Monday, March 2, 2009

A brief (and probably incomplete) history of Scott Motorcycles.

Via: The Scott Owners Club

"Say the word ‘Scott’ to a vintage motorcyclist and watch his or her response: it will be either that of enthusiasm or loathing. The Scott Motorcycle never has been mediocre ! During the 1920’s and 1930’s, when Scott Motorcycles were at their peak, a dedicated throng of enthusiasts ensured these motorcycles gained an almost cult like status: the icons of this cult were the legendary Squirrels, Super Squirrels and Flying Squirrels.
The Scott machine was the product of an engineering genius called Alfred Angas Scott (1874 - 1923). His first motorcycle was built using a homemade twin cylinder engine installed into the steering head of a modified bicycle. He went on to produce a motorcycle which, on paper at least, would not look out of place in a modern motorcycle catalogue: his machine incorporated water cooling, telescopic forks, low slung weight and a lightweight duplex frame giving superb road holding. This was the Scott of 1908 (90 years ago!) and these features were to remain an integral part of the Scott motorcycle for the next 70 years.


The 1970’s saw the launch of the George Silk Scott. (above) Originally based around the Birmingham engine, manufacturing rights prevented Silk from building his own copies of the engine so he designed his own. These Silk machines were produced in small numbers right up until 1979 and could trace their blood line right back to the first Scott of 1908."

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