Highlights
- Full professional restoration, assisted by the Brough Superior Club, from 2017 to 2019 in Italy
- Only 280 miles (450km) completed since the restoration
- Engine rebuilt with new pistons and valves
The Appeal
Brough Superior may have been forced out of business by the outbreak of war in 1940, but unlike other small pre-war motorcycle builders its name hasn’t been forgotten. Quite the opposite, in fact. Motorcycle enthusiasts exalt the Brough Superior name like no other, and even peripheral admirers who don’t know much about the bikes do at least know one thing: it is ‘the Rolls-Royce of motorcycles’.
Launched in 1922, the S.S.80 was one of George Brough’s first products. Leaving little room for improvement, it would remain in production until 1939 when it still led the market, and may have gone on for even longer had war not interfered. Most buyers found their machines to be nothing short of perfect, the reason for that being that each one was tailored to the client’s bespoke requirements, and quality control was of the most careful stringency.
So-named for its 80mph top speed, it was about the S.S.80 that the ‘Rolls-Royce’ metaphor was coined, when H. D. Teague reviewed an early example for The Motor Cycle. With a typical Brough in the 1920s costing £100, or half the average annual salary, ownership was strictly for the great and the good. T. E. Lawrence was famously a loyal customer, buying eight Brough Superiors before his death in 1935, the first being an S.S.80 he christened Boanerges, a Hebrew name meaning ‘Sons of Thunder’. The S.S.80’s other great claim to fame was that a tuned example was ridden by George Brough to become the first side-valve motorcycle to lap Brooklands at over 100 mph. Brough entered that bike in 52 races and won 51 of them, the only failure being the fault of a puncture.
The painstaking nature of the construction meant that by 1940, only 3048 Brough Superiors of all models had been built. Of those, around 1000 survive today, so any one which appears for sale is an opportunity to acquire something historically important and truly exclusive.
This one is undoubtedly one of the best on the market. Painstakingly restored to original factory specification, it has received very little use since its restoration was completed in 2019, such that it is now ready to show and enjoy as you see fit with concours-winning potential.
The History and Paperwork
- Purchased by the vendor from a German collector in 2008, complete with British documentation
- In 2012, the vendor joined the Brough Superior Club with a view to restoring the bike exactingly to factory specification
- The restoration, assisted by the club, took place from 2017 to 2019, with all new parts supplied by the club
- Only 280 miles (450km) covered since the restoration
- Offered for sale as the vendor has sadly had to give up motorcycling
- Paperwork includes the relevant Italian import and registration documents
The Condition
- Totally disassembled and fully restored from 2017 to 2019 by an expert body shop
- Frame was sandblasted and double-coated
- Painted by Nicola Borra of Nick’s Custom Paint in Treviso, Italy
- Fully rechromed
It goes without saying that Brough Superior owners understand the value of the bikes they own and look after them well, but this one is really on another level. Its owner did not cut any corners when restoring it, and every job has been completed to such a high standard that it must amount to one of the best restored S.S.80s in existence, so immaculate that it has the potential to win concours awards.
Before restoration, the entire bike was stripped back to the bare frame, so each and every part could receive the necessary treatment to return it to factory-fresh condition. The frame and suspension parts were sandblasted and double-coated, so we can be sure that it’s well-protected.
The magnificent fuel tank, half-paint and half-chrome, is the centrepiece, but the paint is superb all over thanks to the expert work of Nicola Borra of Nick’s Custom Paint. We would strongly suggest you look through the photographs very carefully so you can appreciate just how good it all is.
As you’d expect, all the chrome has been renewed, and it shows. The tank has a mirror finish and all the other brightwork, so often lightly patinated just from exposure to the elements, doesn’t look like it has ever seen a drop of moisture. Even the leather pannier bags look as if they are made of all-new leather. Of course, the sprung Lycett seat has been recovered and the tyres are brand-new, so you probably couldn’t see a better S.S.80 unless you time-travelled back to the Brough factory in the 1930s.
The Mechanics
- Mechanical systems including engine overhauled by specialists
- Many new mechanical parts used, including pistons and valves
- Fires up, runs and rides like a dream
The Brough received a comprehensive mechanical overhaul for its restoration, the chief job in which was the engine rebuild with new pistons, valves and valve seats. All the bushes and ball bearings were replaced, the brakes were overhauled and a new chain was fitted, with all parts coming from the Brough Superior Club and much of the work completed by La Rettifica sas di Schiavon Diego.
After that, we can reasonably expect the Brough to ride like a new bike, and the vendor advises that it is all spot-on. He describes both the condition of the engine and the performance of the bike as ‘excellent’ and says it accelerates and changes gear very well, with the brakes working just as they should do. The engine, we are told, does not smoke or leak any fluid, and there are no unwanted noises, just the ‘magnificent’ sound of a beefy V-twin reverberating through the fishtailed exhaust pipe.
The Italian roadworthiness inspection has just come up for renewal, but the vendor has agreed to put it through a new one for the new owner.
Based on all we know, we believe this to be an excellent bike which is sure to ride like dream. Since the restoration was completed in 2019, the vendor has been very pleased with it over the 280 miles (450km) for which he has ridden it through the hills of Padua. We doubt you could find anything better.
The Summary
Over 80 years after production ended, Brough Superiors are still regarded by many as the best motorcycles ever made. We believe this to be perhaps the best restored S.S.80 in existence, and certainly the best on the market.
No expense has been spared, nor any shortcuts taken, to get it looking and riding just as it would have done when it was new. The fact that the Brough Superior Club was involved with the restoration inspires confidence in us that everything was done properly and correctly, so we’d have this bike in a heartbeat if we could. It will be a joy to ride and to show, and a concours win or two is a very real possibility.
No expense has been spared, nor any shortcuts taken, to get it looking and riding just as it would have done when it was new. The fact that the Brough Superior Club was involved with the restoration inspires confidence in us that everything was done properly and correctly, so we’d have this bike in a heartbeat if we could. It will be a joy to ride and to show, and a concours win or two is a very real possibility.
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