British Salmson Cyclaid

Cyclaid Cycle-Attachment Engine from 1951. Manufactured in Great Britain by British Salmson Ltd. This engine has been totally restored. It is missing its ignition cover in these photos.

British Salmson Ltd.

The manufacturers of the Cyclaid used to make aero engines and cars at their factory in Raynes Park, London before WWII and were known as British Salmson. The Cyclaids were made at their Lanarkshire factory and were sold between 1950 and 1956. The original design was German: to manufacture the Cyclaid, a licence was purchased for Rex clip-on engine. First 200 engines had "German type castings" and Bosch magnetos (British engines were typically sold with the Wipac Bantamag). Still, the engine was advertised as British product.

"Price initially was £19; subsequently, removal of purchase tax on clip-ons reduced this to £15. Within its limits, it was a good little machine, well engineered, quiet, very flexible, and perhaps, most importantly, light in weight. The belt rim drive, of course, enabled the rider to make use of his hub gears in the usual way. Sales were quite good for the first year or two but I believe purchase tax was re-imposed around 1955/56, and this killed sales stone dead.(...) From the evidence in the files, it appears that 6,000 sets of components were ordered initially. Subsequent costings show that consideration was being given to ordering a further 6,000 sets. There is a reference to sales of 2,700 units having been achieved, but the date is not given..." Richard Mawer, VMCC Journal

Below you can see Cyclaid engine mounted on Triumph bike for testing (the bike does not belong to this collection).