Gems from a golden era: On our travels we occasionally come across interesting and unusual machines from times past.
On one memorable day in Lancashire recently we found 20-odd such machines all within a five mile radius. Four of them covering a period of just 22 years, show the evolution of the motorcycle from what seems like a pedal-cycle with an engine to a "proper" motorcycle.
The oldest is the 1923 Sirah 211cc, believed to be the only complete, running example of just three survivors. This two-speed, two-stroke model, used belt drive - note the large rear belt pulley - cycle-type stirrup brakes, "flat" tank, girder forks and acetylene lighting.
The nickel-plated acetylene gas generator, which used a mixture of water and carbide to produce gas for the lights, not shown in the photograph, is still unused and in its original box.
The 1928 AJS K1, 799 cc vee-twin combination is typical of the sort of machine which was an everyday sight in Britain, performing the function of today's small trader's van, right up to the introduction of the Austin / Morris / BMC "Minivan" which, originally priced at £360 (about €540), effectively killed off sidecar outfits.
The K1, another "flat" tanker was the first AJS to use electric lighting. Many of these box bodied sidecar outfits doubled up as the family car: the box sidecar body, connected to the sidecar chassis by four bolts, could easily be removed and replaced by a passenger carrying body in a matter of minutes. This particular, lovingly restored example has been in the same family since its first registration and shares a home with a dozen meticulously restored Nortons.
The 1937 BMW 350cc R 35 was discovered, unused, in Latvia shortly after the collapse of the Soviet empire: it was painstakingly restored to its present pristine condition and then ridden to the Isle of Man where it was first registered. The R 35 was in production prior to the second World War, and remained in production until mid-1940s. The single cylinder engine developed 14 bhp at 4,500 rpm which gives a top speed of 100 kph.
Earlier models were built in Munich but, with the necessity to concentrate on wartime aircraft production, BMW's motorcycle production was moved to the Eisenacher Fahrzeugfabrik in what was to become the Soviet Zone. Prior to the Russian occupation some 15,000 R 35s were ordered by the German military. Mostly used in solo form, a few sidecar outfits were also produced.
Following the Soviet occupation the Eisenacher factory was stripped and moved to Russia. In 1950 the confiscated tools and equipment were sold on to China. The R 35 is interesting in that this is the last example of BMW's pressed-steel "star" frame. Note, in contrast to the two previous machines, the "round" tank has replaced the "flat" tank and girder forks have been replaced by telescopic forks.
The gear change, however, was still hand-change. An unusual feature of this machine is the rectangular cover plate on the left-hand side of the crankcase. This served as a tool box. The present owner says it is ideal as a "cooker". For vintage club runs he puts foil-wrapped chicken drumsticks in this compartment and by lunchtime says they are cooked to perfection!
The Ariel VB 600, a 600cc side-valve, single cylinder machine is yet another example of a machine which was in production both prior to and after the second World War.
By now "hand" gear change had been replaced by a right-hand, foot change mechanism. Such large capacity single cylinder machines were mostly used as sidecar 'tugs', the excellent low-speed torque making them ideal for the purpose and the side-valve layout made for easy maintenance.
The full history of this particular machine is not known. Having been able to ride it we can say that at some stage in its career it must have been used with a sidecar, the front forks have, at some time, been fitted with the optional, heavy-duty, 'sidecar' springs.
Machines like this and others such as BSA's M20 and M21 were an everyday sight in Britain right through to the early 1960's when, yet again, the affordability and all-weather comfort offered by the 'Mini' sounded their death knell.