BAT, 1915, 770 cc

Restored, JAP V twin, rare and nice.

BAT started making motorcycles in 1902. Named after founder S. R. Batson. Taken over by the Tessier family in 1904 after Batson failed to find a good market. Nicknamed 'Best After Tests,' the reliable bikes used small de Dion engines and no pedal power. They entered two machines in the 1907 TT races, although without success. That came with later races, albeit nothing spectacular. Made the first sprung frame in 1906. In 1908 they offered a sidecar outfit, with two powered wheels on the removable sidecar. They concentrated on twins for 1912 and managed to come in seventh in the Senior TT of 1913. Production ceased for WW1, and resumed in 1919. They took over another manufacturer, Martinsyde, in 1923, but financial problems closed the Bat-Martinsyde company in 1926.