Rrosenthal

1924 Sirrah lightweight side car outfit Sirrah c1921-25 UK Manufactured by Alfred Wiseman and Son of Glover Street, Birmingham, who also built Weaver ultra lightweight machines and the dearer but better equipped Verus models. It’s stated in many sources the name Sirrah is derived by reversing the name of the designer Mr Harris. Sirrah –…

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Standard also took pride in building lightweight motorcycles. This is the FS200 motorcycle Standard 1925-c52 Germany and Switzerland Standard founder Wilhelm Gutbrod was previously associated with the Klotz marque, which specialised in excellent 246cc two-stroke models that performed well in national trials and at speed events. Gutbrod launched Standard (Standard Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH of Ludwigsburg) with…

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1912 Sun motorcycle with Precision engine Sun 1911-33 and 1946-61 UK The Sun Cycle and Fittings Company ought to be better known than it is, as many of us who own older British-made light and medium weight motorcycles can thank this company for enabling their machines to be built. In addition to cycles, Sun Cycle…

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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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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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Tandon Kangaroo Talbot 1953-57 France Parisian maker of two-stroke mopeds, autocycle style machines and small motorcycles. Many were superbly built with swinging arm rear suspension, undamped telescopic front fork, white wall tyres, generous stylish valanced mudguards, full width hubs and in some case partial engine enclosure. Tandon 1948-55 (59) UK Indian Devdutt Tandon established Tandon…

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John Tickle with his dohc racer, the T5 Thorough c1902-03 UK Pioneer assembler that used a small range of proprietary engines. One well known survivor with a Sunbeam MCC Pioneer Certificate was recently offered on the UK market. Tickle c1967-73 UK John Tickle established himself in the sporting motorcycle accessory market with a range of…

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1905 Triumph 5hp classic motorcycle Triumph 1902–present UK For over a century Triumph as a brand has weathered recessions, two world wars, bombing and a number of changes of ownership. Today, guided by property developer John Bloor, Triumph continues to build stylish motorcycles which once again enjoy a dedicated following. Over the past century Triumph…

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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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French firm Ultima made motorcycles for 50 years. This is a 1923 model Ultima 1908-58 France Maker from rue Commandant Faurax, Lyon headed for many years by ME Billion. Early production centred round side-valve single and V-twin motorcycles using JAP and Zurcher engines. Later used Aubier-Dunne engines too. Through the Thirties, Ultima concentrated on 250/350cc…

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