Brough Superior SS100

Lore & Background

The motorcycle was the first custom machine, with components sourced from multiple suppliers: the early engine was a twin-cam JAP V-twin from J. A. Prestwich, gearboxes were Sturmey-Archer 3-speed units, and Brough developed his own version of Harley-Davidson forks, made by the Castle Fork and Accessory Company. Every owner was encouraged to suggest ideas, so almost all SS100s were uniquely hand-built and the design continually evolved. Development stopped during the Second World War when the factory turned to war work. The SS100 achieved numerous world records. T. E. His accident led neurosurgeon Hugh Cairns to study head injuries, ultimately saving many motorcyclists' lives through the use of crash helmets. Its chassis uses magnesium, titanium, and aluminium with carbon-fiber wheels and a double-wishbone front fork.

Reader's Guide

The Brough Superior SS100 holds a unique place in motorcycle history as the first custom motorcycle, built to individual customer specifications from a selection of supplier components. The SS100's engineering was proven in competition, with over 50 event wins in the early 1920s and world records set by Bert le Vack, George Brough, and Freddie Dixon. The motorcycle's association with T. E. Lawrence added a layer of cultural significance, and the tragic consequences of his crash indirectly led to the widespread adoption of crash helmets through the research of Sir Hugh Cairns. The SS100's legacy continues with the modern reissue, which maintains the hand-built, made-to-order ethos while incorporating advanced materials and a powerful new engine.

Did You Know?

• The term 'Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles' was coined by a magazine road tester; Brough obtained explicit permission to use it after a Rolls-Royce executive toured the factory.
• T. E. Lawrence's crash on an SS100 led neurosurgeon Hugh Cairns to study head injuries, ultimately saving many motorcyclists' lives through the use of crash helmets.

Common Misconceptions (Editorial)

- Some believe "Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles" was an advertising slogan coined by Brough Superior; in fact, it was coined by a magazine road tester, and Brough only used it after receiving explicit permission from Rolls-Royce following an executive's factory tour. - It is often assumed that the SS100's chassis featured modern materials like magnesium, titanium, carbon-fiber wheels, and a double-wishbone fork from the start; these are anachronistic and not supported by the verified record.

Why It Matters (Editorial)

The Brough Superior SS100 endures not just as a feat of engineering but as a proof-of-concept for bespoke manufacturing—each machine was literally shaped around its owner. Its most lasting impact, however, may be indirect: through T. E. Lawrence’s fatal crash, it spurred research into crash helmets that has saved countless riders ever since.