This is the last surviving Aurora motorcycle, built in Coventry in 1904. Like many early, small motorcycle manufacturers it was literally built in someone's back yard - the address being 22 Norfolk Street, Spon End, Coventry, a typical terraced house. The company did not last long - it was started by a Swiss national, Charles Bourquin, in 1902 and ceased production in 1905, when it is alleged he absconded to London with money and goods belonging to the company and other people, and vanished.
The motorcycle has a very low profile showing that it was either built or modified for racing at some point, and interestingly is powered by an Aurora built engine, when small manufacturers like this, including Aurora, usually bought and fitted other company's engines. Other interesting features - or lack of them - include no clutch, brakes or suspension! It has been restored to running condition and is described as 'exciting' to ride. It can be seen at the Shuttleworth Collection in Bedfordshire
Bourquin had previously worked in Coventry as a watchmaker, and 22 Norfolk Street was part of a terrace of houses built for the city's watch industry, which was now in steep decline. Bourquin used a wide range of Coventry engines for his motorcycle- MMC, Condor,, Coronet and Whitley amongst others. Apparently the Aurora had a tendency to skid and lose control, which also may explain why production only lasted a few years.
ReplyDeleteNothing more was heard of Bourquin until he married Martha Wieneke in 1914. Ten years later, he had returned to his original trade of watchmaker, with a shop at Holborn, where he worked until 1963.