One of only two surviving Riley motorcycles dating from 1904 has been stolen from the great-grandson of the man who designed it.
The 1904 Riley 3.5 Hp Moto-Bi was stolen from inside a locked barn in the village of Ousden, West Suffolk on the night of 15-16 December. A reward is being offered by the owner for its safe return.
If anyone has any information, contact Robert Fellowes by email robfellowes@hotmail.com or Suffolk Police. The crime reference number is: 1612202554.
Mr Fellowes said, “It is of great sentimental value as my great-grandfather was Percy Riley (one of the three brothers who founded Riley) and this is the only known 3.5 HP Motorcycle in existence. It was restored earlier this year by Richard and Peter Rosenthal. We are gutted.”
The Riley motorcycle was sold by H&H Auctions in March 2024 at its National Motorcycle Museum sale. The hammer price? £6,210.
The catalogue description says:
This is a very rare pioneer Riley that was purchased by the current vendor in the 1970s. Early history is not known of this machine until it was sold by Peet and Davis of Liverpool and sold to Mr. J E Wade in 1955. It was dismantled and ripe for restoration.
Incidentally, Mr Wade worked with Riley from 1928-1936 and was an old friend of Freddie Dixon.
After its restoration by Mr Wade, it changed hands to the current owner. It was used on the 1979 London to Brighton run when he was 54 years old. It has formed part of a collection of motorcycles from the turn of the century to the 1970s. Sold with a current V5C Pioneer certificate, and correspondence about the machine. Recommissioning would be advised before use.
H&H added this note:
We now believe this ‘1904 Riley 31/2 HP’ to be a c.1970s Veteran Riley Special. Built by a Mr Wade in the 1970s, believed completed in 1972.
This Special began as a c.1904 Riley machine before being updated with a period Vindec frame and forks. The engine is very rare in itself with perhaps only as many as 4 surviving.
Some components date from the decades later than the original machine. Used on many Veteran and Vintage runs, albeit a Special, it is still a splendid machine to find and would be a most interesting acquisition as it is. It is offered with a Pioneer certificate.
