This Saturday, Archerdale Ltd, of Hirstwood Works, Hirstwood Road, Saltaire, will welcome members of the Scott Owners Club to help mark 100 years since Bradford-born Alfred Angas Scott built the factory to manufacture his innovative, high-quality and technically-advanced motorcycles.

He was born on September 5, 1874, at Oakleigh, 23 Oak Avenue, Manningham, the tenth son and a twin in a family of 12 children. His parents died when he was young and Alfred was sent away to boarding school, which reputedly influenced his attitude to self-reliance.

It is said that he would not accept other people’s ideas at face value nor profit from their mistakes. He believed in making his own and learning from them.

Scott began manufacture of his water-cooled, twin-cylinder two-stroke motorcycles in rented premises in Bradford in 1909, but winning the Senior TT race on the Isle of Man in 1912 stimulated demand for his machines, and a larger factory was needed.

A site in Hirstwood Road was bought and the new building opened early in 1913. Production began immediately, and to help develop and publicise their remarkable machines, the company’s staff and clients launched in 1914 what was to become Britain’s premier off-road event, the famous and still hotly-contested Scott Trial.

During the First World War, Scott manufactured patented ‘Machine Gun Outfits’ – motorcycles with specially designed sidecars fitted with Vickers-Maxim machine guns and carrying their gunners and ammunition.

Scott, a great engineer and innovator, also designed a special three-wheeled ‘Guncar’, but this was not adopted for military service, although it was later to evolve into Scott’s famous, if commercially unsuccessful, three-wheeled vehicle, the Sociable.

Scott motorcycles achieved competition fame in further TT races, winning the Senior again in 1913 but, perhaps through the introduction of too many innovative features, did not manage to do so in 1914.

More success both on and off-road followed, however, especially in the 1920s. The company adhered to its original and highly individual engine design throughout its long production run, and as well as producing its fine-quality motorcycles. Scott bikes combined the latest technology of the time with high-quality manufacturing.

The company also produced stationary engines, power units for light aircraft and other equipment.

Most of Scott’s working life and all his resources were devoted to the development of the two-stroke engine and the design and manufacture of both motorcycles and three-wheeled vehicles.

He died at the age of 48 from pneumonia on August 11, 1923. A bachelor, he was buried in Undercliffe Cemetery.

Having produced engines and other machinery for the Admiralty during the Second World War, motorcycle manufacture gradually resumed when peace returned, but in 1950 the company suffered financial failure and was sold, moving to Birmingham where small-scale production continued into the 1970s.

Today, Scott motorcycles are greatly appreciated for their unique design, the technological advances they incorporated and the quality of their manufacture.

‘Made to the Limit Gauge’ was the factory’s motto, meaning that every part was made to within very fine tolerances. Today the unconventional and still fascinating Scott motorcycle is much sought-after and examples survive in surprising numbers.

They are keenly restored, maintained and ridden by members of the 700-strong Scott Owners Club, which has worldwide membership.

One notable supporter of the marque is Jay Leno, the American comedian, chat-show host and vehicle enthusiast, who owns and rides a 1929 Scott TT Replica.

At the anniversary event, a number of members of the Scott Owners Club will be present on their machines, to visit where their bikes were built so many years ago and to see what remains of the original factory building.

The history of the Scott factory is of great interest to Glyn Brown, managing director of Archerdale Ltd, the company which now occupies the building and which is keen to help preserve an understanding of this prestigious Yorkshire motorcycle company.

He said: “When we first occupied the factory 17 years ago we were unaware of its history, it was not until a few years after our residency that a Scott enthusiast asked to look round the building that we realised its significance and importance in the world of motorbikes.”

Martin Hodkin, Northern regional secretary of the Scott Owners Club, said: “Could I express my most sincere gratitude to Mr Brown of Archerdale Ltd for allowing the Scott Owners’ Club members to visit the site of the former Scott factory on such an auspicious date.

“Also my thanks to Allan Jefferies Ltd for their co-operation with this event. Their connection with Scott motorcycles over many years is well documented. Could I express my gratitude to Undercliffe Cemetery for their co-operation with this event.”

The event will begin with members of the Scott Owners Club from around the North gathering at a highly-relevant location – the BMW motorcycle dealership of Allan Jefferies, in Baildon.

Allan was a Scott factory rider of distinction in the 1920s, having been born within earshot of the Scott factory’s engine-testing department, and did much to make the Scott name famous.

He became a Scott dealer in Shipley, later turning to the sales of Triumph and then BMW motorcycles. Michael Lyon. service manager of Allan Jefferies BMW, said; “The name Allan Jefferies was closely associated with the Scott motorcycle in its heyday, and we are very pleased to welcome members of the Scott Owners Club here to help mark these important anniversaries.”

Once gathered from about 10.30am at Allan Jefferies BMW, the Scott Owners Club members will then ride to the factory building in Hirstwood Road.

At about 2pm, after an opportunity to examine the original factory building, the group will then ride to Undercliffe Cemetery, in Bradford, to lay a wreath at the family grave, where Alfred is buried.

The cemetery’s authorities have agreed to allow some of the motorcycles to be ridden to the graveside, where the sound of Scott engines will form what they have kindly said might be a ‘fitting tribute’.

The date for this important event in the history of the Scott marque has been carefully chosen, since the following day, August 11, will be the 90th anniversary of the death of its founder.

In 2004, The Scott Motorcycle book by Jeff Clew was published. In an article in the T&A that September, Mr Clew said: “It has been said that one of two things is sure to happen to the purchaser of a Scott.

“Either he will like it immensely to the extent that any other machines he owns take second place, or he will loathe it. I have yet to encounter anyone who has taken the middle of the road and tolerated a Scott as a second-string.

“To my mind, ownership of a Scott is a test of enthusiasm, especially if the machine has to be reclaimed from the inevitable heap of rusty and badly worn parts.”

Pictures from the Scott Motorcycle photo archive.