The machine was better designed than most and not dissimilar to many that were to appear some three decades later. The 269cc Roc engine was concealed by panels, and it had a flat floor and an apron that carried the fuel tank behind it. Australian made Flexiforks were used, it was fitted with 22-inch wheels and belt or chain drive. For a more comfortable ride, two bucket seats were fitted on a wooden platform, mounted on a combination of coil and leaf springs.
Although its construction had been well thought out, it was really rather advanced for the times and this was compounded by the general slump in the scooter trade.
In attempt to revive flagging sales, the company tried a JAP engine in place of the Wall, but this did not help.
R. Reynold Jackson and Co. built a number of automobiles in the early 1900s, and produced three-wheeled vehicles in the years 1912 to 1917. At that time the firm was based in Notting Hill Gate.
The Reynolds tandem-seated miniature, fitted with two-speed gear and clutch, a two-stroke engine, and 550x65 mm. tyres.
Reynolds. (Stand 17.)
2½ h.p.; 70x70 mm. (269 c.c.); single-cylinder two-stroke; drip feed lubrication; Senspray carburetter, flywheel magneto; two-speed Albion gear; chain and belt drive; 550x65 mm. tyres. Price £94 10s.
Jackson Car Manufacturing Co., Pangbourne, Berks.
The Reynolds Runabout deserves a much better location than its little niche under the gallery. This machine is rather difficult to describe, but might be termed a "utility tandem lightweight," appealing to people who want something as handy as a scooter but altogether faster and roomier.
The front portion of the machine is reminiscent of the cockpit of a car, consisting of a broad dash and floor some sixteen inches wide, which enables the rider to keep perfectly clean whilst wearing his ordinary clothes. The main horizontal frame members are of ten-gauge tube. The rear half of the frame is carried upward by means of two vertical struts and upper cross pieces. In the compartment so formed, the two-stroke engine and gear box are carried, being demountable by the removal of four, bolts. The petrol tank is located above the engine, supported by means of laminated and coiled springs. On the top of this compartment is a platform carrying a small bucket seat for the: driver. The platform is long enough to take another bucket seat for the pillion rider or a parcel box as required. The sides of this rear compartment of the frame are cowled in with sheet metal panels secured by spring clips. In front of the engine is a wire dressguard. Cooling ought to be satisfactory, as the real cowls are splayed out to catch the draught.
An oil tank and tool box are carried on the metal dash. Clutch and brake pedals are in the floor of the cock pit, and the kick starter is also mounted here, and connected to the engine by long horizontal rod. The machine scales about 190 lb. As this is somewhat heavy for an elderly woman to raise on to the stand, the designer has incorporated lever some eighteen inches long; the ease with which the machine can be put or the stand by means of this lever is simply astonishing. A child could operate it.
Olympia Show. The Motor Cycle, December 2nd, 1920. Page 732
'Comfort first' must have been the maxim of the designer of the de luxe tandem Reynolds runabout. A 2¾h.p. J.A.P.engine and Burman three-speed gear are used.
On the Liberty two-stroke engine fitted to the Jupp and the Reynolds runabout, the magneto is driven by an extension of the crankshaft.
Olympia Show, 1921
REYNOLDS for 1922
2½ h.p. Model - 70x70 mm. (269 c.c.); single-cyl. two-stroke; drip feed lubrication; Cox carb.; direct driven mag.; 2-sp. gear : clutch and kick-starter; chain drive; 24x2½ in. tyres. Price, solo £78 15s.
A. W. Wall, Ltd., Tyseley, Birmingham. - Already well-known by reason of its unorthodox appearance the Reynolds may be regarded as a useful type of machine for the man who requires a mount for runabout purposes. With its open frame and comfortable sprung bucket seat it is particularly suitable for lady drivers, or for those who take up motor cycles late in life. It is extremely well mudguarded, and with its Liberty two-stroke engine, two-speed gear and chain drive, it is essentially a sturdy little machine capable of hard work and quite suitable for long runs when occasion arises. The springing of the seat platform is particularly interesting, for long quarter-elliptic springs are anchored to the rear of the frame, and support at their forward ends the front of the platform on which the driver's seat is mounted. A second bucket seat can be accommodated at the rear end of the platform if need be. A very easily operated rear wheel stand is another interesting point.
2¾ h.p. Model.- 70x90 mm. (349 c.c.) single-cyl. four-stroke; side-by-side valves; drip feed lubrication : Cox-Atmos carb.; chain-driven mag.; 3-sp. gear; clutch and kick-starter; chain drive; 26x2½in. tyres. Price £105.
As a de luxe passenger machine the larger edition of the Reynolds runabout has many attractive features; for instance, the weight and space of a sidecar outfit is saved. A very complete specification includes Maplestone forks, internal expanding brakes in both wheels, and fully sprung bucket seats for both driver and passenger. Beautifully finished in every detail, the floor and running boards are covered, with rubber and have moulded headings. Either seat is suitable for a lady, since there are no tubes to interfere with dress position. The tubular frame is reinforced at the bends, and the whole machine presents a novel appearance which attracts much attention from the general public.
Source: Graces Guide
