A to Z Reference Archives - The Classic Motorcycle

Reference: A to Z classic reference: Innocenti – IZH

18th November 2011 rrosenthal A to Z Reference

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

Reference: A to Z classic reference: AJS

18th November 2011 rrosenthal A to Z Reference

Sporting ohv 349cc AJS K6 was available in racing trim to special order as KR6 1909-31 In 1874 Joe Stevens of Wednesfield, Nr Wolverhampton began trading as J Stevens & Co, engineering blacksmiths. In 1894

Reference: A to Z classic reference: Rabeneick – Ratier

18th November 2011 rrosenthal A to Z Reference

1953 Rabeneick F250 two-stroke twin Rabeneick 1933-63 Germany Bielefeld company founded by August Rabeneick to make ultra lightweights and autocycle type machines with bought in two-stroke engines including Sachs. AfterWWII its range was expanded to

Reference: A to Z classic reference: Excelsior – Eysink

18th November 2011 rrosenthal A to Z Reference

Denis Parkinson poses on his 250cc ohc Excelsior Manxman Excelsior 1896-1964 UK The early history of the Bayliss, Thomas and Slaughter – later Bayliss, Thomas and Co – is a story of ‘firsts.’ They were

Reference: A to Z classic reference: Velocette (Veloce Ltd)

18th November 2011 rrosenthal A to Z Reference

The two stroke Velocette was to form the basis of Veloce’s early range. This is a 1925 example Velocette (Veloce Ltd) 1904-71 UK German born Johannes Gutgemann emigrated to England and the Midlands in 1876.

Reference: A to Z classic reference: NSU – NVT

18th November 2011 rrosenthal A to Z Reference

The early Zedel-engined NSU with the inclined engine suspended from frame tube NSU 1900-1965 Germany Heinrich Stoll and Christian Schmidt started their knitting machine (Strickmaschinen) repair and manufacture business in 1873 at Riedlingen, a Danube

Reference: A to Z classic reference: BSA

18th November 2011 rrosenthal A to Z Reference

1931 BSA B21 BSA 1905-73 UK In 1854, 14 Birmingham gunsmiths formed a group named the Birmingham Small Arms Company. Seven years later a public limited company of the same name was created and the

Reference: A to Z classic reference: Silk – Singer

18th November 2011 rrosenthal A to Z Reference

Silk assembly shop in 1975. There were 140 engine units built and 138 chassis Silk 1975 (1971)-c1980 UK That most useless of skills, hindsight, tells us the 1970s wasn’t the time to commence motorcycle manufacture,

Reference: A to Z classic reference: Matchless – Meguro

18th November 2011 rrosenthal A to Z Reference

Artie Ratcliffe on a Matchless competition bike Matchless 1901-67 and 1987 UK Cycle maker Harry H Collier established himself at Herbert Road, Plumstead, London, and was later joined by sons Harry and Charlie to form

Reference: A to Z classic reference: IFA – Indian

18th November 2011 rrosenthal A to Z Reference

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