10 Forgotten British Motorcycles That Were Actually Brilliant | Britain Shift
16K views · Jul 6, 2026 · Autos & Vehicles
Comments · 39
@britainshift · 2 months ago · pinned
Would you rather own the futuristic Ariel Leader or the ridiculously fast Vincent Black Shadow? Let me know your dream pick in the comments below!
3
@PaulDesmond-p3h · 1 month ago (edited)
The mercury reminds me of the Atlas. Back in 1975, owned a BSA B-50.
2
@mikesulliman8125 · 3 weeks ago
In the late 60s, early 70s I had a 650 twin AJS it was an awesome bike. Great fun to ride.
@mrofnocnon · 1 month ago
The Vincent was indeed a monster with unbelievably lousy brakes for its massive weight. I almost ran out of road more than once.
1
@maxc1520 · 1 month ago
In the 1960s I owned a 1949 BSA 350 cc B31. A classic bike. At the end of our work shift I would say to the young apprentice "If it doesn't start first kick I will give you the bike" It never failed.
@cvtsboy · 1 month ago
A friend had an Aerial Leader. Fast, comfortable , good handling,
@elizabethsparrow7717 · 2 weeks ago
miss my Leader more than any other bike i owned apart from my Panther M120
@daveH-k8n · 1 month ago
Passed my test on a Arial Leader not everybodys taste in a bike, i loved mine , bought a Arrow, then Later the Golden Arrow , had some fun on them and got me to work every day ,some happy memories ,sadly no pictures, cost of film and developing🙄
@ericbradley3070 · 1 month ago
I had a B31 good bike
1
@matchlesstwin · 2 months ago
I always thought Douglas should have designed the "Dragonfly" model as a 500cc machine, not a silly 350cc bike. The 500cc version would have sold well!
1
@tubers7654 · 2 months ago
Please instruct AI to pronounce 'Velo...' as in 'velocity' NOT as in 'veal and ham' !
7
@mrmyorky5634 · 1 month ago
As a 1960s biker I rode most of these bikes and believed that British engineering was superior until the day I was offered a drive on my mates new Honda 450cc Black Bomber. It did everything better than any British bike I'd ever rode and it did it without leaking oil all over the garage floor.
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