We have already put up a sales catalogue for 1933 Dunelt models however they are for their 4 stroke models. Stepping back 6 years Dunelt were pushing the sales trolley hard with extensive advertising on Dunelts resulting in a 10 page missive in the January 1927 edition of The MotorCycle extolling all the attributes of being a Dunelt owner. Included was the proven reliability with the ACU (British Auto Cycle Union) 1000 mile trial, a list of some of the dealers and where to go to buy a Dunelt (we didn’t include all the advertising, just a sample), the reliability of the Miller electrics, and the models available. Depending on your requirements there was the electrically equipped Model “K” Sports-de-luxe, the Model “K” Combination (sidecar), the Model “G” Super Sport, and the famous Model “H” Combination – referred to as the father of the Dunelt family.
The Dunelt motorcycle was well ahead of its time with their 2 stroke range of motorcycles, and even more so with their supercharging efforts. Originally conceived in 1920 with a 500cc engine it was decided by 1925 that with their further development the 250cc Dunelt was a much better supercharged engine and could deliver what the designers thought best for their customers. The ‘supercharging effect’ was created by pushing a larger swept volume of fuel mixture from the crankcase into the smaller swept capacity of the cylinder. And it did work increasing power by between 10 to 15% over the standard engine. To achieve this Dunelt had designed a unique double step piston. And it looked like this.
Click on Professor Supercharge (don’t you just love the cigar chewing motorhead) to see how much effort Dunelt was putting into increasing the sales of their motorcycles through this 1927 advertising.
It is 2.7M PDF.
This 1928 brochure is just a front and back cover with some successes from 1927. Sadly there were no other pages included inside however it is quite interesting and well worth a look.
For 1929 Dunelt produced a more informative leaflet including the design advancement of their newly patented “Bi-Metal” piston and supported this with the success of their supercharged engine Model “K” Royal that was used to break the Double 12 Hour Worlds Record which was 1,155 miles, 350 yards averaging a speed of 48 mph.
I think that the message was quite clear though – that Dunelts 2 stroke was so unique that every motorcyclist should buy, or at least try one.
Click on the front cover below to see the 6 page pamphlet.
Dunelts are not in an abundance in New Zealand but it is amazing what is out there. A few years ago Bill in Dunedin had the need for a piston for an engine that he owned and knowing of the rarity of Dunelt parts and not being able to readily obtain a replacement piston he decided to make his own. This is the result.
We have also published the following for Dunelt –
1928 Dunelt Model K Parts List
1933 Dunelt Sales Catalogue for 4 stroke models.