Bradbury Motor Cycles
Encyclopedia
Bradbury Motor Cycles was a British motorcycle
manufacturer based in Oldham
, England and established in 1902.
Originally involved in the manufacture of machine tools, sewing machines and cycles, their first motorcycles were bicycles with clip-on Minerva engines.
The Bradbury factory went on to develop and produce a range of single-cylinder motorcycle, V-twin
s and horizontally opposed twins. The 1912 Bradbury motorcycles were one of the earliest with variable gearing.
Although the factory survived the First World War it closed in 1924.
In 1909, the Bradbury 3.5 hp motorcycle was launched and advertised as "the finest hill climber (power for power) ever made". By 1910 Bradbury Motor Cycles had won over 300 first prizes including 18 gold medals in hill climbing competitions.
In 1910, Bradbury developed the fittings of the 1909 Model and in 1911 launched the Speed model. The 1911 Standard model also had Dunlop
non-skid tyres and the saddle was padded.
In 1911 H. Gibson and J. Eastwood completed the 390 miles (627.6 km) Irish 'End to End' trial in 14 hours 9½ minutes on a Bradbury motorcycle.
In 1912, the range was expanded to include a special Model-de-Luxe with a side car made of wicker
.
In 1914, the 3.5 hp single-cylinder engine was upgraded to 4 hp a new three-speed twin cylinder engine was introduced as the Bradbury 6 hp three-speed twin V-Type 750 cc. The V-type engine had the cylinders at a 50º angle and came with up to seven versions of the side cars ranging from a Tradesman's Carrier to the de-Luxe coach built option. The new twin-cylinder 3½ hp Bradbury 500 cc was also launched with the cylinders horizontally opposed and fitted with a kick start.
In 1912, Bradbury riders H. Gibson and G. Wray completed the 886 miles (1,425.9 km) John o' Groats
to Lands End journey in 38 hours 47 minutes. Reducing the previous record for a motor cycle and side-car by 2 hours.
In 1913, a Bradbury motor cycle won the Transvaal
Speed Championship. Also in 1913 Bradbury motorcycles participated in the Scottish Six Days Trial
. In the 1914 six day trial based in Sheffield
the chassis of the Bradbury 6 hp broke and as a consequence Bradbury were excluded from the War Department Trials. However the company did supply Naval Authorities with 4 hp motorcycles with a 3-speed counter shaft gear.
After the First World War Bradbury produced a range of 4 hp 554 cc single-cylinder motorcycles as well as the 6 hp 750 cc twin and a 2.75 hp 350 cc single. In 1922, the range was redesigned with a new frame and fuel tank and a new Bradbury 8 hp 996 cc V-type twin was launched with an optional side car.
In 1922, R. E. Dicker set four British and World records at Brooklands
on a 6 hp Bradbury sports motorcycle. Sales were slow, however, and the Bradbury factory closed in 1924.
-based cigarette
maker. The silver trophy features a winged figure on a Bradbury motorcycle. James Stewart won the event three times between 1907 and 1909 and was awarded the trophy outright. In 1987 the Muratti Trophy was auctioned by Phillips
for £12,000.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
manufacturer based in Oldham
Oldham
Oldham is a large town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies amid the Pennines on elevated ground between the rivers Irk and Medlock, south-southeast of Rochdale, and northeast of the city of Manchester...
, England and established in 1902.
Originally involved in the manufacture of machine tools, sewing machines and cycles, their first motorcycles were bicycles with clip-on Minerva engines.
The Bradbury factory went on to develop and produce a range of single-cylinder motorcycle, V-twin
V-twin
A V-twin engine is a two-cylinder internal combustion engine where the cylinders are arranged in a V configuration.- Crankshaft configuration :Most V-twin engines have a single crankpin, which is shared by both connecting rods...
s and horizontally opposed twins. The 1912 Bradbury motorcycles were one of the earliest with variable gearing.
Although the factory survived the First World War it closed in 1924.
History
The company was established in 1852 as Bradbury & Co., and was Britain's and Europe's first sewing machine manufacturer. The first Bradbury bicycle appeared as early as 1895, and production continued until at least 1914. The company began manufacturing and marketing motorcycles in 1902 under the name Bradbury Motor Cycles. Their first motorcycle was a bicycle fitted with a 1¾ hp Minerva clip-on engine. In 1903 they began producing motorcycles with 2 hp engines which they called the Peerless Motor Cycle. In 1904 Bradbury launched a new 2.5 hp motorcycle with a new frame design and in 1905 their Peerless motorcycle won a special 1000 miles (1,609.3 km) reliability trial.In 1909, the Bradbury 3.5 hp motorcycle was launched and advertised as "the finest hill climber (power for power) ever made". By 1910 Bradbury Motor Cycles had won over 300 first prizes including 18 gold medals in hill climbing competitions.
In 1910, Bradbury developed the fittings of the 1909 Model and in 1911 launched the Speed model. The 1911 Standard model also had Dunlop
Dunlop Rubber
Dunlop Rubber was a company based in the United Kingdom which manufactured tyres and other rubber products for most of the 20th century. It was acquired by BTR plc in 1985. Since then, ownership of the Dunlop trade-names has been fragmented.-Early history:...
non-skid tyres and the saddle was padded.
In 1911 H. Gibson and J. Eastwood completed the 390 miles (627.6 km) Irish 'End to End' trial in 14 hours 9½ minutes on a Bradbury motorcycle.
In 1912, the range was expanded to include a special Model-de-Luxe with a side car made of wicker
Wicker
Wicker is hard woven fiber formed into a rigid material, usually used for baskets or furniture. Wicker is often made of material of plant origin, but plastic fibers are also used....
.
In 1914, the 3.5 hp single-cylinder engine was upgraded to 4 hp a new three-speed twin cylinder engine was introduced as the Bradbury 6 hp three-speed twin V-Type 750 cc. The V-type engine had the cylinders at a 50º angle and came with up to seven versions of the side cars ranging from a Tradesman's Carrier to the de-Luxe coach built option. The new twin-cylinder 3½ hp Bradbury 500 cc was also launched with the cylinders horizontally opposed and fitted with a kick start.
In 1912, Bradbury riders H. Gibson and G. Wray completed the 886 miles (1,425.9 km) John o' Groats
John o' Groats
John o' Groats is a village in the Highland council area of Scotland. Part of the county of Caithness, John o' Groats is popular with tourists because it is usually regarded as the most northerly settlement of mainland Great Britain, although this is not a claim made by the inhabitants...
to Lands End journey in 38 hours 47 minutes. Reducing the previous record for a motor cycle and side-car by 2 hours.
In 1913, a Bradbury motor cycle won the Transvaal
Transvaal Province
Transvaal Province was a province of the Union of South Africa from 1910 to 1961, and of its successor, the Republic of South Africa, from 1961 until the end of apartheid in 1994 when a new constitution subdivided it.-History:...
Speed Championship. Also in 1913 Bradbury motorcycles participated in the Scottish Six Days Trial
Scottish Six Days Trial
The Scottish Six Days Trial is an internationally recognised Motorcycle trials competition, which has been running since 1909 making it the oldest motorcycle trials event in the world...
. In the 1914 six day trial based in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
the chassis of the Bradbury 6 hp broke and as a consequence Bradbury were excluded from the War Department Trials. However the company did supply Naval Authorities with 4 hp motorcycles with a 3-speed counter shaft gear.
After the First World War Bradbury produced a range of 4 hp 554 cc single-cylinder motorcycles as well as the 6 hp 750 cc twin and a 2.75 hp 350 cc single. In 1922, the range was redesigned with a new frame and fuel tank and a new Bradbury 8 hp 996 cc V-type twin was launched with an optional side car.
In 1922, R. E. Dicker set four British and World records at Brooklands
Brooklands
Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
on a 6 hp Bradbury sports motorcycle. Sales were slow, however, and the Bradbury factory closed in 1924.
The Muratti Trophy
The Muratti Trophy was presented to the Ulster Centre of the Motorycle Union of Ireland by B. Muratti Sons and Co Ltd., a well known ManchesterManchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
-based cigarette
Cigarette
A cigarette is a small roll of finely cut tobacco leaves wrapped in a cylinder of thin paper for smoking. The cigarette is ignited at one end and allowed to smoulder; its smoke is inhaled from the other end, which is held in or to the mouth and in some cases a cigarette holder may be used as well...
maker. The silver trophy features a winged figure on a Bradbury motorcycle. James Stewart won the event three times between 1907 and 1909 and was awarded the trophy outright. In 1987 the Muratti Trophy was auctioned by Phillips
Phillips de Pury & Company
Phillips de Pury & Company is an auction house and art dealership, with offices in London, New York, Geneva, Berlin, Brussels, Los Angeles, Milan, Munich and Paris. Phillips conducts auctions in New York, London and Geneva in the areas of Contemporary Art, Photography, 20-21st Century Design, Art...
for £12,000.