Triumph entered the twostroke-dominated lightweight market with a fourstroke: the Edward Turner-designed 150cc ohv Terrier, featuring plunger rear suspension.
Geoff Duke became 350cc world champion aboard his Manx Norton.
Ariel offered all-alloy engine options for the 997cc MkII Square Four and the 497cc KHA Hunter vertical twin.
Transport Minister Lennox-Boyd supported the use of crash helmets but “doubted whether compulsion was desirable”.
Wooler launched the Light Four: a `500cc ohv flat-four featuring a duplex frame, dualseat and wheels that were quickly detachable without tools.
AJS took a 348cc 7R to Montlhery and came away with 13 world records including 50 miles at an average 116mph.
Get on parade! The Royal Artillery dominated the third Army Motorcycle Championship Trial. Nearly all the 84 entrants rode G3L Matchlesses; much of the course followede the route of the 1948 and 1949 ISDTs.
Norton’s 350 and 500cc ohc International roadsters were given ally top ends and Featherbed frames to match the Manx racers. At the same time Beeza’s 350 and 500cc Goldies also gaining swinging-arm suspension and a duplex frame.
Metal Profile’s successful proprietary plunger rear suspension system was joined by a welded pressed-steel swinging arm featuring chain adjuster cams that worked by moving the whole swinging arm backwards.
Green ‘Un scribe Carbon urged the organisers of the Earl’s Court Show to provide show goers with draught beer. “At the Motor Show there was not a single bar with bitter on tap,” he reported. “If that happens when the motorcyclists are assembled it will not be clever tactics.”
OEC, best known for hub-centre steering, came up with a jackshaft and three-chain transmission that allowed the rear drive sprocket to be mounted concentrically with the swinging-arm pivot to ensure constant chain tension.
Ambassador was ahead of the field with an electric starter on its 197cc Ambassador. This entailed fitting a brace of batteries in panniers offering a hefty 47Ah.
Motorcycle Timeline 