1938 Brough Superior SS80

This 1938 Brough Superior SS80 is one of 460 examples that were manufactured during a five-year production run ending in 1939 and utilized the 982cc Matchless Model X flathead V-twin for power. Finished in black with chrome and gold accents, it features a four-speed transmission, 19″ wire-spoke wheels, drum brakes, dual steering dampers, a double-sprung solo saddle, brown leather toolboxes, an Amal pre-Monobloc carburetor, a Lucas magdyno, and a two-into-one exhaust system with a fishtail finisher. The bike was acquired by its current owner in 2022, and a subsequent refurbishment included overhauling the engine, transmission, and magdyno along with sealing the fuel tank and replacing the carburetor, wiring harness, ignition wires, battery, petcock, fuel line, tires, and both primary and drive chains. This Super Sports 80 is now offered on dealer consignment with a clean California title in the owner’s name. The bike is finished in black and features a 4.5-gallon fuel tank with chrome side panels, gold accents, and black rubber knee grips. The tank was sealed and fitted with a replacement petcock during the refurbishment. Additional features include valanced fenders, a pedestrian-slicer number plate, a double-sprung solo saddle, brown leather toolboxes, foldaway pillion footrests, and a center stand. The kick- and shift-lever rubbers have been replaced along with those for the driver foot rests. Black-finished 19″ rims that are laced to drum-brake hubs were mounted with Avon Speedmaster MKII front and Safety Mileage MKII rear tires during the refurbishment. The bike is suspended by a Druid single-spring girder fork with an adjustable side-mounted friction damper as well as a pair of plunger shocks at the rear, and it is said to be one of only seven that were so equipped. A chrome handlebar equipped with replacement grips is clamped by pullback risers that frame the adjustment knob for a friction damper in the steering stem. Instrumentation consists of a 123-mph Smiths Chronometric speedometer and a Lucas ammeter inset atop the headlight nacelle. The five-digit odometer shows 8k miles, approximately 300 of which were ridden under current ownership. True mileage is unknown. The 982cc Matchless side-valve V-twin underwent an overhaul during the refurbishment that involved re-sleeving the cylinders at L.A.SLEEVE of Santa Fe Springs, California. Additional work included replacing the pistons and rings as well as the valves, seats, guides, springs, and keepers. The Lucas magdyno was rebuilt by Doug Wood at R&D Engineering of Boyertown, Pennsylvania, and the spark plugs, ignition wires, battery, and wiring harness were replaced. The engine breathes through an Amal pre-Monobloc carburetor with a screened velocity stack as well as a two-into-one exhaust system with an aluminum fishtail endcap. Power is sent to the rear wheel through a close-ratio four-speed transmission with right-side shifting and a one-up, three-down pattern. Refurbishment work included overhauling the transmission and replacing the clutch plates and springs as well as the primary and final drive chains.