Clark Scamp

The Clark Scamp was a simple, bicycle-based moped similar in concept to the earlier 'winged wheel' or cycle motor, manufactured from March to November 1968 by Alec Clark, of A N Clark (Engineers) Limited, a business which normally manufactured telescopic extendable masts for antennas and small gearboxes for handtools in Binstead, Isle of Wight, England[3][1][4][2][5]

Clark Scamp
ManufacturerAlec Clark
Parent companyA.N. Clark (Engineers) Ltd
Production1968
Engine49cc piston-ported single, twin opposed-ports, two stroke 20:1 mix, radially-finned iron barrel, radially-finned aluminium head, Dell'Orto carburettor[1]or Amal 369/162[2]
Bore / stroke39mm x 44mm
Top speed25 mph (41 km/h)
Ignition typeDansi flywheel magneto
Transmissionsingle speed, direct drive via reduction gear
Frame typeCo-operative (CWS), modified bicycle
Suspensionnone fitted
BrakesCable-operated, 3.5 inch diameter drum front, cycle-type caliper at rear
Tires12 inch Avon Cling on steel disc rear wheel, spoked front
Fuel capacity0.5 gallon
Relatedhandlebars and Radaelli seat both height adjustable

It combined a proprietary 1960s small-wheel cycle-type frame (obtained from the Co-operative Wholesale Society which sold the bicycle as the Commuter) with modifications to mount an innovative 50cc two-stroke engine close to (and outboard of) the rear wheel.

Manufacturing principal Alec Clark was an engineer with much experience of engine design including small-capacity two-strokes, having formerly worked for Trojan, a car manufacturer in Croydon, UK which in the 1960s offered a scooter and a light three-wheeler car and had undertaken development work for Leyland[1]

With the exception of the Italian magneto and carburettor, all of the engine work was stated to be British-made.[6][1]

CWS Commuter bicycle used as a basis for the Scamp

Unfortunately, it was claimed by a Mr Coco that the Clark power unit was very similar to his own design which he had been trying to sell to Clarks for several months in 1967, before being informed that his design driving the rear wheel by friction caused unacceptable wear to the rear tyre and would not therefore be used.

By the time the machine appeared on the market, it had a different drive mechanism but it was apparent that the power unit was closely related to the Coco design, so the designer sued for breach of confidence in that the drawings and prototype engine had been supplied to Clark for evaluation.[2]

The resulting case, Coco v AN Clark (Engineers) Limited,[7] remains a fundamental statement of the principles of law in this area. An application for an interlocutory injunction to prevent any manufacture pending a trial outcome was refused at a hearing (the defendant undertaking instead to pay a royalty of five shillings per engine to be held in a deposit account and later apportioned after a trial ruling).[5][2]

The trial never took place and the machine was discontinued after a production run estimated at 3,000 to 4,000.[5] The company known as AN Clark (Engineers) Limited went into administration, and a new business - Clark Masts Limited - was formed to carry on manufacture of the core-business product.[5]

Notes
  1. Motor Cyclist Illustrated, April 1968, Editor/author Cyril Quantrill. Retrieved 2013-04-29
  2. Iceni Cam Mag. Retrieved 2013-04-30
  3. Motorcycle Mechanics, January 1968, p.17. Looking ahead. "Down on the Island it's all British—we think!". Accessed 5 July 2015
  4. The Moped Archive. Retrieved 2013-04-30
  5. Clark Masts History. Retrieved 2013-04-29
  6. Motorcycle Mechanics, January 1968, p.17. Looking ahead. "The bike is called the Scamp and prototypes have been tested using an engine especially designed for it". Accessed 5 July 2015
  7. [1969] FSR 415, [1069] R.P.C. 49 (Ch)
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.