A Brief History of the Marque
The factory was established in 1911 by William Bown and the marque is related to Aberdale and Levis.
The Aeolus name was trademarked by Bown in 1877, and, according to Tragatsch (p69), Bown built Aeolus motorcycles powered by his own 269cc two-stroke engines from 1914 to 1916.
Wales 1922-1924
From 1922 to 1924 William Bown assembled small Villiers-powered machines of 147cc capacity, and also 248cc & 348cc JAP &
Blackburne powered machines.
Taken over by Aberdale in the 1930's, Bown is associated with Aberdales 1946-49 and Levis 1950-58.
From 1950 to 1958 the Bown marque products were autocycles of 98cc and 123cc with engines by Villiers, and after 1955 they also marketed a re-badged Hercules Sachs-powered moped as
Bown. This same machine was marketed in Germany as a TWN (Triumph Werke Nürnberg).
A neat little 21/2 h.p. J.A.P. model has been added to the Bown programme.
Bown Additions.
IN addition to the 2¾ h.p. Blackburne and 2½ h.p. Villiers models, Bowns, Ltd., will market a neat little touring machine fitted with the 21/2 h.p. J. A. P. engine (293 c.c). An Albion two-speed gear with clutch and kick-starter is fitted, chain and belt drive being employed. Druid forks, M-L magneto, 26 X 21/4 in. tyres, B. and B. carburetter, and an internal V brake are used, and all the fittings are of good quality. The rear forks of all models are now wider to prevent trapping of the guard. Lubrication of the engine is through a Best and Lloyd sight feed device, and the primary chain is well protected by a neat cover. A dropped top tube frame is retained, and the general appearance is good.
The Motor Cycle, November 1921
More on Bown History
I have just bought a BOWN 1952 98cc. I need to know where I can get tank stickers and any more info on any parts that is located in U.K.
John janes
Llanelli United Kingdom
Fri Sep 16 2016
daveburke42 at googlemail.com
colour
bown please see att photo
Would you please be able to give me the correct colour for a old bown tank that I am trying to spray as a suprise for my dad. Please see att photos I have taken from the net of the correct bike.
Thank you for your help
Dave
Burke
bedfordshire
Mon Apr 07 2014
helen.walbey at gmail.com
bown original drawings and hand books
bown 98cc
one of my customers has original handbooks and drawings from the late 1940s or 50s his father was a designer at the factory in wales, he is looking to sell them .do they have any value
Sat Jan 25 2014 paul.old at planet.nl
carburettor Bown unkonown
I have parts of the Bown Carburettor. Mark GJ or JG. Missing the threated caps for Petrol chamber and throttle chamber (to cylinder) Leusden, Netherlands
Try the page on Motorcycle Documentation & Paperwork
Tue Apr 12 2011
plastictags<at>iburst.co.za
BOWN 1952 1F OTE9
BOWN 1F OTE9
Trying to source 1952 model Bown 1F OTE9 or similar age.
South Africa
Wed Apr 27 2011
pigscanflywhycanti<at>hotmaildot com
Reconditioning Bown motorcycle
Bown n/a Villiers engine
I have a Bown motorbike with Villiers on the engine.
I am reconditioning it and looking to sell it but I don't have the side panels or headlamp or side cart. Can anyone tell me where I can get these things?
Also I don't know If I should have it repainted the original colors or differently?
Last thing is I don't know where to sell it or for how much?
Thank you
Cardiff
..........
Sorry I took so long.
This is what the bike looks like at the moment because I am giving it a full redo. The engine worked when we got it but has still been fully dissmanteled and will be put together like new and will run a treat.
Hope the photo is good enough. Any info is usefull.
Thanks
Peter Merridew
Mon Aug 03 2009
jimcunliffe at btconnectdot com
history
bown motorcycle 98cc
I have acquired a bown 98cc motorcycle and am looking for some history of the model also handbooks and photos .
Registration is JTB303 I would appreciate any help with putting this Bown back on the road.
Lancashire
Tue Apr 28 2009
alanvthomas19 at btinternetdot com
spares
bown motorcycle
I have a bown motorcycle, I need stays for the headlamp,anybody help?
Rgds,Alan.
Fri Mar 07 2008
b-depree at charter.net
Frame or Frame Specificatons
Bown 1953 1F
Location of a Frame or drawings of.
Holland, Michigan
..........
Attached is a sample picture.
Bruce De Pree
Mon Sep 17 2007
alamvthomas19 at btinternetdot com
bown
bown 98cc motorcycle
I have a bown 98cc motorcycle (2 gears,shift on handle-bar) no lights fitted.I have the correct headlamp, 4.5 inch, but no reflector, anybody help?
Alan.
Sat Jan 27 2007
kendoughty999 at msndot com
Bown Motorcycle Spare Parts
Bown 1952 Motorcycle
I am restoring one but do not have any rear brake shoes.Any ideas where I can locate some? With thanks, Ken.
Orpington, Kent.
Thu Nov 23 2006
tombown at verizon.net
ANY Bown's in America
1952 Bown 98cc
I have a Bown (my family name) and am interested in hearing from folks with knowledge of the brand.
Thanks,
Tom
PA, USA
>
