A Brief History of the Marque
Assembled at 41-43 Fleet Street in Birmingham, the Raynal was the quintessential English lightweight motor cycle of the period being constructed by a virtually unknown company from bought-in parts including, in the case of the example below, a Mk. 1V 269cc Villiers 2-stroke engine fitted with a Senspray carburettor. The Mk. 1V was the first Villiers engine to have the luxury of an enclosed flywheel with a (patented) built-in magneto ignition system. Drive was by chain-cum-belt through a 2-speed Sturmey-Archer gearbox and clutch.
Being sprung both vertically and horizontally the front fork was of a more expensive type than normally employed on this class of machine and made for reasonable comfort on the poor roads of the time. Unlike the very similar but better-known Sparkbrook, made by a long-established bicycle manufacturer, Raynal appear to have made just this one model (and then only in very limited numbers), from around 1914 to 1922. One may search contemporary motorcycle magazines and lists of exhibitors at exhibitions, but nowhere can any mention of Raynal be found, their publicity efforts being as low-key as their bikes. However, someone must have had an affection for the marque (possibly A.B. Jackson) for in 1937 the name was revived for use on a utilitarian, pedal-assisted auto-cycle. This model joined Cyc-Auto and Excelsior as Britain's only manufacturers of this vehicle type during the 1930s. After around 8000 Raynals had been produced a halt was finally called in 1951.
A.B. Jackson went on to produce his own 98cc Villiers-engined motorcycle, the ABJ, from 1949 to around 1954 - when the company reverted to being a bicycle manufacturer.
Information courtesy lathes.co.uk/raynal
I require a wiring diagram to show the headlamp switch connections (it is a VEC unit). Are you able to help, please?
Clive Rickman
Kineton United Kingdom
vin_dowd at yahoo.com
What do i have? Any help would be appreciated Vin
Vincent Dowd
South Australia Australia
Villiers manuals listed here: Books and Manuals
nigelw<at>lac.school.nz
Parts required
Raynal moped New 1939
I have a Raynal moped 1939. My mum bought it new in London and I have never seen it go. I would like to get it going but need a few parts. The main one is the inlet manifold, holding the carburtta to the engine. I would like to know if and where I can get these parts. Also, any info on the wiring diagrams or plans of any sort.
Thanks Very much.
Nigel Wright
Palmerston North New Zealand
Thu Sep 06 2007
tony at lathes.co.uk
Vintage Villiers
Mk.1 to Mk. V 1914 to 1923
Hello, I'd like to find both a Mk. IV and a Mk. V engine from the early
1920s. If anyone has one, or any spares, I'd be interested to know. It's
to help with a project connected with a Raynal Motorcycle that can be seen
here:
lathes.co.uk/raynal (404)
Tony Griffiths
Buxton England
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