Ner-a Car
Encyclopedia
The Ner-a-Car was a type of feet forwards motorcycle
designed by Carl Neracher in 1918. Around 6,500 Ner-a-Cars are believed to have been produced between 1921 and 1927 in England, and about 10,000 Neracars (note different spelling) in the US. They were manufactured in England by the Sheffield-Simplex
company and the Ner-a-Car Corporation in the United States.
The design had several unusual features, including an infinitely-variable friction drive
transmission
, and a low-slung perimeter frame chassis
that was closer to those found on contemporary cars than other motorcycles. It also featured the first production example of hub-center steering
on a motorcycle.http://www.classicbikeguide.com/archive/apr2003/aprb2003.htm
sidevalve 348 cc engine driving through a three-speed manual transmission was introduced in England. The final English model was introduced in 1925 which differed from the 1924 model by using overhead valves.
A five-speed Ner-A-Car was advertised as a "Christmas Special" for US$175 in November 1927.
Around 50 Ner-a-Cars are known to survive in England in 2001.
Feet forwards motorcycle
A Feet First Motorcycle is a class of motorcycle design that seeks to look at the two-wheeled concept afresh, and create a new form of practical personal transport...
designed by Carl Neracher in 1918. Around 6,500 Ner-a-Cars are believed to have been produced between 1921 and 1927 in England, and about 10,000 Neracars (note different spelling) in the US. They were manufactured in England by the Sheffield-Simplex
Sheffield-Simplex
Sheffield-Simplex was a British car and motor cycle manufacturer operating from 1907 to 1920 based in Sheffield, Yorkshire, and Kingston upon Thames, Surrey.The company received financial backing from the coal magnate Earl Fitzwilliam...
company and the Ner-a-Car Corporation in the United States.
Design
Friction drive
A friction Drive or friction engine is a type of transmission that, instead of a chain and sprockets, uses 2 wheels in the transmission to transfer power to the driving wheels. This kind of transmission is often used on scooters, mainly go-peds, in place of a chain.An example of this system is in...
transmission
Transmission (mechanics)
A machine consists of a power source and a power transmission system, which provides controlled application of the power. Merriam-Webster defines transmission as: an assembly of parts including the speed-changing gears and the propeller shaft by which the power is transmitted from an engine to a...
, and a low-slung perimeter frame chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
that was closer to those found on contemporary cars than other motorcycles. It also featured the first production example of hub-center steering
Hub-center steering
Hub-center steering is one of several different types of front end suspension/steering mechanisms used in motorcycles. Hub-center steering is characterized by a swingarm that extends from the bottom of the engine/frame to the centre of the front wheel instead of two forks.The advantages of using a...
on a motorcycle.http://www.classicbikeguide.com/archive/apr2003/aprb2003.htm
Models
The earliest models had 221 cc two-stroke engines. Starting in 1923 a 285 cc engined model was introduced in England. In the US a 255 cc model was introduced in 1924. In 1924 a BlackburneBlackburne (motorcycles)
Blackburne was a trade name of Burney and Blackburne Limited a British manufacturer of motorcycles from 1913 to 1922 at Tongham near Farnham, Surrey...
sidevalve 348 cc engine driving through a three-speed manual transmission was introduced in England. The final English model was introduced in 1925 which differed from the 1924 model by using overhead valves.
A five-speed Ner-A-Car was advertised as a "Christmas Special" for US$175 in November 1927.
Around 50 Ner-a-Cars are known to survive in England in 2001.