The Lawrence Brough Superior

BROUGH Superior produced the first motorcycles that could go above 100 mph. It was recently bought (2014) by French motorcycle expert Thierry Henriette. After relaunching Lawrence of Arabia’s legendary S.S.100 and collaborating with Aston Martin to create the only existing bike of the brand, Brough Superior decided to also produce the most high-end motorcycle of the world: the Lawrence.

Hand-built with the best materials available (titanium, carbon fibre, aluminium), the Lawrence benefited the strong local aeronautical industry network to be developed.

Lawrence of Arabia: Eternal Brough Superior Icon

Lawrence of Arabia, also known as Thomas Edward Lawrence or T.E Shaw (when he enrolled in the Royal Air Force), owned seven Brough Superiors. Aside from writing, riding his Broughs was the only author’s hobby. They were so important to him that he used to write about them in letters and in his books. Each of his Broughs held a name that was similar to a royal lineage, going from George I to George VII.

In his book, The Mint, Lawrence dedicated an entire chapter (The Road) to the pleasure he had riding across England in the morning to get the best ingredients for a brunch. 

“For months have I been making my evening round a marketing, twice a week, riding a hundred miles for the joy of it and picking up the best food cheapest, over half the country side.”

This chapter is still considered as one of the most beautiful odes to riding.

Details on the Lawrence

This new model represents a milestone for Brough Superior. Inspired by the mechanical architecture of the S.S.100, the Lawrence has unique curves that were only possible to be created by using carbon fibre. The frame of the motorcycle is in titanium, and its fork is a Fior type in aluminium.

The engine has entirely been developed internally by the Brough Superior engineers. The production technology and the engineering skills that are required to build this bike partly come from the aeronautical industry that is very influential in the region of Toulouse, France. The world’s leading spaceships, satellites and aircrafts are also produced in the same region.

Only 188 editions of this fascinating motorcycle will be produced. The number 188 is echoing the birth date of T.E. Lawrence: 1888.

The price to own this luxurious motorcycle is 66,000 euros (approx AUS $102,000).

Craftsmanship

The Brough Superior Factory is a mesmerising place where ideas take shape into beautiful objects. Each part of a Brough is thought, drawn and designed by the Factory’s engineers and designers. It is then hand-built with the finest existing materials by Brough Superior’s craftsmen. Welders, polishers, painters and saddlers are working in harmony within the headquarters of the company.

Some parts like wheels and swingarms are CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machined by local machinist partners. Their expertise allows Brough Superior to meet the same quality requirements as in the aeronautical industry.

Characteristics

• ENGINE: 997 cc water-cooled dohc 88 degree V-twin four-stroke with four valves per cylinder and composite chain/gear cam drive.
• DIMENSIONS: 94 mm x 71.8 mm.
• POWER: 102 bhp (75 kW) @ 9600 rpm.
• MAXIMUM TORQUE: 87 Nm (64 lb-ft) @ 7300 rpm.
• COMPRESSION RATIO: 11:1.
• IGNITION SYSTEM: Electronic fuel injection with Synerject ECU and 2 x 50 mm Synerject throttle bodies, each with a single injector.
• TANK CAPACITY: 17 litres.
• GEARBOX: 6-speed.
• CLUTCH: Multiplate oil-bath clutch with hydraulic operation.
• CYCLE PART
• FRAME TYPE: Machined titanium frame with titanium subframe and triangles.
• FRONT SUSPENSION: Fior-type aluminium casting fork with twin articulated triangular titanium links and preload and rebound adjustable mono-shock.
• REAR SUSPENSION: Cast aluminium swingarm pivoting in engine crankcases, with monoshock adjustable for preload and rebound damping.
• HEAD ANGLE/TRAIL 24.6 degrees with 108.3 mm trail via 37.1mm fork offset.
• FRONT BRAKE: 4 x 230 mm Beringer stainless steel discs with 2 x four-piston Beringer radial calipers.
• REAR BRAKE: 1 x 23 0mm Beringer stainless steel disc with 1 x two-piston Beringer radial caliper.
• WHEELS: Machined aluminium wheels (7 spokes).
• FRONT TYRE: 120/70 — 19 inch on 3.50 inches.
• REAR TYRE: 200/55 — 17 inch on 6.25 inches.
• WEIGHT/DISTRIBUTION: 200 kg (410 lb) split 50/50 with 120 mm travel progressive rate link with 130 mm travel.

For more details on this beautiful motorcycle visit: Brough Superior Australia.