A Brief History of the Marque
Founded by William Chater-Lea in 1900, the company initially built bicycles, and the first complete motorcycles were built in 1903.
In addition to their own engines, Chater-Lea used motors built by Blackburne, Villiers, Fafnir, JAP, Trent, De Dion, Minerva and others. They were quite successful in racing during the 1920's and 30's.
Dougal Marchant developed a Blackburne engine which had been converted to OHC and with it achieved the magic ton on a Chater-Lea, the first time such a speed had been achieved with an engine of only 350cc.
The last of the 800 or so motorcycle combinations Chater-Lea built for the AA was completed in 1936, and many of these machines have survived.
The company also built automobiles between 1907 and 1922, and aircraft components during WWII.
If so I would appreciate knowing how many were made and are left in existence or any other details you could provide me with. There also doesn't seem to be many Chater Lea motorcycle's in Australia.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Regards Ken McNamara
Australia
Mon Jan 21 2013
mcmastermary<at>rocketmail.com
Parts and manual book
Chater Lea 500cc with sidecar 1926
My gear at 1st ok but not 2nd gear it catch in gear but jump when
accelarate yhen 3rd gear in it is fine. i look for spares for clutch and
gears. I dont have manual book so i desperately need manual book.
Ronald Mc Master, South Africa
Wed Jun 24 2009
flattank at bigpond dot com
JAP Motorcycle
Chater Lea 1910
I have attached a photo of my c1910 Chater Lea / JAP with 1905 pattern
Auto Inlet Valve engine....I claim this to be the oldest V twin JAP in
going order...do you know of an earlier one?
Howard.
Hobart, Tasmania
Thu Mar 12 2009
robcrow at iinet.net.au
cenntenial ride.aug 2009 kent to kerry
chater lea 1907
google "further Adventures in Motorcycling 2009". We are looking
for participants
UK
http://www.acheson-crow.co.uk/
Mon Oct 27 2008
risboroughz at hotmail dot com
Information/contact
Chater-Lea No.7. 1912
I would like to contact other owners of this model.
England.
.......
Please find attached a picture of my chater lea from some years ago.
Could you please add this to the profile. It's a rare motorcycle, and any
help would be most appreciated.
Thank you once again,
Regards,
Brendan
Thu Oct 25 2007
oldtimers22 at poczta.onet.pl
Chater Lea 550 ?
Hello !
I found this engine in Poland, it's not complete.
Poland
Sat Aug 11 2007
esi-sor at xtra.co.nz
CHATER LEA 545cc Sports
HI there any help would be appreciated i have the makings of a 1926-1930??
545cc sport any info, parts , contacts, owners, i have had this bike (collection
of parts) for about 12 years and have slowly be gathering bits and piece's
and i come across them any help at would be very much appreciated thanks
Ross
New Zealand
Tue Jan 30 2007
cutler at sun.ac.za
Chater-Lea 1927 Face Cam
I am looking for any available engine components to assist with restoration
South Africa
Mon Dec 18 2006
camneill at supanet dot com
ChaterLea 500 single 1927
I have recently purchased a Chater Lea and am struggling to get any
info on it.
Does any one have any brochures, bookets, info on Chater Lea motorcycles.
Aberdeen
Sat Nov 25 2006
r.king8 at ntlworld dot com
1904-5-6 chater lea
could you give me any info on 1904 chater lea
what i really want is some picture's of the machine
luton
Tue Mar 28 2006
cota25 at gmail dot com
Chater-Lea
I am looking for any Chater-Lea restored or unrestored and any kind
of brochure of this brand.
Barcelona
Do you know if this chater Lea is still for sale and if so how I can find the owner?
Do you mean the one for sale on Ebay?
Ed. Date: Tue, 3 May 2005
<John.Hurst at novuswestasia dot com >
Sorry for not being explicit. Yes I mean the 31 Chater Lea 500 that was advertised on ebay. I tried to get in contact with the seller through ebay but my message kept getting bumped back. Any help you can give gratefully received.
Regards, John
There appears to be no further information available on Ebay, so I think that's a blind alley. Suggest contacting the UK vintage clubs - someone will know about the bike. Ed.
26th January 2005
Chater-Lea on Ebay UK
Vendor's Description:
...a very rare 1931 Chaterlea 500cc single cylinder road racing motorcycle,
there is every possibility that this is the only surviving model of its
kind. This bike has been 100% fully restored to full race (Concourse) condition
and is ready to race. To the best of my knowledge there was 1 previous
owner who personally raced this machine in the early 1930's. Since this
Bike has been restored (which took 3 years) it has been kept in my living
room, this is a much loved and cherish machine.
