Motorcycle specifications Brough Superior SS100 1932 English excellence

among the many British motorcycle products, Brough Superior is one of the most emblematic. The brand was created in 1919 and died out in 1940. During this period, the models produced were of such high quality that they were compared to the most famous car brand, Rolls-Royce. In addition to top-notch finish and performance, each Brough was assiduously tested before delivery and tailored to its owner. A refinement worthy of today's millstone.

The most famous model is the SS100. Sadly, its reputation is partly rooted in tragedy. It was on these handlebars that Thomas Edward Lawrence (better known as Lawrence of Arabia) met his fate on a small road in the English countryside, near his home in Cloud Hills. Lawrence loved Broughs (he owned seven of them) and speed. The SS100 was just the thing. It was guaranteed for 160 km/h, could reach 170, and broke several world records in its day. The year was 1932, but the engine was already capable of producing 48 horsepower. The air-cooled twin cubed 988 cm3 and transmitted its power via a 4-speed gearbox.
Technical solutions were based on the canons of the time. A chassis consisting of a simple tubular steel cradle guided by a parallelogram fork. No rear suspension: the rear end is rigid. Braking with 178 and 203 mm single-cam drums was far from efficient, especially given the Brough's performance. Heavy steering and a long wheelbase did not make it a model of maneuverability.

This Brough Superior SS100 cost T.E. Lawrence 170 pounds in 1932, which would correspond to a list price today of 9550 euros. A reasonable price? Certainly not. In those days, the average wage was £3 a week. To afford an SS 100 required more than a year's salary. Today, you'd have to fork out a 6-figure check to afford one. In 1935, Lawrence went off the road and smashed his skull, because no one wore a helmet in those days. One of the doctors who treated him, Hugh Caims, did extensive work on motorcycle head injuries. His research led to the use of helmets in both civilian and military applications. If we all wear helmets today, which save so many lives, it's partly because of this episode in history.

M.B - Internet photos