Tuesday 3 September 2013

MOT0RCYCLES.

All of these motorcycles where photographed at the Coventry Transport Museum UK.  I could have photographed a lot more but as always in museums everything is crammed in, so they can exhibit more. Unfortunately it does not make for good photography.

 
1927 RUDGE COMBINATION.
 
Engine 499cc. Price New £60.
On the 2nd of July 1928, Stanley Glanfield embarked on a world tour on his Coventry built Rudge motorcycle combination. The journey was to take him just 8 months--covering 18,000 miles, passing through some 16 countries and crossing 4 continents. To attempt a trip such as this today would be quite an accomplishment, but to have succeeded in 1928 when machinery was less reliable; roads - where existing - were badly maintained; spares were almost non existent; and fuel supplies were sporadic, is nothing short of an achievement of epic proportions. The sidecar is specially fitted out to carry spares and provisions, and its panels display the route that was followed. The identification plate on the front mudguard is for custom purposes and the complete machine has been retained in its world tour condition for display.

 

 
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1974 TRIUMPH TIGER 100.
 
Engine: 500cc, two cylinder.
The Transworld Trumpet is one of the most celebrated motorcycle in existence. In 1974 Ted Simon embarked on an epic round the world journey, covering 50,000 miles in four years. He has since written two superb books on his fascinating adventures, Jupiter Travels and its sequel Riding High. This machine has been retained in the condition that it was in when it finally returned to England in 1978, the pannier on the off-side of the motorcycle still carrying the map showing the route taken. Ted Simon personally rode this machine to the Coventry Transport Museum soon after returning from his travels and very generously donated it to the collection.
 
 
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1947 VELOCETTE MSS.
 
Engine: 500cc single cylinder overhead valve. Made in Birmingham UK: Price new £172.
The MSS model was introduced in 1935 and was sold for many years, such was its appeal. When this machine was purchased by its present owner it had only covered 3,000 miles from new. Still with its original paintwork, very little work has been undertaken on this motorcycle for display purposes.
 
 
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1934 RUDGE 250 TT - REPLICA.
 
 
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1955 SUNBEAM S7.
 
 
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SPEEDWAY BIKE.
 
Dirt - track racing, now known as speedway, originated in Australia in the early 1920`s when farmers began racing their motorcycles on rough dirt - track circuits. By 1927 the sport had found its way to Britain and soon grew in popularity amongst racers and supporters alike. Speedway remains a hugely popular and competitive sport, attracting thousands of people in Britain alone.
 
 
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1913 HUMBER AUTOCYCLE.
 
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1 comment:

  1. Howdy, Les! Interesting bikes. Not being a motorcycle man I am not sure which I would pick as a favorite. I am leaning towards the Rudge Combination, though. Even though dirt bikes can get places that a Jeep cannot, I always preferred Jeeps. Even preferred them to cars.

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