Corgi: The Smallest Motorcycle

The Corgi is a classic folding motorcycle and a rare freaky beast. Inspired from the famous paratroopers mini-motorcycle called the Welbike built in World War 2. It was the smallest motorcycle ever used by the British Armed Forces.

The Welbike was powered by a 98 cc single-cylinder, two-stroke gasoline engine with no suspension, no lights and just a single rear brake. It was designed to fit into a standard sized parachute airdrop container which was 51 inches (130 cm) long, 15 inches (38 cm) high, and 12 inches (30 cm) wide.

Now back to the Corgi, it was manufactured as a civilian version of the Welbike by Brockhouse Engineering of Southport, Merseyside, just south of Liverpool, England.

The Corgi engine was a 98 cc Excelsior Spryte engine with a single gear kickstart. Apparently, back in the day - we don't know when, the Corgi cost £43.

The main difference between the Corgi scooter and the Welbike were that the Corgi frame was made more solid because weight wasn't an issue and its placement of the fuel tank was in the normal motorcycle position: right between the handlebars and the seat.

Both were otherwise very similar with small wheels and folding handlebars and seat. The original Corgi scooter was started by pushing but the Mark 2 was fitted with a kickstart and two clutches.

A normal handlebar operated clutch and a "dog-clutch" operated by folding down the right hand footrest to engage the rear wheel to enable the Corgi to be kick-started and run whilst stationary.

Photos and details as seen on Classic-Motorbiker.Net and Wikipedia.