Phelon & Rayner 1.75 hp (1900)
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The 1900 Phelon and Rayner (P&R) 1.75 hp was the prototype and the first machines in the Panther motorcycle family tree. It had a 1.75 h.p., 260 cc. engine with 66 x 76 mm bore and stroke fitted in a standard bicycle type 28" frame. It was fitted with a surface carburettor, single speed friction disc transmission, a 9 pint combined oil and fuel tank, bicycle pattern front forks and 28" x 2" wheels. The colour scheme of later production machines was black frame and mudguards with an aluminium enameled fuel tank with coach lining.[1]
The prototype was built in 1900 based on a patented design[2]. The key innovation was to replace the frame's front down-tube with a four rod frame that held a small de Dion type engine. This 'Sloper' engine was the hallmark of P&M / Panther motorcycles until the last Model 120 more than sixty years later. Production machines of the same design as this prototype were hand-built in 1901 through to 1903. This prototype machine also featured a further patented innovation[3]: a half compression device to make starting easier. This featured on all future heavyweight P&M / Panther motorcycles.[1]
[edit] Technical Information
Carburettor Surface Carb[1]
Ignition Accumulator and trembler coil[1]
Fuel Tank 9 pint (combined fuel and oil tank)[1]
Wheels 28" x 2", rims nickel plated and coachlined [1]
