John Dale is now in his 90's, but would love to know if his beloved Brough Superior outfit still exists.
He told me the following ....
"As I said in my first I am getting on in years but remember my Brough so well. I am not sure of the date I owned it but it was in the late forties, when I had finished my service in the R.A.F.after the war"
The Registration number shows it was first registered in Nottingham around May 1937, so it is a Local machine, see details below ....
Can anybody throw some light on what has happened to this very nice Brough outfit?
e mail to me and I will pass any information on to John
"I of course have no documentation of this. but always understood that George himself and E Fernihough rode this bike, also a man named Pope. At one time during my ownership I had difficulty starting the bike, which was a no no with a Brough, I contacted the firm which was only stones throw from my home in Nottingham,the result being that George and one of his mechanics came to my home and tuned the bike no trouble afterwards..
.I converted the Luggage boot of the sidecar into safe seat for my very young son, and travelled that way until he became to big for it.
Then the bitter blow, - I had to part with the Brough for a more suitable vehicle.
During my biking days I owned Norton 16h, Norton 500 ohv, Sunbeam. Rudge,BSA Empire star,and several others finishing at my age of 78 with Honda 550 four. I also owned one of the first Ariel four cylinder machines"
We have the following from Bob Withers of the Brough Superior Club
"Bob Withers 27.5.2006 17:35
Just had a fascinating chat with our machine registrar.
This bike was despatched to Hooleys of Nottingham on 1/4/1937, frame M8/1794, engine BS/X 4480. No registration number appears on the record card, but it is the only Castle fork SS80 supplied to a Nottingham dealer at this time.
Now, here's what makes this so interesting - written in pencil on the original record card, just after Hooleys is " (Dale)"!! Clearly, this was added at a later date, presumably after Mr. Dale contacted the works regarding his starting problem, as described on Carrick Watsons website.
Sadly, the bike does not appear to have survived. What a shame that we cannot reunite Mr. Dale with his old bike. However, we do note that no numbered items from this bike (engine, tank, gearbox, etc) have been found; this suggests that the bike was scrapped ... or it may be still in someone's shed!
Interesting story with a fascinating twist!
Many thanks for posting the question. We would welcome any others!!"
So John Dale is written into the Works History of Brough Superior after all !!
.
bravenet.com