From The Archive

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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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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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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1924 Seal three wheeler owned by MJ Holben Seal c1912-23, 1930 UK Motorcycle combination or cyclecar? Built by Seal Motors Ltd, Stretford, Manchester, in essence the Seal comprised a motorcycle combination less seat and handlebars which was controlled from within the sidecar. The motorcycle frame and the chassis of its permanently attached sidecar were assembled…

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Announced for the 1910 season, the first of the new generation of Royal Enfields Royal Enfield 1898- UK Humour of sorts has been aimed at motorcycle marques since time began. Much good natured, some less so. And of the world’s major players, Royal Enfield have been the butt of more jokes than most. Yet as…

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The pre-WWII four cylinder Gilera racer, based on the Rondine Romeo 1969-75 Italy Maker of 50cc Minarelli-engined ultralightweights. Odd examples of the motorcycle and moped like machines find their way out of Italy. Rondine (Dates as detailed) Italy Four concerns are briefly mentioned here as one led to the post WWII world championship winning Gilera…

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