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.[1]
Limited sales at the onset of the Great Depression in 1929 brought an end to their manufacture.
History
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,[2] so later models had Humber 496 cc, 596 cc and 746 cc engines.[3]
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.[4]
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) |
See also
References
- ↑ "Humber". Retrieved 2008-07-06.
- ↑ "Humber models". Retrieved 2008-07-06.
- ↑ "Humber motorcycles". Retrieved 2008-07-06.
- ↑ "TT 1911 Junior TT Results". Retrieved 2008-07-06.