Argyle Folding Scooter

Patent #2594034

Built by

The Argyle Scooter Cub was sold as early as 1950 and as late as 1970.  The early models were primarily angle iron frames.  At some point the rights were sold to the son of a family elevator manufacturing firm in Denver, Iowa.  The company had an aluminum foundry, so the design was switched over to aluminum castings.  The new owner did not market the Argyle directly, instead he sold the scooters to various marketing companies which sold them under their own labels.  There were at least 4 brands of the aluminum models. 

The Dinky Cycle by Argyle 

Army Argyle Twin

This is the Argyle twin model.

The opposed twin Power Products engine is fairly rare.

This  Army Argyle sold on e-Bay.

Thanks to Dick DeBuse

Argyle Cub twin

Dave Kendeick's 1947 Argyle

Thanks to your web page, I was able to identify the "Joy Ride" I recently bought from a friend for $200. This is an original unmolested scooter. Cleaned the tank, cleaned the carb and it runs and rides.  Quite a hoot!
Thanks Peter B. Murray
Ogden Dunes, Indiana

About 10 years ago (1998) I saw an unusual little bike sitting behind a number of motorcycles in Don “Duck” Payne’s shop. I asked him if he was interested in parting with the little orphan in the corner but as expected he said no. Over the years I mentioned the subject of the scooter a few times, but Duck always gave me the same “no” answer.

As it turns out the small scooter was an Argyle Cub. This one is believed to be a 1961 and can have its lineage traced back to the late 1940’s. Actually it was March 1949 when Keith T. King of Colchester Ill. applied for a patent on a folding motor scooter. Patent no. 2,594,034 was granted to him in April of 1952. It has been suggested that they were built for military use like the Corgi and the Welbike in England . The Argyle however was a civilian machine for use by private pilots or boaters. The idea was to have a small folding vehicle which could easily be placed in the cargo area of a light aircraft or boat, then be unfolded and ridden when ground transportation was required.

In the summer of 2007, Duck contacted me and asked if I had any interest in the folding scooter. Not wanting to appear too eager I said no I don’t think so. You have to know, I couldn’t pass this one up and couple of hours later I was on my way home with the little gem in the trunk. I use the word gem loosely because without a doubt the past 46 years of wear showed.

Between 1947 and 1962 Argyles were produced by at least four manufacturers in four different states. This one was made by Creative Industries, of Grand Rapids , Michigan under the original 1952 patent.

Although the original design utilized iron strapping welded and bolted together to make up the frame, by the 1960s that had evolved into a cast aluminum body/frame unit. This Cub had the aluminum frame and was suffering from several years of use. The motor didn’t run, the seat had some tears, the frame had a couple of cracks, and the drive assembly, axels, wheel bearings, and tires were worn out. The motor, a Clinton 2-stroke, 2¾ H.P., model A400 was the first thing to be renewed. A new piston and rings, main bearings, main seals, a carburetor rebuild and a fresh coat of paint put the motor in tip top shape, ready to be reinstalled in the frame. Before that could happen though, there were a few more things to be taken care of. The seat was recovered, but in order to maintain the period look (color) the top portion of the old cover was reused. The seat support was rebuilt. Cracks and other small defects in the aluminum chassis were welded. The centrifugal clutch on the motor was repaired and a new drive belt and chain were installed. The front and rear axels, wheel bearings, and tires were replaced. A new throttle control and cable were added. And finally a couple of layers of old blue paint was stripped from the cast aluminum body leaving all the frame parts in a natural aluminum finish.

Everything was back together, thanks in part, to Bill Coulson and Fred Beddington, who graciously donated some of their unique talents to the project. The only thing left to do was to take the little jitney for a ride. Everything functioned as intended and the Argyle will get you from point “A” to point “B” but “motorized banana peel” comes to mind. So anyway, this rare aluminum orphan Cub has found a new home and will probably now spend a good part of the next few years just sitting, but now in my shop

Thanks to Clay Robinson

Another Joy Ride

1961 Argyle