If I asked you to name
a motorcycle brand and a bicycle brand, it seems unlikely that anyone
would give the same answer.
Today, I don't think
there is a single company that makes both bicycles and motorcycles,
but if I'd have asked the question 100 years ago, this would've been
more common than you think.
I'm sure, many of you
are aware, that back at the beginning of the 20th century,
many bicycle manufactures dipped their toes into the world of
motorcycle manufacturing. Ariel and BSA being two companies that
spring to mind.
But perhaps the most
surprising is Raleigh.
I've visited a few
places since I started this blog last year, such as the Morris Museum
in Oxfordshire (read here) and the National Motorcycle Museum in
Birmingham. There was one bike brand that just keeps cropping up.
Raleigh.
Obviously Raleigh is a
brand known for bicycles and the ups and downs of the company are
well documented. The company was first founded in 1885 and is one of
the oldest bicycle companies in the world. But in 1899 they had a go
making motorcycles but unfortunately this first attempt didn't last
that long and in 1908 they stopped production to focus primarily on
bicycles.
Until 1919 when they tried again. It went a little better this time but sadly, production ended in 1933 and was never picked up again.
However, during this
time was when they built, one of my favourites, the 1924 V-twin.
This one is on display
at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham.
I really like Raleigh.
I've ridden them ever since I can remember. Its a brand that brings
back fond memories for me. My first mountain bike was a Raleigh
Bolder. I also remember a time, during my rebellious teen years,
finding a mangled, old Raleigh Grifter, fixing it just enough so me
and my friends could ride it until it was mangled all over again!
Even now, I have a Raleigh as my daily steed and a vintage resto
project in the shed.
It would be an absolute
dream to own one of their vintage motorcycles, but a brief interweb
search will tell you prices start around £16k. It might stay on the
wish list for a while!
As I said, when I first
stared this blog, Bicycles and Motorcycle seem worlds apart today.
But looking back to a time when they weren't is something I love to
learn about.
And who knows, with
electric bicycles and electric motorcycles both on the rise, maybe
there will come a time when asked to name a motorcycle brand and a
bicycle brand, the answer might just be the same.
Words & Photos By Craig Willis
Thanks for reading.
This blog post marks
the one year anniversary of the Two Wheeled Ronin and I just wanted
to say a big thank you for all of the support over the last year.
I've got even more content to come over the next 12 months. But if
there is anything you would like me to cover please drop me a
line -
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