At the end of the 19th century George Featherstone was an ironmonger living in Bethnal Green but he had a son who was interested in the great strides that transportation was taking. It seems likely that it was John Featherstone who persuaded his father into producing a motorcycle in 1903. By then, John, now in his early thirties, already had three patents to his name. One patent regarded improvements in and relating to cycle fittings, while the other two related to improvements to carburettors for vapourising hydro-carbons for use in internal combustion engines.
The Thorough, introduced in 1903, had a choice of Coronet or MMC 1¾hp, 2hp and 2¾hp engines. It was provided with a wickerwork side car which Featherstone described as ‘Light, graceful, luxurious.’ What was particularly interesting about the Thorough is that George Featherstone and Son offered extended test rides, stating ‘To intending purchasers we are prepared to give lengthy trials, in order to prove its reliability, easy steering, speed, and hill climbing capabilities.’ Few companies, if any, offered more than a quick ride around the block.
Despite this, it seems that the Thorough was a very short-lived machine. By 1911 John and his family had moved to Truro and was working as a foreman in a garage.
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