British

Today in Motorcycle History

British Standard Motorcycles

British Standard of Aston and then in Newton Row, Birmingham

  • The company produced motorcycles from 1919 to about 1925.

    1919 The marque made its debut as a 269cc two-stroke single with direct-belt drive.

    1920 That model continued with the addition of a simple two-speed model with the option of a clutch and kick-start.

    1921 Following modest expansion, the company moved from Aston to Newton Row. Various two-stroke models were produced including a sidecar version, plus some with bigger sv four-stroke Blackburne engines.

    1922 A model was listed with a 348cc ohv Blackburne engine.

    1923 That model was replaced by a 349cc ohv Bradshaw oil-cooled engine with all-chain drive. There were also two two-stroke models with two-speed gearboxes.

    1924 Four models were still listed.

    1925 This was the last year of listings, as falling sales saw thirty of the 348cc sv Blackburne British Standard motorcycles advertised at clearance prices.

bradshaw-engine

Bradshaw

British Engine Builder
Fitted to numerous British and European motorcycles.
Bradshaw Engines

British-Standard-1919-TMC.jpg
British Standard 1919

The British Standard, a new lightweight which will be sold direct to the public.

Direct to the Public.

A lightweight which is to be marketed direct to the public is illustrated. The engine is a 2¾ h.p. two-stroke, and the equipment includes Saxon or Brampton forks, 26x2in. Palmer tyres, and aluminium footboards. The price, £43, includes lamps and generator.

The makers are British Standard Motors, 145, Lichfield Road, Aston, Birmingham.

The Motor Cycle November 20th, 1919.

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British Standard Two-stroke 1921

An efficient belt guard is fitted on the 2¾ h.p. British Standard

The British Standard.

BRITISH Standard motor cycles are not newcomers, and for 1921 are made in five models : A 2¾ h.p. two-stroke in three types (single gear £53, plain two-speed £60, and clutch and kick-starter £64), a 22¾ h.p. Blackburne with two-speed clutch and kick-starter at £85, and a 4 h.p. Blackburne with Sturmey-Archer three-speed at £118. Brampton forks are used on most of the models, and the tyres on all but the largest machine are 26 X 2¼in. The saddle height is given as 27in., and the weights of the lightweights are from 135 lb. to 175 lb. The makers are the British Standard, 41, Newtown Row, Birmingham.

The Motor Cycle April 11th, 1921. Page 430

British-Standard-1922-TMC
1922 2¾ h.p. British Standard

First-class components are used in this de luxe model of the 2¾ h.p. British Standard.

1922 British Standards.

Olympia Show Report

Two Classes of Solo and Double-purpose Mounts Embodying Blackburne Engines.

BRITISH Standard Motors, of 4, Newtown Row, Birmingham, are next year making a bid for popularity by offering a two-speed 2¾ h.p. Blackburne-engined lightweight at £65, or with clutch and kick-starter at £69. The machine is quite a good-looking mount, embodying such well-known components as Fellows magneto, Vici carburetter, Arden pressed steel forks, Dunlop tyres, Coventry chain, and Dunlop belt. An Arden-engined two-stroke model, similarly equipped, will also be offered at £36 single gear, £42 with two-speed, and £46 with clutch and kick-starter. Better class machines with 2¾ h.p. and 4 h.p. Blackburne engines will also be offered with two and three-speed gears.

The Motor Cycle, November 1921

Sources: Graces Guide, The Motor Cycle



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