A vote for Velocette

In reply to Pete Rogers and

Dave Piggott with reference to swinging arm rear suspension, I agree that several other manufacturers offered a type of swinging arm rear suspension earlier than the 1939 Velocette KTT. Even ABC had a design using leaf springing in 1922, as well as Velocette in 1929, although this wasn’t successful.

I also agree that Matchless, Brough Superior in 1930, New Imperial and HRD Vincent in 1938, all had triangulated rear frame suspension, but, to my mind, a triangulated rear frame doesn’t qualify as a true swinging arm. I still stand by my choice of the 1939 KTT Velo as one of the first, with suspension units connected top and bottom.