Brough’s Hayden Road Works, Nottingham, England.
Photographer: Unknown.
More famously known as Lawerence of Arabia for the instrumental role he played in uniting feuding Arab tribes to jointly work with British forces during the Sinai Palestine conflict of World War 1 (1915-18). A military conflict that had erupted between the Ottoman Empire, Britain and their allies. And a role that turned him into a legend for supporting the Arabs claim their independence. In spite of the political hurdles and imperial ambitions of both Great Britain and France.
A 36-year-old Thomas Edward Lawerence sits astride a Brough Superior SS100 Motorcycle in this photo taken in October 1925. Possibly at the Brough’s Hayden Road Works manufacturing plant in Nottingham, England. Where he is known to have tested an SS100 over 1000 miles. Leaving on a Friday and returning on a Monday with a muddy bike and the rear tyre worn down to the canvas.
The SS 100 Motorcycle.
A state of the art race bike of its time. The SS100, an abbreviation for Super Sports was created by motorcycle racer and second-generation entrepreneur George Brough (1890-1970). A son of pioneering English motorcycle manufacturer William Brough, and a friend of Lawerence.
Between 1924 and 1940, George not only produced and fine-tuned 383 of these hand made machines from the experience he had gained on testing bikes on roads and in competitions. But for a time had also held the unofficial record of clocking the fastest speed attained by a solo motorcyclist in the world.
As a racer of the early nineteenth century, the SS100 was a heavy machine built for gruelling cross country adventure with a top speed of 160 km/h.
Equipped with a 1000 cc overhead valve V twin engine and entirely custom made. Each version was pre-tested over 100 miles before delivery, and publicized by British media, as the Rolls Royce of motorcycles. With the maiden series introduced to the public, priced at 170 British Pounds.
Lawerence’s fasination for the SS 100.
Out of the 69 models produced in 1925. Lawerence, an enthusiastic admirer of Brough’s creations and a motorcycle adventurer himself was among the first to purchase the expensive SS100. Quite possibly with the money, he had made from the sale of his books and publications during his stay at the Royal Airforce Base in Cranwell, Lincolnshire.
Where he had enlisted under a fictional name to work in anonymity as a mechanic of the lowest rank. After resigning from his former role of a military intelligence officer with the rank of a colonel and later as advisor to Winston Churchill. Then a colonial secretary overseeing British interests in the Middle East.
Nicknamed by him as George V. Presumably, after the reigning king of England, George Fedrick Ernest Albert (1865-1936).
The Brough Superior was one of the seven motorcycles Lawerence owned till his road accident on the 13th of May and subsequent death six days later on the 19th of May 1935. Due to injuries, he had sustained after crashing his last Brough Superior. Although the motorcycle he was riding at the time was not the same as the one in the photo.
A motorcycle Lawerence had purchased to celebrate.
In the Mint, a publication by Lawerence. And also elaborated by author Harold Orlans in his book T.E Lawerence: Biography of a Broken Hero. The Brough SS100 carrying the number plate RK 4907 is revealed to be the motorcycle, Lawerence had purchased to celebrate his enlistment with the Royal Air Force.
During leave, he had jetted down on this motorcycle to the parish of Abbey St. Lawerence in Hertfordshire. The cottage of Cloud Hills in Dorset, Oxford. And even to London, some 134 miles away from Cranwell. Frequently returning back from his escapades with fresh eggs and bacon for his tent mates to share. Or cakes and tea from the canteen nearby.
Though not quite the hero of cinematic charisma. Lawerence was indeed the real-life poster boy for airforce men speeding on motorcycles. Way before the world of cinema made the image famous with movies like Top Gun, An Officer and a Gentleman and dozens more.
