Panther
motorcycles were manufactured by Phelon & Moore (P&M) in Cleckheaton,
Yorkshire, UK from 1900 to 1967. The most famous models are large (~600cc)
single cylinder machines where the engine is a stressed member of the motorcycle
frame (an idea patented in 1900 by Joah Phelon and Harry Rayner). P&M
were noted for innovation in the first half of the century; as well as
the first use of the engine as a stressed frame member, they were first
to standardise on chain drive and introduce a two speed gear with chain
drive as standard (1904). Even post-WW2 P&M were not shy of innovation;
making early use of air sprung front suspension. They used the slogan "The
Perfected Motorcycle", leaving little room for improvement! In the 1950s
Panthers were regarded highly but by the mid 1960s they were outdated when
compared to Japanese machines and P&M went the way of most of the UK
motorcycle industry. P&M were absorbed into the IMI group which retains
an engineering facility in Cleckheaton, close to the original works.
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