I think outside the USA which is very different from the rest of the world, FN and Nimbus are quite well known, whereas for most people the US is entirely associated with big lumbering V-twins. Stories about the awful worm drive on the S7/S8 – one assumes that Poppe either was not a mechanical engineer or slept through the lectures on gears, because when it comes to worms, slow speed high shock resistance or high speed poor shock resistance, pick one. Neither is suitable for a motorcycle. There are some stories I have never been able to get to the bottom of that they could not use a bevel or hypoid gear as God intended because of BMW patents, but this seems unbelievable due to war reparations; BSA could have copied the entire BMW design. I hazard a guess that in reality there was a lot of cheap worm gear manufacturing capability due to lack of demand for things like gun traverses, whereas hypoid bevels were mostly big and heavy and difficult to scale to motorcycle size.
The Austin 7 engine was the basis of the engine of the engine used in the Reliant 3 wheel cars if memory serves. There are lots and lots and lots of parts still out there. So the Brough Superior might be unique, but its engine isn't, which is interesting in itself!
I love your videos and often ponder on your partings words entreating ideas for future films. Now I've racked my brains co's you've covered most things but the only one I've managed to think of is "bikes you rebuilt in the metalwork class". I'm sure I'm not alone in having gone to a secondary modern in the 60/70's where they had a motorbike club and there were a bunch of old British bikes that were passed on from each sucessive year for no more than £1.These were projects that you worked on in the metalwork class ex curricula but encouraged by the teachers. Such bikes as we had Bantam, B33, Franny Barnet 195, AJS 500.
Very nicely narrated video well done on the back story to these otherwise unknown or forgotten machines. Although interesting none were a success, although I suspect the Sunbeams got the closest. If only the final drive had been sorted out. Of course for a small company with a limited budget, a redesign and re-tooling programme was out of the question. BSA ownership did not provide the help the S7/S8 needed. After all, as great a success as BSA was, they could not quite finish the models that were supposed to save the company from the rising tide of the UJM. The British Government did nothing to support British industry like the German and Japanese Governments did.
Another banger brother! There's something about longitudinal 4 cyl bikes. They just seem upscale or special.
Interesting video, but I still like the longer version of your theme music.
That Brough is bonkers bro ….. in the right way! 😁😉
You have introduced me to some bikes i never knew existed.
No Triumph Rocket 3?
Some very nice bikes!
I think outside the USA which is very different from the rest of the world, FN and Nimbus are quite well known, whereas for most people the US is entirely associated with big lumbering V-twins.
Stories about the awful worm drive on the S7/S8 – one assumes that Poppe either was not a mechanical engineer or slept through the lectures on gears, because when it comes to worms, slow speed high shock resistance or high speed poor shock resistance, pick one. Neither is suitable for a motorcycle. There are some stories I have never been able to get to the bottom of that they could not use a bevel or hypoid gear as God intended because of BMW patents, but this seems unbelievable due to war reparations; BSA could have copied the entire BMW design. I hazard a guess that in reality there was a lot of cheap worm gear manufacturing capability due to lack of demand for things like gun traverses, whereas hypoid bevels were mostly big and heavy and difficult to scale to motorcycle size.
Didn't Velocette make an inline twin?
TMC had a interesting rearsuspension😁
Sx Sunbeams are a bike I have loved the look of since I first some them.
I had forgot about the TMC's.
The Austin 7 engine was the basis of the engine of the engine used in the Reliant 3 wheel cars if memory serves. There are lots and lots and lots of parts still out there. So the Brough Superior might be unique, but its engine isn't, which is interesting in itself!
Can't help thinking someone at Wilkinson said, "This is a nice comfy chair. Build me a motorcycle round it." 😀
As always, new surprises in old iron. Some those bikes had beautiful chrome and brass parts. Thanks for sharing guys. Ride safe and take care. Cheers
I love your videos and often ponder on your partings words entreating ideas for future films. Now I've racked my brains co's you've covered most things but the only one I've managed to think of is "bikes you rebuilt in the metalwork class". I'm sure I'm not alone in having gone to a secondary modern in the 60/70's where they had a motorbike club and there were a bunch of old British bikes that were passed on from each sucessive year for no more than £1.These were projects that you worked on in the metalwork class ex curricula but encouraged by the teachers. Such bikes as we had Bantam, B33, Franny Barnet 195, AJS 500.
Very nicely narrated video well done on the back story to these otherwise unknown or forgotten machines. Although interesting none were a success, although I suspect the Sunbeams got the closest. If only the final drive had been sorted out. Of course for a small company with a limited budget, a redesign and re-tooling programme was out of the question. BSA ownership did not provide the help the S7/S8 needed. After all, as great a success as BSA was, they could not quite finish the models that were supposed to save the company from the rising tide of the UJM. The British Government did nothing to support British industry like the German and Japanese Governments did.
this is one video that the Sunbeam S7 and S8 could never be excluded from,they also would have been a good choice for your last video
1960,s trials bikes could be interesting or even 1950,s👍