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The sloping stressed member concept was patented in 1900 by Joah ("John") Carver Phelon and his nephew Harry Rayner. Phelon & Rayner made the first chain-driven motorcycle in 1900. They could not afford to put their first bike into production, so sold the design to Humber for royalties, and that design was produced by Humber till 1907. After Harry Rayner died in a car accident, Joah Phelon went into partnership with Richard Moore. Phelon & Moore was established in 1904. A clutch and two speed gear with chain drive was standard on a P&M in 1906. P&M motorcycles competed in the first International Six Days Trial (ISDT) in 1913. ( Now called the International Six Days Enduro). The Royal Flying Corps used P&M motorcycles during the First World War, keeping P&M busy throughout the conflict. The P&M Panther was introduced in 1924. P&M’s big four-stroke sidecar bikes were called the Heavyweights, and smaller solo machines were called Lightweights. There were two and four-stroke Lightweights. |
