Massey Motor Co of Belgrave Road, in Birmingham.
Massey were motorcycles produced from 1923 to 1929, originally by E. J. Massey
1923 Having left the Massey-Arran company the previous year, E. J. Massey produced a new marque under his own name. The new Massey motorcycle was available from January 1923, and had a 545cc Blackburne engine for either solo or sidecar use. A special feature was internal expanding brakes for both wheels. Soon there were further models with an ohv version of the 348cc Blackburne, plus 292cc and 346cc sv JAP engines. A cheaper version of the 292cc sv JAP model also became available a little later. This had two-speed chain-cum-belt transmission and V-rim brakes. However, by the end of the year, production had ceased.
1924 Early that year, both the name and the rights to manufacture were acquired by R. L. Jepson of Blackburn (Lancashire).
Until the end of the decade Massey machines continued to be available, fitted with either Blackburne or Villiers engines. [1]
The 1922 Olympia Show.
MASSEY. (Stand 29.)
Concentrating on 350 c.c. Solos.
2¾ H.P. Model.
70x90 mm. (346 c.c); single-cyl. four-stroke; side valves; hand pump lubrication; Cox-Atmos carb.; chain-driven mag.; 3-sp. gear : clutch and kick-starter; chain drive; 26x2½in. tyres. Price: Solo £75.
MASSEY Motors Co., Ltd. Belgrave Road, Birmingham.
Three Massey models are shown, all very much alike in appearance and specification. Proprietary engines are used - the super-sports J.A.P. in the case specified - and Burman three-speed gear boxes, but the resulting machines are wonderfully distinctive in appearance. Careful frame design accounts for this to a great degree; superfine finish also plays its part. The lubrication is automatic, no sight feed being fitted, but otherwise the specification follows very conventional lines. Internal expanding brakes are fitted front and rear, and extremely neat drain covers.
Also shown are a 348 c.c. J.A.P.-engined sidecar outfit at £92 10s., and a 349 c.c. Blackburne solo machine at £70. Specialisation on one type of machine has, in this case, had the very obvious effect of perfecting that type as far as it is possible.
Olympia Show 1922
The Motor Cycle, November 30th, 1922. Page 862
Sources: Graces Guide, The Motor Cycle
Thu Sep 26 2013
mahbarb<at>bigpond.com
E.J. Massey
Massey-Arran, Massey, H.R.D. Massey Arran
I am trying to research who was E.J.Massey and what happened to him.
Chris Wood
Australia
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