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The BSA C10L was a pre unit single cylinder motorcycle made between 1953 and 1957. The C10 has been launched in 1939 before the second world war and in 1940 over 500 of them were ordered in military specification for use in India. Both types of C10 had the same 249cc overhead valve engine in a modern frame but the 10L has good suspension, more efficient brakes and a more comfortable seat. A single seat was always fitted as standard. Built in 1956 this C10L has a 12hp 4 stroke engine, a cruising speed of 55mph with a top speed of 65mph.
BSA

CB92
The Honda CB92 arrived on the scene in 1959 like a stick of dynamite. An enormous amount of research had gone into the development of this twin cylinder 125cc motorcycle. If anyone wonders how Honda rose to dominate the motorcycle world so rapidly, over half a century ago, the CB92 provides the perfect illustration. It has an electric start, cast iron barrell and a one piece cylinder head. It delivers around 15hp at a dizzy 10,000rpm, has 4 gears and a top speed of around 75mph.

The twin leading shoe brakes were so good they were later fitted to racing bikes with four times the engine size of this model Honda. It came in Bright Red or Dark Blue.

The motorcycle press hailed it as a brilliant little motorcycle: Handsome, fast (for its capacity), beautifully engineered and well equipped. When it was launched the supersport wasn't merely the fastest 125cc bike around it could also embarrass many much larger machines on both road and track.

The Honda Cub was classed as a motorcycle so it was only in 1966 when the first Japanese moped was introduced to Britain - the Honda P50. The four stroke engine ran inside the rear wheel and gave it 1.2hp and a top speed of 24mph. 25,000 were imported into Britian between 1966 and 1968 and were available in Sky Blue, Scarlet or Charcoal Grey.




"A little Honda lets you enjoy life more"




"It's NEW, it's Honda and only costs 49 guineas"
Honda P50A Cub

Norton
In 1902 the company, founded by James Norton, began manufacturing Nortons in Birmingham. It sold to both the British Ministry of Munitions and the Russian Army in World War 1. Production of the 13H started in  1932. It had a single cylinder 490cc side valve engine. The H denotes the home model as distinct to the colonial export model. Norton was one of the main suppliers to the Army before and during WW2 with a total of nearly 100,000 produced. They also supplied to the commonwealth forces of the Australian, New Zealand, Indian and Canadian Armies. Military motorcycles left the factory in Army Service Green, Khaki Green, Olive Green or Khaki Brown depending on the colour in production at the time. After the end of the hostilities in 1945 there were many thousands of Norton model 16H motorcycles all over the world. Some continued in use by British and Commonwealth armed forces until the late 1950's. Many were sold off to other armed forces including Dutch, Greek and more. The remainder were sold to dealers and converted for civilian use. One London dealer had 200 for sale at £94 10s each.

1947 600c Scott Flying Squirrel. This is the later Scott in our collection. They were popular because of their early TT successes and from 1914 - 1918 dispatch riders volunteering for war service were allowed to use their own motorcycles.  After the first World War production restarted and in the 1920's Scott introduced the Squirrel, which had a slightly smaller 486cc engine, but with aluminium pistons produced even more power. It was followed by the Super Squirrel and Flying Squirrel with revised engines of 500cc and 600cc.

Shortly after the end of WW2 the flying Squirrel was relaunched with 500cc or 600cc engines. They were even heavier than the pre-war versions and expensive for the performance they offered, sales were dissapointing.

The company went into liquidation in 1950, but an enthusiast, Matt Holder, bought the parts and continued to build the same model in his workshop into the 1960's.
Scott 

Solex
The 6000 model was very different to motorised bicycles that Solex usually made. Instead of using an engine that fits above the front wheel it lies under the bottom bracket. It is turbine cooled and had a drive shaft transmission, so it doesn't need a chain.

It has a 49cc cylinder and comes with a rear disc brake. Running up to 30 miles on a litre of fuel at a speed of up to 25mph.

Our 1972 model has telescopic forks. Mopeds under 50cc can still be ridden by 14 year olds in France!


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