Greeves: Difference between revisions
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[[Bert Greeves]] began his involvement with [[motorcycles]] after building up [[Invacar]] - an invalid carriage developed to cope with the post-war needs of casualties. | [[Bert Greeves]] began his involvement with [[motorcycles]] after building up [[Invacar]] - an invalid carriage developed to cope with the post-war needs of casualties. | ||
* 1954 The first machines appeared, all using the [[Villiers]] 8E engine. The design of the frame and suspension made '''Greeves''' unique. The | * 1954 The first machines appeared, all using the [[Villiers]] 8E engine. The design of the frame and suspension made '''Greeves''' unique. The tubular frame had a cast-alloy beam and the suspension had rubber bushes. | ||
* 1956 Models using conventional tubular frames appeared. Simultaneously, the original system of rear suspension was | * 1956 Models using conventional tubular frames appeared. Simultaneously, the original system of rear suspension was replaced by conventional rear units. | ||
* 1958 The designs of competition and road models were growing | * 1958 The designs of competition and road models were growing farther apart, and previous suspension problems had been fixed. | ||
* 1961 By this time the '''Greeves''' trial model had become a firm favourite and sales were excellent. | * 1961 By this time the '''Greeves''' trial model had become a firm favourite and sales were excellent. | ||
* 1963 A new era arrived for the company when it branched in road racing, following the success of a modified scrambler. | |||
* 1966 Only trials and scrambler [[motorcycles]] were built, as all the road models were dropped. [[Villiers]] was in trouble but '''Greeves''' was able to continue. | |||
* 1967-1971 Production continued but there was little success. | |||
* 1972 Output became minimal. | |||
* 1978 The company ceased. | |||
* 1999 The name was revived with an ''Anglian'' replica trials bike - aimed at enthusiasts of the marque - by producing a classic look using modern materials and techniques. | |||
Revision as of 13:18, 28 March 2007
Greeves were Motorcycles produced from 1954 to 1978. They have been produced again since 1999.
Bert Greeves began his involvement with motorcycles after building up Invacar - an invalid carriage developed to cope with the post-war needs of casualties.
- 1954 The first machines appeared, all using the Villiers 8E engine. The design of the frame and suspension made Greeves unique. The tubular frame had a cast-alloy beam and the suspension had rubber bushes.
- 1956 Models using conventional tubular frames appeared. Simultaneously, the original system of rear suspension was replaced by conventional rear units.
- 1958 The designs of competition and road models were growing farther apart, and previous suspension problems had been fixed.
- 1961 By this time the Greeves trial model had become a firm favourite and sales were excellent.
- 1963 A new era arrived for the company when it branched in road racing, following the success of a modified scrambler.
- 1966 Only trials and scrambler motorcycles were built, as all the road models were dropped. Villiers was in trouble but Greeves was able to continue.
- 1967-1971 Production continued but there was little success.
- 1972 Output became minimal.
- 1978 The company ceased.
- 1999 The name was revived with an Anglian replica trials bike - aimed at enthusiasts of the marque - by producing a classic look using modern materials and techniques.
Sources of Information
The British Motorcycle Directory - Over 1,100 Marques from 1888 - by Roy Bacon and Ken Hallworth. Pub: The Crowood Press