A to Z Reference

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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1906 ad extols the virtues of the Riley: ‘… the machine for the night or all-weather rider.’ Riley 1901(1899)-1908 UK Aged just 20, William Riley took over the family weaving business in Coventry in 1870, just as the city’s weavers were beginning to reel from the impact of cheaper imports – all sounds very familiar…

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Norton Big 4 was a popular machine post WW1 Norton 1902 – UK Often misused, the words unapproachable and famous apply 100 per cent to Norton. With around 250 GP and TT wins, beginning with Rem Fowler’s 1907 IoM TT twin-cylinder class victory and extending to Steve Hislop’s 1992 Senior TT win, success at Brooklands,…

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Enfield (now Royal Enfield) Bullet Eagle 1910-15 USA Quality made Spake-engined singles and V-twins. Now rare and expensive. EBE c1920-30 Sweden Proprietary engine manufacturer who made cycle clip-ons and then complete machines with 172-598cc engines. A number of 172cc ohv models with three-speed Sturmey Archer gearboxes survive in Northern Europe. EBS c1924-30 Germany Berlin manufacturer…

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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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Douglas Dragonfly was last throw of dice Douglas 1908-57 UK One of the most successful and versatile motorcycle manufacturers ever. They won the Junior, Senior and Sidecar TTs, excelled off-road including ISDT, built the ultimate speedway machine, supplied motorcycles in their droves to the allied forces, pioneered disc brakes, built industrial engines, military equipment, cars,…

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Ariel Square Four was remarkable and remains sought after Ariel 1902 (1898)-70 UK Some enthusiasts joke that the name Ariel can be traced back to the invention of the wheel. Well, not quite, but in 1870 James Starley and William Hillman jointly patented a lightweight wheel with tensioned wire spokes calling it the Ariel, after…

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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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Rex’s tricar was popular between 1903 and 1906 Rex and Rex Acme 1900-33 UK Modern history books tell us Rex began with tricar and car production at Birmingham in 1899 then acquired new premises at Osborne Road, Earlsdon, Coventry in 1900 and first exhibited a motorcycle at the year’s National Show at Crystal Palace, London.…

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New Imperial 146cc Unit Minor New Imperial 1901-03 and 1911-39 UK Myths, myths and even more myths form part of the history of many marques, including one of my favoured brands, New Imperial. Thanks to Australian enthusiast Chas Lipscombe’s excellent and extensive book, New Imperial Motorcycles, the myths have been laid to rest. In promotional…

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