Vintage British Motorcycles
"And 'tis no little reason bids us speed" Henry IV, Act 1
Anny Deim
Notes on some of the rarer British marques
This page lists brands for which we currently have only an historical precis.
For a more complete listing visit the British Index.
A.F. Cars
The first of these Morgan-style three-wheelers were created by Alexander Fraser in 1969 "in his kitchen" Based on a BMC mini chassis, production models were powered by BMC engines of 850cc to 1275cc some of which were fitted with a Shorocks supercharger and were capable of 140mph. They had a wooden body. Production ended in 1980, with some 7 Spiders and 5 Grand Prix models built.
Source: 3-wheelers.com.
Aleywood
Manufactured by Mike Wood and John Aley, 63 Ditton Walk, Cambridge, mid to late sixties.
This was a minibike sold as kit which weighed 65lb assembled. It was powered by a Clinton two-stroke industrial pull-start engine. Several hundred were built.
Aleywood had a racing team, and the chimp was used as their 'pit bike' during meetings.
Sources: Icenicam; Graham Clayton.
Allen-Bennett 1922-24
Anson
Anson Classic Restorations Limited, Shepshed
Sell sidecars and accessories, plus provide a fitting service. Based in Shepshed, Leicestershire.
"We have everything onsite to keep your sidecar outfit on the road. We have new and used sidecars for sale for both modern and classic bikes."
ansonclassic.co.uk
Apex Sidecars
Manufactured in 1939
1, Crownstone Rd., Water Lane, Brixton, S.W.2.
Source: Period Advertising
Armac Cub
Classic trials machines based on the Triumph Cub, these were originally built by Duncan McDonald. Components are manufactured by R.E.H Forks Ltd of Yorkshire, armac-design.com.
Aspin
Aspin rotary valve engines were built by Frank Aspin in Lancashire, beginning in 1937. A 250cc version would rev to 14,000 rpm, but sadly it was plagued by heating problems and before a solution could be found, war came.
The engine was apparently used in speedway, as mentioned here. It was developed along similar lines to the Cross engine.
Sources: aspin.info, douglas-self.com, oldbikemag.com.au, patents.google.com/patent/US2245743A/en
Austel
Manufactured by Austel Engineering of Maidenhead, Berkshire, 1985-1991
Chris Castell fitted Morris Mini engines to motorcycles designed for solo and sidecar use. Some 11 machines were built, no two the same. As combinations they were probably brilliant. Aesthetically not so much.
The Austel was offered as a Squire combination using a 1300cc engine, 4-speed gearbox with reverse, automotive tyres and brakes, and Leyland driveshaft and universal joints.
Sources: london-motorcycle-museum.org, wikipedia.en, Hal Kendall.
Automobilette 1900
A. V. Motors 1902-1903
Avon Tri-mobile Bristol, 1905
Ayrton-Perry Tricycle
"The first electric tricycle was built by British engineers William Ayrton and John Perry in 1881. It was first driven on Queen Victoria Street in London in 1882.
This image is probably from La Nature ; Poyet was one of its artists."
Source: Dave Richmond - facebook.com/dave.richmond.900
Rarer British Marques
