1936 Brough Superior SS80 – BS Club Concours Winner

History

This superb concours winning SS80 is noted by the accompanying Works Record as being dispatched from the Brough Superior factory at Haydn Road, Nottingham on June 10th 1936 to F. B. Roper & Son of Sheffield and remained in the Sheffield area until the early 1970’s

In 1966 it was bought by a schoolboy for £12, by which time it had been fitted with the much improved Castle forks before being sold again in 1969 for a mere £35! By the 1980’s the machine had been exported to California and later sold to an Australian gentleman who exported it to Australia shortly after

The SS80 was repatriated to the UK in 2001 needing restoration and remained off the road until 2023 until a lengthy and exacting five year ‘nut and bolt restoration’ was completed by the vendor under the guidance of marque expert Simon Miles, retaining as many of its original parts as possible with any new and refurbished parts required supplied by the Brough Superior Owners Club

During the restoration the matching numbers engine was completely stripped and rebuilt using all new and machined internal parts including crankshaft and bearings, forged Omega pistons, new oil-pump, inlet and exhaust valves, valve seats, guides and springs and modern composite head gaskets

The original Fuel Tank No. 2980 (matches Works Record) was fully professionally restored and re-chromed, painted and pinstriped, with new transfers, fuel cap seals and fuel-tap valve

The machines Norton 4-Speed, R/Foot-change gearbox was fully overhauled with new bearings and improved gears, new drive sprocket and clutch plates.

As previously stated the Druid Forks were upgraded to Castle Forks in the 1960’s and were fully restored with new springs, sliding bar, re-bushed with new friction dampers and all new fittings and bushes

The electrical system and headlamp were fully restored and chrome plated and a new bespoke wiring harness with modern 6volt sealed battery and hidden solid state regulator were fitted. In addition, the handlebars were re-tubed, chrome plated, painted and gold pin-striped, re-fitted out as per original with new Amal twistgrips, correct levers and horn push, reconditioned Lucas Altette horn, remanufactured Smiths 120mph Speedo with new drive cable and a fully restored Magdyno as per original with correct polished alloy cover

The SS80 now sits on new and correct Dunlop wheels and new Dunlop tyres as per originals finished with black powder coated rims with black-chrome spokes. The mud guards and chain guards were replaced with new items exactly as per the original items. Further enhancements include optional rack, curved-top & leather tool-boxes and new “Brooks” saddle.

Supplied with a comprehensive file detailing the restoration that includes a copy of the original works record card confirming the machine retains its original UK registration and matching numbers engine, this SS80 was featured in the Brough Superior Club Diamond Jubilee Rally 2018 Book pre-restoration and was recently awarded the ‘Ike Webb Trophy’ for Best Sidevalve machine at the 2023 Brough Superior Club annual rally

One of the finest Matchless engine SS80 models extant today and restored to a very high standard, this desirable motorcycle will enhance any collection and is ready for immediate use