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'''OK-Supreme''' was a [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|British]] [[Motorcycle|motorcycle]] manufacturer from 1899 to 1946 located in [[Birmingham]].
{{Short description|British motorcycle manufacturer from 1899 to 1939}}{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2017}}
{{refimprove|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox company
| name = OK-Supreme
| logo =
| fate = Wound up
| successor =
| foundation = 1882
| defunct = 1939
| location = [[Birmingham]], UK
| industry = Manufacturing and engineering
| key_people = Ernie Humphries and Charles Dawes
| products = Motorcycles
| num_employees =
| parent =
| subsid =
}}
'''OK-Supreme''' was a British [[motorcycle]] manufacturer from 1899 to 1939 located in [[Birmingham]]. Grass-track racing versions of the machines continued to be available until 1946.


==History==
==History==
⚫
In 1882 Ernie Humphries and Charles Dawes founded "OK" as bicycle manufacturers. They experimented with powered bicycles in 1899 and 1906, before manufacturing a [[two-stroke engine|two-stroke]] motorcycle using a [[Beardmore Precision Motorcycles|Precision]] engine in 1911. Before the [[World War I|First World War]] they had produced motorcycles with Precision, [[De Dion-Bouton|De Dion]], [[Minerva (automobile)|Minerva]], and Green engines. Their first entry in the [[Isle of Man TT]], in 1912, led to a ninth place<ref>[http://www.iomtt.com/TT-Database/Events/Races.aspx?meet_code=TT12&race_seq=1 IOM TT Official site] 1912 350&nbsp;cc Junior Isle of Man TT results. Retrieved 2014-05-30</ref> and mainly modest results came during the following years with OK-Supreme machines scoring three podium places and 34 finishes.<ref>[http://www.iomtt.com/TT-Database/Machine-Analysis.aspx IOM TT Official site] Machine Analysis. Retrieved 2014-05-30</ref>


⚫
After the war OK produced a 292&nbsp;cc two-stroke motor of its own, but also produced models using [[Blackburne (motorcycles)|Blackburne]] (250&nbsp;cc and 350&nbsp;cc, [[Flathead engine|sv]] and [[Overhead valve|ohv]]), [[Granville Bradshaw|Bradshaw]] (348&nbsp;cc oil cooled), and [[JA Prestwich Industries Ltd|JAP]] (246&nbsp;cc to 496&nbsp;cc) engines.
⚫
In 1882 Ernie Humphries and Charles Dawes founded “OK” as bicycle manufacturers. They experimented with powered bicycles in 1899 and 1906, before manufacturing a [[two stroke]] motorcycle using a Precision engine in 1911. Before [[World War II|WW II]] began, they had produced motorcycles with Precision, De Dion, Minerva, and Green engines. Their first entry in the [[Isle of Man TT]], in 1912, led to a ninth place and mainly modest results came during the following years when OK-Supreme machines finished in every place from 1st, in the [[1928 Isle of Man TT|1928 Lightweight TT]], to 10th place.<ref>[http://www.iomtt.com/TTDatabase/Races.aspx?mach_id=50] Isle of Man TT database (retrieved 9 October 2006)</ref> In the [[1922 Isle of Man TT|1922 TT]] the fastest lap was set by [[Wal Handley]] at 51.00 mph on an OK-Supreme even though he did not finish the race.<ref>[http://www.iomtt.com/TTDatabase/Races.aspx?meet_code=TT22&race_seq=2] 1922 250cc Lightweight Isle of Man TT results (retrieved 9 October 2006)</ref>


⚫
[[File:Ok Supreme 500 cc 1930.jpg|thumb|left|OK-Supreme 500&nbsp;cc from 1930]] The racing JAP versions did well in the 1920s, and the company increasingly turned to JAP to power bikes not using an OK engine. There was even a 348&nbsp;cc [[Overhead camshaft|OHC]] model.
⚫
After the war OK produced a 292cc two stroke motor of its own, but also produced models using [[Blackburne]] (250cc and 350cc, [[Flathead engine|sv]] and [[Overhead valve|ohv]]), Bradshaw (34 cc oil cooled), and [[JA_Prestwich_Industries_Ltd|JAP]] (246cc to 496cc) engines.
⚫
The racing JAP versions did well in the Twenties, and the company increasingly turned to JAP to power bikes not using an OK engine. There was even a 348cc OHC model.


In the [[1922 Isle of Man TT|1922 TT]] OK-Supreme machines placed sixth and seventh, with the fastest lap being set by [[Wal Handley]] at {{convert|51|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, but he failed to finish the race.<ref>[http://www.iomtt.com/TT-Database/Events/Races.aspx?meet_code=TT22&race_seq=2 IOM TT Official site] 1922 250&nbsp;cc Lightweight Isle of Man TT results. Retrieved 2014-05-30</ref> Frank Longman was the only TT winner, in the 1928 Lightweight class with a JAP model.<ref>[http://www.iomtt.com/TT-Database/Events/Races.aspx?meet_code=TT28&race_seq=2 IOM TT Official site] 1928 250&nbsp;cc Lightweight Isle of Man TT results. Retrieved 2014-05-30</ref>
⚫
Charles Dawes left to start his own business in 1926, and in 1927 the name of the company was changed to “OK-Supreme”.


⚫
Charles Dawes left to start [[Dawes Cycles]] in 1926, and in 1927 the name of the company was changed to OK-Supreme.
In 1928 Humphries bought a failing [[HRD_Motorcycles|HRD]] for the factory and tools, selling the rest, including the name, to Philip [[Vincent_Motorcycles|Vincent]] . OK-Supreme also won the Lightweight class in a JAP model that year.


In 1928, Humphries bought the failed [[HRD Motorcycles]] for the factory and tools, selling the rest, including the name, to [[Phil Vincent]], who developed the marque into [[Vincent Motorcycles]].<ref>Motorcycle Sport, August 1969, pp.227-228 ''PC Vincent: A birthday Tribute'' Accessed 2014-05-30</ref>
In the 1930s a Lighthouse 250cc - 348cc model, so named because of the little inspection window in the cam tower, was OK-Supreme’s final model. Although production ceased in 1939, 350cc JAP engined OK-Supreme grass track racing machines were still available through John Humphries until his death in 1946. (John was the son of Ernie Humphries)


A new 250cc machine with the cams fitted to the vertical tower (with an inspection window to see if oil was reaching the cams - hence the name "Lighthouse") made its first appearance at the 1930 TT where it broke the lap record from a standing start. A road version was made available the following year but the Great Depression killed it and the last Lighthouse was completed in early 1933. It was only available as a 250 although a handful of experimental 350s were built. In 1934, another overhead cam OK made its debut at the Olympia show. Available in road, trials and race trim and in 250 and 350 capacities, it continued in production until early 1939. Following WW2, a JAP-engined OK-Supreme grass-track racing machine was available through John Humphries, son of founder Ernie Humphries, until his death in 1946.
==Sources==

<div class="references-small">
==References==
<references />
{{reflist}}
</div>


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|OK Supreme motorcycles}}
* [http://www.ianchadwick.com/motorcycles/britbikes/otherk_q.html#o British motorcycle manufacturers]
* [http://www.ianchadwick.com/motorcycles/britbikes/otherk_q.html#o British motorcycle manufacturers]
* [http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/euro/brands/ok-supreme.htm European motorcycle universe]
* [http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/euro/brands/ok-supreme.htm European motorcycle universe]

{{British motorcycle manufacturers}}




[[Category:Vintage vehicles|OK-Supreme]]
[[Category:Defunct motorcycle manufacturers of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in Birmingham, West Midlands]]
[[Category:Motorcycles|OK-Supreme]]
[[Category:Motorcycling|OK-Supreme]]
[[Category:British companies established in 1899]]
[[Category:Motorcycle manufacturers|OK-Supreme]]
[[Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1899]]
[[Category:Companies established in 1928|OK-Supreme]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies disestablished in 1946]]
[[Category:Motorcycle manufacturers of the United Kingdom|OK-Supreme]]
[[Category:1899 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1946 disestablishments in England]]
[[Category:Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of the United Kingdom|OK-Supreme]]
[[Category:Defunct companies based in Birmingham, West Midlands]]
[[Category:British companies disestablished in 1946]]

Latest revision as of 18:53, 29 April 2021

OK-Supreme
IndustryManufacturing and engineering
Founded1882
Defunct1939
FateWound up
HeadquartersBirmingham, UK
Key people
Ernie Humphries and Charles Dawes
ProductsMotorcycles

OK-Supreme was a British motorcycle manufacturer from 1899 to 1939 located in Birmingham. Grass-track racing versions of the machines continued to be available until 1946.

History[edit]

In 1882 Ernie Humphries and Charles Dawes founded "OK" as bicycle manufacturers. They experimented with powered bicycles in 1899 and 1906, before manufacturing a two-stroke motorcycle using a Precision engine in 1911. Before the First World War they had produced motorcycles with Precision, De Dion, Minerva, and Green engines. Their first entry in the Isle of Man TT, in 1912, led to a ninth place[1] and mainly modest results came during the following years with OK-Supreme machines scoring three podium places and 34 finishes.[2]

After the war OK produced a 292 cc two-stroke motor of its own, but also produced models using Blackburne (250 cc and 350 cc, sv and ohv), Bradshaw (348 cc oil cooled), and JAP (246 cc to 496 cc) engines.

OK-Supreme 500 cc from 1930

The racing JAP versions did well in the 1920s, and the company increasingly turned to JAP to power bikes not using an OK engine. There was even a 348 cc OHC model.

In the 1922 TT OK-Supreme machines placed sixth and seventh, with the fastest lap being set by Wal Handley at 51 mph (82 km/h), but he failed to finish the race.[3] Frank Longman was the only TT winner, in the 1928 Lightweight class with a JAP model.[4]

Charles Dawes left to start Dawes Cycles in 1926, and in 1927 the name of the company was changed to OK-Supreme.

In 1928, Humphries bought the failed HRD Motorcycles for the factory and tools, selling the rest, including the name, to Phil Vincent, who developed the marque into Vincent Motorcycles.[5]

A new 250cc machine with the cams fitted to the vertical tower (with an inspection window to see if oil was reaching the cams - hence the name "Lighthouse") made its first appearance at the 1930 TT where it broke the lap record from a standing start. A road version was made available the following year but the Great Depression killed it and the last Lighthouse was completed in early 1933. It was only available as a 250 although a handful of experimental 350s were built. In 1934, another overhead cam OK made its debut at the Olympia show. Available in road, trials and race trim and in 250 and 350 capacities, it continued in production until early 1939. Following WW2, a JAP-engined OK-Supreme grass-track racing machine was available through John Humphries, son of founder Ernie Humphries, until his death in 1946.

References[edit]

  1. ^ IOM TT Official site 1912 350 cc Junior Isle of Man TT results. Retrieved 2014-05-30
  2. ^ IOM TT Official site Machine Analysis. Retrieved 2014-05-30
  3. ^ IOM TT Official site 1922 250 cc Lightweight Isle of Man TT results. Retrieved 2014-05-30
  4. ^ IOM TT Official site 1928 250 cc Lightweight Isle of Man TT results. Retrieved 2014-05-30
  5. ^ Motorcycle Sport, August 1969, pp.227-228 PC Vincent: A birthday Tribute Accessed 2014-05-30

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to OK Supreme motorcycles.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=OK-Supreme&oldid=1020558379"