The "V" twin has always been
at the heart of a Brough, indeed the first " all Brough motorcycle"
made in 1902 ,by William E. Brough, (Father of George)had just that layout.|
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Engines
and Photographs
Even many Enthusiasts do not realise just how many and varied were the engine configurations tried out by the Brough family for their various products. This is a list of some that I know of, no doubt more will be added later!
The "V" twin has always been
at the heart of a Brough, indeed the first " all Brough motorcycle"
made in 1902 ,by William E. Brough, (Father of George)had just that layout.
Matchless engines were fitted to both the SS80 and SS100 ,but were never as popular as J.A.P.... Both being "V" Twins.
Having owned a 1934 Morgan with the Matchless fitted ,I know that it is what I would call a "Soft Option". That said, I think that the SS100 fitted with the 1000cc A.M.C. Engine of 1934,will be my all time "Most beautiful Bike".
If you wish to really find out about Brough engines, you will have to get a copy of "The Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles" but here are some of the ones that I know of. Each of these Manufacturers Supplied a variety of engines ...S/Valve.. O.H.V...Sleeve-valve....and various angles of "Vee", Between Zero and 90 Deg.
1...J.A.P. (J.A.Prestwich Ltd.)..........................2... A.M.C. (Associated Motor Cycles Ltd)
3...M.A.G. (Motosacoche `A Gen`eve)............4... Barr and Stroud.....(Sleeve valve engine)
5...Austin ....for the Seven..Side-car only!
There was also theModel G ,Made from 1921-1925, Horizontally opposed Twin of either 496cc or 692cc!!
Then there were the Brough designs .... The Transverse Vee Twin. Transverse Vee Four..Straight Four...Flat Four. Works of Art as Engines,in design and build. Unfortunately very few of any of them were built.
Smallest engine used 500cc ..Largest engine 1096cc , Although in 1928 H.Karlslake did fit an engine of 1479cc !! Vee twin of course.
And to think that the Big Vee Twin has now been re-discovered in the world of real Bikes for the Millenium!!
How is this for an outfit ? Brough-Superior 1937. This is an 11/50 with sidecar, now owned by a B/S club member and I'm told it is awaiting restoration.
SS100 ... 1936 .. "our" Brough as used
in the 1960's. Note the "Shadow" speedometer, not for the purists,but
BOY ...it did look good! Dad Sold this actual bike when it was
new, and bought it back from the original owner in about 1961 !
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By the way,the
1925 catalogue states"Every SS100 will
be despatched with a written guarantee,signed by the Maker, that the Machine has actually been
timed over 100 m.p.h.for a quarter of a mile. A Private Road has been very
kindly offered to the Manufacturer for the purpose of this guarantee."
So much for "Modern" Production!
SCOTT
The other bike in my fathers life !! 1930 'Sprint Special' The WX 4053
Reg. no is Yorkshire...where else for a Scott ?
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The Sprint Special....Squirrel....and of course ..FS59 the 1923 Brough SS 80, Taken in our garden 1960's. Only the log book and engine of this bike seem to have survived. Why I cannot understand, as I remember it in very good condition.
At this time no one wanted Bikes like this!! ...except those who knew better .....
I shall never forget the noise the Sprint Special made at speed...,Yeeeeeoooowwwwllll !!
Which was of course, the name of the SCOTT Club Magazine!
Dad on Brough-Superior VD 494
(O.H.V. 680), and Tommy Hughson on a Scott. About 1932.
No record of VD 494 exists and it is thought not to have survived.
. 
I only know of
3 books covering Brough-Superior, all are hard to find but probably the best
one called,
'The Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles' by R.H.Clark
is available from the Brough-Superior Club at
the moment, priced at £13-00 + Post & Packing. See LINKS
page to find it.
Next is 'Brough-Superior from 1923', road test
features' by C.E.Allen... published in 1990.
And then, 'Brough-Superior SS 100' by Colin Simms
Main Page......Transverse Twin......Rossleigh......Albert Wallis
bravenet.com