Ivy

Ivy was a British motorcycle manufacturer based in Birmingham, England, active from 1907 until 1934. The company was operated by members of the Newman family and produced approximately 6,000 motorcycles during its existence. Its range covered lightweight and moderate-capacity machines intended for practical road use, as well as more performance-oriented motorcycles developed for competition and sidecar work. Most Ivy motorcycles used proprietary two-stroke engines supplied by J.A.P. or Precision. The company also designed and manufactured some of its own components, including 225 cc and 296 cc engines, suspension forks, carburettors, and sidecars. This combination of in-house engineering and purchased power units allowed Ivy to offer several specifications without relying on a single engine design. Its model range included the economical Ivyette, the Model C and Model E, and the broader Model D family, which could be fitted with single-cylinder or twin-cylinder engines from Precision or J.A.P. Competition was central to Ivy's engineering identity and marketing. Members of the Newman family entered motorcycles in races, and the company generally sought to keep its racing machines close to production specification. The stated purpose was to demonstrate the durability, performance, and quality of ordinary Ivy motorcycles rather than to rely solely on highly specialized racing prototypes. H. C. Newman was particularly successful in local events and also achieved several strong finishes in the Isle of Man TT. Ivy's sidecar engineering was another notable part of its history. An Ivy D outfit equipped with a 3.5 horsepower engine set seven world records at Brooklands on 30 October 1913. The company also developed a 677 cc V-twin designed by H. C. Newman, which was used in the first Martinsyde. Ivy's catalogue later included 1924 models with 297 cc and 349 cc side-valve engines, Sturmey-Archer gearboxes, Dunlop tyres, and mechanical oiling systems. The brand disappeared from motorcycle production in 1934. Its historical significance rests on the combination of small-scale British manufacturing, component development, family management, and sustained participation in motorcycle and sidecar competition. Ivy should not be confused with the unrelated Thai beverage brand or with other businesses using the name Ivy.

Ivy was established as a motorcycle manufacturer in Birmingham in 1907 and remained active until 1934. The business was associated with several brothers from the Newman family, who were involved in both its operation and its sporting activities. During this period Birmingham was an important centre of British cycle and motorcycle production, and Ivy participated in the market for relatively small, practical motorcycles while also pursuing competition achievements. The company manufactured roughly 6,000 motorcycles over its life. Its engineering approach combined proprietary work with components obtained from established suppliers. Many Ivy machines were powered by two-stroke engines from J.A.P. or Precision, but Ivy also designed and built its own 225 cc and 296 cc engines. The firm additionally produced suspension forks, carburettors, and sidecars, indicating that its manufacturing activities extended beyond final motorcycle assembly. The Ivyette represented the company's economical end of the market. It used a 224 cc valveless two-stroke Ivy engine and was presented as a low-cost, dependable means of urban transport. Other models gave customers a wider choice of engines and specifications. The Model C used a 2.5 horsepower Precision engine, while the related Model E used a 2.75 horsepower version. The Model D was offered with several engine configurations, ranging from a 3.5 horsepower single-cylinder Precision unit to larger twin-cylinder Precision and J.A.P. engines. A lower-crossbar version was also offered for female riders. Ivy treated racing as an important demonstration of product capability. Newman family members entered events themselves, and the company attempted to keep its competition motorcycles as close as practical to standard production machines. This approach was intended to show that the performance and reliability seen in competition were relevant to customers buying ordinary Ivy motorcycles. H. C. Newman recorded numerous local successes and several notable Isle of Man TT finishes. Sidecar competition produced one of Ivy's clearest sporting milestones. On 30 October 1913, an Ivy D fitted with a 3.5 horsepower engine was used at Brooklands to establish seven world records. The company also contributed a 677 cc V-twin designed by H. C. Newman to the first Martinsyde, extending the influence of Ivy engineering beyond the firm's own branded motorcycles. The 1924 range included 297 cc and 349 cc single-cylinder side-valve models. These motorcycles used Sturmey-Archer gearboxes, Dunlop 26 by 2.5 cord tyres, and mechanical oiling rather than a manually operated pump. Across its production period, Ivy offered multiple engine and chassis configurations rather than maintaining one continuously standardized model line. Production ended in 1934, leaving Ivy as a historical example of the many family-run British motorcycle manufacturers active during the early decades of the industry.

• 1934

  Production ends

  [1]Ivy (motorcycles)en.wikipedia.org

  Ivy ceased motorcycle manufacturing after a production history spanning approximately 27 years.

• 1924

  Updated 1924 model range

  [1]Ivy (motorcycles)en.wikipedia.org

  Ivy offered 297 cc and 349 cc single-cylinder side-valve motorcycles equipped with Sturmey-Archer gearboxes, Dunlop tyres, and mechanical oiling.

• 1913

  Brooklands sidecar records

  [1]Ivy (motorcycles)en.wikipedia.org

  An Ivy D sidecar outfit with a 3.5 horsepower engine reportedly established seven world records at Brooklands on 30 October.

• 1907

  Ivy begins motorcycle production

  [1]Ivy (motorcycles)en.wikipedia.org

  Ivy commenced operations as a motorcycle manufacturer in Birmingham, England, under the management of members of the Newman family.

A practical British motorcycle maker that combined affordable road machines with in-house component development and competition-led engineering validation.

• Motorcycle

  Ivyette

  The Ivyette was a lightweight, economical motorcycle designed for inexpensive and dependable town transport. It used a 224 cc valveless two-stroke engine developed by Ivy and rated at 2.25 horsepower. The model represented Ivy's practical, accessible side rather than its competition-focused engineering work.

• Motorcycle

  Model C and Model E

  The Model C used a 2.5 horsepower Precision engine, while the related Model E was equipped with a 2.75 horsepower version. These machines formed part of Ivy's small-capacity road range and illustrated the company's use of externally supplied engines alongside its own designs.

• Motorcycle

  Model D

  The Model D was a flexible platform available with several engine choices. Specifications included a 3.5 horsepower single-cylinder Precision engine, a 3.75 horsepower special TT version, 4.5 horsepower twin-cylinder Precision power, and 5 or 6 horsepower twin-cylinder engines from J.A.P. or Precision. A lower-crossbar version was also offered.

• Motorcycle · 1924

  1924 Ivy models

  Ivy's 1924 motorcycles included 297 cc and 349 cc single-cylinder side-valve engines, Sturmey-Archer gearboxes, Dunlop 26 by 2.5 cord tyres, and mechanical oiling systems. They formed part of the company's later road-going range before production ended in 1934.

• Sidecar

  Ivy sidecars

  Ivy manufactured sidecars and developed motorcycles for sidecar use. The company's most prominent sidecar achievement came at Brooklands in 1913, when an Ivy D outfit was credited with setting seven world records.

1. 1Ivy (motorcycles)en.wikipedia.org