Vintage Motorcycle “Martinsyde 500 Sports”Brand: MartinsydeModel: 500 SportsCountry: United Kingdom - WokingYear: 1922Condition: RestoredDisplacement: 497.3 (bore x stroke 60 x 88)Engine: V-twin i.o.e. (opposed valve, overhead exhaust)Gearbox: AJS three-speedFounded in 1908 by Helmuth Paul Martin and George Harris Handasyde, Martinsyde was Britain’s third largest aircraft manufacturer during the First World War. At the end of the war, with the need for aircraft diminishing, it began producing motorcycles. However, a disastrous fire razed the factory in 1922 and Martinsyde was liquidated.In its short history, Martinsyde produced a 350 single-cylinder, and three twin-cylinder, opposed-valve models designed by Howard Newman: a 680 cc, a 740 cc and this beautiful 500 cc Sports. Of the entire production, only 19 examples survive.