Bradbury Motorcycles

Today in Motorcycle History

Peerless Motorcycles


Built from 1902 to 1908 and from 1913 to 1914.

A Brief History of the Marque
Peerless motorcycles made between 1902 & 1908 were built by Bradbury in Oldham, Lancashire and were very similar to the standard Bradbury machines with the exception of the engine. They were fitted with 2hp & 2 ½hp Birch engines made under license, with the crankcase cast around the frame tubes.

THE BRADBURY MOTOR CYCLE is made entirely at our own factory, and all the parts are made on the interchangeable principle. It is built with a 2 H. P. Vertical Engine, and also with a 2½ H. P. Vertical Engine, built into the specially designed triangular frame. This result is obtained by a combined crank chamber and bottom bracket malleable casting of special design, enabling us to obtain the advantages of the vertical engine with the best type of frame. The Frame is fitted with Duplex Front Forks, and made of heavy gauge Tubing, and strengthened all through. All the tubes are straight, and strength is combined with lightness. It is fitted with New Trembler Coil and a New Carburetter.

The Engine has a new style Lubricator fitted on the front of the tank, and easily worked by the rider whilst the cycle is running. We feel certain that for compactness, power, light weight, and general convenience the Bradbury " PEERLESS " is ahead of anything on the market at the present date.

More on the Bradbury Peerless 1903/04

Leon Mitchel discusses the Bradbury Peerless at some length: earlymotor.com

David Best's Bradbury Pages: see British Resources

A later machine with the name "Peerless" was produced by the International Mfg. Co. Ltd in the years 1913-1914 using Veloce engines. Several other companies used the Peerless name - see Disambiguation

Sources: Tragatsch p248, Graces Guide, et al.



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