British Made - testing army motorcycles near Coventry, West Midlands - 1915.
Opens with a guy riding motorcycle around (literally; in circles) in a swamp with water about halfway up the wheels; tall trees on bank; etc. Poor quality makes it look misty & mysterious. Several riders approaching in shallow river; with people standing on the bank; watching; the biker in the lead has a small wreck; he just tips over in the water - splash! - a sort of funny slapstick moment. Other bikers continue; then the guy who wiped out follows; pushing bike.
Another guy riding toward camera through water; fence on side. Cut back to the guy who had wreck; trying to start his motor. Test of how much weight the bike can support; but looks like stunt or clowning: 7 men climb on the motorbike; parked on a country road; the cycle starts to move (this looks quite funny! - SL).
Uphill test: motorcycles driving fast; up a hill; some with 1 man; then a couple with 2; group of people; including several women; watching (I think this looks funny too - the spectators stand stock still while the motorcyclists zoom by in a blur - SL). Finally tests of a cycle with 3 people - it comes up hill at lesser speed; man and child watching. On last of these tests a photographer lying on hill.
Transportation; vehicle.
G 354 B.
FILM ID:1856.28
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