Cotton: Difference between revisions
From Graces Guide
New page: '''Cotton''' have been producing Motorcycles since 1919. Francis Willoughby Cotton began designing in 1913, devising a straight-tubed triangulated frame that gave excellent handli... |
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[[Francis Willoughby Cotton]] began designing in 1913, devising a straight-tubed triangulated frame that gave excellent handling. Trained as a lawyer, he was able to prevent design copy. | [[Francis Willoughby Cotton]] began designing in 1913, devising a straight-tubed triangulated frame that gave excellent handling. Trained as a lawyer, he was able to prevent design copy. | ||
* 1919 The Gloucester-based Cotton firm began production of a 269cc [[Villiers]] two-stroke engine driving an [[Albion]] | * 1919 The Gloucester-based Cotton firm began production of a 269cc [[Villiers]] two-stroke engine driving an [[Albion]] gearbox. | ||
* 1922-1925 The range was expanded and Cotton machines were successful at the TT. | * 1922-1925 The range was expanded and Cotton machines were successful at the TT. | ||
* 1930 A saddle tank had been added and the range of models remained extensive with engines from [[Villiers]], [[Blackburne]],[[JAP]] and [[Sturmey-Archer]]. | * 1930 A saddle tank had been added and the range of models remained extensive with engines from [[Villiers]], [[Blackburne]], [[JAP]] and [[Sturmey-Archer]]. | ||
* 1931 [[Rudge Python]] joined the range and by now there was something for everyone. This served the company well during the depressed times of the 1930s. | * 1931 [[Rudge Python]] joined the range and by now there was something for everyone. This served the company well during the depressed times of the 1930s. | ||
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* Post-war. Little had changed since the 1930s and few bikes were built or sold. | * Post-war. Little had changed since the 1930s and few bikes were built or sold. | ||
* 1954 [[Pat Onions]] and [[Monty | * 1954 [[Pat Onions]] and [[Monty Denley]] now had ownership of the company and they redesigned and changed the two-stoke engine. | ||
* 1960 Scrambles | * 1960 Scrambles models were intorduced as well as a sports version. | ||
* 1961-1963 The range expanded with modified engines and new frames. | * 1961-1963 The range expanded with modified engines and new frames. | ||
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* 1968 Decline continued and [[Villiers]] ceased proprietary engine production, which effected many British firms. | * 1968 Decline continued and [[Villiers]] ceased proprietary engine production, which effected many British firms. | ||
* 1970s Kit form trials bikes were produced and the [[Cotton-EMC]] road racer, as well as various motocross models. The company became very involved with [[CCM]]and [[Armstrong]; those bikes eventually became [[Armstong]] models and the Cotton name thus came to an end. | * 1970s Kit-form trials bikes were produced and the [[Cotton-EMC]] road racer, as well as various motocross models. The company became very involved with [[CCM]] and [[Armstrong]]; those bikes eventually became [[Armstong]] models and the Cotton name thus came to an end. | ||
* 1991 [[Fluff Brown]] revived the Cotton name and since then replicas of the 1960s bikes have been built by [[AJS Motorcycles]] of Hampshire. This company was formed | * 1991 [[Fluff Brown]] revived the Cotton name and since then replicas of the 1960s bikes have been built by [[AJS Motorcycles]] of Hampshire. This company was formed when [[FB-AJS]] took on the [[AJS]] line in 1974, and the nostalgia boom of the 1990s saw continued demand for these machines. | ||
== Sources of Information == | |||
The British Motorcycle Directory - Over 1,100 Marques from 1888 - by Roy Bacon and Ken Hallworth. Pub: The Crowood Press | |||
Revision as of 15:59, 26 March 2007
Cotton have been producing Motorcycles since 1919.
Francis Willoughby Cotton began designing in 1913, devising a straight-tubed triangulated frame that gave excellent handling. Trained as a lawyer, he was able to prevent design copy.
- 1919 The Gloucester-based Cotton firm began production of a 269cc Villiers two-stroke engine driving an Albion gearbox.
- 1922-1925 The range was expanded and Cotton machines were successful at the TT.
- 1930 A saddle tank had been added and the range of models remained extensive with engines from Villiers, Blackburne, JAP and Sturmey-Archer.
- 1931 Rudge Python joined the range and by now there was something for everyone. This served the company well during the depressed times of the 1930s.
- Post-war. Little had changed since the 1930s and few bikes were built or sold.
- 1954 Pat Onions and Monty Denley now had ownership of the company and they redesigned and changed the two-stoke engine.
- 1960 Scrambles models were intorduced as well as a sports version.
- 1961-1963 The range expanded with modified engines and new frames.
- 1964 Fewer models were produced as the emphasis was more on sports and competition, and this set the trend for the next few years.
- 1968 Decline continued and Villiers ceased proprietary engine production, which effected many British firms.
- 1970s Kit-form trials bikes were produced and the Cotton-EMC road racer, as well as various motocross models. The company became very involved with CCM and Armstrong; those bikes eventually became Armstong models and the Cotton name thus came to an end.
- 1991 Fluff Brown revived the Cotton name and since then replicas of the 1960s bikes have been built by AJS Motorcycles of Hampshire. This company was formed when FB-AJS took on the AJS line in 1974, and the nostalgia boom of the 1990s saw continued demand for these machines.
Sources of Information
The British Motorcycle Directory - Over 1,100 Marques from 1888 - by Roy Bacon and Ken Hallworth. Pub: The Crowood Press