The Bond car company of Preston was known for its quirky vehicles. After the Minicar, Lawrence 'Lawrie' Bond turned his attention to developing a range of small lightweight motorcycles and scooters... 🛵
The Bond company was originally know as Sharp’s Commercials and became Bond Cars Ltd in 1963. It was eventually taken over by the Reliant Motors. Unfortunately, the Preston factory closed in 1970, although the Bond name lived on with the Bond Bug in 1974.Petrol rationing was reintroduced in June 1948 at the rate of 90 miles per month. Coupons were issued depending on the horsepower of the vehicle. The ration was doubled during the summer months of 1949 and 1950.
The design was crude with no rear suspension, damping being provided by the large low pressure tyre. The front eventually received telescopic dampers after repeated failure of the front forks. A deluxe version appeared in 1950 with an uprated 125cc engine. The machine was marginally successful and the manufacturing rights were sold to Ellis Ltd of Leeds who continued production until 1953. Only 750 of the Bond MiniBykes were produced.The Bond Lilliput, a lightweight motorcycle, debuted in 1951.