The Vintage Motorcycles
Specialists in antique, classic, veteran and vintage motorcycles.
Specialists in antique, classic, veteran and vintage motorcycles.
Excelsior Motor Company of Birmingham, England was one of the earliest motorcycle manufacturers in the world. Founded in the late nineteenth century as a bicycle company, Excelsior began producing motorcycles in 1896 and became one of Britain's longest-running motorcycle manufacturers.
Throughout its history Excelsior produced a wide variety of machines ranging from early pioneer motorcycles to lightweight commuter bikes and competition motorcycles. During the mid-twentieth century the company became particularly well known for lightweight motorcycles powered by Villiers two-stroke engines.
This reference guide provides an overview of the historic Excelsior motorcycle models including production years, engine types, and historical context. The page is intended to help collectors, restorers, and enthusiasts identify classic Excelsior motorcycles.
| Model | Production Years | Engine Type | Capacity | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excelsior Pioneer Motorcycles | 1896-1905 | Single-cylinder | Various | Early motorcycles |
| Excelsior 2-3/4 HP | 1909-1914 | Single-cylinder | 350cc | Road |
| Excelsior Big Valve Models | 1920s | Single-cylinder | 350cc - 500cc | Sport |
| Excelsior Manxman | 1930s | Single-cylinder | 350cc - 500cc | Sport |
| Excelsior Autobyk | 1949-1965 | Two-stroke | 98cc | Lightweight |
| Excelsior Consort | 1950s | Two-stroke | 150cc | Road |
| Excelsior Talisman | 1950s-1960s | Two-stroke | 250cc | Sport |
Excelsior began building motorcycles during the very earliest years of motorcycling. These early machines were essentially motorized bicycles powered by small single-cylinder engines. As the motorcycle industry developed, Excelsior gradually introduced stronger frames, improved engines, and more reliable mechanical components.
Production Years: 1909-1914
Engine Type: single-cylinder four-stroke
Displacement: approximately 350cc
Drive: belt drive
The 2-3/4 horsepower model became one of the early successful Excelsior motorcycles. During this period the company was competing with other pioneering British manufacturers in a rapidly expanding motorcycle market.
Production Years: 1920s
Engine Type: overhead valve single
Displacement: 350cc and 500cc
The Big Valve Excelsior motorcycles were designed to offer improved engine performance compared with earlier designs. These motorcycles became popular among riders who wanted a sporting machine capable of higher speeds.
Production Years: 1930s
Engine Type: single-cylinder
Displacement: 350cc and 500cc
The Manxman was one of Excelsior's well-known pre-war motorcycles and was named after the famous Isle of Man TT races. Machines like this reflected the company's involvement in the sporting side of British motorcycling.
Production Years: 1949-1965
Engine Type: two-stroke
Displacement: 98cc
The Excelsior Autobyk was designed as a simple and economical form of transport in the years following the Second World War. Lightweight motorcycles such as the Autobyk became extremely popular in Britain during this period.
Production Years: 1950s
Engine Type: two-stroke Villiers engine
Displacement: approximately 150cc
The Consort was one of the lightweight road motorcycles produced by Excelsior during the 1950s. Like many British motorcycles of the period, it used a reliable Villiers engine.
Production Years: late 1950s - early 1960s
Engine Type: two-stroke
Displacement: 250cc
The Talisman represented a slightly larger and more powerful Excelsior motorcycle designed for riders who wanted more performance than the smaller commuter models.
Excelsior Motor Company remained active in motorcycle manufacturing for many decades and played an important role in the early development of the British motorcycle industry.
Although production ended in the 1960s, surviving Excelsior motorcycles are now valued by collectors and enthusiasts interested in historic British motorcycles.
Excelsior is a historic British motorcycle manufacturer and is featured in our guides to British vintage motorcycle brands as well as our complete overview of vintage motorcycle manufacturers by country, covering major global motorcycle industries from 1900 to 1980.
AJS, Ariel, BSA, Royal Enfield, Coventry Eagle, Douglas, Vincent, Matchless, New Map, Norton, Rudge, Sunbeam, and Triumph, all of which played a major role in British motorcycle racing and engineering development.
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