Classic Bike Hub UK

Geoff Duke shows his class in the early 1950s on a works four cylinder Gilera Gilera 1909 – Italy Born in December 1887, Guiseppe Gilera began making motorcycles in 1909 after gaining engineering expertise at Bianchi, Moto Reve, and Bucher and Zeda. A 317cc single was soon followed by a V-twin and the first of…

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Barr and Stroud engined Grindlay Peerless v-twin from 1924 Glas 1951-56 Germany A range of 123cc, 148cc and 197cc Ilo two-stroke engined scooters with tiny 8in wheels and bulbous bodywork from Hans Glas, the same company who built the Goggo Mobil microcar. The scooters were named the Goggo 125, 150 and 200 as appropriate. Glockner…

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Harley-Davidson WLC, produced for the military Hagglund 1973-78 Sweden Limited production of pressed steel monocoque framed 345cc two-stroke Rotax engined military motorcycle with automatic transmission, the XM 74 was developed solely for the Swedish military by AB Hagglund and Soner, Ornsklosvick. Drive problems brought the project to a premature halt. Despite its problems, examples are…

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Limited production run for the Hesketh doesn’t detract from its many qualities Hawker 1920-24 UK Small quantity production of 350/550 side-valve Blackburne engined models and a 293cc two-stroke built by the company run by aircraft maker Tom Sopwith and his test pilot Harry Hawker. Hawker died in a flying accident in 1921. Hawker production ended…

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Honda CBR RR900 Fireblade HJH 1954-56 UK Built in Neath, Wales by HJ Hulsman (Industries) the roadsters and competition models powered by 147-247cc Villiers two-stroke engines offered excellent value for money. But unfortunately, money wasn’t a commodity Mr Hulsman was very good with. Forgetting to pay the taxman lost him his business and gained him…

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Husqvarna 550cc v-twin Horex 1923-58 and 1978-86 Germany Father and son team Freidrich and Fritz Kleeman owned a number of German companies, including Rex of Bad Homburg, who made glassware and patent containers. Freidrich was also a major shareholder of cyclemotor and motorcycle engine makers Columbus Motorenwerke, while Fritz was a leading racing car driver.…

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1204cc Indian Chief IFA 1945/49-60 Germany Shaft drive as fitted by IFA, is common on German motorcycles. The town of Zschopau in Saxony was the centre for advanced two-stroke development during the inter-war years. Young Danish born engineer Jorgen Stafte Rasmussen established his company in Zschopau during 1919, adopting the initials DKW for the motorcycles…

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Beryl Swain on her 50cc Itom at Brands Hatch Innocenti 1947-71 Italy Covered under Lambretta. Invicta 1913-23 UK Range of Villiers, JAP and Abingdon powered machines, some designed by Arthur Barnett of Francis-Barnett fame. Iso 1948-64 Italy Founded by Renzo Rivolta as Isothermos in 1939 at Bresso. The company was reformed as Iso Autoiveicoli SpA…

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Star of the 1908 Stanley Show, the PL Renouf designed James Safety with for the first time a James engine Jackson-Rotrax 1949-66 UK Superb 500cc JAP-engined speedway machines by Alec Jackson. Many were adapted for grasstrack using a variety of engines. Still active and a choice motorcycle for vintage grasstrack and speedway. Jamathi 1962-77 Holland…

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Juckes 350cc ohv was one of last machines made Jawa 1929 – Czechoslovakia Like BSA and FN, Jawas were produced by an armanents factory. In 1929 Frantisek Janacek of the National Arms Factory, Prague felt his company should build motorcycles and, rather than start from scratch, they began assembling German designed Wanderers with pressed steel…

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