LF Harris

LF Harris Parts for Your Vintage british Motorcycle

We offer genuine LF Harris parts and components for your vintage British motorcycle. Located in the UK, LF Harris motorcycle spares are produced to the highest quality standards possible utilizing original Triumph tooling, dies, factory blueprints & materials combined with modern manufacturing equipment, tolerances & techniques. LF Harris International Ltd, founded by Leslie Frederick Harris, has a significant history in the British motorcycle industry, particularly in the realms of spare parts and the revival of iconic motorcycle models.

Founding and Early Years

Les Harris, born in 1939 in Torquay, Devon, established his business in 1974, initially focusing on manufacturing and selling spare parts for classic British motorcycles such as Triumph, Norton, and BSA. The company was set up in a warehouse in Newton Abbot, Devon1 2 7.

Expansion and Diversification

As the British motorcycle industry declined, with major manufacturers like Norton, BSA, and Triumph ceasing production, Harris capitalized on the opportunity by buying up as many spare parts as possible. He expanded his business by acquiring an engineering company in Leighton Buzzard and a retail shop in Paignton, Devon. This strategic move helped establish LF Harris International Ltd as a leading supplier of classic motorcycle spares1 2.

Triumph Bonneville Production

When the Meriden Triumph factory closed in 1983, Harris bid for the rights to the Triumph name and the opportunity to build the Triumph Bonneville T140. Although he did not secure the full rights, he obtained a renewable five-year licence from John Bloor, the new owner of Triumph, to manufacture the 750cc Bonneville. This licence allowed Harris to produce Bonnevilles from 1985 to 1988.

Harris assembled these ‘Devon’ Bonnevilles in Newton Abbot, Devon, using a mix of British and European components due to the decline of the British motorcycle component industry. These bikes featured parts from manufacturers like Brembo (brakes), Paioli (front suspension), and Lafranconi (silencers)1 2 3.
During this period, Harris produced approximately 1,255 to 1,300 of these Bonnevilles, along with some 750cc single-carburettor TR7V Tiger models used by the Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team1 2 6.

Significance of Harris’s Production

Harris’s production of the Bonneville was significant because it bridged the gap between the closure of the Meriden factory and the opening of John Bloor’s new factory in Hinckley. This continuity allowed Triumph to claim it had been in continuous production since 1902, making it the oldest continuously operating motorcycle manufacturer in the world1 2 4.

Matchless G80 Production

After the licence to produce Triumph Bonnevilles expired in 1988, Harris decided to design and manufacture his own motorcycle, the Matchless G80. This bike was powered by a 494cc single-cylinder Rotax engine and featured components like twin front disc brakes and an electric starter. Around 860 Matchless G80s were produced until the project was halted due to the economic recession of 1990. The company then returned to its core business of producing spare parts for classic motorcycles1 2 6.

Legacy and Current Status

Les Harris was often described as the “saviour of the British motorcycle industry” due to his efforts in keeping the Triumph and Matchless brands alive. He passed away on February 17, 2009, after a long illness. His widow, Shirley Harris, took over the running of the business, which has continued to operate successfully, relocating from Newton Abbot to Torquay, Devon. The company remains a significant player in the market for high-quality spare parts for classic British motorcycles, with a dedicated workforce and modern manufacturing facilities2 5 8.In summary, LF Harris International Ltd’s history is marked by its pivotal role in preserving the heritage of British motorcycles through the production of spare parts and the temporary revival of iconic models like the Triumph Bonneville and the Matchless G80.

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