The Brough Superior, a legendary British motorcycle crafted by George Brough in 1919 and produced in Nottingham, is widely regarded for its exceptional quality, earning the nickname “the Rolls-Royce of motorcycles.” One of its most famous owners was TE Lawrence, also known as Lawrence of Arabia, who owned eight of these bikes. Sadly, Lawrence died in 1935 from injuries sustained in a crash on his seventh Brough Superior.
The motorcycle’s design was admired for both its beauty and functionality, often complemented by a sidecar. After the factory closed following World War II, the brand’s legacy lived on through passionate enthusiasts. By 2004, there were still around 1,000 original Brough Superior motorcycles in existence. The brand continues to appear in period films, TV shows, classic bike events, and races. Today, the Brough Superior community has grown, with over 60,000 followers on Instagram and 37,000 on Facebook.
In 2014, the Brough Superior brand was acquired by a corporation registered in Jersey. The company appointed Thierry Henriette to establish a new Brough Superior factory in St Jean, southern France, near Toulouse, a city known for its aerospace industry. The factory now produces luxury motorcycles with unparalleled exclusivity and craftsmanship. Despite the production taking place in France, the British design spirit remains alive through a partnership with Aston Martin to create the AMB 001 Pro, a limited-edition, high-performance motorcycle.
To enhance the development of these motorcycles, the factory needed to bring the production of some complex components in-house. They selected a Hurco VMX42SRTi five-axis vertical machining center (VMC) from Hurco Europe Ltd to handle the task. The VMC was chosen for its precise accuracy and superior surface finish capabilities. It also integrates seamlessly with the proprietary WinMax control system, which is known for its efficiency in high-mix, low-volume production.
The VMC’s versatility allows the manufacturer to offer greater customization for clients, providing various machining finishes and engraving options to meet the high expectations of their customers.
Additionally, the VMC is instrumental in CNC machining the new dual-cylinder, 997cc engine for the AMB 001 Pro. This track-only motorcycle, developed in collaboration with Aston Martin, is inspired by the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro hypercar. The AMB 001 Pro boasts a power-to-weight ratio comparable to that of a Formula One car.
The engine is made from solid aluminum billet, making it lighter, stiffer, and more powerful than previous models. It powers the AMB 001 Pro and is designed to fit into modern versions of the Lawrence and Dagger models. The Hurco VMX42SRTi completes most of the metal removal and finishing in a single setup, ensuring precision and efficiency in the production of these exceptional motorcycles.
