Two BAT motorcycles, both over a century old – just 33 are known to survive – will feature in the next H&H Classics Sale on 7 April at the National Motorcycle Museum.
Its most recent owner, the late Mike Cooke – a pet shop owner from Rickmansworth – bought the 1910 BAT 500cc as a box of bits in 1955.
BAT Motor Manufacturing was founded by Samuel Batson, which operated from 1901 to 1925, based in Penge (London). BAT earned the slogan “Best After Test”. The marque used single-cylinder engines on the early bikes and then V-twins, mainly JAP engines, from about 1912.
Mark Bryan of H&H Classics said: “These motorbikes rarely come to market as there are only 33 known surviving bikes, so it is a great privilege to have two in this sale.”
Significant innovations by BAT included one of the first practical clutch mechanisms and one of the first motorcycle full suspension systems, with a leading link front fork and a subframe suspended on springs from the main frame. In serious competitive racing the marque achieved over 200 wins, setting numerous speed records
The 1910 BAT 500cc in the H&H Classics sale is estimated to sell for £20,000 – £30,000.