During the last two decades of the nineteenth century the bicycling craze swept through Europe, proving people with cheap, easy-to-maintain forms of transportation. It didn’t take long before enterprising people were attaching motors to bicycles giving birth to the motorcycle. In England, a number of motorcycle manufacturing companies sprang up in areas such as Coventry.
By 1914, motorcycles were no longer bicycles with motors. The British motorcycle industry was aided by World War with the demand to develop better and stronger machines. In the decades between World War I and World War II, there were about 300 companies building motorcycles in Britain.
BSA
BSA (Birmingham Small Arms Company) began when a group of 14 gunsmiths grouped to sell arms for the Crimean War in 1854. Bicycles were later added to the factory output in the 1880s and their first motorcycle was produced in 1910. The first BSA motorcycle was a 499cc side-valve machine.
By the 1930s, one in four motorcycles on the road in the United Kingdom was a BSA. By 1973, however, production of the BSA motorcycles ended.
Norton
Norton was founded by James Landsdown Norton to manufacture bicycle components in 1898. The first Norton motorcycle was produced in 1901 (some sources indicate 1902) using a Norton frame and a French Clement engine. Norton quickly gained fame for its successes on the race track.
The most popular Norton was the 750cc Commando which was first produced in 1968. In 1974, the Commando was upgraded to 850cc and provided with electric start. The last production Norton was a 50cc moped in 1977.
Matchless
Matchless manufactured motorcycles near London from 1899 until 1966. Following World War I, Matchless concentrated on making V-twins for sidecar use.
During World War II, Matchless made motorcycles for the allied war effort. Following the war, they resumed civilian production and by 1956 had eight models in their lineup.
Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield started as a munitions and arms manufacturer in Birmingham in 1880. They started making Enfield bicycles in 1892 and motorcycles in 1899. In 1904, they began to concentrate as cars as the Enfield Autocar Company. Enfield returned to manufacturing motorcycles in 1910.
During World War I, Enfield made both bicycles and sidecar outfits for the Allies. Following the war, they introduced a number of new motorcycles, included a motorcycle for women which featured a lowered frame. Royal Enfield closed in 1967.
AJS
AJS (A. J. Stevens & Co. Litd.) manufactured motorcycles in England from 1909 until 1921. The name continued to be used by Matchless, Associated Motorcycles, and Norton-Villiers until 1969.
Triumph
British bicycle maker Triumph introduced its first motorcycle in 1902. Ian Chadwick writes:
“Perhaps the greatest of all British marques and the only one that remains today.”
Velocette
Veloce LTD, manufactured hand-built motorcycles from 1904 to 1971. This family firm was founded by German-born Johannes Gutgeman (later changed to Goodman). The company concentrated on building racers until World War II.
Douglas
Douglas was based in Kingswood, England and produced motorcycles from 1907 to 1957. Ian Chadwick writes:
“Performance for Douglas machines was good, and their reputation was great, but quality and workmanship were not.”
Sunbeam
Sunbeam produced motorcycles from 1912 to 1956. The Sunbeam company started making cars in 1902. Their motorcycles were known as the “Gentleman’s Motor Bicycle.” Sunbeam was purchased by Matchless in 1936.