Not the finest quality photographs but cracking images none-the-less. I'm guessing the chap pictured goes by the name of Stanley going by what is written on the first image. I'm not sure of the exact year of the bike but 1912 is a good guess. The Speed model was, obviously enough, the sporting machine in the Bradbury range. Key differences from a standard non-sports model are the lack of pedalling gears, drop bars and shorter wheelbase. Many other manufacturers called their sporting mounts 'TT' models.
Stanley certainly looks like he means business, those bars are dropped even further down than a standard Speed model and the straight through exhaust is not standard either - the original terminated in a small cylindrical silencer in front of the engine. Note two interesting Bradbury features - the first and easiest to see is the cutaway in the petrol tank above the spark plug that allowed the tank to sit lower and gave an overall sleeker profile. The second and harder to see is that the crankcase forms a part of the frame - ie the case is cast around the saddle and main tubes. The crankcase is in steel and there is a large aluminium plate on the offside that houses the timing gears, etc.
Fantastic photos. What a spirited motorcyclist and such a lovely lady, beautifully dressed. She's a sport to perch there for the photo, as the motorcycle has no passenger seat, just a rack. The fellow in the white shop coat is no workman; judging from the finely combed hair and close shave he is the lady's well born husband. He's wearing a dark apron! And in his oversize pocket is perhaps an 8X10 slide for the next photo. The couple's children watch the proceedings through the upper window in the portraits of Stanley. My guess is that the husband is a photo enthusiast and has set up to take shots of Stanley and his motorcycle, which he will shortly develop in his home photo lab, but Stanley has turned the tables and now triggers the camera as his hosts hop on the bike briefly. Stanley is perhaps serious about taking a ride and his pockets are bulging. Food for the trip? The one photo may say "Stanley at 25 High Ridge"? If that address could be traced it might tell much more about the photo.
ReplyDelete... or maybe Stanley is age 25 (his birthday present is the motorcycle?) and the location is High Ridge house? If only these photos could talk!
DeleteObservant as ever David! I hadn't noticed the children in the window, I have a habit of just obsessing about the details of the bikes and not the surroundings.
DeleteI reckon the writing says 'Stanley at 25 High Rd' and then the next word looks like 'Lee'. I've drawn a blank though through google searches, there's nowhere called Lee. I also searched for High Ridge and this isn't a house or street name that really features over here in the UK - we really don't have many high ridges!
If I was pressed to guess I would have to say that the photos are taken somewhere in London from the style of the house, the obvious wealth of the subjects not to mention that they are definitely of a fashionable set.
In fact, Lee was quite a prosperous part of South East London back then; High Ridge would be a viable house name in that area backing onto Blackheath . Area is a bit of a dump now, and 25 is shops from that era. No pillion seats back then, just flapper brackets and a cushion.
ReplyDeleteHi Ken, thanks. Looks like Lee in London is a strong contender for location. As you say, guess it's changed a lot since then. All the best for the New Year.
Deletethanks, young David has virile imgaination; thats not overalls he is wearing in middle pic but a typical motorcycling coat for fine weather, if you look he has leggings on, and the apron is a tummy flap; keeps the wet away from crotch. Always interesting to read his interpretation tho'
Deleteif you look here,excatly that style of house and in Lee
ReplyDeleteoops https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/Lee/flats.html
ReplyDelete