Waratah

motorcycle A motorcycle (motorbike, bike, or trike (if three-wheeled)) is a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle steered by a handlebar. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long-distance travel, commuting, cruising ...

s were manufactured in Sydney, Australia, from before 1911 to around 1948, although Waratah badged motorcycles were sold into the 1950s. Initially Waratah motorcycles were manufactured by the Canada Cycle & Motor Agency, Ltd.Queanbeyan Age (NSW: 1907–1915), Friday 3 November 1911, page 4. Not only was a Waratah machine equipped with 4.5 hp Fafnir engine available in 1911 but the articles states that "'The Waratah' is too well known among motor cyclists to need any labored praise here". This strongly suggests that Waratah was already well established in the market and hence had been in production for some years. on

George Street, Sydney George Street is a street in the central business district of Sydney. It was Sydney's original high street, and remains one of the busiest streets in the city centre. It connects a number of the city's most important buildings and precincts. ...

, who from at least 1910 built from standard parts, or rebadged BSA bicycles as, Waratah bicycles.Abridged prospectus for share offering in Canada Cycle & Motor Agency Limited, ''The Sydney Morning Herald'', Thursday 6 October 1910, page 6''The Sydney Morning Herald'', Saturday 27 July 1912, page 13 W.A.Williams had been the manager of the Sydney branch of this business and in 1905 he bought it, retaining the name until 1913.''A–Z of Australian-Made Motorcycles 1893–1942'' by Robert Saward, Turton & Armstrong Pty Ltd, In 1913 the bicycle and motorcycle part of the business was taken over by his sons, Perce and Reg, and the name was changed to Williams Bros.,''The Sydney Morning Herald'', Monday 10 March 1913, page 12 and later P&R Williams. This business, initially at 213–7

Elizabeth Street, Sydney Elizabeth Street is a major street in the central business district of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. The street continues south of the central business district (CBD), through the inner city suburbs of Surry Hills, Redfern and Waterlo ...

, is widely known as the manufacturer of Waratah motorcycles from 1914 to 1948. Subsequent addresses of 255-259 Elizabeth St by the early 1920s, and 117 Goulburn St in the later 1920s are detailed in newspaper advertising, also detailing that the business changed its name to P.and R. Williams Pty Ltd, and later moved to 74-78 Wentworth Avenue

Surry Hills Surry Hills is an inner-city suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Surry Hills is immediately south-east of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Sydney. Surry Hills is surround ...

. Initially, they made small machines assembled from predominantly British components, including Villiers engines, Sun frames, Druid and Brampton forks. In fact, in 1921 they described themselves as ''sole importers'' of Villiers-Waratah Motor-Cycles. Fafnir and V.T.S. engines were also used. In the later years (post World War II), they

badge engineered In the automotive industry, rebadging is a form of market segmentation used by automobile manufacturers around the world. To allow for product differentiation without designing or engineering a new model or brand (at high cost or risk), a ma ...

using, it is believed,

Norman Norman or Normans may refer to: Ethnic and cultural identity * The Normans, a people partly descended from Norse Vikings who settled in the territory of Normandy in France in the 10th and 11th centuries ** People or things connected with the Norm ...

and

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machines. They were Australia's longest running motorcycle manufacturer. However little information seems to have survived, presumably because these were low-value utility machines. Motorcycle petrol tank

Models

There is no detailed definitive history of the Waratah models, but from books, press articles, sales brochures and adverts, the following outline picture seems clear: * <1911 to 1913?: 4.5 hp model with a Fafnir engine * 1914 to ~1930: 197 cc and 350 cc models, built from Villiers (and initially also V.T.S.) engines and various frames and forks. * 1930s: 125 cc, 148 cc and 250 cc models, built from Villiers engines and various frames and forks. * post-war:

Badge engineered In the automotive industry, rebadging is a form of market segmentation used by automobile manufacturers around the world. To allow for product differentiation without designing or engineering a new model or brand (at high cost or risk), a ma ...

(possibly) and/or

(almost certainly). Possibly there was also a Waratah autocycle.''The Sydney Morning Herald '', Saturday 26 April 1947, page 23 More details are known for certain years:

Historical events

Agents, Distributors, Etc,

Sources

External links

Australian Motorcycles – Waratah
{{DEFAULTSORT:Waratah Motorcycles Defunct manufacturing companies of Australia Motorcycle manufacturers of Australia Australian companies established in 1911 Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1911 Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 1948 1948 disestablishments in Australia