The Morris Motor Company of Cowley, Oxford was a British manufacturer of cars and lorries established by William Morris. The company grew considerably over the years, merging with others to become the largest automotive corporation in the United Kingdom, BMC. The Morris name remained in use as a marque until 1984. Motorcycles were produced from 1902 to 1905.
1902-1905 Having started out as a cycle agent based in George Street, Oxford, William Morris gradually turned his attention from bicycles to motorcycles, and then to cars.
He began using 2¾ hp De Dion and MMC engines of primitive type with belt drive. The engine was set upright in the frame that was formed to run around and beneath the crankcase.
Morris later used chain drive and a clutch, listed as a forecar, and used MMC engines only.
A Two-Speed Gear Motor-Bicycle.
The machine illustrated possesses some original features that are well worth describing. The frame of the machine is of a registered design, and the motor is set vertical in a loop of the main tube. An extra stay runs from the back fork end to the centre of the diagonal, and thence another tube extends from this point and clamps on to the crank case, making an extremely rigid mounting. The drive is by a reduction gear through a chain and thence by another chain to rear wheel sprocket. A friction clutch is fitted on the motor shaft, and this can be thrown into gear by the vertical lever seen near the horizontal tube.
A two-speed gear is fitted in the rear hub, and this is actuated by the small quadrant lever in centre of the horizontal tube. The carburetter is of the surface type, and electric ignition by coil and accumulator. Chain cases are also provided. This machine is called the "Morris," and is made by Morris and Cooper, 48, High Street, Oxford.
Source unknown.
The Oxford Automobile and Cycle Agency.
The above Automobile and Cycle Agency are exhibiting the Morris motor bicycles, fitted with belt drive; also some with chain drive and clutch, giving free engine. They will be fitted with the Morris patent carburetter and registered frame. They are also fitting the new 2¾ h.p. M.M.C. engines with mechanical inlet valves.
The Motor Cycle, 18th November 1903
Stanley Show 1903
Oxford Automobile and Cycle Agency.
Here are shown the Morris motor cycles fitted with M.M.C. and De Dion engines. The principal point of interest in the bicycle is a new pattern wick carburetter designed by Mr. Morris, the works manager. The engine is built rather high and forward in the frame, the loop going right underneath the crank chamber. The forecarriage is fitted with the Phoenix Trimo attachment, 2¾ h.p. engine, mechanically-operated valves, air-cooled, and the transmission (which is the novel point) is provided with a friction clutch and starting handle, the clutch being operated, as are the whole of the other levers, by the Bowden handle-bar control. (Stand 56.)
The Motor Cycle, 25th November 1903
Stanley Show 1903
Notes
There were several Morris marques.
Sources: Graces Guide, Martin Shelley, The Motor Cycle.
11-Jan-2025
simonmarriott86 at gmail dot com
Hello, firstly what super site you have compiled. I wondered if you could help me in finding further information on Morris Motor bicycles of 1902? I have read your site and have exhausted my google searches and the vmcc archive. I have also tried to find a copy of the Motor cycling on 19th November 1902, however this came to nothing unfortunately, as this is where one of the images on your site originally came from.
I see a chap called Martin Shelly helped you with your findings, could he help me further? Have you contact for him? any information would be most appreciated.thank you in advance. if you wish to call i can be reached on the below number.
All the best,
Simon Marriott
[Phone# avail]
As an aside, after coming back to work on this site after a six hour break, the first thing I did was open my emails, and yours was the second I read and the first I actioned. Some 30 or more pages were open, and I knew which one had the search routine active. It showed the results for my last search, six or more hours ago.
https://cybermotorcycle.com/search_template.html?zoom_per_page=10&zoom_and=1&zoom_sort=0&zoom_query=morris
Jung coined a word for this: Synchronicity.
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