Fore & Aft

It is a common misconception that the Douglas Engineering Company was the only company to use the fore-and-aft flat-twin. Douglas was the most prominent proponent of this engine layout, using them from 1907 until the outbreak of WW2, but they were not alone.

William and Edwin Douglas got into the motorcycle business by accident, when a company they supplied castings to, Light Motors, went into receivership. Light Motors were probably the pioneers of fore-and-aft flat twins. The Douglas brothers spotted an opportunity to carry on production of these smooth, nimble, sturdy, low-vibration machines, which performed well and seemed to sell. Their appeal was enhanced with success on the Isle of Man, European race tracks, dirt tracks, and as dispatch rider mounts in WW1.

So it is not surprising that a number of other manufacturers tried the fore-and-aft flat-twin configuration, including Brough (not Superior), D-Rad, Victoria, Wilkinson, Indian (Model O) and Harley-Davidson (Model W and XA). Perhaps the most esoteric of them all was the Quirks Mona, the first truly indigenous Australian machine. So let’s look at some of the lesser-known machines of this configuration: the 1916 ABC, its better-known sibling the Sopwith ABC and the unique Australian Quirks.

1916 ABC

The 1916 ABC was designed and produced by Granville Bradshaw, a talented engineer and a keen motorcyclist. Granville came into contact with the motorcycle racing community while working on aircraft at Brooklands before WW1. He became friends with Douglas works rider. Les Bailey. In November 1912 Granville extensively modified one of Les’ machines, adding steel cylinders, overhead valves and a three throw crankshaft. The outer throws of the crankshaft drove one piston while