ABC motorcycles was a British motorcycle manufacturer that operated primarily during the 1910s and early 1920s. The company was founded in 1912 by engineer Granville Bradshaw and was initially a subsidiary of the automobile firm ABC (Associated Ball Bearings Company).
Key points
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Product range – ABC produced a series of air‑cooled flat‑twin motorcycles, most notably the 400 cc and 350 cc models introduced in 1914. These machines were distinguished by their use of an overhead camshaft and chain‑driven final drive, technologies that were innovative for the period.
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Military use – During the First World War, ABC motorcycles were supplied to the British armed forces and were employed for dispatch, reconnaissance, and as sidecars for light artillery.
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Design characteristics – The motorcycles featured a distinctive “bedstead” frame design, where the engine acted as a stressed member of the chassis. This construction contributed to a relatively low centre of gravity and improved handling.
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Company decline – Post‑war economic difficulties, competition from larger manufacturers, and limited commercial success led to the cessation of production around 1923.
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Historical legacy – Although the marque was short‑lived, ABC motorcycles are noted by motorcycle historians for their early adoption of overhead‑cam technology and for influencing later British designs.
No contemporary commercial entity with the name “ABC motorcycles” appears to be widely recognized; the term is principally associated with this historic British manufacturer.
