1942 Excelsior Welbike Motor Scooter

Engine: Villiers De-Luxe Junior, horizontal, single-cylinder, two-stroke, air cooled
Displacement: 98 cc (6 ci)
Power: 1.1 kW (1.5 hp)
Transmission: 1-forward, manual
Weight: 32 kg (70 lb)
Original Cost: Unknown

The Welbike was a British single-seat motorcycle produced during the Second World War at the direction of Inter Services Research Bureau for use by Special Operations Executive (SOE). It has the distinction of being the smallest motorcycle ever used by the British Armed Forces. Between 1942 and 1943, 3,641 units were built. The Welbike was designed to fit into a standard parachute airdrop container.  Once deployed, they could be assembled and in motion in under 11 seconds. The Welbike did not perform well on the front and were used more as airfield transport than on the front. A civilian version, known as the Corgi, was built from 1946 to 1956.

The Welbike, the smallest motorcycle ever used by the British Army, was commisioned by the Inter Services Research Bureau for use by Special Operations Executive and once designed, the Excelsior MotorCompany was contracted build them. Excelsior produced 3.641 units between 1942-1943. The Welbike was designed to fit into a standard parachute airdrop container and could be assembled and in motion in under 11 seconds. The Welbike had no suspension or lights and just a single rear brake.

Although designed for Special Forces, very few were used on the Front because the bikes did not perform well on rough terrain, the small tires would get clogged up with mud, they couldn't carry any equipment or much weight at all and they were practically useless if not used on an actual road. The Welbikes ended up being used more as airfield transport than on the front lines.

After the war, there were many Welbikes that had not been used and were exported to the United States and sold through a New York department store. As the bikes had no front brakes, they were not allowed on the road but were sold mostly to farmers for off-road use. The originator of the Welbike, John Dolphin, created the Corgi Motorcycle Company Ltd. in 1946 and designed a consumer version of the bike, called the Corgi, and had Brockhouse engineering build the bikes, starting in 1947. Initially all bikes were exported to the US but in 1948 the bikes were also sold to the UK. The Corgi was discontinued in 1954 because of a lack of power, speed and reliability.

Chronology:

1874 - Bayliss, Thomas & Company founded a bicycle company.
1896 - Created Britain's first motorcycle.
1910 - Changed their name to the Excelsior Motor Company.
1919 - Walker family took over the company and put effort into racing motorcycles and called their bikes British Excelsior to avoid confusion with US motorcycle company Excelsior.
1929 - Excelsior's B14 bike won the Lightweight TT race - starting to cement their racing reputation.
1933 - Introduced the Magical Marvel motorcycle.
1935 - The Manxman replaced the Magical Marvel, and had a 2-valve overhead cam engine.
1939-1945 - The Inter Services Research Bureau for use by Special Operations Executive, comissioned production of a bike that could be packed into a parachute crate. The Welbike was designed by John Dolphin and was produced by the Excelsior Motor company.
1946-1954 - John Dolphin, originator of Welbike, created the Corgi Motorcycle Company Limited and had Brockhouse Engineering produce a consumer version of the Welbike starting in 1947. The Welbike was first only exportes to the United states but 1948 they were sold in the UK as well. 
Post-WWII - After the Second World war, consumers weren't looking for higher end racing machines and instead were looking for cheaper two-stroke bikes, so Excelsior was struggling financially.
1950s - Despite releasing som enew models to try to gain market share, sales continued to drop.
1964 - Last Excelsior bike produced.
1965 - Company closed.
1989 - This bike purchased by donor from Millet, Alberta, Canada.
2018 - Donated to the Reynolds-Alberta Museum.