Founded in 1852, Bradbury & Co. was Europe’s first sewing machine manufacturer. Fast forward to 1902, when Bradbury Motor Cycles was established – their first motorcycles were bicycles with clip on engines, but they went on to sell a variety of motorcycles, including some of the first ones with variable gears. Here’s one of the bikes that was sold before Bradbury stopped making them in 1924.
For more on Bradbury, check out this history from Leon’s Vintage Motorcycle Page. Between 1905 and 1908, the British motorcycling industry underwent a bit of a lull – so this bike didn’t see much in terms of progress from previous years. Expect either a 2.5 or 3 horsepower engine that was offered at discount prices. One year later, Bradbury introduced a 3.5 hp unit that was claimed to be the finest hill climber ever made – backed up by over hundreds of first place finishes in local competitions.
This Bradbury has received an older restoration, and while it turns over and yields spark the seller says he has not tried to start it. The bike is claimed to have ‘always been a man cave piece’ and has never seen fuel or oil since the restoration. Find it for sale in Tucson, Arizona with bidding up to $9,000 and the reserve not yet met