Describing the Dreadnought
I write in connection with the 1903 Dreadnought motorcycle, conceived and built by
Harold Karslake and used successfully over many years in competitions in the early days of motorcycling.
Well documented, this remarkable machine was constructed from a Quadrant frame and powered by an MMC engine, which originated from a BAT motorcycle. The MMC engine was a British version of a De-Dion Bouton design. Dreadnought was a single speed direct drive machine, but was fitted with a two-speed NSU gear to compete in long distance trials in the 1920s.
Karslake bequeathed the machine (without the two-speed gear) to the
Vintage Motor Cycle Club (VMCC) in order to ensure its preservation and use after his demise. As such it has been used by members of the club in high profile events like the Pioneer Run and the Banbury Run; it even took part in the opening of the Channel Tunnel and the new Firth of Forth Bridge.
In 2018, the late John MacMillan successfully rode the Dreadnought in that year’s London to Brighton Emancipation Run, the first year that the RAC and VCC allowed motorcycles to enter this prestigious event, which was a great achievement. I had the privilege of using the machine in the VMCC Reivers Run in Northumberland during the 2019 season.
Subsequently, I was lucky to again ride it in the Emancipation Run that year. What a great experience, but perfectly achievable on a direct drive motorcycle, as proven by other pioneer machines on the run.
It has again been entered this year in the London to Brighton and, as a past competitor, I was sent an electronic copy of the programme. I was shocked to see it entered as a ‘De-Dion Bouton Special.’ Contact with the event organisers was unable to correct this error as the programme had gone to print. Elsewhere, it can be seen that details of the machine have been altered to mirror this erroneous description, with engine being described as a De-Dion Bouton.
I write essentially to put the record straight among the wider motorcycling public in your magazine of this serious error, describing a unique and historic motorcycle, which has always been and must remain the Dreadnought.