1929 Brough Superior Overhead 680 Project

Registration no. KD 4373
Frame no. P 822 (see text)
Engine no. GTOY/S 37183/S
Fuel tank no. P 2031
Gearbox no. HW 86644 B

With the SS80 and SS100 well established by the mid-1920s, it was decided to add a smaller and cheaper alternative to these two 1,000cc models to the Brough Superior range. JAP was already producing a 674cc sidevalve v-twin engine and this unit, redesigned to accommodate overhead valves, went into Brough's new 'Overhead 680'. First shown to the public at the Olympia Motorcycle Show in 1926, the 'Miniature SS100', as George Brough called it, entered production for 1927.

The new middleweight Brough was an instant success and for the 1930 season was joined by a version to higher specification. First seen at the 1929 Motorcycle Show, the newcomer was dubbed 'Black Alpine 680', a reference to the lavishly equipped SS100 Alpine Grand Sports and the fact that the newcomer boasted a distinctive all-black eggshell finish. Principal mechanical difference from the standard Overhead 680 was the adoption of the patented Bentley & Draper spring frame.

The introduction of a cheaper Brough styled along SS100 lines would prove to be a shrewd move on George's part: sales were healthy and over 11 years of production 547 OHV 680s were sold, of which it is estimated that only some 127 survive in complete condition.

Highly original (frame, engine, fuel tank), this OHV 680 has been in the present family ownership since the 1960s. (The Sturmey-Archer gearbox is not the original but is of the correct type.) The Brough was sold new by the Victor Horsman agency in Liverpool and registered by the local council on 27th February 1929 as 'KD 4373'.

The machine has been dry stored in its current dismantled condition for some time and is offered as a project. The Brough passed to the current vendor in 2001 when his stepfather passed away; not being a motorcyclist, he feels now is the right time to part with it. Prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's originality, mechanical condition and completeness (or otherwise) prior to bidding.

Accompanying documentation include a V5C Registration Certificate; an old-style RF.60 logbook (issued 1946); copy old V5; copy Works Record Card; and a letter from the Brough Superior Club's Machine Registrar, Mike Leatherdale. It should be noted that both the V5C and RF.60 erroneously record the frame number as '37183/S', which is in fact the engine number. Therefore, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to the validity and status of the VRN.

Key not required.