HRD Motors 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 in the 1920s. It was founded by

Howard Raymond Davies Howard R. Davies (27 June 1895 – 3 January 1973), was an English people, English motorcycle racing champion, motorcycle designer and originator of the HRD Motorcycles, 'HRD' marque which later became Vincent Motorcycles, Vincent-HRD motorc ...

. He had worked in motorcycling, and had raced with some success in the mid-twenties, but often not finishing due to unreliability. This inspired him to build a reliable performance motorcycle, using the advertising slogan "Built by a rider". Others also aimed at a similar market, like George Brough of

Brough Superior Brough Superior ( ) motorcycles, sidecars, and automobile, motor cars were made by George Brough in his Brough Superior works on Haydn Road in Nottingham, England, from 1919 to 1940. The motorcycles were dubbed the "Rolls-Royce car, Rolls-Roy ...

motorcycles. After the

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

many motorcycle makers assembled their machines from engines and other major components sourced from different manufacturers. Davies' goal was to build a superior motorcycle from the best components available. Motorcycles were produced from 1924 to 1928, but the undercapitalised company, although having a reputation for performance, struggled to survive, and was ultimately sold to

OK-Supreme OK-Supreme was a British motorcycle manufacturer from 1899 to 1939 located in Birmingham. Grass-track racing versions of the machines continued to be available until 1946. History In 1882 Ernie Humphries and Charles Dawes founded "OK" as bicycl ...

, who then sold the name and goodwill to

Phil Vincent Philip Conrad Vincent (14 March 1908 – 27 March 1979) was a British motorcycle designer and manufacturer. Founder of Vincent Motorcycles, his designs influenced the development of motorcycles around the world. Early life Philip Conrad Vince ...

, a motorcycle designer. The name was then incorporated into a new company, The Vincent HRD Company Ltd.

HRD Production History

1924

In 1924, with E J Massey, the first HRD motorcycles were built. Motors were sourced from

JA Prestwich Industries Ltd JA Prestwich Industries, was a British engineering equipment manufacturing company named after founder John Alfred Prestwich, which was formed in 1951 by the amalgamation of J.A.Prestwich and Company Limited and Pencils Ltd. History John Pres ...

(JAP), close ratio gearboxes from

Burman Burman is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Anneli Burman (born 1963), Swedish curler *Barney Burman Barney Burman is an American makeup artist and character actor. He was part of the team that won an Academy Award in 2009 fo ...

, forks from Druid or Webb, chains from Renolds, oil pumps from Pilgrim, and carburettors from Binks. The bikes targeted the more affluent among the mechanically minded, with sporting performance and quality components. * 1924 Models * HD90 – 500 cc JAP racing engine – – 90 guineas *HD80 – 350 cc JAP OHV double port – – 80 guineas *HD70 – 350 cc JAP OHV – – 70 guineas *HD70 S – 500 cc JAP sports sidevalve – – Solo: 66 guineas, Sidecar: 83 guineas

1925

In 1925 Davies rode his own motorcycles at the

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 ...

, coming second in the Junior and winning the Senior. This brought in orders, but while appearing successful the firm was losing money. The first premises were too small, so they had to enlarge, but were undercapitalised. There was always a waiting list, but only small numbers were produced. In September

Bert le Vack Herbert 'Bert' le Vack (1888 London – 16 September 1931 Berne, Switzerland) was a motorcycle world speed record holder throughout the 1920s and earned the nickname the 'Wizard of Brooklands' for his exploits at Brooklands. An expert racing ...

set a speed record of on an HRD at

Brooklands Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England, United Kingdom. It opened in 1907 and was the world's first purpose-built 'banked' motor racing circuit as well as one of Britain's first airfields, ...

. *1925 Models *HD Super90 – 500 cc JAP twin port engine – – 98 guineas

1926

In 1926 the opposition at the TT were faster, and the best placing for HRD was fifth. The model range was broadened, but production didn't meet demand. A general strike inflicted more financial damage. *1926 Models *HD75 – 500 cc Jap OHV engine – – 75 guineas *HD 600 De Luxe – 600 cc JAP sidevalve – 72 guineas *HD65 – 350 cc JAP OHV – – 65 guineas *HD60 – 350 cc JAP sidevalve – – 60 guineas *The HD Super 90 gained the option of a 600 cc JAP OHV motor, raising the price by 5 guineas.

1927

In 1927

Freddie Dixon Frederick William Dixon (21 April 1892 – 4 November 1956) was an English motorcycle racer and racing car driver. The designer of the motorcycle and banking sidecar system, he was also one of the few motorsport competitors to have been success ...

took first place in the Junior TT, and sixth in the Senior for HRD. Despite this victory, the financial situation worsened.

Sold to Vincent

In January 1928, the company entered voluntary liquidation. It was bought by Ernest Humphries (of OK Supreme Motors), who sold the name, tooling and patterns to Philip C Vincent for £450 in May, 1928. Vincent subsequently formed The Vincent HRD Company later that year.

References

External links

Vincent HRD Owners Club

{{DEFAULTSORT:HRD Motorcycles Defunct motorcycle manufacturers of the United Kingdom Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of England British companies established in 1924 Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1924 Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 1928 1924 establishments in England 1928 disestablishments in England British companies disestablished in 1928