Excelsior Talisman Enthusiasts

The Story of The Excelsior Talisman Twin

Excelsior drew the crowds in their thousands to their stand at the 1949 Earls Court Motor Cycle Show. The 243cc Talisman Twin had arrived. It is common knowledge that a vertical twin two-stroke with a 180 degree crankshaft is smooth running and has an even torque. A lively twin cylinder 250cc two-stroke with a maximum speed of 60 mph, at a moderate price; bearing in mind that its specification included rear suspension. The heart of the new design was the robustly built engine, with its five bearing crankshaft. The bolted-up crankshaft ran in a crankcase built up from three separate sections, each piston having its own crankcase. Mixture was supplied to both cylinders from a single Amal carb. The TT1, as it was catalogued, retailed at £113.3s.6d, which rose to £143.14s.8d after Purchase Tax had been added. It weighed 2371bs and at a steady 40mph returned a fuel consumption (petroil) of 99mpg. It would cruise happily at 50mph, but above that speed, high frequency vinration made itself evident if it was sustained for any period of time.

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A sports version, the STT2, became available in 1950. It was finished in beige, as distinct from the TT1's maroon and differed in having a dualseat. Both Talisman Twin models now featured a number of improvements, including a wheelbase lengthened. The most noticeable outward change was a much smoother gearbox end cover and a shorter gear lever. The TT2 Talisman made its debut at the 1953 Show, with an entirely new frame. It also had a dualseat (of different shape) and a fork top panel that contained the speedo, ammeter and lighting switch. These improvements applied also to the STT2 Sports version. The original TT1 and STT1 plunger models were still available however, probably remaindering old stock. The oddly designated SE-STT2 (special equipment) model appeared at the 1954 Show, fitted with full-width hub wheels. Just a year later came the STT4 Sports model, fitted with a tuned engine and twin carbs; the usual two-into-one exhaust system gave way to a twin pipe layout each with its own silencer. Further changes in specification took place during the years that followed, the most significant being the redesigned twin carb Mark 5 engine used first on the Sports model for 1956; which in consequence became the STT5. The standard TT3 continued more or less unchanged, although both now had full width hubs and mudguards of a deeply valanced style.

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It wasn't until 1959 that the TT3 acquired the TT5 engine, thus becoming model TT4. These model designations continued up to TT7 and, STT6 – the former then becoming ETT8 and subsequently ETT9. A new model, S8 Super Talisman made its debut in November 1957, with an enlarged 328cc engine. The 328cc engine had already been in production for car use since the beginning of the year. Production of both the 243cc and 328cc models ran on until 1963 with only relatively minor changes, by which time Excelsior were finding themselves in a difficult trading situation. The old company was acquired by Britax Ltd, the accessory makers.