Waratah Motorcycle
Object No. 86/1827
The engine and frame number on this Waratah brand motorcycle indicate it was built in 1948 with the manufacturers being noted as P. and R. Williams of Sydney. However, from the 1920s to the 1940s there were many attempts to establish a motorcycling industry in Australia. Many so-called Australian motorcycles were usually assembled from imported British components or imported from Britain and rebadged in Australia. This motorcycle is very similar to the British Excelsior Universal motorcycle of 1936. Contemporary newspaper accounts indicate that the Waratah was made in Britain and P. and R. Williams were only the distributors. The importance of the Waratah is that the motorcycle is an example of an inexpensive transport mode used in Australia both between the wars and just after. The 'Worker' newspaper published in Brisbane, Queensland, in 1937, described the Waratah as the "World's Economy Motorcycle - [it] is more than a motor cycle - it is a transport service, a means of getting to work or recreation in a speedy, efficient and reliable manner. It is planned and designed to give transport its simplest form - and be at the same time easy to buy." A 1928 catalogue advertisement for the Waratah reiterated this advice and noted: "10 and a half miles for one penny Waratah the world's most economical means of transportation". Although their output was not great, Waratah was said to be the longest running of all motorcycle brands in Australia and were available from 1914 until about 1951. Margaret Simpson Curator, Transport July 2013 'Waratah World's Economy Motorcycle' in 'Worker' (Brisbane), 22 June 1937, p.18. Gregory, Max 'The Flowering of the Waratah' in 'Restored Cars' magazine, No. 130, Sep-Oct 1998, p.10-11. Saward, Robert, A-Z of 'Australian-made Motorcycles 1893-1942', Turton & Armstrong, Wahroonga, NSW, 1996, p.84.
Loading...
Summary
Object Statement
Motorcycle, Waratah, 125 cc, engine No. 580/31457, frame No. AU/2517, metal / rubber / plastic / glass / leather, possibly made in England, distributed by P. and R. Williams, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1948
Physical Description
Motorcycle, Waratah, 125 cc, engine No. 580/31457, frame No. AU/2517, metal / rubber / plastic / glass / leather [made in England], distributed by P. and R. Williams, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1948 Motorcycle powered by Villiers single cylinder air cooled engine. Gearbox integral with engine. Specifications Builder: P and R Williams, Sydney Production dates: 1914 to 1951 Engine: Villiers, single cylinder, 125 cc two stroke Engine No. 580/31457 Frame No. AU/2517
DIMENSIONS
Height
1000 mm
Width
700 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
It is thought that this Waratah motorcycle was made in Britain. According to the 'A-Z of Australian-made Motorcycles 1893-1942', Waratah motorcycles were originally sold by Williams Bros, of 213-217 Elizabeth Street, Sydney. The firm had been established in 1905 by W.A. Williams who had been the manager of the Canada Cycle and Motor Agency Ltd, who built Waratah bicycles. Williams retained the 'Canada' name until 1913 when it became Williams Bros. Meanwhile, by 1920 a separate Williams family company, run by P. and R. Williams (Percy and Reginald Williams were the sons of W.A. Williams), was operating from 74-78 Wentworth Street, Sydney. They built lightweight two-stroke motorcycles with two and three quarter horse power engines of their own design. However, by 1926 they were using Villiers engines and their motorcycles they sold were was identical to the Waratahs sold by Williams Bros. The Waratahs of this period had a 2-stroke Villiers 1½ hp (147 cc) engine with 2 speeds and belt final drive. The frame was either sourced from the English Sun Co. or its frame components were made with local tubing comprising a single top frame carrying an underslung fuel tank. By the late 1920s larger models were on offer with a 2½ hp (247 cc) and 3½ hp (343 cc) Villiers 2-stroke engine with saddle tank frames and Brampton forks. In the early 1930s P. and R. Williams took over Williams Bros and Waratah motorcycles continued to be sold throughout the Depression. The Waratah then reappeared after the Second World War with sales during the first 9 months of 1946 amounting to 100 units.
HISTORY
Notes
This motorcycle was purchased for the collection in 1986. It was purchased by the vendor's wife for her own use.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Purchased 1986
Acquisition Date
29 December 1986
Copyright for the above image is held by the Powerhouse and may be subject to third-party copyright restrictions. Please submit an Image Licensing Enquiry for information regarding reproduction, copyright and fees. Text is released under Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivative licence.
Image Licensing Enquiry
Object Enquiry