Description
1914 Zenith 'Gradua'
Fascinating history. Ex-Kaye Don, Comerfords, Pete Gagan
Estimate
£23, 000 - £26, 000
Registration No: LO 3560
Frame No: 4499
MOT: Exempt
Once owned by the renowned Brooklands racer Kay Don
A wonderful history throughout its life
A powerful 976cc Pioneer machine
Large history file about the machine
A current V5C on file
Zenith Motorcycles was a British motorcycle and automobile manufacturer established in Finsbury Park, London in 1903, by W. G Bowers. The manufacture of automobiles only lasted from 1905–1906. The first Zenith motorcycle was the 'BiCar' of 1903, based on Tooley's Bi-Car design, which was purchased by Zenith for its own production. Fred ('Freddie') W. Barnes was hired as chief engineer in 1905 and patented the 'Gradua' variable-ratio belt drive transmission that year. The Gradua system simultaneously changed the diameter of the crankshaft belt-drive pulley to alter the drive ratio, while moving the rear wheel forward or back to maintain belt tension. The Gradua system was among the first attempts to provide multiple drive ratios for a motorcycle, at a time when very simple, direct belt-drive transmission was the industry norm.
This wonderful 1914 Zenith 'Gradua' is powered by a JAP V-twin engine of 976cc. There is correspondence on file from the late Ken Blake stating that this machine was one of three purchased by Comerfords Ltd from the Brooklands racing driver Kaye Don of Ambassador Motor Cycles in 1957. After collecting them all, Ken Blake proceeded to restore two and “LO 3560” was ridden in the 1959 London to Brighton run by Comerfords' sales director Bert Thorn. Also on file is a (copy) Pioneer Certificate, no. 76, issued in 1962 to 'Bob' Winter, another director of Comerfords Ltd. Geoff Morris purchased the Zenith from Comerfords c. 1978 and there is a sales receipt when he sold it to Mike Sherwin nearly twenty years later. Pete Gagan purchased the Zenith from Mike Sherwin in 1997 and rode it extensively over the next 22 years.
Pete Gagan, from Ontario Canada, was one of the founders of the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group. Pete had joined the Antique Motorcycle Club of America in 1959 and became the President in the late 1990s, a post that he held for the next six years. He has been involved with three US motorcycle museums and was one of the curators of the Guggenheim Museum's 'Art of the Motorcycle' exhibition. During 2007 he helped establish the Antique Motorcycle Foundation. Pete is a well respected for his great knowledge early motorcycles. When he purchased the Zenith in 1997 from Mike Sherwin one condition was that it would be used on pre-1916 motorcycle events in America.
There is fascinating correspondence on file from Pete Gagan recalling his research on the early life of “LO 3560”, its long connections with Kaye Don from new and the famous riders that he allowed to ride the Zenith. One of Pete’s own memorable efforts was in a rally that crossed Death Valley, California. Competing with 80 other early machines he took off from the start to arrive first at Dante's Outlook, six miles away and 250 feet below sea level. He waited for the rest of the riders to catch up and pass him before starting the climb out of Death Valley, 5, 400 feet over 12 miles. Gradually passing all of them, using the Zenith’s uniquely variable Gradua gearing, he arrived at the top of the hill first where he sat on a rock and watched them pass him once more. The Zenith was one of Pete Gagan’s favourite bikes and though he also prepared it to take part in the Cannonball Run several years later due to other commitments he was unable to attend.
Within the file are significant amount of paperwork, letters and photographs relating to “LO 3560’s” history and provenance. There is a list of riders that have competed in the world-famous Pioneer Run on this Zenith between 1959 & 1970, a copy of the Pioneer Certificate numbered 76 and detailed notes with regards to the work carried out on the machine in the last five years. This is an opportunity to own a pioneer motorcycle with a fantastic history.
