Brough Superior - The Rolls-Royce
of Motorcycles Ronald H. Clark
Reissued for the 40th anniversary of the Brough Superior Club, this
complete story of the most distinguished name in the history of British
motorcycles was written with the full cooperation of the Brough works and
of George Brough himself. For more than 30 years, it has been the definitive
book on Brough Superior, containing a wealth of technical data, archival
photographs, cutaway drawings, diagrams, and nine detailed appendices of
engine specs and competition histories. The Publisher Hardcover - 192 pages 3rd edition (September 1998)
Haynes Publishing; ISBN: 1859604382
Out of Print - Try Used
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An Excerpt:
Brough Superior 1938 - 1939
The 997cc Golden Dream
The
"Dream", like some previous examples, had four cylinders, but there all
resemblance finishes for here we have the cylinders arranged after an "H"
on its side or, if one prefers it, two horizontally opposed twins one above
the other and geared together. Perfect balance was obtained by causing
them to rotate in opposite directions but with each pair of pistons (when
considered vertically) reciprocating together. George called it a "flat
vertical" - flat for balance, vertical for cooling.
As first designed, the four
cylinders each were about 68x68 mm., 996 cc., with the camshafts gear-driven
... Much development work was done on this engine and as might be expected
many modifications resulted, culminating in the second design ... and it
was this engine that was used in the first "Dream" exhibited at Olympia
in 1938.
Final drive was by the propeller
shaft ... and an underslung worm and wormwheel on the rear axle, and even
the propeller shaft was enclosed in a tube.
Quite apart from its original
features, this remarkable engine had one advantage over all the OHV twins
so far produced - the valves and springs are now totally enclosed. It was
the most original and outstanding attempt to break away from the ... conventionalism
in motorcycles this country had, up to 1938, ever witnessed.
... four or five were
produced during the early part of 1939 and with the four-speed box was
being erected [sic] for Olympia that year.
Then, in September, England
was at war for the third time this century, and for the second time the
productive capacity of the house of Brough applied to the war effort.
T.E. Lawrence, a great proponent of the Rolls-Royce marque, was also
a magnificent motorcyclist. He owned a succession of Brough Superiors and
travelled at speed over distances which in this day and age seem quite
respectable, but in the 1920's & 30's were little short of incredible.
Brough Superior from 1923 : Road Tests and Features from the Motor
Cycle, Motor Cycling & Motor Cycle Sport C.E. Allen, Published 1990
Out of Print - Try Used
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Brough Superior SS100 Colin Simms
Haynes ASIN: 0854293647
Out of Print - Try Used
Books
"To explain the lure of speed you would have to explain
human nature; but it is easier understood than explained. All men in all
ages have beggared themselves for fast horses or camels or ships or cars
or bikes or aeroplanes: all men have strained themselves dry to run or
walk or swim faster. Speed is the second oldest animal craving in our nature,
and our generation is fortunate in being able to indulge it more cheaply
and generally than our ancestors. Every natural man cultivates the speed
that appeals to him. I have a motor-bike income." T.E. Lawrence.
The
"Dream", like some previous examples, had four cylinders, but there all
resemblance finishes for here we have the cylinders arranged after an "H"
on its side or, if one prefers it, two horizontally opposed twins one above
the other and geared together. Perfect balance was obtained by causing
them to rotate in opposite directions but with each pair of pistons (when
considered vertically) reciprocating together. George called it a "flat
vertical" - flat for balance, vertical for cooling.
