Noble were motorcycles produced from 1901 to 1909, in works located in Blackfriars, London.
1901 Noble were one of the pioneering firms to locate their engine in a central position, using power by De Dion, Minerva or MMC.
1903 The company was now producing its own engine which hung from the downtube, similar to the Minerva. It had a mechanical inlet-valve, belt drive and braced forks. The inlet and exhaust valves were opened by a single cam.
1904 The engine was now rated at 2¾ hp, located vertically in the frame and had conventiional twin-cam side valves. A racing version was available with a 4½ hp engine that could be adapted to 3½ hp for touring. The earlier model remained on the list.
1905-1909 The range continued for those few years and the company used both their own and Peugeot engines.
1912 A 3 1/2 hp Precision single-speed model appeared in The Motor Cycle in the first half of 1912. It had a rim brake on the rear wheel.
Reports from the 1903 Stanley Show
The Noble Motor Bicycle. Perhaps the lowest priced motor-bicycle yet introduced is the £29 machine manufactured by the Noble Motor Company, of Pocock Street, Blackfriars, S.E. The engine of 2.5 h.p., is of original design, and has already been illustrated in "THE MOTOR." Petrol capacity is 1.75 gallons, and room is provided in the tank for two accumulators. L'Eclair trembler coil is fitted, and wipe contact. The carburetter is a D. and R. fitted with throttle which is regulated by a lever easily reached by the rider. The lubricating pump can also be easily operated while driving. An efficient silencer of special design is supplied, and any pattern tyres to order. A V belt is used, and the control is by exhaust lift from handlebar by Bowden lever and wire, the electrical ignition being operated by Mason and Brown switch on handlebar. The machine is well finished in black enamel or aluminium finish can be had for an extra 10s. The exhibit will be at the Stanley.
The Motor magazine, 18th November 1903
This firm have a fine exhibit of complete motor cycles; also a full range of their 1904 pattern bicycle engine. This engine presents several novel features, the principal amongst which are the detachable inlet and exhaust valve: seat, removable by detaching one bolt. This enables the whole of the seat to be removed for grinding in the valves. The joints of the valve seats are made gastight by means of copper and asbestos washers. Both inlet and exhaust are mechanically operated by separate cams, the exhaust valve having a small half compression cam, which comes into operation for starting.
The contact breaker is of the wipe pattern with small plunger spring controlled. The carburetter is the well-known D. R., with an adjustable spray by means of a micrometer screw. A throttle is also fitted but the makers do not recommend this to be used. The standard pattern bicycle engine is of 2¾ h.p. A larger pattern is also made for racing purposes, and can be adapted for the touring machine if required. This develops 4½ h.p.
On this stand will also be found samples of the Luthi sparking plug. This has a dome end, and is guaranteed not to soot up or give any trouble from short circuiting...
The Motor Cycle, 25th November 1903
Sources: Graces Guide, The Motor Cycle, The Motor magazine.
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