The British motorcycle industry has a long and storied past, filled with innovation, competition, and iconic brands. This article explores some of the key manufacturers that have shaped the landscape of British motorcycling.
Early Pioneers
- AJS (A. J. Stevens & Co. Ltd): Founded in 1909 by Joe Stevens in Wolverhampton, AJS produced motorcycles until 1931. The name was later used by Matchless, Associated Motorcycles, and Norton-Villiers. According to webbikeworld.com, AJS held 117 motorcycle world records.
- AJW Motorcycles: Established in Exeter in 1928, AJW Motorcycles produced bikes until 1953 with the 125 cc Fox Cub. Later, they imported and rebadged Italian motorcycles.
- Beardmore Precision Motorcycles: This company, originally Frank E. Baker's Precision, gained a reputation for performance engines, supplying Haden and Sun Motorcycles from 1914 to 1930, according to webbikeworld.com.
- Blackburne: Burney and Blackburne Limited manufactured motorcycles from 1913 to 1922 in Tongham. They also supplied engines to other manufacturers until 1937.
- Brough Motorcycles: William E. Brough built motorcycles in Nottingham from 1902 to 1926. Early models featured single-cylinder and V-twin engines.
- Calthorpe Motor Company: Based in Birmingham, Calthorpe produced cars, motorcycles, and bicycles from 1904 to 1932. Motorcycle production began in 1909.
- Clyno Engineering Company: Clyno manufactured motorcycles and cars in Thrapston and Wolverhampton from 1909 to 1929.
Mid-Century Manufacturers
- Ambassador Motorcycles: Founded by racer Kaye Don after World War II, Ambassador produced lightweight motorcycles with Villiers and JAP engines and imported Zundapps. Production began in 1947.
- Associated Motor Cycles (AMC): AMC was formed by the Collier brothers as a parent company for Matchless and AJS, operating from 1938 to 1966. AMC motorcycles were known for their handling, comfort, and reliability.
- BSA Motorcycles: Originally BSA Cycles, a division of the Birmingham Small Arms Company, BSA produced its first motorcycle in 1910. According to webbikeworld.com, the 1919 Model E V-twin Sidevalve was built to military standards. BSA Motorcycles continued until the parent company's bankruptcy in 1972.
Modern Manufacturers
- Ariel Motor Company: Ariel is a low-volume performance vehicle manufacturer. In 2014, they announced the Ariel Ace motorcycle, powered by a Honda 1237cc V4 engine.
- Armstrong-CCM Motorcycles: Armstrong-CCM was based in Bolton, England. Alan Clews formed CCM in 1971, and Armstrong bought a majority share in 1981. They produced motocross, trail bikes, and military machines.
- Cheney Racing: Founded by Eric Cheney, Cheney Racing builds specialist high-performance motocross motorcycles.
- Clews Competition Machines (CCM): Founded in 1971 by Alan Clews, CCM initially produced BSA-powered motocross machines. They have since used engines from various suppliers.
- Brough Superior: George Brough produced Brough Superior motorcycles in Nottingham from 1919 to 1940. Dubbed the "Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles," approximately 3048 motorcycles were made.
The British motorcycle industry continues to evolve, with both established brands and new manufacturers contributing to the legacy of British motorcycling.
