HONDA PAN EUROPEAN MOTORCYCLE.
This type of machine is used by paramedics as a rapid response vehicle within built up areas of a city. Motorcycles like this can reach incidents very quickly in hard to access locations to give treatment before a full sized ambulance is on the scene, giving vital treatment in the first so called golden hour, This particular motorcycle has featured in the popular TV show emergency bikers.
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1937 RUDGE SPORTS SPECIAL.
Engine - 495cc. Top Speed - 75mph. Price new - £72. This machine was produced at the Rudge Whitworth factory in Sponend, Coventry and was designed with the sporting enthusiast in mind. It is fitted with four overhead valves, coupled brakes and the hand operated central parking stand. The Rudge name goes all the way back to 1869, when pub landlord Daniel Rudge began making velocipedes in Wolverhampton. After his death the business relocated to Coventry in 1880. The first motorcycles were made from 1910 until 1940 when the factory was destroyed by the blitz.
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1947 VELOCETTE MSS.
Made in Birmingham. Engine - 500cc, single cylinder overhead valve. 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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1935 NORTON MODEL 18.
Engine - 490cc, single cylinder, overhead valve. Made - Birmingham ( Bracebridge street ). Price new - £75. This motorcycle and sidecar was purchased in 1935 by Mr C.Mason of Birmingham and was made by the Norton Company to his own specification. It is fitted with a TT racing engine and this is identified by the bore and stroke being stamped on the crankcase. The model 18 machine remained in Mr Masons possession until 1988 when he generously donated it to the Coventry Transport Museum. The attached sidecar was made by the Swallow Company of Blackpool who later became known around the world as Jaguar Cars based in Coventry.
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1922 HAZLEWOOD MOTORCYCLE and MONTGOMERY SIDECAR.
Made - West Orchard Coventry. Engine - 680cc. Top speed - 50mph. Engine format - V- Twin Jap. Price new - £85. This motorcycle has chain drive and belt - final drive.
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SPEEDWAY BIKE.
Dirt - track racing, now known as Speedway originated in Australia in the early 1920s 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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LAMBRETTA Li 125 SCOOTER.
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LAMBRETTA 125 SPECIAL SCOOTER.
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1955 SUNBEAM S7 with WATSONIAN SIDECAR.
Engine - 500cc. Top speed - 75mph. Price new - ( motorcycle only ) £264. The S7 model was first introduced in 1946 and manufactured until 1955. It had many innovative features including an overhead cam and a twin in line cylinder engine driving the wheel through a shaft drive. The suspension had a cantilever system for the saddle, a rear plunger and front telescopic forks.
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BROUGH NEW IMPERIAL.
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PUCH VS50 SPORTS.
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This is always an interesting thing to me. Motorcycles. Personally, I won't ride one but there ain't a thing wrong with liking some of them. I especially like the ones with sidecars. That Sunbeam with the enclosed sidecar is amazing. Guess the passenger always got to ride out of the rain that way. Poor driver; to heck with him. I have never hear of a Puch or a Brough, but now I have. Lambrettas were popular, I know. Mainly used for commuter purposes I think. The Velocette reminds me of some older Harley's and Indians I have seen. I can see why that Honda Pan European is used for that purpose. Looks like it would get the the paras there as well as needed equipment. Good photo work as always, Les! I like 'em. Just don't want to ride on one. I like 4 or more wheels on the ground and steel around me.
ReplyDeleteDon't blame you Dave four wheels are better than two. I used to have a Lambretta LI 150 when I was in my early twenty's. I used to be what we call a Mod.
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