At the age of 12 Bruno Rossati began working eleven hour days.
"Now, approaching 91, I find myself reminiscing about my youth, still riding my motorcycle every day.
Letter re Ladetto
On his Leitch 6 h.p. twin cylinder motor bicycle, Mr. Don. Riley, travelling agent for the Leitch Cycle Company, put up a very fast run on Monday from Cavendish, which demonstrates the usefulness of these machines for covering the country. Like others who were picnicking or enjoying outings away from home, the appearances of the sky made the desire general to get home as early as possible, and Mr. Riley sent his machine along at a high speed to reach refuge from the probable rain. He left Cavendish soon after the sports meeting, and covered the distance to the Hamilton convent corner in 19 minutes, passing a good deal of traffic along the road. The motor stood the test well, and in covering 16 miles in the time stated it will thus be seen that the ride averaged close on a mile a minute.
Trove NLA: Hamilton Spectator Wed 14 Apr 1909
Trove NLA: Hamilton Spectator Tue 21 Sep 1909
Sources: Jason Palmer at VVC; Trove NLA.
Notes.
1. Hamilton had Leitch Pictures (cinema) in those days, possibly related.
2. In 1918 and 1924 there was a Sandford, Leitch Motors in Exhibition St, Melbourne, a car dealer. There is no indication that there was a motorcycle side to this business.
3. A 1912 Grandex rebadged as Leitch was offered for sale in Belgium by HD Classic BE in 2021. There is more on this matter under Comet-Precision.
If you have a query or information about Leitch motorcycles please contact us.
