A Levis motorcycle with the distinctive belt drive
Levis motorcycles (1911–1940), manufactured by Butterfields Ltd. of Birmingham, England were for many years one of England's leading marques of two-stroke motorcycle. Levis built two-stroke machines from 1911, adding a line of four-strokes in 1928, which ran to 1941 when production ceased.[1]
The first Levis was made in the Norton works by designer Howard (Bob) Newey, but James Norton turned it down.[1]
Newey then joined with the Butterfields, Arthur and Billy, and sister Daisy, to set up a motorcycle company (Newey later married Daisy). Their first model had a capacity of 211 cc.[1]
Two-strokes
In 1916, the 211 cc vertical two-stroke engine produced 3 hp (2.2 kW). An enclosed chain from the crankshaft drove the Fellows magneto, and drive to the rear wheel was by Pedley 'Vee' belt. The machine weighed approximately 120 lb (54 kg).[2]
Their first racing success was in the Lightweight 250 class within the 1920 Isle of Man TT Junior race with a 247 cc machine, repeated in the 1922 TTLightweight TT race. They then adopted the slogan, "The Master Two Stroke".[1]
Levis built 211 cc and 246 cc three-port single-cylinder machines, including sporting versions. Most had 67 mm (2.6 in) bore with a 70 mm (2.8 in) stroke, and there was also a six-port model.[3]
Four-strokes
1932 OHV 350 cc
From 1928 onward, Levis produced 247 cc (67 mm (2.6 in) bore x 70 mm (2.8 in) stroke) and 346 cc (70 mm bore x 90 mm stroke) four-stroke ohv machines and later added 498 cc and 600 cc ohv four-strokes. For a brief period, a 346 cc side valve single, and also a 247 cc sohc single with chain-driven overhead camshaft were available.[3]
Competition
Levis two strokes, ridden by Geoff Davison, R. O. Clark, Phil Pike and others, won many races including the 1922 Lightweight TT, while the four strokes excelled off-road. Percy Hunt rode a 346 cc model successfully in races, and just before World War II, Bob Foster gained many wins on a Levis ohv 598 cc bike in trials and moto cross.[3]
Present
Levis Café Racer concept at Goodwood Revival 2018
In 2014, the brand of Levis motorcycles was acquired by David Redshaw of the Auto Crowd Group, a business providing online car, motorcycle, yacht, and aviation clubs.[citation needed]
In 2017, the Levis name was sold to Phil Bevan of engineering firm Bevan Davidson International (BDI). Following a public announcement in 2018, work began on reviving the Levis brand.[4] Development of the Levis V6 Café Racer later started, which was firstly planned to use the 2.0 litre V10 engine from the Connaught Type D sports car (a company also acquired by BDI), although a V6 was later deemed more suitable. Production was originally scheduled for 2018, with an initial batch of six bikes, priced at £52,000.[5] Production has not yet materialised, although development on a range of motorcycles continues.
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