Description

1925 Sheppee Cykelaid Motor Tricycle



Colonel H.F. Sheppee, founder of the Sheppee Motor Co, of York, England, had produced fourteen different models of steam-powered vehicles over a ten year period before deciding to make a ‘Motor bicycle.’ The Cykelaid made its debut on Stand No 49 at the Cycle & Motorcycle Show, Olympia, in 1920. On the first new machine, which went on sale the following year, the complete power unit was carried on a special front fork. Its 104cc two-stroke engine was on the left with its main-shaft run through the wheel spindle to a flywheel. Ignition was by chain-driven Runbaken magneto bolted upside-down to the crankcase base, and transmission was by chain up to a counter-shaft carrying a clutch and then back to the wheel by a second chain. Most Cykelaids were fitted to bicycles, either using the customer's own cycle or supplied with a bicycle or tandem ready to ride by Sheppee.