouble with devices of this nature in the past has been to keep the air in the cushion. The twin-cylinder model is the same in general construction as its single-cylinder brother, but we might draw attention to the special shape of the induction valve, which renders the carburetter much more accessible than other machines in the show - a desirable feature.

The engine used is a 5 h.p. twin Peugeot, otherwise the specification agrees with the single-cylinder.

The Motor Cycle, November 22nd 1909, page 926
Stanley Show 1909

ASL-1910-Brooklands.jpg
ASL JAP V-Twin Brooklands Record Breaker, 1910

1910 Cycle and Motorcycle Exhibition
Air Springs, Ltd.
Stafford. Stand No. 267X.
The A.S.L. are staging seven motor-cycles, one pedal cycle, and a Triumph motor-cycle fitted with the A.S.L. 1911 seat-pillar spring. Our representative was informed that, later on, during the Show week, there will also be on view the world's fastest 2 3/4 H.P. motor-cycle, the Martin A.S.L., which covered the kilometre at Brooklands on Aug. 17th in 32.76 secs.—a speed which works out at slightly over 68 miles per hour. The 3 H.P. model is fitted with J.A.P. or White and Poppe engine, whilst the more powerful machine has a 5 H.P. Peugeot. Handlebar control of air, throttle, and advance on magneto is arranged for both types, which it should be noted, are each light in weight and embody sundry improvements and modifications that have been introduced for the 1911 season. The pedal cycle has a single fork this year, and the "A.S.L." seat-pillar spring is now attached to the tube by swinging links as in the motor-cycle model, thus giving better results than hitherto.

Olympia Show 1910

Source: Graces Guide

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