The Bat Motor Manufacturing Co. Ltd was a British

motorcycle A motorcycle (motorbike, bike, or trike (if three-wheeled)) is a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle steered by a handlebar. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long-distance travel, commuting, cruising ...

manufacturer that operated between 1902 and 1926. Significant innovations developed by the company included one of the first motorcycle suspension systems, with a leading link front fork and a subframe suspended on springs from the main frame.

History

Founded in 1902, the Bat Motor Manufacturing Co. Ltd was named after founder Samuel Robert Batson. Based in

Penge Penge () is a suburb of South East London, England, now in the London Borough of Bromley, west of Bromley, north east of Croydon and south east of Charing Cross. History Penge was once a small hamlet, which was recorded under the name Pence ...

, the first Bat motorcycle used a small de Dion engine but poor sales led to Batson selling the company to Theodore Tessier in 1904. Nicknamed 'Best After Tests,' two Bat motorcycles were entered in the 1907

Isle of Man TT The Isle of Man TT or Tourist Trophy races are an annual motorcycle racing event run on the Isle of Man in May/June of most years since its inaugural race in 1907. The event is often called one of the most dangerous racing events in the world ...

races. The company produced the first sprung frame in 1906 and in 1908 developed one of the first sidecar outfits, with two powered wheels on a removable sidecar. Tessier was also an innovator and keen to develop motorcycling technology. Significant innovations included one of the first practical clutch mechanisms and he also patented one of the first motorcycle full suspension systems, with a leading link front fork and a subframe suspended on springs from the main frame. To raise awareness of the motorcycles, Tessier began serious competitive racing and achieved over 200 wins, setting numerous speed records. Bat also developed twin-cylinder motorcycles in 1912 and managed seventh place in the 1913 Senior TT. Production ended with the outbreak of the First World War but restarted in 1919. They took over

Martinsyde Martinsyde was a British aircraft and motorcycle manufacturer between 1908 and 1922, when it was forced into liquidation by a factory fire. History The company was first formed in 1908 as a partnership between H.P. Martin and George Handasyde ...

Motorcycles in 1923 but financial difficulties led to the closure of the Bat-Martinsyde company in 1926.

Car production

Bat also produced a number of tricars, with a wicker passenger seat over the front axle. The single-cylinder engines were usually or . By 1904 a number of cars were produced using a 6 hp 2-cylinder Fafnir engine and a seat for the driver instead of the usual saddle, with a semi-enclosed wooden body for a passenger. In 1909 Bat introduced the Carcycle, which was similar to a motorcycle and sidecar but had four wheels and handlebar steering.

References

{{British motorcycle manufacturers Defunct motorcycle manufacturers of the United Kingdom Defunct companies based in Kent Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1902 Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 1926 1902 establishments in England 1926 disestablishments in England Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of England British companies disestablished in 1926 British companies established in 1902

History

Car production

See also

References