Bradbury Motorcycles Standard 1911
As with many early motorcycle manufacturers, Bradbury & Company produced bicycles from 1895 to 1914 although the company was originally established in 1852 in Oldham, England, as the first sewing machine manufacturer in Europe.
Bradbury Motor Cycles was established in 1902 and the first product was a motor bicycle fitted with a 1.75hp Minerva clip-on engine. In 1903, the company introduced the Peerless Motor Cycle with the crankcase of the 2hp engine integrated into the lower main frame tubes. Reports differ regarding how that was achieved, with some claiming that the frame tubes were cast into the crankcase and others reporting that they were brazed together. The next model followed in 1904 with a 2.5hp engine and a new frame design.
In 1909, the Bradbury 3.5hp motorcycle was launched and advertised as “the finest hill climber (power for power) ever made.” The claim was supported by more than 300 hill climb victories during 1909 and 1910. The 560cc, 4.5hp Standard and Speed models were launched in 1911 equipped with Dunlop non-skid tyres and a Brooks padded saddle. This 1911 Standard model was acquired in June, 2008, via Trademe in New Zealand for the NZ Classic Motorcycles collection.