Beschreibung:

Legendary superbike of motorcycling’s between-the-wars ‘Golden Age’, the Brough Superior was synonymous with high performance, engineering excellence and quality of finish. That such a formidable reputation was forged by a motorcycle constructed almost entirely from bought-in components says much for the publicity skills of George Brough. But if ever a machine was more than the sum of its parts, it was the Brough Superior. Always the perfectionist, Brough bought only the best available components for his motorcycles, reasoning that if the product was right, a lofty price tag would be no handicap. And in the ‘Roaring Twenties’ there were sufficient wealthy connoisseurs around to prove him right, T E Lawrence (‘Lawrence of Arabia’) being the most famous example. The speed with which the name ‘Brough Superior’ established itself as synonymous with excellence may be gauged from the fact that the famous ‘Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles’ sobriquet was first coined in 1921 when the marque was barely two years old. The story goes that Rolls-Royce objected to their name being associated with a mere motorcycle - until they examined one of George’s creations. Launched in 1933, the 1,096cc 11-50 was the largest Brough Superior to enter series production. Powered by a sidevalve v-twin (of unusual 60-degree configuration) supplied exclusively to the Nottingham factory by J A Prestwich, the 11-50 fitted into the Brough price range between the SS80 touring and SS100 super-sports models. The 11-50 was conceived as a long-legged, effortless tourer and could exceed 90mph in solo form or pull a heavy sidecar at up to 75mph; indeed, in the latter role it was one of the finest sidecar mounts of its day. Production lasted until 1939, by which time the 11-50 was the only JAP-powered machine in the Brough Superior range. This matching-numbers Brough Superior 11-50 has the rigid frame and Monarch front fork that characterised the ‘standard’ offering for sidecar use (Castle forks and rear suspension were options). The accompanying (copy) works record card shows that the machine was supplied new as a motorcycle combination, complete with No. 12 two-seater sidecar, via Rossleigh Ltd in Edinburgh and registered ‘FS 7049’. The machine’s early history is not known, but from 1950 into the 1960s it resided in the Shetland Islands before returning to mainland UK, where it was purchased by the current owner in 1979. Not used on the road since then, it will, of course, require re-commissioning before returning to the road. The vendor describes the machine as in generally very good condition mechanically with ‘reasonable’ cycle parts and brightwork, while a missing ignition switch is the only defect notified. Apart from the aforementioned copy works record card there are no documents with this Lot.