Classic Bike Hub UK

Velosolex brought cheap and cheerful transport to the masses Velosolex 1946- France/Hungary The Motor Cycle published a one-page road test on 24 July 1952 entitled '45cc Velosolex Motorised Cycle' with the accompanying less-than-snappy standfirst; ‘A sturdy, built-as-a-whole runabout with adequate performance and exceptional ease of control.’ ‘Perfect French minimalism’ would have succinctly suited. After WWII…

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Villiers-powered 346cc Pouncy Piatti 1952-58 Belgium and UK A truly European venture, designed by a London-based Italian Vicenzo Piatti who also boasted a Milan home, they were initially put into production by the famed Brussels coachbuilders Les Anciens Etablissements D’leteren and then later by Cyclemaster of Byfleet, Surrey. Prototypes appeared at the 1952 Brussels Salon…

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TWN (Triumph) BDG250 Triumph (TWN, Orial) 1903-57 Germany Within a year of starting motorcycle production, Triumph of Coventry opened a satellite factory at Nurnberg, Germany. Although the satellite products were sold as Triumph – especially in Germany – the Nurnberg factory often sold motorcycles in export markets as TWN (Triumph Werke Nurnberg). Confusingly, the brand…

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Ernst Degner in action on a Suzuki during 1962 50cc TT Suzuki 1952 – Japan Born in Hamamatsu during 1887, Michio Suzuki founded his business in 1909 to manufacture silk weaving looms. Almost two decades later, Suzuki developed a basic four-cylinder car engine and in 1937 signed a contract to build Austin Seven cars under…

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1912 Sunbeam single classic motorcycle Sunbeam 1912-39 and 1947-64 UK Born at Ludlow, Shropshire in 1836, John Marston was educated locally at St Lawrence’s Grammar School, then Christ’s Hospital, London before signing an apprenticeship agreement with Edward Perry of Richard Perry, Sons & Co, of Wolverhampton. Established in 1790 at the Jeddo Works they were…

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