Topic: Brough Superior SS100 1932, T E Lawrence

[Superbiker_uk]

Took a visit to the Imperial War Museum in London http://www.iwm.org.uk/

It was a great day out and was also a mark of remembrance for Holocaust Memorial Day.

Anyway, on a much lighter note.....

Went down onto the lower level of the museum and found this. I did not know that the museum had this bike on display. For those who don't know much about this bike, read this:

T E Lawrences's Brough Superior SS100 Motorcycle, 1932

This 1000cc motorcycle was the prized possession of T E Lawrence, better known as 'Lawrence of Arabia', and the machine on which he was killed in May 1935. Lawrence's Brough Superior was tailor-made by George Brough himself and cost £170 in 1932. This was the seventh Brough that Lawrence had owned. He named each in succession 'George I' to 'George VII', and also referred to some of them, including this model, as 'Boanerges' (Son of Thunder).

The Brough Superior was the fastest and most expensive machine on the road at the time. It could reach speeds of over 100mph and was at the cutting edge of 1930's design. The motorcycle was Lawrence's constant companion on the deserted country roads of pre-war Britain.

In May 1935 Lawrence was riding his Brough back home from Bovington in Dorset to his nearby cottage at Clouds Hill. Suddenly he came upon two errand boys on bicycles, swerved to avoid them and pitched over the handlebars onto the road. He sustained terrible head injuries which claimed his life six days later. The motorcycle was only slightly damaged in the accident and was returned to the factory where it was repaired by George Brough.

This motorcycle is on loan to the museum by it's current private owner. I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I did when I first set eyes upon it.

[nickjtc]

Now that's a V-twin! Thanks for posting the pics.

[bill440cars]

       Yeah, I agree, that is really quite a bike and definitely a big part of our motorcycling history. Thanks for posting that one. Another great bike is brought to mind. There are so many out there and they all deserve to be a part the history behind Motorcycling.

                                              Later on, Bill

[DammitDan]

I'm gonna be heading down to the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, Alabama in a few weeks.  They focus on the history behind all motorcycles, instead of focusing on a specific brand.  And they surely have everything you can think of 

I'll take pics to bring back with me

[bill440cars]

        Hey Dan,
   
               That place sure does have some great bikes but, I couldn't help but notice the really fine looking Blue 58' Chevy Impala Convertible on the lower floor. I had a 2dr hdtp and really had a blast in it.

                                                   Later on, Bill

[gerhed]

I visited the Imperial War Museum 35 years ago!
What a place.
Climbed around on the WW1 battleship guns out in front.
The scene of the motorcycle crash at the beginning of "Lawrence of Arabia" is etched on my mind.
 Nice to see the real thing.

[KB02]

In Dan's picture, top floor, center(ish), there is a blue bike with red fenders. Now there is a bike by a designer who was taken away from us FAR too soon. I can't remember his name, but I know he was starting to make a name for himself in the racing cuircuts with his hand built bikes (with a V-8 engine if I remember correctly) when he was stricken with cancer.

So sad.

[Bob Wessner]

In Dan's picture, top floor, center(ish), there is a blue bike with red fenders. Now there is a bike by a designer who was taken away from us FAR too soon. I can't remember his name, but I know he was starting to make a name for himself in the racing cuircuts with his hand built bikes (with a V-8 engine if I remember correctly) when he was stricken with cancer.

So sad.

Wow, you have great eye sight! 

[grumburg]

There was 2 (two) Brough Superiors at the AMA Museum Concours. Pictures do not do them justice. Truly a work of art.

[KB02]

Wow, you have great eye sight! 

Thanks.. now only if I had as good of a memory I could tell you the guy's name. 

[KB02]

John Britten!!

And it was a V-Twin, not a V-8. My goof. Just check out that exhaust, though.

The story of John Britten

[kghost]

The imperial War museum sure is a treat.

Thanks for the great photos superbiker.

I was shocked to learn when I visited last march that they have the engine from the red barons Fokker DR-1 Triplane.

[Sam Green Racing]

John Britten!!

And it was a V-Twin, not a V-8. My goof. Just check out that exhaust, though.

The story of John Britten

Spot on ther KB, I saw it race a few years back at the IOM TT, it sounded awsome.

The bike was not fully faired because the V twin motor was no wider than the front of the bike.

Sam.

[CrisPDuk]

The Britten V1000 what a machine that was I saw one once at Donington, what a noise

For what was effectively a homebrewed special (built in a shed in New Zealand IIRC), the quality of the engineering in them put more than a couple of mainstream manufacturers to shame

[DammitDan]

They have a slideshow if you're interested in more of their stock exhibits 

http://barbermuseum.org/

99% of the bikes there are completely restored and able to run in less than an hours' preparation.  Amazing!

And they seem to like their Britten 

[RRRToolSolutions]

For those in the North/South Carolina area - we're organizing a VJMC chartered bus tour to Barbers in March - around the 17th. The museum is $10 and the bus fare r/t is around $30. We'll go down on Saturday and return early Sunday. Send me a PM if you're interested.

Gordon
SC Rep - VJMC

[GeoffT]

One day last summer I was at work when I heard the wonderful sound of an old v twin outside. I quickly looked out the window and saw two old geezers with two old bikes stopped right outside the door. Of course I had to rush out to have a look. Imagine my surprise to see TWO Brough Superiors parked outside (I'd previously seen only one at the National Motorcycle Museum near Coventry). One was a 1935 the other a 1936 the guys informed me. They were immaculate. One of the bikes was originally form Orkney and still had the old Kirkwall 'BS' registration plate. These guys had driven them from the south of England, some six or seven hundred miles (one way). One of the best sights of 2006 for me by a long way.

Thanks for showing the superb pics. I've never been to the Imperial War Museum but will definately go sometime and will be epecially looking out for that bike. I hope they have it on long term loan.

[Superbiker_uk]

I am glad you are enjoying the pictures. The SS100 is such a great bike. I was so surprised to find it on display at the museum. My other half almost had to drag me away from the exhibit It's worth pointing out if you are in the UK or ever come to visit, the museum is FREE to enter. Try and get to visit in 2007.

[CrisPDuk]

I am glad you are enjoying the pictures. The SS100 is such a great bike. I was so surprised to find it on display at the museum. My other half almost had to drag me away from the exhibit It's worth pointing out if you are in the UK or ever come to visit, the museum is FREE to enter. Try and get to visit in 2007.

It's also worth pointing out that the Imperial War Museum and the Science Museum are London's two greatest assets, and should be essential stops for anyone visiting our nations capital

[medic09]

Superbiker, those are great photos!   

Your motive caught my eye.  Imperial War Museaum for Holocaust Remembrance is a new one for me.  I figure I'm the only Israeli on the forum (though in the States for now...), but I wonder how many Jews?  Or how many people who took notice of something like Holocaust Remembrance?

So, why *did* you go there for Holocaust Remembrance?

[CrisPDuk]

I don't want to cause offence, or upset anybody here, I know it's a sensitive subject, and rightly so given the current political climate, but contrary to popular opinion, the Holocaust was not solely a 'Jewish' tragedy. There are many with eastern European or Romany ancestry in the UK who's parent's or grandparents lost family members to the Nazi purges of their homelands.

In fact Holocaust day is officially acknowledged in many Eastern European countries, Poland and Hungary to name but two.

[medic09]

I don't want to cause offence, or upset anybody here, I know it's a sensitive subject, and rightly so given the current political climate, but contrary to popular opinion, the Holocaust was not solely a 'Jewish' tragedy. There are many with eastern European or Romany ancestry in the UK who's parent's or grandparents lost family members to the Nazi purges of their homelands.

In fact Holocaust day is officially acknowledged in many Eastern European countries, Poland and Hungary to name but two.

Quite right.  But I think it's undeniable that the population that Hitler most specifically targetted (if that can be distinguished from just brutally torturing and murdering others  ) was the one that he named constantly in his writings and proclamations.  As far as I'm concerned, it's a human-race tragedy, both for the destruction and the complicit behaviour of many.  Nonetheless, *among themselves* Jews probably give it more attention than other populations *among themselves*; both because of Hitler's intent and his level of success in carrying it out.

I still wonder why Superbiker went to the Imperial War Museaum?  That's not a criticism, it just got my interest.

[andy750]

Does anyone know what kind of handlebars are on the SS100?? I like that wide low style.

cheers
Andy

[burmashave]

Does anyone know what kind of handlebars are on the SS100?? I like that wide low style.

cheers
Andy

I'm with Andy.  That is one sexy bike.  Thanks for the post.  I'll make a visit to the IWM if I ever get back to London.

[Superbiker_uk]

I still wonder why Superbiker went to the Imperial War Museum?  That's not a criticism, it just got my interest

Reading my fist post back to myself it does read a little strange

Firstly the Imperial War Museum far from glorifying war, hightlights the tragedy and human suffering of all conflicts. The museum has a floor dedicated to the Holocaust and it attempts to put into words and visuals some of the facts and key events that led up to what Hitler called  'The Final Solution'. Not surprisingly it has some pictures and exhibits that are very very upsetting. So why go visit?

I feel that the Holocaust Memorial Day http://www.hmd.org.uk/about/ is equally important as Remembrance Sunday. If you have watched 'Band Of Brothers' go back and watch the episode 'Why we Fight' or for a small insight into the Jewish experience read 'The Pianist' by Wladyslaw Szpilman.

I went to visit because it is a great museum with some very fine exhibits and it serves to educate me. I have always wanted to ensure that if I was going to have an opinion on something it better be a well informed one based on fact rather than half truths.

Holocaust Memorial Day is about commemorating all of the communities who suffered as a result of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution, and demonstrating that the Holocaust is relevant to everyone in the UK today. The day provides a focus – through the national and local events and activities – for people to think about the continuing repercussions of the Holocaust and more recent genocides on our society.

The central focus for Holocaust Memorial Day remains the Holocaust, but it is also an opportunity to reflect on more recent atrocities that raise similar issues. The tragedies of Rwanda, Kosovo and other terrible events in the world show that there are still many lessons to be learnt, both in international and individual terms.