ABC motorcycles

Infobox Defunct Company
company_name = ABC Motors Ltd
company_
fate = Wound up
successor =
foundation = 1919
defunct = 1923
location = London
industry = manufacturing and engineering
key_people = Ronald Charteris and Granville Bradshaw
products = motorcycles
num_employees =
parent =
subsid =

ABC motorcycles was a British motorcycle manufacturer established in 1914 by Ronald Charteris in London. Serveral British motorcycle firms started up with the name 'ABC', including Sopwith. The 'All British Engine Company Ltd.' of London was founded in 1912 and later changed to 'ABC Motors Ltd.' With chief engineer Granville Bradshaw, Charteris built a range of engines throughout the first world war. From 1919 ABC produced motorcycle engines. cite web|url=http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/euro/brands/abc.htm|title=ABC Motorcycles|accessdate=2008-08-15] Bradshaw was an innovator and in 1918, ABC made a transverse mounted flat twin engine (several years before BMW adapted the design) and in 1919 ABC also produced the 'Scootamota' - possibly the first motorised "scooter". In 1920 a new company, 'ABC Motors (1920) Ltd' was formed to make aircraft engines, light cars and motorcycles, all with a flat-twin engine designed by Bradshaw. [cite web|url=http://www.motorbase.com/manufacturer/by-id/1458035053|title=ABC|accessdate=2008-08-15] New competitors emerged for ABC after 1920 and they stopped producing motorcycles after 1923, although some production continued in Germany until 1925.Another company called ABC that was not connected with Charteris or Bradshaw produced 247cc and 269cc motorcycles with Villiers engines in Birmingham between 1922 and 1924.cite web|url=http://www.ianchadwick.com/motorcycles/britbikes/index.html|title=ABC|accessdate=2008-08-15]

Models

ee Also

* ABC Motors

References