A RICH HISTORY
On the frontier of England and Scotland is a small border town called Carlisle where a family of bicycle & motorcycle enthusiasts. The Tiffen's were some of the pioneers of the early motorcycle days. Edward John Tiffen great great grandfather to the current owner of Tiffen Cycles, lived in the 1800's and was the first of a long line of bicycle and motorcycle experts, riders, and manufactures.
During the late 1800’s there was a renaissance of innovation from the silent pedal to the roar of the motorcycle. It was a time of change, speed, and excitement. Carlisle was perfectly situated as a bridge between the rugged natural pathways of the north and the refined roadways of the south. The Tiffen’s were central in the area for bicycles and then motorcycles and maintenance for all fellow travellers. They also helped create the famous International Six Day Trial. This was a six day race testing endurance of motorcycles brands and riders. It still runs to this day.
Some of the family were sponsored riders, others were master craftsman, who built and maintained bicycles and motorcycles.
His sons and grandson rode for Velocette and then become dealers of multiple brands. Edward Jr. on the other hand built the TIFFEN motorcycle line, which was mainly sold locally; custom one offs and small runs. His sister Mary Tiffen-Jackson had a son that had a bicycle shop as well.
In honor of this families rich cycle history we decided to revive the Tiffen line a half a century later. As they were the innovators, builders, and testers of their time, so we are with the advent of new technology of our time. We decided to take up the torch and carry on the tradition with electric bicycles and Motorcycles.
During the late 1800’s there was a renaissance of innovation from the silent pedal to the roar of the motorcycle. It was a time of change, speed, and excitement. Carlisle was perfectly situated as a bridge between the rugged natural pathways of the north and the refined roadways of the south. The Tiffen’s were central in the area for bicycles and then motorcycles and maintenance for all fellow travellers. They also helped create the famous International Six Day Trial. This was a six day race testing endurance of motorcycles brands and riders. It still runs to this day.
Some of the family were sponsored riders, others were master craftsman, who built and maintained bicycles and motorcycles.
His sons and grandson rode for Velocette and then become dealers of multiple brands. Edward Jr. on the other hand built the TIFFEN motorcycle line, which was mainly sold locally; custom one offs and small runs. His sister Mary Tiffen-Jackson had a son that had a bicycle shop as well.
In honor of this families rich cycle history we decided to revive the Tiffen line a half a century later. As they were the innovators, builders, and testers of their time, so we are with the advent of new technology of our time. We decided to take up the torch and carry on the tradition with electric bicycles and Motorcycles.
E. T. TiffenBicycle/Motorcycle Specialists & Manufactures
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E. J. TiffenBicycle/Motorcycle Makers & Repairs
Home of the Tiffen Motorcycles |
High JacksonBicycle & Tricycle Makers
A Carlisle original bicycle shop |
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The Tiffen's were there at the beginning of it all. They were there for the 1st world famous 'International Six Day Trial' (ISDT) which is a 6 day race that was hosted in their home town of Carlisle, UK. This is a race that is world renown and still runs today.
An excerpt from the Carlisle Journal: The series of motor-cycling reliability trials under auspices of the Auto-Cycle Union in the North-West of England, which began on Monday, was continued in favorable weather on Tuesday. The second day’s route provided an even more exacting test for men and machines than Monday’s series of mountaineering exploits. First held in 1913, with first & Second World Wars interruptions ISDT than ISDE has been held every year since then. Events have been tests of machine plus rider skill, along with reliability held on the ‘roads Speed Reliability tracks Cross country sections plus Hill Climb locations, today more of the routes are held truly ‘off road’. Originally called International Six Day Trial, but since 1980 has been titled ISD Enduro. The Tiffen's rode for Volocette a famous motorcycle brand in the UK and also built their own Tiffen Brand, (See photos below) |
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'Billy' or E.T. Tiffen Jr. - THE RACING HERO
W.T. Tiffen Sr. and Jr. were riders and distributers for Velocette motorcycles. They were also small manufacturers of their own TIffen line with brother E. J. Tiffen. In the 1920's - 50's . 'Billy' or E.T. Tiffen Jr. would race in every event he could, he won the SSDT in Scotland in 1936 riding the 'Mark 5' Velocette motorcycle. He was one of only 3 permitted to test the Mysterious Mark 6 for real racers only.
Later in his life in the 1960's Billy became ACU (Auto Cycle Union) Chairman, which is now the biggest organization for all motorcycling sports, events, and clubs in the UK.
E. J. Tiffen - THE EVERYDAY HERO
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E.J. Tiffen great Grandfather to the owner of Tiffen Cycles is seen here with a children's bike he made in a small border town on Scotland and England. That same bike is now here in a small border town of USA and Canada. Edward Jr. was man passionate about serving others through his talents as one of the most skilled mechanics in Carlisle, England. He was hailed as the "Good Samaritan of the Road". Multiple times in letters people referred to him as such as well as a "Gardian Angel, while rescuing stranded motor cyclists. As seen in some that we still posses now, What a legacy he left as husband, father, friend, and biker. A bike brand Revived...
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"From the frontier of England and Scotland to the rocky mountains."
