From The Archive

Road going MV Agusta 750S MV Agusta 1945-77 (1981), 1997 – Italy Record books, encyclopaedias and race marque enthusiasts tell us MV Agusta secured 38 riders’ World Championships, 37 manufacturers’ world titles and more than 4000 national and international race wins. Nicknamed the ‘Red Fire Engines’ by many, their list of World Championship-winning riders reads…

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Early example of Munch Mammot Motosacoche 1901-1956 Switzerland An Acacias, Geneva-based company who built complete motorcycles and later supplied proprietary engines. Founded c1899 by Swiss brothers Henri and Arman Dufaux, who took out patents in 1901 for a super attachment for motorising pedal cycles. Comprising the 211cc engine, carburettor, electrics and fuel/oil tank encased in…

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Montgomery enjoyed some track success with JAP and Anzani-powered motorcycles Monark 1925 (1913, 1920-25)-c1978 Sweden Confusion, confusion! Varberg firm who, for the greater part of their motorcycle making life, traded as AB Cykelfabriken Monark. They had two attempts at becoming motorcycle makers before establishing the Monark brand in 1925 to become one of Sweden’s leading…

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Mercury offered this 99cc Villiers 6F-powered Grey Streak Meister 1949-56 Germany Cycle maker Meister Fahdradwerke began motorcycle production in 1949 using Sachs and Ilo two-stroke engines, many with neat telescopic front forks and plunger style rear suspension. Later, a Zundapp-engined moped joined the range. The 98-197cc motorcycle range, designed by Alfred Osterag, was also marketed…

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Liberia mopeds line up at the Paris Show in 1956 Liberator 1902-c1928 France Pioneer firm who experimented with clip-on kits before making their first production machines, based on the Werner principle, with the engine mounted within the frame diamond. Used proprietary engines including Antoine, Sarolea and JAP. Very rare. Liberia Early Twenties and 1951-56 France…

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1924 Kenilworth Miniature Kieft 1955-57 UK Business – founded by Cyril Kieft – best known for their 500cc single seat racing cars and later sports cars – who also marketed German built Hercules 147/198cc scooters and 198cc motorcycles under the Kieft label. King 1901-07 UK Although I only know of one survivor, the King marque…

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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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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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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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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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