1912 single speed veteran ARNO motorcycle at the 2024 Pioneer Run

1912 single speed veteran ARNO motorcycle at the 2024 Pioneer Run.

What a superb machine. It was lovely to witness it running on the public road with that familiar lazy “pop-pop-pop” of a Pioneer motorcycle. It was also great to meet with the owner (Colin Jenner) just before he set off on a short warm-up run down the road, prior to moving to the start of the 2024 Pioneer Run. He told me that he had completed over 30 Pioneer Runs on this machine.

WATCH VIDEO on the veteran Arno motorcycle

As you can see from the video, starting is as simple as setting the levers (throttle / magneto advance) and priming the fuel before pushing it down the road. With it all set correctly, the bike started easily and happily gathered speed. There are no extra gears. It has one gear. Once you are going, it’s a case of adjusting the magneto spark advance with the throttle.

This is a British antique motorcycle made by Arno of Coventry, England. It comes with an original 493cc Sidevalve single cylinder with the manufacturers name cast on the case side. Much of the motorcycle appears to be original. Features such as the raked handlebars and valenced front mudguard are features of the original motorbike.

With the motorcycle sat on the rear stand, it’s easier to notice the details. It has the headlamp mount. Many motorcycles were supplied without lighting and the mount was probably an extra too.

Notice the lack of front brake. This wasn’t unusual. The rear brake is just a single block that is pulled into a groove on a rear wheel rim. That’s not much good either. Most owners of these early Pioneer motorcycles resort to good forward planning when they need to slow down. Thick shoe leather helps too.

This 1912 veteran Arno motorcycle

This particular veteran Arno motorcycle has a short exhaust and silencer at the front of the engine. The 1912 TT model had a lovely long tube on the right side, as in this image.

This is fairly rare machine. Arno only existed between 1908 and 1916. During that time, the company seemed to close a few times, only to be revived quickly. Like many British manufacturers of motorcycles in the early 1900’s, they were rumoured to have been involved in the production of cycles before embarking on the latest craze – motorcycles.

A little history on Arno motorcycles

The earliest record of an Arno motorcycle is in 1908. They produced a 3 H.P. model with belt drive at their Coventry factory.

1909 Veteran Arno motorcycle

In 1909, they raised the HP to 3-1/2 H.P. with bore and stroke of 90 x 85. Much like many Pioneer motorcycles, they made their own unique exhaust & silencer. In this case, it was a little stubby iron cast ribbed silencer.

By 1911, they had several motorcycles in the product range. I suspect that the featured veteran Arno motorcycle was one of these.

By some time in 1912, Arno was wound-up. Although, they managed to produced the aforementioned 1912 Arno TT model.

Arno 1912 TT

In 1913, there is a record of the name being revived. They produced a model for sidecars. However, this was very short-lived and Arno was wound-up one more time.

Whoever was in control of Arno was the eternal optimist. Once again, Arno was revived in 1914 although there doesn’t appear to a record of motorcycles being produced. There are records of them producing war materials though.

The Pioneer Run

The London to Brighton Pioneer Run does not go from London – Brighton any more. Because of traffic issues, the run starts near Epsom race course just outside South East London and is a 45 mile ride to Brighton (Shoreham) airport.

The Pioneer Run is organised by the Sunbeam Motorcycle Club. It looks fun. If you have a suitable antique, or veteran, motorcycle with a Pioneer Certificate, get in touch with the Sunbeam MCC and enrol for the 2025 Pioneer Run. 

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Video:

With thanks to Colin Jenner for taking such good care of his lovely Arno.

Filmed on location at the start of the 2024 Pioneer Run, Epsom, England.

The content is original and copyright is wholly owned by TheTimingChest.com.

Sources:

With thanks for Damien Kimberley who researched much of the history of Arno and produced the information in 2016 for “Historic Coventry”.