The Martinsyde business was first formed in 1908 as a partnership between H.P. Martin and George Handasyde.
At that point in time, Martinsyde were involved in the world of aviation, and later that year, their first monoplane was constructed and succeeded in lifting off the ground before crash landing in gale force winds. Martinsyde were a determined bunch however, and went on to be a successful aircraft manufacturer, becoming the third largest aircraft manufacturer in Britain during World War One with flight sheds at Brooklands and a large factory nearby in Woking.
A few years down the line in 1919, Martinsyde took their skills in a different direction and began manufacturing motorcycles, having acquired production rights of engines designed by Howard Newman. The early models included a 350cc single and a 677cc V-twin which featured an exhaust-over-inlet configuration. Initially they were marketed as Martinsyde-Newman, which was abbreviated to Martinsyde after Newman’s departure from the company.
In 1922, disaster struck the firm, when the factory burnt down – an event which ultimately forced Martinsyde into liquidation. In total, only around 2000 motorcycles rolled off the Martinsyde assembly line before the manufacturing rights were eventually purchased by BAT Manufacturing Ltd, and this makes them pretty rare by todays standards.
This Martinsyde (which has been tweaked and tuned over time) is owned by Rick Parkington and is a 1921 model with the 677cc V twin. The motor is fitted into a diamond-type frame with Brampton forks to the front. It has all of the usual features of an early 1920s bike – a total loss oil feed, a flat petrol/ oil tank sandwiched between the horizontal tubes, and a hand gear change mated to a three-speed gearbox built under licence from AJS.
In the 1930s, the bike was acquired by a chap called Chris Tait, who converted it into a competitive and potent sprint machine. In 1939, he took the bike to the Gatwick Sprint, and then over to Brooklands where he achieved an 82mph lap. The bike was entered into many Brighton speed Trials after the Second World War, with the ultimate achievement being an astonishing 103mph over the line in 1956.
This bike was snapped at the 2023 Kop Hill Climb where it was ridden by owner Rick Parkington.
an article by The Girder Club
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