London Museum Old Motorcycles

The London Motorcycle Museum is located in a quiet suburb of the English capital. But its contents scream motorcycle history, with bikes dating back as early as 1902.

The early motorcycles on display at the London Motorcycle Museum look more like bicycles with a motor attached than they do the motorbikes of today. Highlights of the museum’s early holdings include a 1902 Ormonde Kelecom 2-1/4hp; a 1903 Clyde, also 2-1/4hp; a 1915 Harley Davidson 1000cc, and a 1919 Triumph 550cc.

Triumph Motorcycles Predominate at Museum

The museum is filled with rare and vintage motorcycles. Triumph motorcycles dominate the collection, with more than 50 manufactured down through the years. The collection also includes BSA, Norton, Velocette and Royal Enfields. The museum specializes in British motorcycles, including racing and road bikes. A complete listing of the holdings can be found on the museum’s web site.

On display are motorcycles used by the military and police over the years.

Recent additions to the collection include a 1939 Sunbeam B24S, originally billed as the “gentleman’s motor bicycle,” and a 1949 500cc AJW Gray Fox Side Valve Twin. The British Motorcycle Charitable Trust also has several rare biks, including a 1925 500cc Beardmore Precision, on display at the London Motorcycle Museum.

Founder Started Museum to Display His Collection

The museum grew out of a collection of motorcycles owned by Bill Crosby, who began collecting motorcycles in the late 1950s when he bought a motorcycle shop, according to the museum’s web site. The collection grew from there, and soon he was looking for a place to display his bikes. Many years and several moves later, Crosby found a permanent home for his motorcycles at an old farm in Greenford, a quiet suburb of London. And thus the London Motorcycle Museum was born. It is the only motorcycle museum in London.

The museum today is run by Crosby and his family, plus volunteers, as a British Motorcycle Charitable Trust. Motorcycles are mainly displayed in one building now, but there are plans to expand into several other buildings, each one devoted to a specific area, the museum’s web site notes. Motorcycle enthusiasts can plunk down £20 on a bike of their choosing through the "adopt a bike" program.

Motorcycles Borrowed for British TV Shows

The museum also is mobile, taking motorcycles to shows and exhibitions around the area. Some motorcycles have also been used in British television shows, including the popular British soap opera Eastenders, and movies.

The museum is open weekends and bank holidays, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In 2008, admission was £3 for adults and 50p for children 5 to 14 years old. The museum is located at Ravenor Farm, 29 Oldfield Lane, Greenford.

It’s reachable by train/subway and bus. Visitors with all-zone Travel Cards can use the passes to get to the museum. It takes about an hour by train and bus combination.

Motorcycle enthusiasts may also want to visit the Sammy Miller Museum ner Southampton.