Vintage British Motorcycles
Choice of Champions
Devoid of Trouble
Birdwood Mill
The Great Unwashed
Phil Irving's Masterpiece
Birmingham Small Arms
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.
Neall
Manufactured in 1910-1914 by Neall Brothers, Ltd.
Western Motor Works, Daventry.
Fitted 2½ and 3h.p. Precision engines.
Sources: period advertising, Tragatsch p.225.
N.B. There was a Neal (one L) of Sparkbrook in the same period, unrelated.
Neval 1980s-1990s
New Eagle
Designed by Ralph Jackson of Jackson & Kinnings, the 4-cylinder, 16 HP "New Eagle Racer" three-wheeler had a claimed top speed of 80 mph. Machines were manufactured from 1901 to 1905.
Source: autopuzzles.com
Norman Engineering Company
Founded in 1919, the firm built motorcycle and industrial engines. Initially based in Leamington Spa, they moved to Warwick in 1936.
Norman 143cc four-stroke engines were fitted to the Kenilworth scooter.
They were also fitted to Italian motorcycles of the 1920s such Alfa and Doglioli & Civardi.
Motorcycle engine types included types E, EC, ECR (170cc) and MC (175cc). Production of motorcycle engines ended in 1936.
Sources: Wikipedia, et al.
North British Machine Company (NBMC)
Located at 24 Carlton Place, Glasgow, the company bought several Barr & Stroud engines, so it seems likely that they produced motorcycles, possibly between 1903 and 1909.
In the 1950s they sold motoring accessories, tools and equipment to the motor trade with customers throughout Scotland, and were agents for Elswick-Hopper bicycles.
They may well have been related to The North British Motor Company of 310a St Vincent Street, Glasgow, agents for Clement, De-Dion and Lanchester Cars.
Sources: talkingscot.com, classicmotorcycleforum.com
Rarer British Marques
