ABSTRACT
This chapter examines Britain really deserved its reputation as the world's premier motor-cycle producer, as its proponents so proudly claimed. The motor-cycle industry had emerged from the bicycle industry at around the turn of the century and, for a time, evolved alongside the motor–car industry. The industry is represents by a trade association, the British Cycle and Motor Cycle Manufacturers' and Traders' Union, whose membership included virtually all enterprises connected in one way or another with the production of bicycles and motor cycles. The American motor-cycle market had shrunk drastically, although the two companies had some success in the export market, mainly in the Americas and in certain British dominions. The motor–cycle industry was not alone in struggle; many other industries also faced fierce competition from German rivals, a fact which quickly came to the attention of the Federation of British Industries and the Board of Trade.
