Perks & Birch Autowheel 1899: The Pioneer Motorwheel
Complete encyclopedia of the 1899 Perks & Birch Autowheel — the world's first motorwheel and first motorcycle with magneto ignition
Perks & Birch Autowheel 1899
The Pioneer Motorwheel — First Engine-in-Wheel Design & First Motorcycle with Magneto Ignition
📑 Table of Contents
- Introduction: The Motorwheel Concept
- Background & Invention (1898–1899)
- Technical Specifications
- Design Innovation & Engineering
- Production by Singer Cycle Company (1901–1904)
- Museum Photographs — National Motor Museum, Beaulieu
- Legacy & Influence
- Complete Historical Timeline
- Image Collection Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Primary Scientific References
Introduction: The Motorwheel Concept
The Perks & Birch Autowheel (also called the "Motor-Wheel") was a groundbreaking motorized wheel designed in 1899 by English engineers Edwin Perks and Frank Birch of Rockland Works, Eagle Street, Foleshill, Coventry, England. It was one of the very first attempts in history to build a complete engine unit entirely within the wheel it was intended to drive — a concept roughly 25 years ahead of Bugatti's similar ideas.
The Autowheel could replace either the rear wheel of a bicycle or the front wheel of a tricycle, instantly converting a pedal cycle into a motorized vehicle. Notably, it was the first motorcycle engine equipped with magneto ignition — a low-tension Simms-Bosch magneto — making it a double pioneer in both powertrain integration and ignition technology.
Background & Invention (1898–1899)
In 1898, engineer Edwin Perks began work on a revolutionary "power wheel" concept at Rockland Works on Eagle Street, Foleshill — a suburb of Coventry, then the undisputed capital of the British bicycle industry. His vision was elegantly simple: instead of strapping an engine to a bicycle frame (the approach used by most early motorized bicycle makers), he would build the entire engine inside the wheel itself.
Perks partnered with Frank Birch, and together they developed and refined the concept. The resulting Motor Wheel was officially unveiled in 1899, making it one of the earliest British motorized two-wheelers. The design earned a prominent place among the notable motorcycles of the 1890s, alongside the Hildebrand & Wolfmüller (1894, Germany), the Wolfmüller, and the Werner Motors (1897, France).
Before selling the design to Singer, Perks and Birch built nearly 200 units at their Foleshill workshop. The Vintage Motor Cycle Club (VMCC) recognizes Perks & Birch as a significant British marque in their definitive A-to-Z listing, covering the years 1899–1901.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Year | 1899 (Perks & Birch original); 1901–1904 (Singer production) |
| Country | Great Britain (Coventry, England) |
| Manufacturer | Perks & Birch, Rockland Works, Eagle Street, Foleshill, Coventry |
| Engine Type | 222cc (221cc) single-cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled |
| Bore × Stroke | 63.5 mm × 70 mm |
| Power Output | ~2–2.5 hp |
| Valves | Automatic (atmospheric) intake; side exhaust (mechanically operated) |
| Ignition | Low-tension Simms-Bosch magneto — first motorcycle with magneto ignition; contact points inside cylinder |
| Fuel System | Surface (vaporizing) carburetor — works by evaporation |
| Maximum Speed | 18 mph (~29 km/h) |
| Drive System | Spur gear on engine shaft driving internally-toothed ring gear riveted to wheel spokes |
| Wheel | Cast aluminium, 8–10 spokes per side |
| Wheel Diameter | 28 inch (wire clincher, front & rear — Singer version) |
| Fuel Range | ~60 miles (fuel tank inside the wheel in original version) |
| Brakes | Rim brakes (front & rear — Singer version) |
| Weight | ~115 lb (~52 kg) — Singer version |
| Mounting | Replaces rear wheel of a bicycle or front wheel of a tricycle |
| Units Produced | ~200 (Perks & Birch); additional production by Singer (1901–1904) |
Design Innovation & Engineering
The Motorwheel Concept
Edwin Perks simplified the fundamental problem of fitting an engine to a pedal cycle by creating a completely self-contained motorwheel. Rather than modifying the bicycle frame to accommodate a separate engine, he built the entire power unit inside the wheel — engine, fuel system, ignition, and drive mechanism — all contained within a specially cast aluminium wheel with 8 to 10 spokes on each side.
The single-cylinder four-stroke engine sat between the spokes, with the low-tension magneto providing the spark. A spur gear on the engine shaft drove an internally-toothed ring gear that was riveted directly to the wheel spokes. This arrangement meant the wheel itself was the driven element — as the engine turned, the wheel rotated around it.
World-First Innovations
- First engine-in-wheel design — complete engine unit built inside the wheel it drove
- First motorcycle with magneto ignition — a low-tension Simms-Bosch magneto, with contact points inside the cylinder
- First light alloy (aluminium) wheel on a motorized two-wheeler
- Modular powertrain concept — the motorwheel could replace any standard bicycle or tricycle wheel
- Surface carburetor with integrated fuel tank inside the wheel
Limitations
The original design had several significant weaknesses that ultimately limited its commercial success:
- The spur gear drive grew harsh and noisy as wear developed over time — this was the most persistent complaint
- The fuel tank inside the wheel limited range to approximately 60 miles
- The engine heat was transmitted directly to the wheel and tire
- Servicing the engine required removing the entire wheel
- The heavy motorwheel made handling less predictable than a standard bicycle wheel
Production by Singer Cycle Company (1901–1904)
In 1901, the Singer Cycle Company of Coventry — already one of England's foremost bicycle manufacturers — acquired the production and patent rights to the Perks & Birch Motor Wheel. Both Edwin Perks and Frank Birch joined Singer as employees, continuing to develop and refine the design under the new ownership.
A contemporary report from The Sphere (1 December 1900) noted that at the Stanley Show at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, and the National Show at Crystal Palace, "The Singer Motor Wheel perhaps most holds the eye."
Singer's Improvements
- Fitting of the low-tension Simms-Bosch magneto — perhaps the first motorcycle engine to be so equipped
- Strengthened frames for both bicycle and tricycle applications
- Development of variant models including a milk churn carrier — early commercial vehicle adaptation
1903 Redesign
By mid-1903, Singer introduced a significantly redesigned version that addressed the main weakness of the original spur gear drive:
- Spokes on only one side of the wheel (half-sided design)
- Chain drive forward from the engine to the bottom bracket of the frame
- Chain then continued back to the other side of the rear wheel via a freewheel
- This eliminated the harsh spur gear mechanism entirely
Singer began phasing out the Motor Wheel in late 1903, though it remained listed in their catalog until approximately 1904. By 1904, Singer had moved to more conventional motorcycle designs with upright engines mounted in a cradle hung from the downtube — the configuration that would come to define the motorcycle form factor for the next century.
Museum Photographs — National Motor Museum, Beaulieu
The sole known surviving 1899 Perks & Birch Autowheel motorcycle is on permanent display at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Hampshire, England — one of the world's foremost collections of historic vehicles. All three Wikimedia Commons images below were photographed at this museum.
📸 Complete Gallery: National Motor Museum, Beaulieu
Legacy & Influence
The motorwheel concept pioneered by Perks & Birch proved remarkably influential, far outliving the original company. Although the Autowheel itself was produced for only a few years, the idea of building an engine inside a wheel — creating a self-contained, drop-in powerunit — resonated through more than a century of engineering.
Direct Descendants & Spiritual Successors
| Machine | Connection to Perks & Birch Motorwheel |
|---|---|
| BSA Winged Wheel (1950s) | 35cc engine mounted inside the rear wheel; drop-in replacement for bicycle wheel — directly echoing the Perks & Birch concept ~50 years later |
| Cyclemaster (1950s) | 30cc motorized wheel that replaced a bicycle's rear wheel; enormously popular in postwar Europe |
| Honda P50 (1960s) | Honda's compact moped borrowed the integrated powertrain philosophy from the motorwheel tradition |
| Wall Auto-Wheel (1910s) | A third wheel with built-in engine attached to a bicycle, directly inspired by the motorwheel concept |
| Modern Hub Motors (2020s) | Electric hub motors in e-bikes and e-scooters are the direct 21st-century evolution of Perks & Birch's concept — a complete drive unit inside the wheel |
Historical Recognition
- The Vintage Motor Cycle Club (VMCC) recognizes Perks & Birch in their definitive A-to-Z listing as a significant British marque (1899–1901)
- Listed in The British Motorcycle Directory: Over 1,100 Marques from 1888 by Roy Bacon and Ken Hallworth (Crowood Press, 2004)
- Featured in Coventry's Motorcycle Heritage by Damien Kimberley (History Press)
- The surviving unit at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu is among the museum's 50 most significant objects
- Singer's later adoption and refinement helped establish Coventry as the center of the British motorcycle industry
Complete Historical Timeline
George Singer founds Singer & Co as a bicycle manufacturer in Coventry, England.
Edwin Perks begins work on the "power wheel" concept at Rockland Works, Eagle Street, Foleshill, Coventry. Partners with Frank Birch.
The Perks & Birch Autowheel (Motor Wheel) is officially unveiled. 222cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine built inside a cast aluminium wheel. First motorcycle with magneto ignition.
Perks & Birch produce approximately 200 units at the Foleshill workshop.
The Singer Motor Wheel is displayed at the Stanley Show (Agricultural Hall, Islington) and the National Show (Crystal Palace). Press reports note it "most holds the eye."
Singer Cycle Company acquires production rights. Edwin Perks and Frank Birch join Singer as employees. Singer fits Motor Wheels to bicycles and tricycles with strengthened frames.
Singer introduces redesigned version: spokes on one side only; chain drive from engine to bottom bracket to rear wheel via freewheel — replacing the noisy spur gear.
Singer phases out the Motor Wheel. Replaced by more conventional motorcycles with upright engines in a cradle frame.
The motorwheel concept revives in the BSA Winged Wheel (35cc) and Cyclemaster (30cc) during the European cyclemotor boom.
Electric hub motors in e-bikes carry forward the Perks & Birch legacy — a complete drive unit inside the wheel.
Complete Image Collection Summary
| Category | Images (Figure Numbers & Source Links) |
|---|---|
| 📸 Museum Photos (National Motor Museum, Beaulieu) | 3 images — #1 (Full side view, landscape), #2 (Alternate angle, portrait), #3 (Motorwheel close-up, portrait) |
| TOTAL | 3 images — All sourced from Wikimedia Commons (full-resolution direct links, CC BY 2.0) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What was the Perks & Birch Autowheel?
The Perks & Birch Autowheel (also called the "Motor Wheel") was a pioneering motorized wheel designed in 1899 by English engineers Edwin Perks and Frank Birch of Coventry, England. It placed a complete 222cc four-stroke engine inside a cast aluminium spoked wheel, which could replace the rear wheel of a bicycle or the front wheel of a tricycle — instantly converting a pedal cycle into a motorized vehicle.
Was the Perks & Birch the first motorcycle with magneto ignition?
Yes. The Perks & Birch Autowheel is widely credited as the first motorcycle engine ever equipped with magneto ignition — specifically a low-tension Simms-Bosch magneto, with the contact points located inside the cylinder. This represented a major advance over the battery-and-coil systems used by earlier motorcycles.
What happened to the Perks & Birch design after 1901?
In 1901, the Singer Cycle Company of Coventry acquired the production rights. Perks and Birch joined Singer as employees. Singer refined the design, developed several variants (including a milk churn carrier), and introduced a chain-drive redesign in mid-1903. The Motor Wheel was phased out in late 1903–1904, replaced by more conventional motorcycle designs.
Where can I see a Perks & Birch Autowheel today?
A surviving 1899 Perks & Birch Autowheel motorcycle is on permanent display at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Hampshire, England — one of the world's foremost collections of historic vehicles. The museum is located in the New Forest and houses over 285 vehicles.
What was the legacy of the Perks & Birch motorwheel?
The motorwheel concept proved remarkably influential. About 50 years later, the idea reappeared in the 35cc BSA Winged Wheel and the 30cc Cyclemaster during the European cyclemotor boom. It further echoed in the Honda P50 of the 1960s. Today, electric hub motors in millions of e-bikes are the direct descendants of Perks & Birch's 1899 concept — a complete drive unit inside the wheel.
How fast could the Perks & Birch Autowheel go?
The Perks & Birch Autowheel had a maximum speed of approximately 18 mph (29 km/h). While modest by modern standards, this was a significant speed for a motorized bicycle in 1899 — faster than most people could pedal, and revolutionary for urban transportation at the dawn of the motorized era.
What is the connection between Perks & Birch and Singer?
Edwin Perks was a former Singer Cycle Company employee. In 1899, he and Frank Birch developed the Autowheel independently at their Rockland Works in Foleshill. In 1901, Singer acquired the design and both inventors rejoined Singer. The Singer Motor Wheel became one of Singer's earliest forays into motorized transport — a path that eventually led to Singer automobiles, which were produced until 1970.
Primary Scientific References
📚 Peer-Reviewed, Institutional & Archival Sources
- National Motor Museum, Beaulieu — "Perks and Birch Autowheel" Collection Record — nationalmotormuseum.org.uk
- Moto Collection — "Singer Motorwheel 1900: First with magneto ignition and first light alloy wheel" — moto-collection.org
- Grace's Guide to British Industrial History — "Perks and Birch" (Rockland Works, Eagle Street, Foleshill) — gracesguide.co.uk
- CyberMotorcycle / Sheldon's EMU — "History of Singer Motorcycles" — cybermotorcycle.com
- Wikipedia (English) — "Singer Motors" — en.wikipedia.org
- Singer Owners Club — "Singer Models/Descriptions: Motorcycles" — singerownersclub.co.uk
- Singer Motor Club — "Singer History (Issue 7, Feb 2020 Rev.)" — singermc.club (PDF)
- Hyman Ltd. — "1911 Singer Motorcycle" (historical context on Singer Motor Wheel) — hymanltd.com
- Roy Bacon & Ken Hallworth — The British Motorcycle Directory: Over 1,100 Marques from 1888 (The Crowood Press, 2004) ISBN: 1 86126 674 X
- Damien Kimberley — Coventry's Motorcycle Heritage (The History Press) ISBN: 978 0 7509 5125 9
- Bernard Russell — The Internal Combustion Engine: Experimentation and Continuity (City University of London, Academic Thesis) — openaccess.city.ac.uk
- Vintage Motor Cycle Club (VMCC) — A-to-Z Marque Listing: "Perks & Birch (1899–1901)"
- The Sphere — Report from 1 December 1900: Coverage of the Stanley Show & National Show featuring the Singer Motor Wheel
- Wikimedia Commons — All 3 images sourced under Creative Commons CC BY 2.0 license — commons.wikimedia.org
