Motor Cycles 1950s 1960s
Triumph Speed Twin
The Triumph Speed Twin motorbike was probably the best known motor cycle of the immediate post-war period. Strikingly good looking and built to a high standard, it was chosen as the mount for the London Police. A vertical-twin layout, it featured an all-iron block and head. Light and simple, the engine was virtually a single with two pistons travelling in unison to give even firing intervals and impelled by a 360 degree crankshaft. Power output was approximately 25bhp at 5500rpm, which was enough to power the bike at up to 85mph.
Sunbeam Model S7
A majestic looking motorcycle, the Sunbeam S7 was produced between 1949 and 1956. Bristling with advanced features, the S7 acquired a reputation as a gentleman's machine. Its design featured shaft drive to a comparatively small rear wheel, which madefor smooth running but limited the amount of power that could be transmitted. The S8 version appeared in March 1949 with its main difference being the lighter more orthodox mudguards, wheels and brakes, a cast alloy silencer and a higher compression ratio of 7.2 to 1.
Matchless G3LS
The Matchless G3LS was produced between 1949 and 1961 and was one of the models born out of the classic G3/L. The S stood for "spring frame" and this springing was provided by distinctive units known as "candlesticks" which later in 1951 adopted a tubbier dimension and became universally known as "jampots". At the front were Teledraulic telescopic front forks, which were to remain as an integral part of the heavyweight singles excellent handling. The AJS equivalent from the period was the Model 16MS roadster.
Douglas Mk3 Deluxe
The Douglas Mk 3 Deluxe motor bike was a very comfortable touring machine that offered outstanding road-holding and steering. Its advanced features included a horizontally-opposed ohv engine set transversely across the frame, a a four-speed gearbox in unit with the engine and pivoting-fork rear suspension controlled by torsion bars housed in the longitudinal cradle tubes of the frame. Whilst not offering a high maximum speed, it could maintain a steady 60mph almost indefinitely with a degree of quietness and comfort bettered by no other 350cc of the day.
Velocette MAC
After the war Velocette continued with their tradition of black and gold singles of high performance with ohv or ohc engines. The 349cc overhead valve MAC was perhaps the most impressive 350 of the early 1950s, it was fast (for its cubic capacity), smooth and refined. Redesigned in 1951, it lost its 1930s look with a fresh one-piece light-alloy cylinder head, rocker box barrel and enlarged timing chest. In 1953 the solid frame was replaced by one with a full pivoted fork with adjustment for ride stiffness possible by moving the tops of the springs fore and aft in arculate slots arranged in rear-frame extensions.
Excelsior Talisman STT1
Excelsior were the first in the field with a 250cc two-stroke tin, the TT1 in 1950. No other British firm had built a two-stroke vertical twin previously with the exception of Scott and the short lived 350cc AER of the late 1930s. Of 50x62mm bore and stroke, the twin had a crankshaft running on five main bearings and featured three-piece crankcase construction.
Royal Enfield Bullet
Based on the Model G, the Bullet was first seen in 1948 and although considerably noisier mechanically than G, its virtues lie in its improved handling and greater comfort. Available in trail, scramble and roadster specifications, engine dimensions remained the same (70x90mm) but now a larger-finned cylinder head in light alloy was used with a compression ratio of 6.5 to 1. Producing 18bhp at 5750rpm, it gave the Bullet a less than staggering but pleasant performance with a top speed of 73mph.
Panther Model 100
The 598cc Model 100 Panther entered the company's range in 1932 and with minimal seasonal modifications, remained in production as late as 1963. The 1952 version was still a twin-port single but with totally enclosed valve gear and featuring the new P
Orignal From: Motor Cycles 1950s 1960s Norton AJS BSA Matchless Ariel
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