OK-Supreme
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motorcycle manufacturing |
| Founded | 1899 |
| Founder | Ernie Humphries, Charles Dawes |
| Defunct | 1946 |
| Headquarters | Birmingham , United Kingdom |
| Products | Motorcycles |
OK-Supreme was a motorcycle manufacturer from Britain, operating out of Birmingham between 1899 and 1939, with production of grass-track racing motorcycles continuing until 1946.
History
Established in 1882 by Ernie Humphries and Charles Dawes initially as bicycle producers, OK began exploring motorized bicycles in 1899 and again in 1906. By 1911, the company introduced a two-stroke motorcycle equipped with a Precision engine. Before World War I, their machines utilized engines from Precision, De Dion, Minerva, and Green. Their inaugural appearance at the 1912 Isle of Man TT resulted in a ninth-place finish, followed by moderate achievements including three podium placements and 34 race completions.
Following the war, OK developed a 292 cc two-stroke engine and produced motorcycles powered by Blackburne engines (250 cc and 350 cc, side-valve and overhead valve), Bradshaw (348 cc oil-cooled), and JAP engines ranging from 246 cc to 496 cc.
During the 1920s, JAP-powered racing motorcycles performed notably well, leading OK-Supreme to increasingly incorporate JAP engines into models not using their own power units, including a 348 cc OHC variant.
At the 1922 Isle of Man TT, OK-Supreme motorcycles achieved sixth and seventh places, with Wal Handley setting the fastest lap at , though he did not complete the race. The company's only TT victory was secured by Frank Longman in the 1928 Lightweight category riding a JAP-powered machine.
In 1926, Charles Dawes left to establish Dawes Cycles, and the firm was rebranded as OK-Supreme in 1927.
Humphries purchased the assets of the defunct HRD Motorcycles in 1928 but sold the brand name to Phil Vincent, who later developed it into Vincent Motorcycles.
The groundbreaking "Lighthouse" 250cc OHC model was unveiled at the 1930 TT, setting a new lap record from a standing start. A road-going version was introduced in 1931 but discontinued by early 1933 due to economic challenges during the Great Depression; only a limited number of experimental 350cc models were produced. In 1934, another overhead camshaft OK model was showcased at Olympia, available in road, trials, and racing configurations with 250 and 350 cc options until production ended in early 1939. After World War II, John Humphries continued to offer JAP-engined OK-Supreme grass-track racers until his passing in 1946.
External links
- Defunct motorcycle manufacturers of the United Kingdom
- Motor vehicle manufacturers based in Birmingham, West Midlands
- British companies established in 1899
- Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1899
- Manufacturing companies disestablished in 1946
- 1899 establishments in England
- 1946 disestablishments in England
- Defunct companies based in Birmingham, West Midlands
- British companies disestablished in 1946