Two parties, one purpose ... and the rest is history

Words David Dettmar, Phil Manning and Gaven Dall'Osto, photos Gaven Dall'Osto

This is a wonderful story of two organisations working together to recreate a very significant part of world motorcycling history. Its origins began in Milton (a suburb of Brisbane) in the early 1900’s. The organisations responsible are the Historical Motor Cycle Club of Queensland (HMCCQ) and the Queensland Museum. The history of David Spencer and the motorcycles he built is extensive, so this report focuses on the restoration of the second (and likely the only other in existence) Spencer motor cycle. The story is a combination of my thoughts and those provided to me by David Dettmar (HMCCQ) and Phil Manning (Senior Curator, Transport & Energy, Qld Museum) following the sequence of events and from the points of view of both organisations.

Introduction


 

This story begins in 1985. David Spencer had passed away some years previous and Mrs Lillian Stewart (David’s daughter) thought it best to donate the estate’s remnants of two Spencer motorcycles to the HMCCQ. The then president, Paul Reed, and recent past president Dave Dettmar became the new custodians. One machine (stamped number 3) was 90% complete and so Paul and David, with help from Rob Olsen, restored it. Mrs Stewart’s wish at delivery was that one day she would be able to see the restoration. And so she did when Paul and David took the machine to her residence in Milton. She was delighted and as they rode Spencer No.3 around she went on to say that this was the first time that she had actually seen Dad’s ‘old’ bikes going. This motorcycle is now at the Motorlife Museum in Kembla Grange, NSW.

Spencer No. 8

 

The other machine (referred to as No. 8) had many parts missing and so David Dettmar decided it would be best to donate it to the Queensland Museum. The parts remained in storage and Dave saw the opportunity to resurrect the project for the 50th year celebration of the HMCCQ Club.

This was the first time ever that the Museum released any of its collection to the public and so they needed to set up the necessary paperwork, even though it was being released back to the original donor. The delay meant that the project didn’t meet the deadline but persistence and patience saw the project begin.

The re-birth begins

Phil Manning explains the project initiation:

“In 2019 the Historical Motor Cycle Club of Queensland approached Queensland Museum with a proposal to use the parts donated by Dave Dettmar and recreate a Spencer as part of the club’s 50th anniversary in 2020. An agreement was reached where the parts would be released to the club and, where possible, as many original parts from the collection were to be used. The project volunteers assessed the museum’s parts for suitability, identifying what was usable and what was missing.

• Only one original handlebar grip was in the collection, so a replica was lathed by Gerry Jolliffe and Dave Dettmar spun the ferrules. The new grip was stained a different colour to visually distinguish it from the original.

• The assortment of original brake parts was in a mixed condition. Some of the unusable parts provided the patterns to fabricate the additional, required components.”

Spencer No. 8 specifications and features

David Dettmar explains:

“While No. 3 is 470cc and has 26 x 2½ inch B.E. (beaded edge) wheels, it is interesting to note No. 8 has 24 x 2¼ inch wheels. It would also have been referred to as a 2¾ HP machine in the veteran period, whereas a 460cc would have been a 3½ HP.”

Spencer No. 8 is estimated to have been made circa 1906-1908.
David Spencer was very talented and innovative for his time. He basically built everything including the engine and was probably the first (and perhaps the only) one in Australia to do so.

His machines were ahead of their time. For example, the engine had a removable head (the norm was a combined one-piece cylinder and head) and a single lobe cam with unique lifters operated both valves (the norm was a vacuum-operated inlet valve and in later development when the inlet was mechanically opened, two cam lobes were used).

Spencer is also believed to have developed his own twin tower carburettor which was so good it is thought it may have been copied by major brands.

Then there is the clever unique and beautiful triple tier lever cluster on the right side of the handlebar. These levers controlled the ignition advance, air ratio and throttle in a neat and easily accessible location.

Interestingly every component, no matter how small, was inscribed “Spencer” including those normally unseen within the engine.

Engine: 382cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke
Bore/stroke: 77 x 82 mm
Transmission: Direct belt-drive - adjustable engine pulley – 4:1 to 6:1
Power: Rated at 2.75 HP
Fuel capacity: 3.83 litres
Oil capacity: 0.65 litres
Wheels: 24” x 2¼” (609.6 mm x 57.15 mm)
Wheelbase: 1250 mm
Weight: 57 kg
Top speed: Approximately 72.5 kph (45 miles/hr)
Ignition: Bosch DA2 magneto, pedal start
Brakes: Mechanical rim brakes, front wheel only


The restoration

 

David goes on to explain the HMCCQ build:

“The L.P.A. (Light Pedal Assist) gear was missing but fortunately Ian Rennie was able to locate a block chain sprocket crank and pedals which were modified so that the L & R cranks missed the engine belt pulley on one side and magneto drive on the other. Ian also managed to procure a length of original block chain and I made up a period-style joiner pin.

Doug Jolliffe did a great job of modifying a modern rear wheel sprocket that really looks the part. Doug also machined the front and rear wheel hubs from some donated stainless steel plus an adjustable engine pulley. This looked just too new so I treated it to several applications of gun blue; now it certainly looks about 100 or so years old. While mentioning the wheel hubs, Steve Hood at Vintage Rims did a great job in making new rims, lacing up and supplying new B.E. tyres and also making the rear wheel pulley which lined up perfectly to the engine pulley.

One of the items that was a bit hard to change is the L.P.A. ratio of 1:2 and having an engine to rear wheel ranging from approximately 4:1 to 6:1 - even in top with a pedal to engine ratio of 1:8 or even 1:12 it is still fairly hard work turning the engine over on the stand. The stand was also missing, but having some previous experience with these ‘somersault’ stands on veterans I was able to make a good replica for the bike. Again, I used an old wood saw blade to make secure clips to hold it in position.

Period-style cable clips were made from old blades which were the veteran-equivalent to modern zip-ties. Members Barry Deeth donated a 1908 D.A. type Bosch magneto and John Wellings restored it. One of the other items that was also missing was the check valve on the oil feed to the engine. I made one that appears to work well, based on the Best & Lloyd type with a small disc valve. The oil pump is unusual in as much as the pump body is submersed into the oil tank and by rotating the oil pump "T" handle approximately 140 degrees, the pump body has a taper in the outlet which aligns to another either to open to engine and push plunger down or vice versa, turn body in opposite direction and pull plunger up to suck into the pump. The pump capacity is 32cc/stroke.


A couple of fairly serious bends in the frame and some nasty bends and kinks on the handle bars had to be attended to. Luckily, member Derek Bulten came to the rescue with a length of heavy-walled 100 x 150mm RHS tube which made the basis of a good jig to straighten the frame’s rear end where the axlewas approximately 30mm out of alignment. The old bike had either had a prang at some time or may have been damaged while being stored for many years.


To conclude, I feel the bike pulling a 5.5 overall ratio with 24” wheels would be able to rev out to give a speed of 45mph which would make it capable of achieving the average speed of 41.5mph when this (or another SPENCER) did in winning event no. 8 MOTOR BICYCLE HANDICAP OF 10 LAPS at the Gabba on 13.8.1910, and also winning 4 pounds which was well over a week’s wage - probably $1,200 in today’s rates!

In the name of history, David also drew a beautiful free hand side view of the Spencer. He copied the sketch for the heading of three groups, Frame, Engine and Front Forks, colouring the relevant parts for each group and information was tabled for each part including the quantity, where the part came from and the work done on the part and by whom.

The unveiling


 

While many people (as mentioned) donated various components and countless hours, the Brisbane area of the HMCCQ donated in the vicinity of $4,000 to pay for outsourced parts and services.

On Saturday the 4th of February 2023 the finished Spencer was displayed at the Brisbane area clubhouse in a celebration along with Phil Manning of the Qld Museum, providing an opportunity for close-up shots and an opportunity for a group photo of all the contributors.

The handover

 

Phil Manning wrote:

“After hundreds of hours of work the Spencer was completed, made from a combination of original Spencer parts, sourced period parts and fabricated components. The completed Spencer was formally presented to Queensland Museum by the Historical Motor Cycle Club of Queensland on 14 March 2023. In attendance were many descendants of David Spencer.

The Spencer Project highlights that museum collections do not just preserve significant records of the past – static and lifeless things on shelves. They remain entangled with contemporary life and are powerful tools that can inspire, enlighten and connect.”


I was lucky to have witnessed this special day and take some photos. It was a magnificent moment with the Spencer surrounded by the offspring of the creator and the now re-creators (members of the Museum and the HMCCQ). It was a truly memorable occasion.

Public showing

The Spencer was formally placed on display to the public on the 31st March 2023 at the Railway Workshop Museum which ironically was the site where David cast many of the components of his motorcycles over 100 years ago. 

If any of the readers are passing by Ipswich, pop in to see a truly remarkable part of motorcycling history recreated by passionate motorcyclists and professionally displayed by the Queensland Museum for all the public to enjoy.

Watch the video...

The Ipswich Workshops Rail Museum, where the Spencer is currently on display, have produced a fascinating video as part of the exhibit.

 Click here to watch