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