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British motorcycle history

  • Motorcycle Legends 2: BSA – Pre-Order Now and Get FREE Delivery

    Motorcycle Legends 2: BSA – Pre-Order Now and Get FREE Delivery

    by

    Mark Lancaster

    –

    The next chapter in the exciting new Motorcycle Legends series is almost here, celebrating one of the most iconic marques in British motorcycling history: BSA. Following the incredible success of Motorcycle Legends 1: Triumph – which has already sold out – Motorcycle Legends 2: BSA is set to be another must-have collector’s edition for motorcycle…

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  • Len Vale-Onslow: the maverick who gave motorcycles the welded frame

    Len Vale-Onslow: the maverick who gave motorcycles the welded frame

    by

    Mark Lancaster

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    From childhood crashes to the first welded production motorcycle frame, Len Vale-Onslow’s story is one of invention, risk-taking and what might have been. The name of Len Vale-Onslow needs little introduction. Born Leslie Vale-Onslow in 1900, he was introduced to motorcycles in 1908 when he rode a machine built by his brothers. A police constable…

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  • How Saracen rose and fell in Britain’s mini trials motorcycle boom

    How Saracen rose and fell in Britain’s mini trials motorcycle boom

    by

    Mark Lancaster

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    Along with friend and scrambler Frank Underwood, trials enthusiast and school teacher Ron Goodfellow designed, built, rode and sold the Saracen mini trials motorcycles in kit form, inspired by a desire to create an affordable alternative to the then-expensive Bultaco models. Working in a small Cirencester workshop, Mr Goodfellow brazed up a chassis using preformed…

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  • Swan Motor Manufacturing

    Swan Motor Manufacturing

    by

    Mark Lancaster

    –

    The Swan Motor Manufacturing began life in Frodsham High Street in Cheshire in around 1910 and exhibited its first motorcycle at the Olympia Show in 1911. This was an open-frame machine with, unusually for the time, front and rear suspension. The founder of the company was FH Thornton who lived in a large house opposite…

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