Essex Twin 249cc Villiers 4T two-stroke twin || 274lb || 70mph || 1963-65

Although best known for building competitive off-roaders, Greeves had road bikes in its catalogue from the moment motorcycles began rolling from the firm’s Essex production lines in 1954. Using twin-cylinder two-stroke engines and leading link front suspension using principles based on the Greeves invalid car rubber units, the Greeves frames eschewed the normal tubular front section and used a single, enormously strong aluminium alloy H-section beam, produced in Greeves’ own forge. Originally fitted with a British Anzani engine, the Essex eventually got a Villiers powerplant. Perky machines with good handling. Modern petrol can rot the glass fibre petrol tanks.