The Complete List of Classic Motorcycle Brands

Walking into a vintage bike meet or scrolling through a classic-motorcycle forum, you quickly notice how many makers left a mark on two-wheeled history — from race-bred metal to reliable roadsters. Those nameplates tell stories of place, period and design, and seeing them together helps you understand trends and where to look next.

There are 45 Classic Motorcycle Brands, ranging from AJS to ČZ (CZ). For each entry the data is organized with Country,Founded (year),Notable classic models so you can spot origins, era and signature bikes at a glance; to see the full range and details, you’ll find below.

Which brands are easiest for a new collector to maintain?

Choose makers with good parts availability, active clubs and simple mechanical layouts; many collectors start with common British singles, mid-century Japanese twins or early American models because spares and expertise are easier to source, and communities often share restoration tips and parts leads.

How can I verify a bike’s authenticity and build year?

Look for matching frame and engine numbers, study factory spec photos and serial-number guides, consult marque registries or club experts, and when in doubt get a specialist inspection — paperwork, period features and club records usually give the clearest confirmation.

Classic Motorcycle Brands

Images and Descriptions

Harley-Davidson

Iconic American maker since 1903, known for heavyweight V-twins, distinctive sound and cruiser culture. Classic models from 1930s–1970s are highly collectible, prized for customization potential, provenance and historical significance in US motorcycling.

Indian

America’s first major motorcycle company, famous for Scout and Chief cruisers and pre-war fours. Collectors chase restored Chiefs and Scouts for their historical importance, craftsmanship and rarity, especially pre‑World War II and 1940s examples.

Triumph

British marque with roots in 1885 and motorcycles since early 1900s. Known for parallel-twin engines, roadsters and café-racer pedigree. Post‑war and 1960s Bonnevilles are enthusiast favorites for restoration and riding.

Norton

Classic British brand noted for single and twin-cylinder road and race bikes. Norton Manx racers and Commando roadsters from 1950s–1970s are highly collectible for performance heritage and racing provenance.

BSA

BSA made millions of British singles and twins; the Gold Star is a celebrated road/race machine. Mid‑century BSA models are popular with restorers for their period charm and plentiful parts among classic collectors.

Royal Enfield

Originally British and later continued in India, Royal Enfield Bullets are among the longest‑produced classic models. Known for simple thumper engines and robust, easy-to-maintain designs that appeal to riders and restorers.

Moto Guzzi

Italian marque famed for transverse V-twin layout and shaft drive. 1950s–1970s Guzzis are prized for their character, distinctive handling, and collectible designs like the V7 and Le Mans sport models.

Ducati

Italian brand with a racing and desmodromic-valve heritage. Classic Ducatis from the 1970s–1980s (desmo twins) are sought after by collectors for performance, design, and strong enthusiast support.

MV Agusta

Prestige Italian racing marque known for exquisite engineering and styling. Classic MV Agustas, particularly 1950s–1970s race and sport models, command attention for rarity, beauty, and racing pedigree.

Benelli

Historic Italian manufacturer producing sporty twins and six-cylinder exotica. 1960s–1970s Benellis, including the Sei and Tornado, are collectible for their engineering quirks, Italian styling and limited-production appeal.

Gilera

Italian firm with strong racing roots; post‑war and 1950s Gilera singles and racers are respected for engineering and track success. Classic Gileras draw collectors interested in Italian competition history.

Laverda

Italian manufacturer noted for rugged, high-strung triples and thumping fours. 1970s Laverdas like the 750SF and Jota are sought by collectors for durability, sporty performance and distinctive character.

Moto Morini

Small Italian maker known for compact twins and sporty roadsters. 1960s–1970s Moto Morinis are appreciated for engaging handling, unique engineering and rarity on international markets.

AJS

Early British marque with racing credentials; AJS singles and racing bikes from the interwar and postwar eras attract collectors for historic value and period competition success.

Matchless

One of Britain’s oldest motorcycle marques; Matchless produced reliable singles and twins. Classic Matchless machines from the 1940s–1960s are popular with restorers for period character and accessible parts.

Velocette

Renowned for precision single-cylinder engines and sporting success. Velocette racers and Thruxton café‑style machines are collector favorites for engineering quality and competition heritage.

Ariel

Ariel built innovative designs like the Square Four and popular roadsters. Mid‑20th century Ariels are valued for mechanical uniqueness and classic British styling.

Vincent

British luxury-performance marque famed for the Black Shadow and racing variants. Extremely collectible and high-value classics prized for engineering excellence, speed records and very limited production.

Brough Superior

Elite British manufacturer of hand-built, pre‑war and interwar luxury motorcycles. Brough Superiors are among the most collectible motorcycles worldwide due to rarity, bespoke construction and celebrity ownership.

Sunbeam

Historic British marque known for well-engineered touring bikes and race successes in the early‑to‑mid 20th century. Sunbeam models attract collectors for refinement, historical interest and unique styling.

Rudge

Known for engineering innovations, especially multi-valve singles and racing success. Classic Rudge machines from the 1920s–1930s are prized by enthusiasts for rarity and mechanical ingenuity.

Scott

Innovative maker of two-stroke twins and advanced designs. Scott motorcycles are collectible for distinctive engineering, lightweight performance and early competition history.

Excelsior (US)

Early American manufacturer producing V-twins and sporting bikes; Excelsior’s pre‑war and 1920s–1930s models are pursued by collectors for American manufacturing heritage and rarity.

Henderson

Producer of luxury four-cylinder touring motorcycles in the 1910s–1930s. Hendersons are collectible for smooth multi-cylinder engines, craftsmanship and rarity among early American marques.

DKW

Important German maker and pioneer of two-stroke technology. DKW RT125 influenced many post‑war designs worldwide; collectors value parts-exchange history and lightweight classic models.

Zündapp

German manufacturer with robust pre‑ and post‑war machines including military sidecars. Classic Zündapps are sought for engineering durability and historical interest, especially wartime and 1950s models.

BMW

German marque famed for boxer engines and shaft drive. Classic BMW air-cooled boxers from the 1920s–1970s are highly collectible for engineering quality, longevity and strong enthusiast communities.

NSU

NSU produced influential post‑war singles and small twins. Collectors value NSU racing heritage and pre‑war accomplishments; models from the 1950s are recognizable among vintage European motorcycles.

Horex

German brand known for mid‑century singles and later sporty models. Classic Horex bikes appeal to collectors for niche engineering and distinctively German styling from the 1930s–1960s.

Jawa

Czechoslovakian maker known for robust two-strokes and four-stroke twins; Jawa classics excel in affordability, ease of restoration and strong following in Eastern Europe and beyond.

ČZ (CZ)

ČZ built competitive racing machines and sturdy road models. Classic CZs are appreciated by vintage racers and restorers for competition history, durability and parts availability in some regions.

Honda

Post‑war Japanese giant that transformed motorcycling with reliable, high-performance machines. The 1969 CB750 is a landmark classic and a staple in collections for performance and historical importance.

Yamaha

Japanese manufacturer known for sporty two-strokes and robust twins. 1970s–1980s Yamahas like the RD350 and XS650 are popular with riders and restorers for performance and tunability.

Suzuki

Suzuki produced influential two-stroke triples and early fours. Classic Suzukis from the 1960s–1970s are collected for race-derived performance and distinctive engineering solutions.

Kawasaki

Kawasaki’s powerful two-stroke triples and the Z1 four-cylinder superbike defined late-1960s–1970s performance. Classic Kawasakis are highly collectible for speed, tuning culture and historical impact.

Husqvarna

Known for off-road bikes and trials machines, Husqvarna produced notable 1960s–1970s competition bikes. Classics are sought by off-road collectors and restorers for lightness, handling and rally heritage.

Bultaco

Spanish maker famous for trials and scrambler machines. Sherpa T trials bikes from the 1960s–1970s are milestone models, prized for pioneering trials competition and high restoration interest.

Montesa

Spanish manufacturer with strong trials pedigree; Impala roadsters and Cota trials bikes are collectible for competitive history, durable engineering and passionate owner communities.

Ossa

Ossa made notable road and trials bikes, especially in the 1960s–1970s. Classic Ossas are valued by trials enthusiasts for handling, lightness and competition success during the golden trials era.

Aermacchi

Originally an aircraft firm that produced sporty singles and racing machines post‑war. Aermacchi models from the 1950s–1970s attract collectors for racing heritage and later U.S. distributor connections.

Greeves

British specialist in trials and scrambles, famed for lightweight frames and off-road competition success. Classic Greeves are collectible for period trials history and distinctive engineering.

Saroléa

Historic Belgian maker producing motorcycles from the early 1900s. Saroléa machines are prized by vintage collectors for early continental racing heritage and rarity outside of Europe.

FN (Fabrique Nationale)

Belgian industrial firm producing noteworthy pre‑ and interwar motorcycles and military models. FN classics appeal to collectors interested in continental engineering and early 20th‑century manufacturing.

Victoria

German company producing a range of mid‑century motorcycles. Victoria classics from the 1930s–1950s attract restoration enthusiasts for distinctive German engineering and period design.

Pannonia

Hungarian brand known for rugged mid‑century street and sport bikes. Pannonia motorcycles have a collectors’ niche, especially among Eastern European enthusiasts restoring post‑war classics.