This bike had been in the news recently because it is being
sold at auction and is likely to achieve a world record price.
The bike is a 1928 Brough Superior SS100. These bikes were
considered the "Rolls Royce of motorcycles" and were guaranteed to
achieve 100mph - an amazing speed in their day. But for its original owner,
Charles Hobbs, this was not enough. He commissioned the engine supplier, JA
Preswich, to manufacture barrels to increase the capacity from 980cc to
1,142cc. Along with hot cams, twin carbs, high compression pistons and special
fuel the bike became the fastest road bike in the world with a top speed of
115mph. A later owner claimed 126mph on public roads.
The bike is being auctioned by Sotherby's next month.
Estimated price is £585,000/€700,000/$750,000.
 |
| The bike was last sold in 2011 |
As a footnote….. Brough motorcycles were started in
Nottingham in 1902 by William Edward Brough. His son, George Brough, worked
with him and then started his own company in 1919. Now you can imagine that
Pops wasn't impressed when his boy called his bikes Brough Superior. "What
does that make me, Brough Inferior?" he was reported to have said.
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