O.K. Supreme 1935 Model GS2/35 348 cc 1 cyl OHV 3603

O.K. Supreme 1935 Model GS2/35 Coeur de Lion de Luxe 348 cc OHV JAP frame # 113864 engine # I0S/R44081/SO

video: https://youtu.be/QqyeTOTBXgI

In 1882 Ernest Humphries and Charles Dawes started a manufacturing business in Birmingham under the “OK” name. The company produced bicycle components for the trade and later on complete bicycles under the Criterion and Perfection trade names. Experiments with powered bicycles started in 1899 but it wasn’t till 1911 that the company introduced a three model range at the London Stanley Show. The 350, 500 and 600 cc models were powered by Precision engines. In the early twenties the company was successful with mainly two-stroke machines and in late 1926 the partners split: Dawes wanted to concentrate on the production of bicycles and saw lightweight motorcycles as a secondary product. Humphries however wanted to focus on high-quality motorcycle production and argued that involvement in racing would be profitable for the company. So Charles Dawes left to start Dawes Cycles and in 1927 the name of the company was changed to OK-Supreme.
In 1928 Humphries bought the failed HRD Motorcycles for the factory and tools, selling the rest, including the name, to Phil Vincent, who developed the marque into Vincent Motorcycles. OK Supreme concentrated on lightweight, sporty machines and was quite successful with this sales policy in the thirties. Production was halted by the end of 1939 because of the war and was not resumed.
The 1935 range consisted of no less than 14 models, ranging from a 245 cc OHV to a 600 cc side valve, including 248 and 348 cc Overhead Camshaft machines.
There were two 348 cc overhead valve models, the GS/35 and GS/2 35, Coeur de Lion (”Lionheart”) and Coeur de Lion De Luxe. The De Luxe version had choice of hand or foot gear change and chromed petrol tank and wheel rims. It was also fitted with magneto ignition, while the standard model had battery and coil. The JAP IO prefix was used for the 348 cc OHV engine, the letter R denotes 1935 production year. This nice post-vintage light OHV machine has been restored some time ago and comes with 3 x 20 tyres and jiffy stand. She has a total loss oil lubrication system and the dynamo is placed between the engine and the Burman gearbox and chain driven via a crankshaft sprocket.