LOT 720
Offered from the National Motorcycle Museum Collection 1921 Martinsyde-Newman 680cc Motorcycle Combination Registration no. KS 1316 Frame no. NO 395 Engine no. NO 395
Sold for £36,800 inc. premium
Lot 720
Offered from the National Motorcycle Museum Collection, 1921 Martinsyde-Newman 680cc Motorcycle CombinationRegistration no. KS 1316 Frame no. NO 395 Engine no. NO 395
Offered from the National Motorcycle Museum Collection
1921 Martinsyde-Newman 680cc Motorcycle Combination
Registration no. KS 1316
Frame no. NO 395
Engine no. NO 395
1921 Martinsyde-Newman 680cc Motorcycle Combination
Registration no. KS 1316
Frame no. NO 395
Engine no. NO 395
• Early example of the marque
• Matching frame, engine and gearbox
• An older restoration
The British firm of Martinsyde was founded in 1908 when Helmuth Paul Martin and George Harris Handasyde went into partnership to build aircraft. By the end of WWI Martinsyde was Britain's third largest aircraft manufacturer, occupying sites at Brooklands and Woking. Faced with a sharp downturn in demand for its products, the firm turned to motorcycle production at the war's end, having acquired the rights to an exhaust-over-inlet engine, designed by Howard Newman (also associated with Ivy motorcycles) and an AJS three-speed gearbox. Problems caused by unsatisfactory fame components having been overcome, motorcycle production got properly underway in 1919. The company's first machines, powered by Newman's unusual 680cc exhaust-over-inlet v-twin engine, were marketed as Martinsyde-Newmans, abbreviated to simply Martinsyde after Newman's departure. Smaller, single-cylinder models anda 495cc v-twin were added to the range and Martinsydes began to feature in competitions, achieving some successes at Brooklands and the Scottish Six Days Trial. Sadly, a disastrous fire in 1922 destroyed the works and Martinsyde went into liquidation, its name and remaining stock being acquired by BAT. The last complete Martinsyde was sold in 1923 and few examples of the estimated 2,000-or-so machines built survive today.
This rare Martinsyde-Newman was acquired by the National Motorcycle Museum in July 2004 via the late Brian Verrall, having previously belonged to one Edward McKnight of Melrose. Noteworthy features include a Cowie speedometer; acetylene lighting; Lucas 'King of the Road' horn; and a tax disc that expired in 1928. Apparently, an older restoration, the machine is offered with an old-style V5C Registration Certificate and an HPI check sheet. It should be noted that the latter records the machine as an insurance write-off; accordingly, prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's registration status prior to bidding. The machine's mechanical condition is not known; accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to its condition, completeness, correctness, or otherwise prior to bidding.
• Matching frame, engine and gearbox
• An older restoration
The British firm of Martinsyde was founded in 1908 when Helmuth Paul Martin and George Harris Handasyde went into partnership to build aircraft. By the end of WWI Martinsyde was Britain's third largest aircraft manufacturer, occupying sites at Brooklands and Woking. Faced with a sharp downturn in demand for its products, the firm turned to motorcycle production at the war's end, having acquired the rights to an exhaust-over-inlet engine, designed by Howard Newman (also associated with Ivy motorcycles) and an AJS three-speed gearbox. Problems caused by unsatisfactory fame components having been overcome, motorcycle production got properly underway in 1919. The company's first machines, powered by Newman's unusual 680cc exhaust-over-inlet v-twin engine, were marketed as Martinsyde-Newmans, abbreviated to simply Martinsyde after Newman's departure. Smaller, single-cylinder models anda 495cc v-twin were added to the range and Martinsydes began to feature in competitions, achieving some successes at Brooklands and the Scottish Six Days Trial. Sadly, a disastrous fire in 1922 destroyed the works and Martinsyde went into liquidation, its name and remaining stock being acquired by BAT. The last complete Martinsyde was sold in 1923 and few examples of the estimated 2,000-or-so machines built survive today.
This rare Martinsyde-Newman was acquired by the National Motorcycle Museum in July 2004 via the late Brian Verrall, having previously belonged to one Edward McKnight of Melrose. Noteworthy features include a Cowie speedometer; acetylene lighting; Lucas 'King of the Road' horn; and a tax disc that expired in 1928. Apparently, an older restoration, the machine is offered with an old-style V5C Registration Certificate and an HPI check sheet. It should be noted that the latter records the machine as an insurance write-off; accordingly, prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's registration status prior to bidding. The machine's mechanical condition is not known; accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to its condition, completeness, correctness, or otherwise prior to bidding.
Saleroom notices
Martinsyde authority and marque specialist Brian Walker advises that this machine was found in Scandinavia. He believes the sidecar isn't Martinsyde (possibly a Gloria) but the chassis might be genuine. Please click the link to view the walkaround video of Lot 720: click here
Additional information
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