Humber Motorcycles
Encyclopedia
Humber Motorcycles was a pioneering British motorcycle
manufacturer. Thomas Humber
established the company in Beeston, Nottinghamshire
in 1868 to make top quality bicycles and was very successful, opening factories in Coventry
and Wolverhampton
. In 1896 Humber produced the first practical motorcycle made in the UK by fitting a bicycle with an E. J. Pennington
two-horsepower motor.
Ultimately it was the success of Humber cars that brought the end of the motorcycles when Humber was taken over by the Rootes Group in 1930.
and an American Edward Pennington
continued the name. Lawson brought with him the rights to his innovative three wheeler and Pennington owned a number of important patents. By 1903 the priority for the Humber factories was car production, with motorcycle and bicycle production as a sideline. Success with one of Pennington's 340 cc two-speed V twin engined Humbers in the first ever Isle of Man Junior TT in 1911 boosted the motorcycle sales.
Early Humber motorcycles were built under licence to Phelon & Moore
with a single-cylinder P&M engine and two-speed chaindrive transmission. Disputes over royalty payments and P&M's desire to make their own motorcycles led to this licence being terminated in 1905, so later models had Humber 496 cc, 596 cc and 746 cc engines.
Humber was taken over in 1930 by the Rootes Group who went on to make several very successful cars under the Humber name.
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. Thomas Humber
Thomas Humber
Thomas Humber was a British cycle manufacturer who founded the Humber bicycle company in 1869 in Beeston, Nottinghamshire. By 1896 the company, under new management, ventured into Humber motor cars and became the first maker of series production cars in England.-Personal life:Thomas Humber was...
established the company in Beeston, Nottinghamshire
Beeston, Nottinghamshire
Beeston is a town in Nottinghamshire, England. It is southwest of Nottingham city centre. Although typically regarded as a suburb of the City of Nottingham, and officially designated as part of the Nottingham Urban Area, for local government purposes it is in the borough of Broxtowe, lying outside...
in 1868 to make top quality bicycles and was very successful, opening factories in Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
and Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...
. In 1896 Humber produced the first practical motorcycle made in the UK by fitting a bicycle with an E. J. Pennington
E. J. Pennington
Edward Joel Pennington was an inventor and promoter of many mechanical devices, including airships, motorcycles, and automobiles...
two-horsepower motor.
Ultimately it was the success of Humber cars that brought the end of the motorcycles when Humber was taken over by the Rootes Group in 1930.
History
Although the founder Thomas Humber left the business in 1892 his successors, Harry LawsonHarry John Lawson
Henry John Lawson, also known as Harry Lawson, was a British bicycle designer, motor industry pioneer, and fraudster. As part of his attempt to create and control a British motor industry Lawson formed and floated The Daimler Motor Company Limited in London in 1896. It later began manufacture in...
and an American Edward Pennington
E. J. Pennington
Edward Joel Pennington was an inventor and promoter of many mechanical devices, including airships, motorcycles, and automobiles...
continued the name. Lawson brought with him the rights to his innovative three wheeler and Pennington owned a number of important patents. By 1903 the priority for the Humber factories was car production, with motorcycle and bicycle production as a sideline. Success with one of Pennington's 340 cc two-speed V twin engined Humbers in the first ever Isle of Man Junior TT in 1911 boosted the motorcycle sales.
Early Humber motorcycles were built under licence to Phelon & Moore
Phelon & Moore
Phelon & Moore manufactured motorcycles in Cleckheaton, Yorkshire, England from 1904 to 1967 particularly those under the Panther marque. They became identified with one particular design of motorcycle which had a large sloping 40-degree single-cylinder engine as a stressed front frame member...
with a single-cylinder P&M engine and two-speed chaindrive transmission. Disputes over royalty payments and P&M's desire to make their own motorcycles led to this licence being terminated in 1905, so later models had Humber 496 cc, 596 cc and 746 cc engines.
Humber was taken over in 1930 by the Rootes Group who went on to make several very successful cars under the Humber name.
Models
| Model | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Humber 4.5 hp | 1921 | 601cc with chain transmission and three-speed gearbox |
| Humber 350cc Side Valve | 1927 | |
| Humber Beeston | 1903 | 2.75HP |
| Humber 340cc | 1911 | 2 speed V twin Humber (won the 1911 Junior TT) |
| Humber 3½ HP | 1912 | |
| Humber 350 OHV | 1929 | |
| Humber 600cc | 1921 | Flat twin |
| Humber 350cc OHC | 1930 | (Last Humber made) |