Unmatched and Triumphant Trivia Quiz

Answer: Birmingham Small Arms Company

Based at Small Heath in Birmingham the company made military and sporting weapons as well as motorbikes, vans and cars. It was founded in 1861 specifically to produce firearms, but by the 1880s had branched out into cycles, and started producing motorbikes in the early 1900s. Over the years it produced some legendary motorbikes, including the Bantam, the Gold Star and the Rocket.

The motorbike side of the business was so successful, that after WWII the factory at Small Heath was turned over entirely to their manufacture. Unfortunately poor investment in development and design led to them falling victim to the Japanese motorbike invasion.

Answer: Vincent

Vincent were in production from 1928 to 1955. The 1948 Black Shadow was the fastest road bike in the world at the time, with a top speed capability of 125mph. Black Lightning was the racing version of Black Shadow. The bikes were built by enthusiasts for serious motorcyclists, and were never cheap. Neither was production prolific.

The Company ceased motorbike manufacture in 1955 due to severe financial difficulties.

Answer: Bonneville

Named after Bonneville Salt Flats where world land speed records were set, the Bonneville was a massive success for Triumph in the mid 1960s. This was despite stiff competition from Japanese bikes, especially Honda. Early models had a nasty tendency towards rear end "twitch" under the right circumstances, a habit that was corrected in later models. Like others Triumph suffered financial difficulties, but managed to survive, and today continue to produce wonderful motorbikes.

Answer: Ariel

The Square Four engine was designed in 1928. It was rejected by BSA, but taken up by Ariel, and the first production model was released in 1930. The four cylinder engine had problems with overheating, and it was redesigned in 1937 to overcome this. It continued, with various redesigns and amendments, until 1959 when production of it, and all other Ariel four stroke models, ceased.

Answer: Brough Superior

Brough were once referred to as "The Rolls Royce of British Motorcycles". Made in Nottingham, only just over 3000 were produced in 21 years of manufacture. Each one was hand built, and usually customised to the customer's exact specification. Every bike was test ridden and certified by George Brough himself. Costing anywhere between £130 an £180 at a time when the average wage was £3 per week they were both rare and expensive. Production ceased in 1944. T. E. Lawrence owned two of these machines, and was riding one when he had his fatal accident close to his home at Clouds Hill, Dorset, England.

Answer: Norton

The 750cc Matchless with the Norton engine was quite simply gorgeous. Even standing still it exuded power. The Matchless frame and forks gave a very smooth ride with good cornering, braking, and overall handling, and the Norton engine boosted the performance to well in excess of 120mph. Later years saw the engine increased to 850cc.

Answer: Trials and off-road

The success of Greeves was based on funding from the British Government for their three wheeled car produced for people with disabilities. This regular flow of money enabled them to branch out into motorbike production. They produced highly successful off-road and trials bikes from 1952 to 1977, when production stopped due to a disastrous factory fire.

In May 1999 a new Company purchased the name and the first Greeves Trial Bike to be made by the new company was launched in 2009.

Answer: Sunbeam

Sunbeam had a chequered history. Originally they were made by the Sunbeam Motor Car Company, but after the war this was sold to a consortium, who eventually became ICI. They were not interested in motorbike manufacture. and sold the brand name to Associated Motorcycles, who made Matchless an AJS.

In 1943 they, in turn, sold the name on to BSA who continued with production of various models of motorbike and motor scooter until 1964.

Answer: Triton

A combination of Triumph and Norton, the Triton was designed to give the best of both machines. A Triumph engine in a Norton featherbed frame was the usual configuration, with the Triumph Bonneville engine being one of the most popular choices. As well as proven reliability it also had the advantage of being easily tuned for even higher performance.

Answer: India

Enfield Bullet motorbikes were assembled in India from British made parts as early as 1956, and complete bikes were produced there from 1962 onwards. In 1995 Enfield of India purchased rights to the Royal Enfield name. They still produce the Bullet, named after the original Royal Enfield company motto of "Made like a gun, goes like a bullet".