HAYNES combustion 4 cylinder engine model valves

He organised and entered many hill climbs around the Exe Valley and Dartmoor, the Rudge providing an ideal steed. Not only did this provide him with transport to work but it started off his interest in racing. In 1915 to help him travel to work his parents agreed that he could have a motorcycle and a Rudge Multi, costing £58 15s (£58.75p), was ordered from the Rudge dealer in Sidwell Street. This was good training for what would become his future career.Īt the outbreak of war in 1914, the 17 year old Weslake tried to enlist with the 7th Devons, but his employment with Willeys as an apprentice excluded him. His father had Harry apprenticed to Willey and Co with the aim of progressing through all the departments, learning the ways of the tool room, drawing office, foundry and engineering shop. This first motorcycle outing was not a success as the drive belt broke, and he had to return with the motorcycle by train. In 1912, at the age of fifteen, using his pocket money, Harry applied for his first driving licence, and immediately hired a Swiss Motosacoche motorcycle from the St Thomas’ Motor Cycle and Cycle Car Garage. A couple of years later, the Wall Auto-Wheel was marketed (patented in 1908, on sale from 1909 to 1914), forcing his father to apologise for his lack of faith in Harry’s original concept. His father was not impressed by the design which was not developed any further.

He designed a system where a motor would drive a third wheel next to the rear wheel on his bicycle, rather like a side-car. Harry was sent to Exeter School where he preferred sport to study, and he soon learnt that physical fitness was one way of keeping the school bully at bay.Īs a schoolboy, he acquired a bicycle, but craved a motor-cycle. His first home was Clyde House, Princes Street, in the St Thomas area of Exeter, a comfortable, middle class area from which, his father could walk to work. Harry Weslake was born in Exeter, on 21st August 1897, the second son of Henry John Weslake a director of Willey and Co – a large employer in Exeter making gas meters.

He worked for William Lyons to improve performance of the Standard engines used by SS Cars and was one of the team of engineers who developed the Jaguar XK Engine. He came to the notice of Bentley helping them take the first four places of the 1929 Le Mans 24 hours endurance race. Harry Weslake started his working life as an apprentice working on gas meters, tinkering with and improving motorbike engines in his spare time.

HAYNES combustion 4 cylinder engine model valves