


Perhaps the addition of ‘Supreme’ did the trick, for in 1928 they finally won the Lightweight TT, using a racing JAP engine. OK Supreme had a troubled practice period before the TT, as their new duplex-tube frame designed by G.H. Jones proved fragile, so Jones actually returned to the factory in Birmingham to fetch the previous year’s racing frames, a traditional 1920s open-cradle design with the engine acting as a stressed member, with a triple-stay rear end to aid stability. The frame swap was slightly problematic, as the factory had already submitted paperwork for the machines with the A-CU for the ’28 TT, so the 1927 frames had their VIN numbers stamped over by Jones to match the entry paperwork.

Longman’s TT-winning 1928 OK Supreme has survived nearly a Century in mostly unchanged condition, and was registered for the road in 1932 under the registration CG 1150. An ex-TT winner must be the ultimate café racer for a Promenade Percy, the name attached to racy young men who rode flashy competition machines on the street… I’ll explore the full history of the Promenade Percy in my next book, coming this fall. Check out my previous exploration of cafe racers for Motorbooks – Café Racers (2014).

The following is a period account of the 1928 Junior TT race from Motor Sport magazine:
“PURSUING the meal-time analogy, the 250 c.c. race should, perhaps, be described as the” soup” of T.T. week, though this year it would have been more appropriate if the Junior race were described as “cocktails,” the lightweight as the hors d’oeuvres, and the Senior as the soup—in which element the riders were certainly involved! The Lightweight entry list promised a fierce tussle between Handley (Rex-Acme) and Bennett (O.K. Supreme), but during practice it became apparent that Frank Longman was seriously to be reckoned with, whereas Handley seemed to be treating this year’s races with considerable diffidence.

Alec Bennett had evidently experienced trouble as he was not in the leading dozen, and after a very slow second lap, he retired with baffling ignition trouble. Thus, the issue was simplified, and for five laps Longman drew steadily away from Handley who, in turn, drew slowly ahead of the field, led by the consistent Hampshire rider, C. S. Barrow.


1. F. A. Longman (246 O.K.-Supreme) 2. C. S. Barrow (246 Royal Enfield) 3. E. Twemlow (246 Dot) 4. G. E. Himing (246 O.K.-Supreme) 5. C. T. Ashby (246 O.K.-Supreme) 6. V. C. Anstice (246 O.K.-Supreme) 7. S. H. Jones (246 New Imperial) 8. J. A. Porter (246 New Gerrard) 9. S. Cleave (246 New Imperial)”
[Full disclosure: Bonhams is a sponsor of TheVintagent.com]
Thanks for the presentation.
OK. Supreme is indeed a forgotten brand.
I have a small collection of this manufacturer.
The photo of the No.22 Velocette KSS mounted rider in the 1928 Junior TT is actually Alec Bennett and he did win the race.
Researched and agreed! I guess even Keig got it wrong sometimes…