143:
418:
26:
541:
practical, and ample provision is made for silencing, the exhaust pipes taken right out to the back of the machine. Internal expanding
Brampton front wheel brakes may be fitted as an alternative to the ordinary rim brake, and the Brampton fork with centrally placed tension spring has been standardised. Adjustment is provided for the front driving chain to the gear box.
150:
The company was formed in 1862 by
William Bown. At first, the company manufactured a variety of articles: parts for sewing machines, horse clippers, roller skate wheels and the likes. Many of these devices were the subject of patents filed by William Bown and sometimes one or more of his colleagues.
540:
Several alternatives are offered by the makers of the Bown motorcycles, Blackburne, J.A.P. and
Villiers-engined models being shown upon the stand. The general specification apart from the engine is similar in each case. These machines are laid down and constructed on lines that are sound, solid, and
246:
1877 patent 3531 granted 19 September 1877 as "bearings for velocipedes, carriages and other purposes". Including the first ball-race-pedal and wheel-bearings based on their development of the "AEolus ball bearing". These were to become key products for the company accordingly bearing the trade-mark
378:
227:
amongst other products, the company was able to earn substantial royalties in addition to sales from their own manufactured products. The company's promotional material clearly referenced these unique selling points and illustrated the range of technical innovations introduced by the company.
531:
269cc touring model still survive The machine was equipped with a two-speed gearbox, drip-feed lubrication and a Bosch magneto. It had aluminium footboards, Saxon forks and Miller lighting set. The exhaust included an aluminium damper
173:
in 1893. With the success of Aeolus ball bearings, production was increasingly focused on bicycle parts and by 1896 the company was clearly identified as a bicycle manufacturer being listed as such in a local business directory.
192:
motorcycle production restarted in 1914, again under the Aeolus marque, using a small
Villiers engine. While the war interrupted production, when it resumed in 1919, the motorcycles were now marketed under Bown's own name as the
255:, then a 27-year old toolmaker in Birmingham. Bown persuaded Hughes to sell the rights to the patent and to work for him. Hughes continued to collaborate with Bown in future patent applications
177:
After the death of
William in 1900, a second-cousin, William A.R. Bown, took over the company and in 1903 took the next step in bicycle manufacture by adding an engine to produce the first
118:
had been used as a trademark since 1877 and especially for cycle parts. A second-cousin took over the company when the founder died in 1900 and began making powered-cycles also under the
1556:
468:
As well as manufacturing their own range of motorcycles, the company also offered equipment for other makes of bike: motorcycle hubs, rim brakes, ball-bearing clutches and the likes.
1551:
261:
1878 patent 1274 for the invention of " certain improvements in springs for gloves and other purposes, and in the means used for securing springs to gloves or other articles"
1571:
276:
266:
1878 patent 3303 for the invention of "certain improvements in attachments and accessories for sewing-machines, parts of which are applicable for other useful purposes."
832:
158:
bearing utilising ball-bearings and applied to bicycle pedals and wheel hubs. The idea was patented and became a key product for the company acquiring the trade-mark
223:
William Bown was an enthusiastic experimenter with a keen eye for marketable ideas. He is known to have registered over 14 patents. Owning a patent for the famous
1546:
283:
293:
1566:
825:
805:
765:
185:, possibly the first British motorcycle to do so. However, the machines were only made in very small numbers and production ceased in 1905.
240:
1876 patent 3266 for the invention of "improvements in the construction of wheels or rollers for roller skates and for other purposes"
1173:
818:
169:. By 1892 the company had over 1,000 employees in several workshops. Approaching his retirement, William converted the business to a
1561:
512:
114:
was established in 1862 in
Birmingham by local machinist, William Bown, making a variety of patented mechanical parts. The name
204:
In 1924 the factory relocated to
Chadwell Heath, Essex and production changed back from motorcycles to unpowered bicycles.
258:
1878 patent 653 for the invention of "certain improvements in apparatus for clipping or shearing horses and other animals"
969:
852:
1401:
151:
On several occasions, the company resorted to the courts to try and protect these patents; not always successfully.
927:
781:
289:
1891 patent for "elastic tires and rims for the wheels of bicycles, tricycles, and other velocipedes and carriages"
1083:
369:
329:
1371:
1065:
215:
name continued to be used by
Aberdale and several motorcycles were produced under this marque into the 1950s .
1113:
876:
1443:
1071:
475:
had a 492cc single-cylinder engine with shaft drive to the rear wheel. Production was on a limited scale
317:
became standard equipment used by most or all bicycle manufacturers, possibly even in current machines.
1359:
1275:
1125:
1047:
1029:
901:
232:
1870 patent 2781 for the invention of "an improved arrangement of feed regulator for sewing machines"
762:
1143:
1089:
1053:
1347:
1203:
1059:
906:
508:
447:
354:
1395:
1323:
1311:
1035:
957:
382:
contemporaneous engraving or sketch of the
Bownian accompanying report of the 1922 Olympia Show
279:
cycle manufactures and others on breach of the 1877 patent; Humber eventually became licensees.
896:
142:
1215:
1179:
1095:
886:
800:
607:
746:
730:
714:
701:
684:
667:
651:
635:
1515:
1497:
945:
528:
623:
8:
1503:
1473:
1461:
1455:
1419:
1413:
1389:
1377:
1329:
1305:
1245:
1149:
1023:
1011:
1005:
891:
871:
243:
1876 patent 3817 in respect of the invention of "improvements in sewing machine shuttles
1521:
1479:
1299:
1281:
1251:
1233:
1227:
1185:
1101:
1017:
417:
1431:
1383:
1263:
1221:
1191:
1041:
981:
591:
433:
396:
344:
1467:
1449:
987:
975:
951:
911:
810:
302:
1892 patent for "lamps for bicycles, tricycles, and other velocipedes or carriages"
211:
though
William A.R. Bown retained a seat on the board in a technical capacity. The
1509:
1437:
1353:
1341:
1257:
1209:
1197:
1167:
1161:
1107:
999:
933:
769:
170:
123:
782:
https://archive.org/stream/motorcycle29lond_/motorcycle29lond#page/n463/mode/2up
1485:
1269:
1155:
1119:
939:
310:
1540:
1425:
1335:
1239:
963:
881:
269:
1879 patent for "improvements to bicycles, tricycles and other velocipedes"
182:
1365:
1287:
1131:
842:
536:
A contemporary review from the 1922 show at Olympia, London reported:
1491:
1317:
1293:
377:
1407:
208:
131:
1077:
763:
http://www.yesterdays.nl/bown-1920-villiers-269-cc-ts-p-1328.html
272:
1880 patent for "improvements in tricycles and parts of bicycles"
166:
130:
brand until 1924. The company was subsequently acquired by the
1137:
457:
235:
1874 patent 715 invention of "improvements in horse clippers"
25:
1557:
Manufacturing companies based in Birmingham, West Midlands
608:"Triumph Motorcycles Timeline: The Early Years, 1883-1918"
993:
866:
747:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/24624/page/5137
731:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/24574/page/2648
715:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/24557/page/1780
685:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/24383/page/6063
668:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/24361/page/4929
652:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/24082/page/1938
636:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/23677/page/4836
275:
1883 an expensive and protracted court case challenging
207:
Midway through the thirties the company was acquired by
181:
motorcycle. This early machine is renowned for having a
94:
Aeolus ball bearings, cycle-parts, Bicycles, Motorcycles
624:
http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/File:Im040630CTR-Aolus.jpg
1552:
Defunct motorcycle manufacturers of the United Kingdom
840:
1572:
Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1862
592:http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Bown_Manufacturing_Co
126:, after which motorcycles were marketed under the
154:One particular development was the creation of a
1538:
1547:Motorcycle manufacturers of the United Kingdom
826:
772:Recent (2016) sale of 1920 Villiers 269cc ts
299:1891 patent for "velocipede and other lamps"
594:Grace's Guide to British Industrial History
833:
819:
602:
600:
416:
376:
24:
587:
585:
583:
581:
515:powered machine, not mentioned after 1921
251:name. The invention was actually made by
122:brand. Production was interrupted by the
619:
617:
579:
577:
575:
573:
571:
569:
567:
565:
563:
561:
486:small 147cc Villiers powered motorcycles
141:
597:
462:rim option: internal expanding Brampton
309:It has been suggested that as the 1877
1539:
1567:British companies established in 1862
814:
614:
558:
511:powered 248cc motorcycle and a 348cc
218:
853:Manufacturing in the United Kingdom
442:348cc Blackburne 4-stroke 1919-1921
13:
438:269cc Villiers 2-stroke 1919-1923
14:
1583:
794:
188:Still based in Birmingham at the
440:293cc J.A.P. 4-stroke 1919-1921
775:
756:
740:
724:
86:William Bown, William A.R. Bown
1562:1862 establishments in England
708:
694:
677:
661:
645:
629:
320:
1:
551:
349:492cc single-cylinder engine
7:
305:1894 patent for velocipedes
10:
1588:
626:newspaper advert from 1904
277:Humber, Marriot and Cooper
137:
112:Bown Manufacturing Company
1126:Chase Brothers Motorcycle
920:
859:
850:
546:The Motor Cycle, Nov 1922
456:
446:
432:
424:
415:
395:
387:
375:
353:
343:
335:
190:Aeolus Works, Summer Lane
98:
90:
80:
70:
56:
48:
40:
32:
23:
286:on breach of 1877 patent
1348:Norton Villiers Triumph
527:, extant versions of a
452:2 gears, chain-cum-belt
411:1919-1923 Bown Villiers
401:147cc Villiers 2-stroke
146:Aeolus bicycle, 1892-95
1296:(1899–1966, 1988–1990)
806:1920 Villiers 269cc ts
549:
313:(after 20 years), the
164:Greek god of the winds
147:
132:Aberdale Cycle Company
538:
201:for larger machines.
145:
1024:Alldays & Onions
768:10 June 2016 at the
749:(13 September 1878)
1084:Beardmore Precision
994:AJS Motorcycles Ltd
687:(14 November 1876)
670:(8 September 1876)
638:(11 November 1870)
412:
372:
332:
296:on breach of patent
225:Aeolus ball bearing
100:Number of employees
36:Motorcycle, Bicycle
20:
1234:Hazlewoods Limited
801:Bown-Villiers 1922
751:The London Gazette
735:The London Gazette
719:The London Gazette
689:The London Gazette
672:The London Gazette
656:The London Gazette
640:The London Gazette
410:
407:Type of motorcycle
368:
365:Type of motorcycle
328:
325:Type of motorcycle
148:
44:William Bown, 1862
18:
1531:
1530:
1222:Grindlay Peerless
496:rebranded as the
466:
465:
405:
404:
370:1914-1924 Bownian
363:
362:
253:John Henry Hughes
219:Patent activities
108:
107:
1579:
835:
828:
821:
812:
811:
788:
779:
773:
760:
754:
744:
738:
733:(19 April 1878)
728:
722:
712:
706:
705:
698:
692:
681:
675:
665:
659:
654:(31 March 1874)
649:
643:
633:
627:
621:
612:
611:
604:
595:
589:
547:
420:
413:
409:
380:
373:
367:
333:
327:
284:Centaur Cycle Co
162:referencing the
76:UK & Ireland
28:
21:
17:
1587:
1586:
1582:
1581:
1580:
1578:
1577:
1576:
1537:
1536:
1532:
1527:
1342:Norton-Villiers
1210:Francis-Barnett
1162:Coventry Victor
1108:Brough Superior
916:
855:
846:
839:
797:
792:
791:
786:The Motor Cycle
780:
776:
770:Wayback Machine
761:
757:
745:
741:
729:
725:
717:(1 March 1878)
713:
709:
700:
699:
695:
682:
678:
666:
662:
650:
646:
634:
630:
622:
615:
606:
605:
598:
590:
559:
554:
548:
545:
523:Branded as the
408:
383:
366:
326:
323:
315:ball-race-pedal
292:1891 challenge
282:1890 challenge
221:
171:limited company
140:
124:First World War
101:
83:
73:
66:
62:
12:
11:
5:
1585:
1575:
1574:
1569:
1564:
1559:
1554:
1549:
1529:
1528:
1526:
1525:
1519:
1513:
1507:
1501:
1495:
1489:
1483:
1477:
1471:
1465:
1459:
1453:
1447:
1441:
1435:
1429:
1423:
1417:
1411:
1405:
1399:
1393:
1387:
1381:
1375:
1369:
1363:
1357:
1351:
1345:
1339:
1333:
1327:
1321:
1315:
1309:
1303:
1297:
1291:
1285:
1279:
1273:
1267:
1261:
1255:
1249:
1243:
1237:
1231:
1225:
1219:
1213:
1207:
1201:
1195:
1189:
1183:
1177:
1171:
1165:
1159:
1156:Coventry-Eagle
1153:
1147:
1141:
1135:
1129:
1123:
1117:
1111:
1105:
1099:
1093:
1087:
1081:
1075:
1069:
1063:
1057:
1051:
1045:
1039:
1033:
1027:
1021:
1015:
1009:
1003:
997:
991:
985:
979:
973:
967:
961:
955:
949:
946:Abingdon (AKD)
943:
937:
931:
924:
922:
918:
917:
915:
914:
909:
904:
899:
894:
889:
884:
879:
874:
869:
863:
861:
857:
856:
851:
848:
847:
838:
837:
830:
823:
815:
809:
808:
803:
796:
795:External links
793:
790:
789:
774:
755:
739:
723:
707:
693:
676:
660:
644:
628:
613:
596:
556:
555:
553:
550:
543:
534:
533:
521:
517:
516:
506:
502:
501:
490:
487:
481:
477:
476:
473:
464:
463:
460:
454:
453:
450:
444:
443:
436:
430:
429:
426:
422:
421:
406:
403:
402:
399:
393:
392:
389:
385:
384:
381:
364:
361:
360:
357:
351:
350:
347:
341:
340:
337:
324:
322:
319:
311:patent expired
307:
306:
303:
300:
297:
290:
287:
280:
273:
270:
267:
263:
262:
259:
256:
244:
241:
237:
236:
233:
220:
217:
139:
136:
134:in the 1930s.
106:
105:
102:
99:
96:
95:
92:
88:
87:
84:
81:
78:
77:
74:
71:
68:
67:
64:
60:
58:
54:
53:
50:
46:
45:
42:
38:
37:
34:
30:
29:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1584:
1573:
1570:
1568:
1565:
1563:
1560:
1558:
1555:
1553:
1550:
1548:
1545:
1544:
1542:
1535:
1523:
1520:
1517:
1514:
1511:
1508:
1505:
1502:
1499:
1496:
1493:
1490:
1487:
1484:
1481:
1478:
1475:
1472:
1469:
1466:
1463:
1460:
1457:
1454:
1451:
1448:
1445:
1442:
1439:
1436:
1433:
1430:
1427:
1426:Royal Enfield
1424:
1421:
1418:
1415:
1412:
1409:
1406:
1403:
1400:
1397:
1394:
1391:
1388:
1385:
1382:
1379:
1376:
1373:
1370:
1367:
1364:
1361:
1358:
1355:
1352:
1349:
1346:
1343:
1340:
1337:
1334:
1331:
1328:
1325:
1322:
1319:
1316:
1313:
1310:
1307:
1304:
1301:
1298:
1295:
1292:
1289:
1286:
1283:
1280:
1277:
1274:
1271:
1268:
1265:
1262:
1259:
1256:
1253:
1250:
1247:
1244:
1241:
1238:
1235:
1232:
1229:
1226:
1223:
1220:
1217:
1214:
1211:
1208:
1205:
1202:
1199:
1196:
1193:
1190:
1187:
1184:
1181:
1178:
1175:
1172:
1169:
1166:
1163:
1160:
1157:
1154:
1151:
1148:
1145:
1142:
1139:
1136:
1133:
1130:
1127:
1124:
1121:
1118:
1115:
1112:
1109:
1106:
1103:
1100:
1097:
1094:
1091:
1088:
1085:
1082:
1079:
1076:
1073:
1070:
1067:
1064:
1061:
1058:
1055:
1052:
1049:
1046:
1043:
1040:
1037:
1034:
1031:
1028:
1025:
1022:
1019:
1016:
1013:
1010:
1007:
1004:
1001:
998:
995:
992:
989:
986:
983:
980:
977:
974:
971:
968:
965:
962:
959:
956:
953:
950:
947:
944:
941:
938:
935:
932:
929:
926:
925:
923:
919:
913:
910:
908:
905:
903:
900:
898:
895:
893:
890:
888:
885:
883:
880:
878:
875:
873:
870:
868:
865:
864:
862:
858:
854:
849:
845:manufacturers
844:
836:
831:
829:
824:
822:
817:
816:
813:
807:
804:
802:
799:
798:
787:
783:
778:
771:
767:
764:
759:
752:
748:
743:
736:
732:
727:
720:
716:
711:
703:
697:
690:
686:
680:
673:
669:
664:
657:
653:
648:
642:, 23677, 4836
641:
637:
632:
625:
620:
618:
609:
603:
601:
593:
588:
586:
584:
582:
580:
578:
576:
574:
572:
570:
568:
566:
564:
562:
557:
542:
537:
530:
526:
525:Bown Villiers
522:
519:
518:
514:
510:
507:
504:
503:
499:
495:
491:
488:
485:
482:
479:
478:
474:
471:
470:
469:
461:
459:
455:
451:
449:
445:
441:
437:
435:
431:
427:
423:
419:
414:
400:
398:
394:
390:
386:
379:
374:
371:
358:
356:
352:
348:
346:
342:
338:
334:
331:
318:
316:
312:
304:
301:
298:
295:
294:Hart Cycle Co
291:
288:
285:
281:
278:
274:
271:
268:
265:
264:
260:
257:
254:
250:
245:
242:
239:
238:
234:
231:
230:
229:
226:
216:
214:
210:
205:
202:
200:
199:Bown Villiers
196:
191:
186:
184:
180:
175:
172:
168:
165:
161:
157:
152:
144:
135:
133:
129:
125:
121:
117:
113:
103:
97:
93:
89:
85:
79:
75:
69:
59:
55:
51:
47:
43:
39:
35:
31:
27:
22:
16:
1533:
1330:New Imperial
1054:Ascot-Pullin
1030:Allen Norton
785:
777:
758:
750:
742:
734:
726:
718:
710:
702:"Bown Motes"
696:
688:
679:
671:
663:
655:
647:
639:
631:
539:
535:
524:
497:
493:
483:
467:
448:Transmission
439:
425:Manufacturer
388:Manufacturer
355:Transmission
336:Manufacturer
314:
308:
252:
248:
224:
222:
212:
206:
203:
198:
194:
189:
187:
178:
176:
163:
159:
155:
153:
149:
127:
119:
115:
111:
109:
104:1,000 (1892)
57:Headquarters
15:
1524:(1905–1950)
1518:(1909–1954)
1512:(1911–1916)
1506:(1928–1959)
1504:Vincent-HRD
1500:(1898–1966)
1494:(1904–1971)
1488:(1912–1964)
1482:(1947–1959)
1476:(1885–1983)
1470:(1911–1961)
1464:(1964–1974)
1458:(1900–1915)
1452:(1976–1979)
1446:(1908–1965)
1440:(1911–1946)
1434:(1909–1932)
1428:(1893–1971)
1422:(1902–1924)
1416:(1960–1975)
1410:(1899–1933)
1404:(1899–1967)
1398:(1901–1928)
1392:(1975–1982)
1386:(1904–1967)
1380:(1908–1921)
1374:(1922–1930)
1368:(1882–1940)
1362:(1901–1954)
1356:(1912–1933)
1350:(1972–1978)
1344:(1966–1972)
1338:(1935–1963)
1332:(1901–1939)
1326:(1903–1958)
1320:(1921–1926)
1314:(1902–1939)
1308:(2004–2014)
1302:(1926–1929)
1290:(1919–1923)
1284:(1911–1939)
1278:(1903–1939)
1272:(1902–1966)
1266:(1911–1934)
1260:(1922–1928)
1254:(1898–1930)
1248:(1981–1988)
1242:(1971–1977)
1236:(1895–1923)
1230:(1912–1924)
1224:(1923-1939)
1218:(1953–1976)
1212:(1919–1966)
1206:(1896–1964)
1200:(1947–1977)
1194:(1919–1923)
1188:(1919–1935)
1182:(1907–1957)
1176:(1908–1978)
1170:(1945–1971)
1164:(1919–1936)
1158:(1901–1939)
1152:(1918–1980)
1146:(1946–1954)
1140:(1909–1923)
1134:(1900–1936)
1128:(1903–1906)
1122:(1909–1939)
1116:(1919–1972)
1110:(1919–1940)
1104:(1908–1926)
1098:(1902–1924)
1092:(1913–1922)
1086:(1914–1930)
1080:(1920–1936)
1074:(1902–1926)
1068:(1927–1930)
1062:(1937–1966)
1056:(1928–1930)
1050:(1980–1987)
1044:(1902–1970)
1038:(1946–1964)
1032:(1990–1994}
1026:(1903–1915)
1020:(1903–1906)
1014:(1919–1925)
1008:(1919–1922)
1002:(1928–1976)
996:(1909–2000)
990:(1925–1926)
984:(1937–1940)
978:(1919–1924)
972:(1905–1947)
966:(1902–1922)
960:(1919–1924)
954:(1950–1954)
948:(1903–1925)
942:(1946–1959)
936:(1919–1923)
784:(Nov 1922)
753:24624 p5137
737:24574 p2648
721:24557 p1780
691:24383 p6063
674:24361 p4929
658:24082 p1938
520:1919 - 1923
359:shaft-drive
330:1903 Aeolus
321:Motorcycles
183:shaft drive
72:Area served
1541:Categories
1366:OK-Supreme
1324:New Hudson
1312:Montgomery
1288:Martinsyde
1132:Chater-Lea
1090:Blackburne
1036:Ambassador
928:Abbotsford
843:motorcycle
552:References
513:Blackburne
82:Key people
61:Birmingham
1510:Wilkinson
1492:Velocette
1318:Ner-A-Car
1294:Matchless
1204:Excelsior
1120:Calthorpe
1048:Armstrong
505:1919-1921
489:1919-1924
480:1914-1916
472:1903-1905
156:ball race
1498:Villiers
1408:Rex-Acme
1396:Quadrant
1096:Bradbury
940:Aberdale
930:(1919–?)
841:British
766:Archived
544:—
529:Villiers
209:Aberdale
91:Products
33:Industry
1486:Sunbeam
1474:Triumph
1414:Rickman
1402:Raleigh
1384:Panther
1378:Premier
1372:P&P
1306:Megelli
1246:Hesketh
1216:Greeves
1180:Douglas
1078:Baughan
970:Advance
958:Ackland
921:Defunct
907:Triumph
897:Métisse
892:Hesketh
887:Greeves
860:Current
498:Bownian
197:or the
195:Bownian
138:History
49:Defunct
41:Founder
1522:Zenith
1516:Wooler
1480:Tandon
1462:Sprite
1456:Singer
1390:Quasar
1336:Norman
1300:McEvoy
1252:Humber
1240:Healey
1186:Dunelt
1150:Cotton
1102:Brough
1012:Alecto
1006:Akkens
902:Norton
882:Cheney
494:Aelous
484:Aeolus
458:Brakes
434:Engine
397:Engine
345:Engine
249:Aeolus
179:Aeolus
167:Aeolus
120:Aeolus
116:Aeolus
1444:Scott
1438:Rudge
1420:Rover
1282:Levis
1270:James
1228:Haden
1192:Duzmo
1144:Corgi
1138:Clyno
1066:Baker
1042:Ariel
1018:Alert
872:Ariel
160:Æolus
52:1930s
1450:Silk
1432:Ruby
964:Acme
912:Wasp
532:box.
492:the
428:Bown
391:Bown
339:Bown
213:Bown
128:Bown
110:The
19:Bown
1468:Sun
1360:OEC
1354:NUT
1276:JAP
1264:Ivy
1258:HRD
1198:EMC
1174:DOT
1168:DMW
1114:BSA
1072:Bat
1060:AMC
1000:AJW
988:AJR
982:AER
976:AEL
952:ABJ
934:ABC
877:CCM
867:AJS
509:JAP
1543::
1534:→
616:^
599:^
560:^
65:UK
63:,
834:e
827:t
820:v
704:.
683:"
610:.
500:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
