ARMIS
The Armis Cycle Manufacturing Company, of Heneage Street, Birmingham, was in existence for only a handful of years – one of the many firms to start up after the First World War (in fact, it’s estimated that between 1900 and 1975 there were more than 100 motorcycle manufacturers in the Birmingham area alone).
Begun by Messrs A Baker and W Harrison, just a year later The Motor Cycle wrote that Armis had “entered the market unostentatiously and with a modest output, which has gradually increased so that this year quite a creditable number are on the roads and giving satisfaction.”
The first Armis model was equipped with a Precision 350cc two-stroke engine, sloping top tube frame, Saxon forks and a Burman two-speed gearbox, and retailed for £85. That was followed by a sidecar outfit, fitting a light chair with a side door and rear locker, costing £115. Two more models were introduced for 1921, a solo at £135 and fitted with sidecar for £165, both using a 654cc sidevalve JAP V-twin.
In 1922 Armis introduced models using both JAP and MAG engines but disappeared into the ether by the following year.
It has been suggested that some Armis machines may actually have been built by Calthorpe; indeed, the two factories were only a mile apart.
Very few Armis motorcycles have survived – in fact, only a couple are believed to still be in existence.