Rebirth of a classic British motorcycle

The Brough Superior, a classic British motorcycle designed by George Brough in 1919 and manufactured in Nottingham, was of such high quality that it was dubbed the Rolls-Royce of motorcycles. One famous customer, T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), owned eight and died in 1935 from injuries sustained when he crashed number seven.
The design was beautiful and practical, and a sidecar was often added. Although the factory closed after the Second World War, enthusiasts have ensured the name survives. In 2004, around 1,000 original Brough Superior motorcycles still existed. The brand is regularly seen in period movies and television series, as well as in classic bike shows, hill climbs, and motor races.
In 2014 the Brough Superior brand was purchased by a Jersey-registered corporation, which engaged Thierry Henriette to create a Brough Superior factory in St Jean, Southern France, near the aerospace capital of Toulouse. The factory produces luxury motorcycles at the pinnacle of exclusivity and distinction. Although production is in France, the British design spirit has been maintained through a joint venture with Aston Martin to create the AMB 001 Pro, a limited-edition, high-performance motorcycle.
To support the R&D process, bringing in-house the manufacture of some complex prismatic components was necessary. A Hurco VMX42SRTi 5-axis VMC was chosen due to its ability to achieve the accuracy and surface finish required. It can also accept 3D models directly into the proprietary WinMax control, renowned for its suitability for high-mix, low-volume production.

Additionally, and most importantly, it enabled the manufacturer to go even further in customising motorcycles for its discerning clientele, offering different machining finishes and engraving possibilities and assuring the impeccable quality of parts.
The VMC also supports CNC machining of a new, dual-cylinder, 997cc engine for the AMB 001 Pro, a high-performance, turbocharged, track-only motorcycle born from a collaboration between Aston Martin and Brough Superior. It draws inspiration from Aston Martin’s Valkyrie AMR Pro hypercar, which has a power-to-weight ratio comparable to a Formula One car.
Manufactured from solid aluminium billet, the engine is lighter, stiffer and more powerful than in previous Brough Superior bikes. In addition to powering the AMB 001 Pro, it has been engineered to fit perfectly into contemporary versions of the classic Lawrence and Dagger motorcycles. Most metal removal and finishing are completed in a single set-up on the Hurco VMX42SRTi.