"Zenith", Edwardian motor cycle manufacturer of Stroud Green

1.  Zenith Gradua 680 V-Twin from 1912 (Source: National Motorcycle Museum)

Founded in 1903, Zenith Motors Ltd manufactured from a premises at 101a Stroud Green Road and had a showroom at 119. They focussed on motor cycles but for a two year period between 1905 and 1906 also made cars.

Their "Gradua" variable-ratio belt drive transmission was among the first attempts to provide a multiple drive ratio for a motorcycle. It proved to offer such a significant advantage to riders  in competitive racing that Zeniths with Gradua gears, like the model pictured above,  were barred from many competitions. Zenith capitalised on this ban, adding the word "Barred" to their advertising and logo.

The company's first model was the unusual Bi-car was launched in 1903.

2. Bi-Car and rider, possibly in Finsbury Park, c1905. (Source: Unknown)

3. Advertisement for Zenith Bi-Car c1906 (Source: Unknown)

A contemporary advertisement offered more details on their other models.

4. Advertisement for full product range of Zenith Motors (Source; Horney and Finsbury Park Journal,  11 August 1905).

Sadly, I've been unable to find any image of the 'Light Car'.

5. Stroud Green Road, looking north-west from Upper Tollington Park. The workshop was behind the shops with an entrance between what was then a bootmaker's and the Aylesbury Dairy Company, in the building  with the turret on the left of the photo. (Source: Own collection)

Google Maps satellite view suggests that at least some of the workshop may still survive today.

6. Google Maps birds-eye view of the premises today. (Source: Google Maps)

The company moved to a new premises close to Brooklands in 1914 and continued manufacturing until just after the War.