Cotton, The Motorcycle Masterpiece ®
Sports Models for 1928
The Cotton motorcycles introduced for 1928 represented a significant advance over the previous year’s machines.
Several attractive sports models were offered, powered by J.A.P. or Blackburne overhead-valve engines, available in single-port or twin-port versions. These models were fitted with handsome saddle tanks, enhancing both appearance and practicality.
The frame was shortened and built using heavier tubing, increasing strength. Special attention was given to the magneto mounting, which was placed high behind the engine in a position that was easy to access.
Overall, the 1928 Cotton was described as a machine that would immediately appeal to sporting riders, especially those familiar with the excellent road-holding qualities of the Cotton triangulated frame.
1928 Cotton JAP 500cc
The 1928 Cotton JAP 500cc was a powerful British sports motorcycle, built for riders who wanted serious performance combined with advanced chassis design.
It was powered by a 500 cc J.A.P. overhead-valve single-cylinder engine, an engine famous for its strength, reliability, and high performance in racing and sporting use. JAP engines were widely respected at the time, and in 500 cc form they delivered strong torque and impressive top speed.
As with all Cotton motorcycles, the defining feature was the fully triangulated Cotton frame.
Constructed to be both rigid and lightweight, it provided excellent road holding and precise handling, clearly superior to conventional diamond frames of the period. For 1928, the frame was shortened and built from heavier tubing, further improving strength and stability.
The engine was mounted inclined forward, which lowered the centre of gravity and improved balance, especially when cornering at speed. Power was transmitted through a three-speed gearbox with clutch and all-chain final drive, reflecting Cotton’s focus on sporting performance.
The 1928 sports models were also distinguished by attractive saddle tanks, clean mechanical layout, and a carefully positioned magneto mounted high behind the engine for easy access. Every detail was aimed at riders who valued performance, handling, and engineering quality.
The Cotton JAP 500cc of 1928 is remembered today as a true inter-war sports machine — fast, purposeful, and technically advanced — and a strong expression of the Cotton philosophy: exceptional road holding through intelligent frame design.
Cotton 1928 Super Sport OHV
The Cotton Super Sport OHV of 1928 represented the most performance-focused expression of the Cotton range in the late 1920s. It was designed for riders who demanded speed, precision handling, and advanced engineering rather than everyday practicality.
At the heart of the Super Sport was an overhead-valve single-cylinder sports engine, selected for its ability to run at high revolutions and deliver strong top-end performance. This made the model capable of impressive speeds for its class and well suited to fast road riding and competition use.
The motorcycle was built around the famous Cotton fully triangulated frame, a design that had already proven itself in racing and trials. For 1928, the frame was shortened and constructed from heavier-gauge tubing, increasing rigidity while preserving lightness. This gave the Super Sport exceptional road holding and stability, especially when cornering at speed.
The engine was mounted inclined forward, lowering the centre of gravity and improving balance. Power was transmitted through a three-speed gearbox with clutch and all-chain final drive, reflecting the machine’s sporting intent.
Visually, the Super Sport was distinguished by its attractive saddle tank, clean mechanical layout, and carefully considered details such as the high, easily accessible magneto mounting behind the engine. Every element was designed to serve performance and reliability.
Cotton Sport Lusso Sidevalve (1928)
The Cotton Sport Lusso Sidevalve (1928) was a refined sporting motorcycle designed to combine performance, comfort, and elegant finish, reflecting a more luxurious interpretation of the Cotton philosophy.
Powered by a side-valve single-cylinder engine, the Sport Lusso offered smooth, reliable performance well suited to fast road use and longer-distance riding. While less extreme than the overhead-valve sports models, the side-valve engine was valued for its durability, quiet running, and ease of maintenance.
As with all Cotton machines of the period, the Sport Lusso was built around the fully triangulated Cotton frame. By 1928 this frame had been shortened and constructed from heavier-gauge tubing, giving excellent rigidity and stability while retaining relatively low weight. The result was confident handling and outstanding road holding, even on poor road surfaces.
The engine was mounted inclined forward, lowering the centre of gravity and improving balance. Power was delivered through a three-speed gearbox with clutch and chain final drive, providing smooth and dependable transmission.
The “Lusso” character was expressed through careful attention to detail: a well-shaped saddle tank, clean mechanical layout, quality fittings, and a riding position that balanced sporting intent with comfort. These features made the model particularly attractive to riders seeking a machine that was both capable and refined.
1929 Cotton 350cc JAP
The 1929 Cotton 350cc JAP was a high-quality British sporting motorcycle, combining a proven performance engine with Cotton’s advanced chassis design.
The machine was powered by a 350 cc J.A.P. single-cylinder engine, a unit widely respected for its reliability, strong power output, and suitability for both fast road riding and competition. JAP engines were among the most successful of the period, and their use reflected Cotton’s focus on performance and quality.
Central to the motorcycle was the Cotton fully triangulated frame, a hallmark of the marque. By the end of the 1920s, this frame design had been further refined, offering exceptional rigidity with controlled weight, resulting in excellent road holding and precise steering. Compared with conventional frames, the Cotton chassis provided superior stability, especially at speed.
The engine was mounted inclined forward, lowering the centre of gravity and improving balance through corners. Power was transmitted through a three-speed gearbox with clutch and all-chain final drive, reinforcing the sporting character of the machine.
With its purposeful proportions, clean mechanical layout, and strong performance credentials, the 1929 Cotton 350cc JAP appealed to riders who valued confident handling and engineering integrity. Today, it is regarded as a fine example of late inter-war British sporting motorcycle design, and a clear continuation of Cotton’s reputation for building machines where handling was as important as speed.
Cotton Model 7 (1928)
The Cotton Model 7 (1928) was a sporting British motorcycle that clearly expressed the engineering philosophy for which Cotton was becoming famous in the late 1920s.
At its core, the Model 7 was built around the Cotton fully triangulated frame, a design that combined high rigidity with low weight. This frame gave the motorcycle excellent road holding and precise steering, qualities that were widely recognised by sporting riders and competitors of the period.
The machine was offered with sporting engine options typical of Cotton’s 1928 range, and followed the company’s established practice of using high-quality proprietary engines rather than manufacturing its own. The engine was mounted inclined forward in the frame, helping to lower the centre of gravity and improve stability, particularly when cornering at speed.
For 1928, Cotton frames were shortened and constructed from heavier-gauge tubing, increasing strength without sacrificing handling. The Model 7 also reflected improvements in detail design, including a clean mechanical layout, accessible magneto mounting positioned high behind the engine, and well-proportioned fuel tanks that enhanced both appearance and practicality.
The Cotton Model 7 was aimed squarely at the sports-minded rider—someone who valued performance, confident handling, and advanced design over ornament. Today, it is remembered as a strong example of inter-war British sporting motorcycle engineering, and as a clear step in the evolution of Cotton’s reputation for exceptional chassis design.
1927 Cotton Blackburne OHV 350cc
The 1927 Cotton Blackburne OHV 350cc was a classic British sporting motorcycle, built to combine advanced engineering with proven racing performance.
At its heart was a 350 cc Blackburne overhead-valve single-cylinder engine, known for its strong power delivery and ability to run at higher revolutions than side-valve designs. This made the machine particularly well suited to sporting road use and competition.
A defining feature of the motorcycle was the Cotton fully triangulated frame. Designed according to sound mechanical principles, it offered exceptional rigidity with low weight, giving the bike excellent stability, accurate wheel alignment, and confident road-holding. Compared with conventional diamond frames of the period, the Cotton frame was widely regarded as more advanced.
The engine was mounted inclined forward in the frame, lowering the centre of gravity and improving balance, especially when cornering. Power was transmitted through a three-speed gearbox with clutch, with final drive by chain, reflecting Cotton’s move away from earlier belt-drive systems.
The 1927 model also featured practical and refined details, including a neat cylindrical silencer, improved cycle parts, and a well-proportioned fuel tank. Altogether, the machine combined performance, reliability, and distinctive appearance.