Description
This is Lot 314 to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Spring Stafford Sale on the 26 & 27 April, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available 26 April from 09:00 until 17:00 and 27 April from 09:00 until 17:00, at The International Classic Motorcycle Show, Stafford.
Lot 314
The Connoisseurs Collection
1929 Brough Superior 995cc SS100 Pendine Racing Motorcycle
Registration no.
Chassis no.
Delivered new to Australia
An older restoration
Has copy Works Record Card
Requires recommissioning following a period of inactivity
Legendary superbike of motorcycling's between-the-wars 'Golden Age', Brough Superior 'The Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles' - 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 bikes, 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.
Introduced in 1922, the JAP-powered SS80 achieved instant fame when a racing version ridden by George became the first sidevalve-engined machine to lap Brooklands at over 100mph. With the new SS80's performance threatening to put the overhead-valve MkI in the shade, it was decided to completely redesign the latter. The result was the legendary SS100. First shown to the public in 1924, the SS100 employed an entirely new overhead-valve 980cc JAP v-twin engine. A frame of duplex cradle type was devised for the newcomer, which soon after its launch became available with the distinctive, Harley-Davidson-influenced, Castle front fork patented by George Brough and Harold 'Oily' Karslake. And just in case prospective customers had any doubts about the SS100's performance, each machine came with a written guarantee that it had been timed at over 100mph for a quarter of a mile - a staggering achievement at a time when very few road vehicles of any sort were capable of reaching three-figure speeds.
For the racing man - or woman - there was the Pendine version of the SS100, named after the eponymous sands in Wales where Brough Superior motorcycles had won numerous races in the mid-1920s. New to the range for 1927, the Pendine was powered by the JAP KTOR 8/ 45hp engine, a four-cam racing unit with bevel-drive magneto, and incorporated numerous other modifications to make it more suitable for competition purposes. Every Pendine came with a guaranteed top speed of 110mph.
A magnificent looking machine with its straight-through exhaust pipes, this Pendine was supplied new to Whiteley in Melbourne, Australia on 28th February 1929 and used for dirt track racing. Chris J Harley (of South Australia) restored the Brough in the 1970s/ 1980s, using new crankcases we believe. By 1988 the machine was in the ownership of a Mr K Williams of Queensland before being sold at auction in September 1994 to the current owner in Japan. Notable features include a BTH TT magneto and a Corbin 6000rpm rev counter. Bonhams sold this Pendine's original engine as part of Lot 265 at Stafford in October 2017. Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Key not required.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams website for all pertinent auction information.
