Montgomery Motorcycles

Montgomery Motorcycles
Industry Manufacturing and engineering
Fate Wound up at outbreak of the Second World War
Founded 1913
Defunct 1939
Headquarters Coventry, UK
Key people
 William Montgomery
Products Motorcycles and sidecars

Montgomery Motorcycles was a pioneering British motorcycle manufacturer. Originally based in Bury St Edmunds the founder William Montgomery was an innovator and is credited with the invention of the sidecar.[1] Following the first war manufacturing moved to Coventry.[1] Like Brough, Montgomery made use of the best proprietary components from other specialist companies and concentrated on the production of frames and forks in-house - and Montgomery supplied a number of frames and its own sprung fork to George Brough.[2] In an advert from the time Montgomery claimed "These Montgomery machines are for the men who prefer a distinctive mount in appearance and performance. That extra degree of soundness – those little touches which distinguish the 'super' machine from the mere motorcycle, come naturally to the Montgomery and at a price that is amazingly low."[3]

History

The first bike from Montgomery Motorcycles was a flat twin produced in 1913 with a Morton and Weaver engine. The First World War halted production, which did not resume until 1922 in Coventry[4] Montgomery continued to experiment with sidecar design and actually competed himself in the 1923 Isle of Man TT sidecar race.[5] The entire Montgomery works was destroyed by fire in 1925[1] but were able to eventually recover and by 1930 were a leading producer of quality two-stroke and four-stroke motorcycles. The top of the range was the Greyhound, finished in a special grey enamel paint. The Second World War brought an end to all production and Montgomery ceased trading in 1939.[4]

Models

Model Year Notes
Montgomery Anzani 1924 996 cc 8-valve, 57 degree, V-twin
Montgomery Greyhound 1930 680cc (70 x 88mm) ohv JAP V-twin
Montgomery De Luxe 350 cc 1934 JAP engine

References

  1. 1 2 3 Tragatsch, Erwin (2000). The New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Motorcycles. London: Quantum Publishing. p. 560. ISBN 1861603428.
  2. ↑ "Montgomery". Archived from the original on 2008-05-20. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  3. ↑ "Montgomery Anzani". Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  4. 1 2 Currie, Bob (1988). Classic British Motorcycles over 500cc. Patrick Stephens Ltd. p. 50. ISBN 1-85260-083-7.
  5. ↑ "TT 1923 Sidecar TT Results". Retrieved 2008-07-11.
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