Henry Herbert Collier
Encyclopedia
Henry Herbert Collier was one of the first British
motorcycle designers, inventor and founder of the Matchless Motorcycle Company
In 1926 H H Collier died but the company he started went on to become one of the most successful British motorcycle manufacturers.
and Puteaux engines, the Colliers added one of the first pillion seats in 1903 and chain drive in 1905.
The Colliers also decided to enter their machines in the new Isle of Man TT
and the first TT race in 1907 was won by Collier's son Charles on a 432cc Matchless Charlie with an average speed of 38.21 mph and a time of 4 hours 8 minutes 8 seconds. Harry did not finish in 1907, but won in 1909, and Charlie won again in 1910, bringing Matchless motorcycles to the attention of the public.. Collier's other son Harry won the Isle of Man TT in 1909. Both brothers were also successful at Brooklands
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They produced a JAP
V-twin powered bike in 1905 which boasted one of the earliest swing-arm rear suspensions, coupled with leading-link front forks. Matchless made mostly singles, but they also made V-twins from 496 cc to 998 cc. They made their own engines from 1912 on.
Matchless was not given a contract to make motorcycles for the army during the First World War. Peacetime production resumed in 1919, concentrating at first on V-twins for sidecar
use, leaving singles until 1923.
When Henry Collier died in 1926 the company he started went on to become one of the most successful British motorcycle marques.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
motorcycle designers, inventor and founder of the Matchless Motorcycle Company
Matchless
Matchless is one of the oldest marques of British motorcycles, manufactured in Plumstead, London, between 1899 and 1966. A wide range of models was produced under the Matchless name, ranging from small two-strokes to 750 cc four-stroke twins...
In 1926 H H Collier died but the company he started went on to become one of the most successful British motorcycle manufacturers.
Business
Henry Collier founded a company to make bicycles under the Matchless name in Herbert Road, Plumstead in 1878. When his two eldest sons Henry (known as Harry) and Charlie joined him in the business it became 'H Collier & Sons'. Their competitors were experimenting with adding engines to their bicycles, so the Colliers tried a small motor over the front wheel, then moved it to under the front down tube, then finally into the traditional diamond-shaped frame. Using De DionDe Dion
De Dion may refer to:* Jules-Albert de Dion , automobile pioneer* de Dion-Bouton, automobile manufacturer* de Dion tube, automobile suspension...
and Puteaux engines, the Colliers added one of the first pillion seats in 1903 and chain drive in 1905.
The Colliers also decided to enter their machines in the new Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man TT
The International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
and the first TT race in 1907 was won by Collier's son Charles on a 432cc Matchless Charlie with an average speed of 38.21 mph and a time of 4 hours 8 minutes 8 seconds. Harry did not finish in 1907, but won in 1909, and Charlie won again in 1910, bringing Matchless motorcycles to the attention of the public.. Collier's other son Harry won the Isle of Man TT in 1909. Both brothers were also successful 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...
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JA Prestwich Industries Ltd
JA Prestwich Industries, was an English engineering company named after founder John Alfred Prestwich, which produced cinematographic equipment, internal combustion engines , and other examples of precision engineering.-History:J. A...
V-twin powered bike in 1905 which boasted one of the earliest swing-arm rear suspensions, coupled with leading-link front forks. Matchless made mostly singles, but they also made V-twins from 496 cc to 998 cc. They made their own engines from 1912 on.
Matchless was not given a contract to make motorcycles for the army during the First World War. Peacetime production resumed in 1919, concentrating at first on V-twins for sidecar
Sidecar
A sidecar is a one-wheeled device attached to the side of a motorcycle, scooter, or bicycle, producing a three-wheeled vehicle.-History:A sidecar appeared in a cartoon by George Moore in the January 7, 1903, issue of the British newspaper Motor Cycling. Three weeks later, a provisional patent was...
use, leaving singles until 1923.
When Henry Collier died in 1926 the company he started went on to become one of the most successful British motorcycle marques.