First owned by Brough Superior's General Manager, Ike Webb
c.1922 Brough Superior 996cc MkI/SS80 'Special'
Registration no. AU 7364
Frame no. None
Engine no. KTC/U 12379/VSC
•Unique specification (known as 'Ike's Bike')
•Fitted with 11-50 cylinders and heads by JAP
•Owned from 1969 by the late Nick Brown
•Offered for sale by Mrs Brown and daughter
•Dry stored since circa 2006

This unique Brough Superior SS80 Special was first registered to Isaac 'Ike' Webb, a key figure in the history of the Nottingham marque. Ike Webb had been employed at George Brough's father William's Brough Motors; while there he became firm friends with George, moving across to Brough Superior, together with another Brough Motors employee, Harold 'Oily' Karslake, when the new company was founded in 1919. Messrs Webb and Karslake would remain George's stalwart assistants to the very end; indeed, as General Manager, Webb was as well known to many Brough customers as George himself.

This SS80 Special is believed to have been completed in the early spring of 1923 (no Works Record Card for this machine was ever issued). It was assembled for Ike's own use mostly from spares, the circa 1921-1922 Mark I frame having returned from East Africa (there is no frame number). Incorporating SS80 crankcases dating from 1923 (originally in '658'), the engine currently installed was fitted with 11-50 cylinders when it was sent to JAP for a complete rebuild in February 1939; Stan Greening carried out the work there was no charge for the service (see bill on file). The engine number has been restamped/repositioned as the original 'KTC/U 12379/VSC' number was obscured by the cylinders; it is believed to have been restamped by JAP. There is also a label from JAP in the file (dated 19.2.1925 to customer George Brough) relating to this engine, presumably for an earlier rebuild. In its first incarnation, Ike's Bike was attached to a sidecar (photograph of Ike on the Brough outfit is on file). The later four-speed gearbox ('B447.7730') is from a 1933 SS100 ('1047') that survives in Australia, while the cover plate is from a non-surviving 1933 Black Alpine 680. Lucas electric lighting was fitted later.

According to the Brough Club's Registrar, Mike Leatherdale, this is a unique motorcycle that was always evolving and was never intended to be sold. Furthermore, it is extremely important as it would have often been seen at the works and as such represents a significant part of Haydn Road factory and Brough history. Ike sold 'AU 7364' circa 1946, but separately from the sidecar.

First registered on 26th March 1923, Ike's Bike comes with an old-style continuation logbook (issued in January 1959) listing one Jack Smith of Nottinghamshire as owner at that time, followed by Brough Superior Club founder member Barry Robinson (April 1965) who used to work for George Brough and then Jack Frank Brown (February 1969). Sadly, Frank Brown only got to enjoy it briefly before he died suddenly of a heart attack in November of the same year. Ownership then passed to his son Nick, in whose custodianship the Brough stayed until he passed away in December 2021.

Having joined the Brough Club, Nick dusted off Ike's Bike and began using it in the 1980s. He was a very active member of the Club, organising rallies and serving for several years as Publisher of the Newsletter and as Miscellanea Secretary. In 1983 there was damage to the Brough due to a fire caused by blowback through the carburettor while starting the engine (see repairer's correspondence and list of components damaged as a result of the fire). The repairs included the manufacture of a new fuel tank (the old tank is offered with the machine). Nick eventually put a Tansad pillion on the bike for his wife, just as Ike had done for his family. Nick's wife, Jenny Brown remembers other Club members being shocked at the speed and acceleration that Nick could extract from Ike's Bike, perhaps forgetting that it had a four-speed gearbox whereas most had only three.

In 1999, Nick's health began to fail and his ability to ride was curtailed. The Browns only managed a couple of rallies after that, as he was no longer strong enough to ride. Nick had a heart transplant in 2004 and after many health issues in the following years passed away in 2021 from heart failure.

Mrs Brown: 'I know Nick would want someone else to have the same enjoyment from it that he did. Ike's Bike has been a special part of my family, I knew this bike was unique, but it is only as I come to part with it that I discover just how historical it is. I wish things could have been different and we had been able to have a lot more fun with it, but it has been sitting in the garage for long enough, it needs to be brought back to life and moved on to the next custodian.'

Ike's Bike has been kept dry stored in the garage for almost 20 years (the last tax disc expired on 31st March 2006). Following a lengthy period of inactivity, the Brough will require recommissioning to a greater or lesser extent, or possibly more extensive restoration, before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed.

As well as the aforementioned fuel tank, Ike's Bike comes with a framed and glazed 1923 Motorcycle Insurance Policy in the name of Isaac John Webb, together with a substantial history file of original documentation and Ike Webb's personal handwritten notes (perusal highly recommended). The file contains insurance documents; numerous invoices; previous owner correspondence; period photographs; and old/current V5C Registration Certificates. (It should be noted that the V5C quotes the frame number '12379', taken from the engine number.) But perhaps the highlight is the 'Notice of Intended Prosecution' issued by Nottinghamshire Constabulary on 6th January 1937, citing Ike for exceeding the 30mph speed limit in Kirkby-in-Ashfield!

There is no doubt Ike's Bike is one of the most important Brough's ever which makes this a unique opportunity to acquire a piece of Haydn Road history.
Footnotes:
All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

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This Lot will be auctioned on Sunday 21 April starting at 11am GMT.