An Excerpt:
Brough Superior 1938 - 1939
The 997cc Golden Dream
The "Dream", like some
previous examples, had four cylinders, but there all resemblance finishes
for here we have the cylinders arranged after an "H" on its side or, if
one prefers it, two horizontally opposed twins one above the other and
geared together. Perfect balance was obtained by causing them to rotate
in opposite directions but with each pair of pistons (when considered vertically)
reciprocating together. George called it a "flat vertical" - flat for balance,
vertical for cooling.
As first designed, the four
cylinders each were about 68x68 mm., 996 cc., with the camshafts gear-driven
... Much development work was done on this engine and as might be expected
many modifications resulted, culminating in the second design ... and it
was this engine that was used in the first "Dream" exhibited at Olympia
in 1938.
Final drive was by the propeller
shaft ... and an underslung worm and wormwheel on the rear axle, and even
the propeller shaft was enclosed in a tube.
Quite apart from its original
features, this remarkable engine had one advantage over all the OHV twins
so far produced - the valves and springs are now totally enclosed. It was
the most original and outstanding attempt to break away from the ... conventionalism
in motorcycles this country had, up to 1938, ever witnessed.
... four or five were
produced during the early part of 1939 and with the four-speed box was
being erected [sic] for Olympia that year.
Then, in September, England
was at war for the third time this century, and for the second time the
productive capacity of the house of Brough applied to the war effort. |
