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Motorcycles
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The
BSA C10L was a pre unit single cylinder motorcycle made between 1953
and 1957. The C10 had 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 had good suspension, more
efficient brakes and a more comfortable seat. A single seat was
always fitted as standard. Built in 1956 this C10L had a 12hp 4 stroke
engine, a cruising speed of 55mph with a top speed of 65 mph.
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The
Honda CB92 arrived on the sc ene in 1959 like a stick of dynamite. An
enormous amount of research had gone into the development of this twin
cylinder 125cc motorbike. 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 10,000 rpm, has 4 gears and a top speed of around 75 mph.
The twin leading shoe brakes were so good they were later to be fitted
to racing bikes with four times the engine size of this 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.
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The
Honda Cub was classed as a motocycle 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 24 mph. 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 costs only 49 guineas"
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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 during WW1. Production of the 13H started in 1932. It
had a single cylinder 490cc side valve engine. The H denotes the home
model as distinct from 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 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.
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1947
600cc Scott Flying Squirrel. This is the later Scott in our collection.
They were popular because of their early TT successes and from 1914 -
1918 despatch 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. Is was followed by the Super Squirell and Flying Squirrel with
revised engines of 500cc and 600cc.
Shortly after the end of World War 2 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
disappointing.
The company went inti liquidation in 1950, but an enthusiast, Matt
Holder, bought the parts and continued to build the same model in his
Birmingham workshop into the 1960's.
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The
6000 model was very different from the motorised bicycles that Solex
usually made. Instead of using an engine that fits above the front
wheel it lies under the botton 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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There are also many more motorcycles in the museum. Why not pop in and take a look?
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