Most of you will know that the Brough Superior marque has been resurrected and yesterday, at the Excel bike show, was my first glimpse of the bikes in the metal. Pure, unadulterated motorcycle porn :love10 :love10 :love10
The frame is welded and polished titanium and the attention to detail is without equal. I thought when I first heard about the name coming back that it would be like Norton: nice, well made and expensive, but they've taken it to a completely different level.
One feature I particularly liked was the pair of twin discs at the front. A pair of single discs would be too big and out of proportion so, to get the necessary stopping power, they've designed smaller, twin discs. At first I thought they were just vented but no, there's a pad between them in the caliper. I couldn't get close enough to see how it actually works but it is a triumph of design.
Anyway, to wet your appetite a little here's a little video; oh and how much??? " That'll be only sixty thousand of your English pounds please sir......" And worth every penny I think :icon_mrgreen:
http://youtu.be/Tf5-Qc3Thh8
Wouldn't let you close enough to get drool on it then :love10
Think they're made in France?
Looks nice from the video except the large rad looks out of place like an afterthought.
The guy who owns the firm is Swiss I think, Henry Cole rode one at Bonnevilel salt flats for a land speed record a few years ago, Cole is the guy who does Worlds Great Motorcycle rides on the Travel Channel.
Was the show any good?,I got a phone call a week asking me if I wanted to work putting bikes in on Thursday but it's it's such a ball ache of a place to get too and that's when I'm making money never mind paying to get in.
It's picking up Chris; I hadn't been for a few years because you could get round the whole thing in about an hour last time I went. But I started going again last year; it was good then and better this year, most makers there and a good range of accessory people. It's not far off NEC in quality but not in terms of size with everything in one massive hall.
From your gaff, I'd go A14 / M11 then just before the docks you hang a right, it's a few more miles but worth doing to avoid the worst of the M25. From here I go A11 M11. The M11 goes beyond the M25 another 14 miles or so then when you turn off it's about another 2 miles.
Hmmm, I'd be the first to admit that aesthetics are in the eye of the beholder...... but why a 90 degree twin instead of a narrower angle, I wonder? To me it makes it look a little ungainly. Whew, my 60,000 in the piggy bank is secure, then :icon_wink:
It keeps the C of G lower. Wonder what the original was :icon_scratch:
Quote from: Bixxer Bob on February 16, 2016, 10:34:03 AM
It keeps the C of G lower. Wonder what the original was :icon_scratch:
To quote Wiki:The SS100 (Super Sports), powered by J.A.P. (J. A. Prestwich of Tottenham) or Matchless 1000 cc overhead valve V-twin engines. Approximately 383 were manufactured from 1924 to 1940.
The SS80 (Super Sports), powered by J.A.P. or Matchless 1,000 cc side valve V-twin engines. Approximately 1,086 were manufactured from 1922 to 1940.
The SS680 O.H.V. (Super Sports), powered by J.A.P. 680 cc overhead valve V-twin. Approximately 547 were manufactured from 1926 to 1936.
The 11.50, powered by J.A.P 1096 cc side
valve 60° V-twin engines. These were primarily designed for sidecar and police use. Approximately 308 were manufactured from 1933 to 1940. The model name refers to the horsepower rating of the engine, 11 RAC (Royal Automobile Club), 50 bhp (37 kW). In reality these engines produced under 30bhp (under 22kW).
Interesting comment about the C of G; I wonder if a 90 degree configuration makes any difference compared to a 60 or 45 degree...??
Quote from: nickjtc on February 16, 2016, 06:51:09 PM
Interesting comment about the C of G; I wonder if a 90 degree configuration makes any difference compared to a 60 or 45 degree...??
I was told that the reason Hardleys were not faster is because that angle was not optimum, therefore the crank loses some momentum before the next bang comes, and HD wouldn't change it because it would spoil the appearance and styling... and more importantly the sound (I believe they patented that too, calling it 'potato, potato').
90° is more efficient for this reason. - Not my words so it could be :Topes
Quote from: JayDub on February 16, 2016, 10:31:54 PM
90° is more efficient for this reason. - Not my words so it could be :Topes
Hmmmm. I read somewhere that the main advantage of a 90 degree twin was the better balance, and therefore smoother ride....
Quote from: nickjtc on February 16, 2016, 10:41:21 PM
Hmmmm. I read somewhere that the main advantage of a 90 degree twin was the better balance, and therefore smoother ride....
It is reckoned that a 90degree "L" twin (because it's not actually a "V") has perfect primary balance. But anyone who's ridden a recent Moto Guzzi will think otherwise.
And with one cylinder laying almost flat it will have a lower CofG than an upright sort of "V".
Yes, they're made by "Boxster" near Toulouse, en France.
As for the Brough, I don't really like the styling so my £45 to £60K will be staying right where it isn't.
This is a proper Brough,seen at last weekends Dragon Rally in Wales.
Quote from: trophydave on February 17, 2016, 08:54:56 PM
This is a proper Brough,seen at last weekends Dragon Rally in Wales.
Nice to see one that looks like it not living a pampered life!
Indeed, and neither is it a rusty wreck (or "original and unrestored" as some would have it). Neglected heaps would be a better description for most of those.
Quote from: iansoady on February 21, 2016, 01:34:49 PM
Neglected heaps would be a better description for most of those.
Don't those in the know call it the "patina of age"? :icon_lol:
I agree with you; neglected heap is a better description of some of the old tat we see on the road.