The Big Car Database

Humber Motorcycles

Humber Limited was a pioneering British motorcycle manufacturer.

Humber produced the first practical motorcycle made in Britain by fitting one of their Humber bicycles with an E J Pennington two-horsepower motor in 1896

Limited sales at the onset of the Great Depression in 1929 brought an end to their manufacture.

History

 
1904 Humber

Early Humber motorcycles were built under licence to Phelon & Moore with a single-cylinder P&M engine and two-speed chaindrive transmission. Disputes over royalty payments and P&M's desire to make their own motorcycles led to this licence being terminated in 1905, so later models had Humber 496 cc, 596 cc and 746 cc engines.

Success with one of Pennington's 340 cc two-speed V twin engined Humbers in the first ever Isle of Man Junior TT in 1911 boosted the motorcycle sales.

Models

Model Year Notes
Humber 4.5 hp 1921 601cc with chain transmission and three-speed gearbox
Humber 350cc Side Valve 1927  
Humber Beeston 1903 2.75HP
Humber 340cc 1911 2 speed V twin Humber (won the 1911 Junior TT)
Humber 3½ HP 1912  
Humber 350 OHV 1929  
Humber 600cc 1921 Flat twin
Humber 350cc OHC 1930 (Last Humber made)