Wallace had no training as an engineer but while he was still at school he set up a workshop in his garden and built a motorcycle from parts.
[1] Originally riding for JAP until they found he was under age, Wallace met Bert le Vack and both found work at Scottish car makers Arrol-Johnston designing aircraft engines for the duration of the First World War.
They were keen to go into production but the Portable Tool directors decided to wind up the company.
Wallace borrowed money to go it alone and built Duzmo motorcycles under his own name, with engines made for him by The Advance Motor Manufacturing Co. of Northampton.
It had a number of novel innovations, including an inclined engine and low seat but only one was built before Wallace ran out of money and had to sell the business to D. J. Sheppards.