Cyclone
A brand that became famous for its track-racing bikes, Cyclone enjoyed a very brief spell in the sun in the 1910s. It bowed out in 1917 — just five years after it started in Minnesota. Cyclone's motorcycles are insanely valuable today, though.
Ariel
When Ariel first opened its doors back in 1870 in Birmingham, England, it didn't specialize in motorcycles. Instead, founders William Hillman and James Starley focused on standard bicycles. That eventually changed at the start of the 1900s, though. From there, Ariel pumped out iconic models such as the Square Four, the Red Hunter, and the Leader. But the U.K. brand finally shut-up shop in 1970. Quite the way to celebrate your 100th birthday!
Vincent Motorcycles
Making its bow in 1928, Vincent Motorcycles was one of the coolest brands of that era. After all, it was responsible for the Vincent Black Shadow — the fastest production bike on the planet upon its release in 1948. Despite Vincent's burgeoning reputation, though, it went defunct in 1955. What a bummer.
Rupp Industries
Was Rupp Industries a giant name in the motorcycle world? No way! But was it a solid brand across its lifespan? You bet. Between 1959 and 1978, the Ohio-based company cranked out mini-bikes, dirt bikes, and go-karts. It even produced snowmobiles. But bankruptcy spelt the end of Rupp's run.
Fabrique Nationale
How's this for an interesting history? When Fabrique Nationale was first established in Belgium in 1899, it was primarily a firearms manufacturer. Then, in 1901, it also branched out into the world of motorcycles. Talk about diverse! It went on to produce some of the very first four-cylinder bikes. That arm of the business was shuttered in 1967.
Münch Motorcycles
Compared to a lot of other brands, Münch Motorcycles was only around for a cup of coffee. The company was born in 1966 in Aldenstat, Germany, before closing its doors in 1980. During that brief spell, it produced the incredibly popular Mammut bike, which was famous for using a four-cylinder car engine.
The Scott Motorcycle Company
Founded by a man named Alfred Angas Scott, The Scott Motorcycle Company got its start in 1908. From there, the U.K. brand enjoyed a fantastic run for the next seven decades, producing classics such as the Scott Squirrel. But the success didn't last forever. It went defunct in 1978.
Flying Merkel
In 1902, Joseph Merkel founded the Merkel Motor Company. His aim? To create exciting single-cylinder motorcycles. As time went on, the bikes became more advanced, attracting the attention of the Miami Cycle and Manufacturing Company. It bought the business in 1911 and changed its name to Flying Merkel. After that, the brand only lasted for another six years before closing down.
Francis-Barnett
We can't help but feel sorry for Francis-Barnett. It's got quite a torrid history! The brand started out in 1919 in Coventry, England, where it enjoyed great success. But by 1947, it was under the control of AMC. A decade on, it was then merged with James Motorcycles. There's more, though! Maganese Bronze went on to buy Francis-Barnett in 1966, before shutting it down a few months later. Oof.
Crocker Motorcycles
Crocker Motorcycles really wasn't around for that long. The brand operated for just over 10 years, leaving the stage in 1942. But boy, did it make an impact. The Speedway, the Big Twin, and the Big Tank were some of the best bikes from that era. They command an absolute fortune today.
BSA
The Birmingham Small Arms Company, otherwise known as BSA, was created back in 1861. As you can probably tell by the name, motorcycles didn't top its list of priorities! That eventually changed in 1910, though. Bikes were very much on the agenda by then. Production continued until 1973.
Brough Superior
Brough Superior was a heck of a bike brand, folks. It got started back in 1919, as founder George Brough looked to follow in his dad's footsteps. And boy, did he make an impact! Before long, Brough Superior was referred to as the "Rolls Royce of motorcycles." Talk about high praise. But sadly, the company closed its doors in 1940 due to the escalation of World War II.
Ace Motor Corporation
After falling out with his previous business partners, William Henderson created his own bike brand in 1919. Its name? Ace Motor Corporation, or Ace Motors for short. And it's fair to say that folks were excited. Yet tragedy struck just three years later. While testing one of his motorcycles, Henderson died in an accident. From there, Ace Motors eventually shut down in 1927.
Matchless Motorcycles
Could any brand match Matchless Motorcycles during its pomp? We're not too sure! This famous bike manufacturer first established itself in 1899 in London, England, producing anything from small two-strokes to 750cc twins over the following years. But it didn't last forever. Matchless left the stage in 1966.
Douglas Motorcycles
Based out of Bristol, England, Douglas Motorcycles debuted in 1907. The brand soon became known for its awesome twin-cylinder bikes. It also dabbled in car-making for a short spell! So what eventually happened? Well, after the Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company took it over, Douglas was put out to pasture in 1957.
Velocette
Born from the remnants of another British company, Velocette made its bow back in 1905. Now, it wasn't the biggest brand in the world. But even so, it still produced a similar number of motorcycles to the likes of Norton and BSA. Quite an achievement! Despite the quality output, though, Velocette shut down in 1971.
NSU Motorenwerke
When NSU Motorenwerke first opened its doors in 1873, it wasn't a bike brand — instead, it was a knitting machine business. The company didn't start making motorcycles until 1901. After that, it went from strength to strength, becoming the biggest bike manufacturer in the world in 1955. Woah! Once Volkswagen bought it 14 years later, though, the NSA name was eventually phased out by 1977.
Excelsior-Henderson Motorcycles
After purchasing both Excelsior and Henderson, the Schwinn Bicycle Company merged the two together to create a new super-brand in 1917 — Excelsior-Henderson Motorcycles. It went on to become a huge name in America. Only Harley-Davidson and Indian were bigger. Due to the Great Depression, though, production stopped in 1931. Bummer!
KMZ
The Kiev Motorcycle Plant, otherwise known as KMZ, first established itself in the Soviet Union in 1945. The brand became famous for its sidecar-equipped bikes, which mirrored the look of the BMW R71. But when the iron curtain fell in 1991, KMZ eventually wound down production.
Bultaco Cemoto
Founded in 1958 by Francesc "Paco" Bultó, Bultaco Cemoto soon became a powerhouse name in the motorcycle world. Its two-stroke bikes were very impressive! Yet the good times didn't last. By 1983, the famous Spanish brand was forced to close down.
Maserati Motorcycles
Did you know that Maserati made bikes for a brief spell in the past? We didn't, either! The iconic car company kick-started this new brand in 1953, producing a bunch of different models. But the competition was fierce, folks. Maserati couldn't keep up with its rivals. The venture ended in 1960.
Laverda
After World War II ended, Laverda switched its focus from agricultural machinery to motorcycles in 1949. And man, did it thrive! The company made some incredibly fast bikes over the following years, gaining a lot of attention. But Laverda eventually went into receivership in 1987, before enjoying a brief revival in the '90s.
Britten Motorcycles
Founded by mechanical engineer John Britten in 1991, Britten Motorcycles was a very exciting brand. Each V1000 bike was built by Britten himself, who worked from his New Zealand home. It was a heck of a model! But following his sad passing, production eventually ceased by 1998.
Acme Motor Co
Getting its start in 1902, the Acme Motor Co operated out of Coventry, England. It became known for its V-twin bikes in the aftermath of World War I, before merging with Rex Motorcycles in 1922. After that, the newly-named Rex-Acme stayed in business until 1933.
Thor Motorcycles
Not to be confused with the God of Thunder, Thor was a pretty famous motorcycle brand back in the early 1900s. Its V-twin engines and transmission systems were very innovative for the time. But Thor didn't survive for long. Production was ceased by 1920.
Hodaka
Hodaka made quite the splash during its 14-year lifespan. The company was established in 1964, and it went on to become the leading name in the trail bike market. No other brand could beat it. But by 1978, Hodaka was forced to close.
Cooper Motorcycles
Cooper Motorcycles was first established by Frank Cooper in California in 1972. The brand specialized in off-road bike models, selling them between 1973 and 1975. After being bought out and rebranded as Ammex, though, it collapsed in 1976.
Pierce-Arrow
Although the company first opened its doors in 1865, Pierce-Arrow didn't start making vehicles until 1901. From there, it produced a number of awesome motorcycles, cars, trucks, and bicycles. But the brand eventually shut down in 1938.
Yankee Motor Company
The Yankee Motor Company was born in Schenectady, New York back in 1966. It's most famous for producing the Yankee Z500, a dual-sport motorcycle. The American brand soon fell into trouble, though. It ceased operations in 1975.
Della Ferrera
It's fair to say that Della Ferrera was a pretty big deal in Italy. Making its bow in 1909, it was one of the country's leading bike manufacturers prior to World War I. Following the conflict, it continued to produce motorcycles up until 1948.
Galbusera
Based in Brescia, Italy, the Galbusera brand got things rolling in 1934. It's arguably best known for its V8 prototype — a very impressive bike that debuted at the 1938 Milan Motor Show. In the end, Galbusera shut down in 1955.
Morbidelli
After establishing itself in 1959, Morbidelli went on to become a dominant force in Grand Prix motorcycle racing. It ruled the roost in the mid-'70s! But by 1987, the famous Italian brand was defunct.
Moretti Motor Company
Around nine years after it was first established, the Moretti Motor Company began to make motorcycles in 1934. They were exceptionally nice! But the high prices put people off, prompting Moretti to cease bike production in the early '50s.
Fusi
Producing a range of different motorcycles across its lifespan, Fusi opened its doors in 1932. It enjoyed a great run in Italy, until the likes of Moto Guzzi and Bianchi put it under pressure. Sadly, the brand folded in 1955.
Frera
Another notable name from Italy's past, Frera pumped out some great bikes once it opened in 1905. Things got really tough after World War I, though. The brand's founder eventually walked away in 1929, before production finally ceased in 1936.
