1929 saw 29 SS100s manufactured, 22 SS80s, 88 OHV680s and an unknown volume of 5/15s and SV 750s.
The SS100 was offered with or without the B & D spring frame in Alpine Grand Sports format and for the racing fraternity, the 110 mph Pendine Racing Model. There was a significant modification to the frame to give a minimum of 5 inches ground clearance. By today’s standards, this was still abysmal.
The engines for the SS100 boasted rocker enclosure for the first time, running on a compression ratio of 5.5 to 1. The advertisements talked about the bike being ‘ideal for high speed touring work without the need for special fuel’. The carburettor normally fitted was still the ‘Binks’ two jet which were by 1929 becoming somewhat dated. The Brough works would fit a lever control system unless otherwise instructed. The twist grip that we are all familiar with had not yet become the standard fitting.
The gearbox was normally the 3 speed ‘super heavyweight’, Sturmey Archer box; a few bikes left the works with the standard heavyweight box. At least a third of the productions of SS100s were fitted with the ‘new for 1929’ dual headlamp and tank top mounted light switch.
Only 22 SS80s left the works. The De Luxe SS80 with the optional spring frame, magdyno lighting, Electric horn, Jaeger speedometer, and prop stand was priced at £135; a standard rigid frame SS80 cost £118. This compared with the SS100 range selling for between £165 and £180.
The 1929 catalogue offers a ‘Colonial Model’ with special 6 inch ground clearance; obviously, George Brough was very keen to give his export market the options they needed.
Engine options remained as 1928 with the four-cam engines being fitted to the De Luxe models and the twin cam engines fitted to the standard bikes.The SS80 frames had the same increased ground clearance as the SS100s. Accessories available were known in the annual catalogue as ‘Brough Superiorities’.
As in 1928, the bulk of production was the 88 OHV 680s. With a spring frame this bike sold for £120, the rigid frame reduced the price by £10 to £110. Obviously, this bike suited the market, and seriously outsold the similar priced SS80. Accessories and options were very much the same as for the other two models. Customers would specify their requirements and the works would build to the order. Out of the 88 OHV 680s made in 1929 26 bikes were exported, destinations were Mainland Europe and the British colonies and dominions. Certainly, George Brough’s publicity had reached a worldwide audience.
(Text courtesy Miles Soppet with the assistance of Dave Clark -
