ABC Motorcycles Skootamota 1919-1922
The Bradshaw-designed Skootamota was an early scooter built by Gilbert Campling Ltd. and sold as the ABC Skootamota.
The Skootamota handled well and was very stable despite small wheels. The single-cylinder 123 cc engine was located above the rear wheel and drove it by chain. Early Skootamotas had exhaust over intake (EOI) engines but later versions had OHV engines. The Skootamota had external contracting band brakes on both wheels. The saddle and spacious footboard provided rider comfort. The Skootamota, quickly imitated by competitors, had a top speed of just 15 mph (24 km/h). It ceased production in 1922.
Around 1920 there was both in Europe and the USA a short-lived interest in motorised scooters. Scooters were light, cheap to run and simple to use; it was thought that they might attract new (female) urban customers, that would not so easily choose for a conventional motorcycle as means of transport. The ABC (All British Cycle) is one of the very first scooters and probably the best of the first generation of machines.
It was designed by the prolific and inventive Granville Bradshaw and uses a 60mm x 40mm bore x stroke overhead exhaust valve single- cylinder engine driving the 16” wheel by chain.
The tubular frame is light and made a very manageable machine with a speed range of up to 20 mph. “
One push with the left foot on the ground starts the engine and the machine” stated the brochure. Unlike some machines of the period it is fitted with a seat and was used quite prominently on the roads of the period.
This example is an older restoration and comes complete with Lucas “ Silver King” oil lamp and handlebar-mounted claxon.