Haden Green New-Comet Motorcycles

New Comet Motorcycles by A. H. Haden

New Comet motorcycles were designed and produced from 1905 to 1931, by A. H. Haden of Princip Street, Birmingham.

1905-1909 The machine started out as a primitive, but soon singles and V-twins were offered, fitted with various engines including Zedel and Peugeot.

1910 Sarolea and JAP were used, along with the Peugeot V-twin.

1911 Precision singles were added to the range.

1912 All the engines were by Precision. Models included a lightweight and a Colonial which were also sold as the Comet-Precision.

1913 There was also a model with a JAP V-twin, and late that year Haden took over the Regal-Green business and began to use the water-cooled Green engines along with the others.

1914-1916 A 219cc two-stroke joined the range in 1914. It had direct-belt drive or a chain-driven two-speed gearbox and Druid forks. There was also a 349cc version.

New-Comet-1914-TMC-BG.jpg
New Comet 210 c.c. Two-stroke 1914

NEW COMET.
Engine - Two-stroke, 210 c.c.
Iqnition - U.H. magneto.
Carburetter - Senspray.
Change Speed - Two-speed counter-shaft (extra).
Transmission - Belt or chain and belt.
Dimensions - Height of saddle from ground, 29½in. Ground clearance, 5½in. Wheelbase, 50½in.
Lubrication - Oil pumped into petrol.
Other Features - Druid forks.
Price - £25 and £28. Two-stroke engine, 350 c.c., £33 to £41 10s.

A. H. Haden, Princip Street, Birmingham.

British Lightweights, 1914

Post-war. Machines listed included a 292cc two-stroke and a 499cc four-stroke.

1920 They cut back to two-strokes only.

  • 1921-1923 Two or three versions of the 292cc model were listed for each year.
  • 1924 A version with a 147cc Aza engine was added.
  • 1925 More versions of that model were listed.
  • 1926-1927 Only one version of the 147cc was listed.
  • 1928 There was just a 172cc Super Sports model with three speeds and all-chain drive.
  • 1929 There was a break.
  • 1930 The 172cc machine returned.
  • 1931 They produced the 196cc Super Sports, but it was the last year of motorcycle manufacture.

Other brands named Comet

Haden Motorcycles

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Haden Precision

Haden were motorcycles produced from 1920 to 1923 by A. H. Haden of Princip Street, Birmingham.

This motorcycle was constructed on conventional lines by A. H. Haden who was also responsible for the New Comet machines. The Haden was fitted with a 349cc Precision two-stroke engine with either two-speed chain-cum-belt or single- speed direct-belt transmission. It could also be fitted with any carburettor that the purchaser specified.

The single-speed had been dropped by 1922, the carburettor had become an Amac with no options and the gearbox was specified as an Albion.

These motorcycles were not built in quantity.

  • Note: Although the company no longer produced motorcycles, they continued to supply components to the trade.

Comet-Precision-1911-TMC-0464.jpg
Comet Precision 1911

J. W. Woodhouse and the 3½ h.p. Comet-Precision on which he has recently shone conspicuously in open hill-climbing competitions.

Comet-Precision was a motorcycle produced in 1912.

It was the name under which two New Comet models were sold. One was a lightweight and the other was a Colonial version of a standard machine. The marque was only used for one season.

Nick Smith writes:

  • "An interesting frame design. Also offered by (or more likely 'as') a Grandex for 1913, and I believe a Leitch in Australia. The additional stays were also seen on the racing Regal bikes."

    • Compare this image of a Grandex-Precision 1911 with that of the 1911 Comet-Precision.

    Sources: Graces Guide, The Motor Cycle

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