New Imperial
From GracesGuide
New Imperial of Loveday Street, Birmingham.
- These were motorcycles produced between 1912 and 1940.
- 1887 The history of New Imperial, founded by Norman Downes, goes back to the early days of the bicycle industry in Birmingham. From 1887 New Imperial made bicycle fittings and, later, complete bicycles, possibly after he bought the ailing bicycle business of Hearl and Tonks (founded 1892).
- 1901 It is also said that he created New Imperial in 1901, but no official record of the earliest company formation has been found. Official records do show the formation of a limited company in 1908, called the New Imperial Cycle Company.
- In 1901 New Imperial made their first motorcycle. The engine was mounted forward of the handlebars with a leather belt driving the front wheel. It failed to sell.
- In 1910 a bike went into production using a 293cc JAP engine.
- In 1912 the registration of New Imperial Motors is recorded, and they offered a range of three motorcycles. A New Imperial, ridden by A. S. Jones in the 1913 Senior TT race, was one of the 63 that failed to finish that year. (24 competitors finished.)
- 1912 Downs made his return with the revised name of New Imperial and based his company in Loveday Street, Birmingham. He started with three models all using JAP engines.
- 1913-1917 For a list of the models and prices of motorcycles see the 1917 Red Book
- 1913 A 6hp V-twin model was added to the range, which continued until 1916. The firm first raced in the TT.
- 1913-1917 For a list of the models and prices see the 1917 Red Book
- Post World War I. The company moved to Hall Green, Birmingham, and added more models to their range.
- 1921 That year brought success in the TT when Doug Prentice won the 250cc Junior race. Using that to advertise the make, they increased the range still further.
- Mid-1920s The firm was now making its own engines and the JAP motors became an option before being dropped.
- 1930 The range had been so extensive that the firm decided to cut back and concentrate on six-cylinder models.
- 1932 Major advancements were made with the first appearance of the company's unit-construction models with the engine and gearbox built as one unit, wet-sump lubrication and pivoted-fork rear suspension.
- Throughout the early 1930s developments were made on the sporting side and there were many successes.
- 1936 A 250cc New Imperial ridden by Bob Foster won the Lightweight TT, the last British four-stroke to win the event. Norman Downs died, which eventually resulted in financial difficulties.
- 1939 The company was bought by Jack Sangster, of Ariel, who planned to move it to the Triumph factory in Coventry, but production remained at Hall Green until the end of the decade.
- 1940 The planned move to Triumph took place, but the factory was bombed. Edward Turner's 3TU model was supposed to carry New Imperial badges, but never saw production. Proposals to use the name after the war did not materialise, so the name was never resurrected.
- Note:
- Further information can be found at the New Imperial Owners' Association web site. [1]
National Motorcycle Museum exhibits:
- 1936 New Imperial 492cc V-twin Works Racing Machine.
Speed King-JAP was a motorcycle produced between 1913 and 1914, by New Imperial and sold by J. G. Graves of Sheffield, as their own marque.
This model was the Light Tourist with a different tank transfer. It had the 293cc JAP sv engine, two-speed gearbox and belt final drive. The rigid frame had Druid forks and footboards, and Bowden brakes were fitted.
The intention had been to sell the machine by mail order and with interest-free credit, but the New Imperial was cheaper and the arrival of the first World War brought the idea to an end.
Graves was a motorcycle produced from 1914 to 1915 and sold by a Sheffield store.
This firm had the machines built for them by New Imperial. It was listed as the Speed King and fitted with a 2.5hp JAP engine that drove a two-speed gearbox, belt final-drive and Druid forks.
Wartime was not a good period for the trade and the make was soon gone from the market.
[edit] See Also
[edit] Sources of Information
- The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle by Peter Henshaw. Published 2007. ISBN 978 1 8401 3967 9
- The British Motorcycle Directory - Over 1,100 Marques from 1888 - by Roy Bacon and Ken Hallworth. Pub: The Crowood Press 2004 ISBN 1 86126 674 X
- [2] Ian Chadwick's motorcycle web site
- [3] Wikipedia
- [4] Yesterday's Antique Motorcycles web site
- [5] Cyber Motor Cycles web site
- [6] The 'Webshots' web site
- [7] Made in Birmingham web site
- Miller’s Price Guide to Classic Motorcycles
Categories: Cars | Motorcycles | Cycles
