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Len Vale-Onslow

1900 – 2004

British motorcycle pioneer

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About Len Vale-Onslow

Lived 1900 – 2004 (aged 103). Len Vale-Onslow was a businessperson and motorcycle racer, known for Motorbike.

Leonard Leslie Hubert Vale-Onslow MBE (2 May 1900 – 23 April 2004) was a motorcycle builder known for inventing the SOS racing bike in 1926. Based in Birmingham, England, he operated multiple motorcycle repair shops and resided above one of them. Vale-Onslow was actively involved in repairing and test-riding motorcycles throughout his career.

As a child, Vale-Onslow's six older brothers ran two garages in Birmingham and made him a small motorcycle. His brothers would take him to Sutton Park and teach him how to ride. Vale-Onslow lived in close proximity to his family, which included three children, six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

In 1999, Vale-Onslow received the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for being recognized as Britain's oldest worker. Additionally, during the same year, he became the oldest subject of the television program "This Is Your Life."

He continued to ride until the age of 102. He died in 2004, shortly before his 104th birthday.

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Important facts

Birth century
Known for
Motorbike
Also known as
Leonard Leslie Hubert Vale-Onslow

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Len Vale-Onslow's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Len Vale-Onslow?

British motorcycle pioneer

When was Len Vale-Onslow born?

Len Vale-Onslow was born on 2 May 1900 in Birmingham.

When did Len Vale-Onslow die?

Len Vale-Onslow died on 23 April 2004.

What was Len Vale-Onslow's occupation?

Len Vale-Onslow was a businessperson and motorcycle racer.

What was Len Vale-Onslow known for?

Len Vale-Onslow was known for Motorbike.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Len Vale-Onslow

· Wikidata: Q6522007

· DBpedia: Len Vale-Onslow

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Len Vale-Onslow. https://biography.guide/len-vale-onslow/

MLA: "Len Vale-Onslow." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/len-vale-onslow/.

Chicago: "Len Vale-Onslow." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/len-vale-onslow/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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