Motorcycles
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The BPMA has seven motorcycles in its collection. The earliest of these dates from 1965. Motorcycles were first purchased by the Post Office in 1914. This first fleet mainly consisted of New Hudson, Douglas Brothers and Rover Co. Machines.
At first they were only used in rural areas and were capable of carrying more mail than a man on a bicycle could manage. The first motorcycles had sidecars which meant that they could be used on collection as well as delivery duties. The first experimental use of solo motorcycles was in 1924.
Here are four examples of motorcycles from our collection:
BSA Bantam 125cc motorcycle, 21 September 1965, accession number: OB1994.133
This is an example of a BSA Bantam. This make is probably the most well-known motorcycle that the Post Office used. They were used for both telegraph and letter work. Bantams were first purchased in 1948 and ceased to be produced in 1971.
BSA Bantam 175cc motorcycle, 1970, accession number: 2006-0189
This is a later model of the popular BSA Bantam. Postal workers who began work as messenger boys have fond memories of the Bantams.
Kawasaki motorcycle, 1985, accession number OB1997.272
This was used to deliver items of express mail for Datapost. Machines such as this are very suitable in providing a swift delivery service through traffic-filled roads. Datapost was such a bespoke service.
Crash helmet, pre-1986, entry number: E6459
This example of a crash helmet shows how the design has changed over the years. Safety of GPO motorcyclists has always been of great importance.
This particular helmet does not come fitted with visor but stud fittings at the top allow a visor to be fitted. The helmets, like most other Post Office property, bare the company name.
