Triumph Rocket 111

The original model was released in 2004 as the "biggest productioon bike in the world"and has remained in production with only minor modifications other than a change of engine colour from silver to black in 2006. In England this model was awarded Motorcycle Cruiser magazine's 2004 Bike of the Year, Motorcyclist's 2004 Cruiser of the Year, and Cruising Rider magazine 2005 Bike of the Year.In 2006 a black finish to the engine was introduced and new colour choices of Graphite and 'Scorched Yellow' were added to the original colours of Jet Black and Cardinal Red. In 2007 the colour schemes were changed to Phantom Black and Mulberry Red and in 2008 to Phantom Black and Claret.

Dave Burton

www.bargain-motors.com

The BSA Bantam D1

The BSA Bantam was a two-stroke motorcycle that was produced by BSA from 1948 to 1971,which was made in Birmingham England.In which overr 250,000 were sold.
The design of the Bantam was a near copy of the DKW RT 125 a German made motorbike.This original Bantam, the D1's were available only in all-over "mist green", and sold for £60 plus tax. Later models changed distinctly from the original; over the years it gained improved suspension including a rear swinging arm, electrics and the engine size increased from 125 cc to 175 cc.
The engine is a unit construction (engine and gearbox of one piece) single cylinder 2 stroke. The barrel is cast iron while the head is alloy. The gearbox was initially three speeds,. The electrics run by a magneto was on a composite assembly sitting within the flywheel with its magnet inserts; windings gave power either directly to the lights (with a dry cell for when the engine was stopped) or through a rectifier into a lead acid battery. The early D1s had a flattened fish tail style exhaust.

Dave Burton
www.bargain-motors.com

The Scott Flying Squirrel

The Scott Flying Squirrel was a British motorcycle made by The Scott Motorcycle Company between 1926 and the outbreak of WW2.
The Squirrel name was used for Scott motorcycles since 1921 but with the death of the founder Alfred Angas Scott in 1923 the unorthodox Scott two-stroke motorcycles began to become more conventional. Development of the three speed Scott Flying Squirrel began in 1922 as the company was in severe debt and faced receivership. Launched at the 1926 Earls Court motorcycle show, the Flying Squirrel was expensive - nearly twice the cost of a sporting four-stroke motorcycle of the time.The unique water cooled circulation used a convection method known as the thermosyphon system. The bottom end block was painted either green or red for racing or road respectively and featured a centrally positioned flywheel, twin inboard main bearings, overhung crankpins and doors to enable ease of access to the engine. The redesigned three speed gearbox, multi-plate clutch and the repositioned magneto were all significant improvements.
In 1929 Scott achieved third place in the Isle of Man TT and launched a road going TT Replica Flying Squirrel. Following cost cutting the factory also launched a basic touring model in 1929 for under £70. Financial problems continued, however, and in 1931 Scott were unable to ennter the TT or the earls Court show. A three cylinder prototype was developed but Scotts lacked the resources to develop it and on the outbreak of WW2 production ended.
Between 1935 and 1938 the factory at Shipley in Yorkshire produced the B2592 air-cooled Aero engine, based on the Scott Flying Squirrel motorcycle unit.[3] A 25 hp (19 kW) version was also specifically developed to power the notoriously dangerous Flying Flea aircraft.
In 1950 the rights were bought by the Birmingham based Aerco Company and in 1956 they produced what are known as the Birimingham Scotts.