Montgomery

[Frank]

First post, so be gentle with me!

I've got a 1940-registered Montgomery which has a Villiers 125cc engine, twin port and with hand gearchange via a long lever.  I can't find any information at all about the marque (awaiting a reply from the specialist at the VMCC, so maybe some coming). In the meantime, can anybody throw any light at all on this bike?

[33d6]

Yerss, my mate has one sitting in his shed that someone had dreams of turning into a road racer!!(It's worth two exclamation marks just to think about it.)
Basically what do you want to know? Mechanically it is just another Villiers lightweight built to the standard formula of Villiers 9D engine, pressed steel Webb forks, British Hub Co wheels, etc,etc. About the only thing that distinguishes it is the monster cast alloy silencer hanging in front of the engine.
If you can get hold of a copy of Roy Bacons "The A-Z of British Motorcycles from the 1930's, 1940's, 1950's" you will find a nice photo of it on page 272, plus there is a little blurb on Montgomery (with pictures) on page 154.
Obviously as it is made up from all proprietary parts there is no point in looking for a factory workshop manual, all you do is get the relevant Villiers etc, material and go from there.
It's a simple restoration but one that has to be spot on mechanically if you want an effective bike to rally. These bikes didn't have a huge performance when new so anything not quite right in the restoration quickly becomes obvious on the road.
Oh, last thing, it's a Montgomery 'Terrier' and 1940 was last year of production.
Cheers,

[Frank]

A racer? Well, I've got a family of snails in my garden that would be interested in a match if it ever gets built!

Thanks very much for the info.  I contacted the Coventry Transport Museum to see if they had any factory records, but apparently everything was lost in the air-raid of 1940 that put the firm out of business.

Good point about the need for a careful restoration; the bike is running quite well at the moment and manages to haul my not inconsiderable bulk at a reasonable speed, but next winter I intend to get down to basics before taking it out on a few rallies next year.

I'd be interested in any further info on the colour scheme.  Mine is black and the paint looks to have been applied with a toilet brush, although the DVLA record says that it is red/black. This is the first lightweight I've owned since I learned on a James about 45 years ago.  It has been forced on me through a heart condition that meant I was having angina attacks every time I tried to kick up one of my bikes. Faced with giving up altogether, I've gone down this route and have to admit that I'm quite enjoying sailing round followed by a blue haze.

All the best and thanks again,

Frank

[33d6]

Creaking bones and body parts not working how they should push many of us on to lightweights Frank, and like you we discover a new world. You've just joined the clan.
If you have a quick look in the VMCC Library you will see they have a reasonable amount of material on Montgomery including a 1939 catalogue which is about as good as you'll get. 1940 catalogues tend to be very sparse in content. My 1940 Matchless & AJS catalogues are each merely a folded sheet with one solitary bike illustration. I think they had other matters on their mind.
Further to the 1939 catalogue if you very nicely ask Annice, the VMCC Librarian, I'm sure she could find you find you the various announcements in the weekly magazines 'The Blue'un' and 'The Green'un' where they give details of upcoming ranges for the next year plus of course lots of stuff on Villiers, Webbs, British Hub Co etc.
The VMCC Library is a hidden gem for the sort of info you want.
As far as the paint finish is concerned I wouldn't be surprised if you have the remains of the original finish even if it does look awful.  We don't appreciate just how much finishes have improved since the 1930's. Our expectations today are much higher. Also of course a cheap bike had a cheap finish. You didn't get Brough Superior paint work on a utility lightweight like the Montgomery. 
Personally I'd think very seriously about mechanical restoration only and not worry to much about making it pretty. Lighweights seem to suit an oily rag restoration rather than a full concours finish. They were working bikes, not toys for weekend warriors.
Cheers,

[Frank]

Thanks once again for all the info.  I'll certainly give the VMCC a ring and see what I can turn up.  I agree with the comments about workaday bikes not having the best of finishes, and I'd rather not spend money on tarting the Monty up.  However, the tank is looking very sorry for itself now, with large flakes having been shed.  I don't know how long I can stand it!

While thinking about the finish on bikes, I recall going to a Club meeting many years ago when John Hudson, late of Norton service department, gave a talk about his life in the factory.  He was very amused at the antics of some "restorers" who argue furiously with each other about the colours and standard of finish on a bike.  He pointed out that the paint was often mixed up by apprentices and walloped on with a brush, with no two days' worth of it quite the same.  Still, it keeps folk happy.

Since going lightweight I've begun to notice just how  many of us crocks there are out there doing the same thing.  I had begun to get a bit down about my condition, but seeing the spirit with which others have tackled it has really given me a new interest in life. 

All the best,

Frank

[33d6]

Hi again Frank,
I'll finish this discussion off by warning you that prewar lightweights are a serious disease. You know you've got a bad dose of it when you deliberately go everywhere on pathetic little back roads because they are more fun on the Monty and your mates think you've gone strange when you brag of covering 30 miles in the hour and hill climbing feats at 5 mph.
Finally, you know you have a terminal case when you look down on any bike over 250cc.
Don't worry there are a lot of us out there.
Cheers,

[Frank]

How true, how very true!

Over and out,

Frank

[RichP]

Great thread chaps ! Rather like eavesdropping a conversation in the pub. 

Any chance of a photo of the machine in question ?

[Frank]

Hi Rich,

I'll have a go at a photo today, but my technical skills are decidedly nineteenth century.  Don't hold your breath, and bear with me.

Frank

[Frank]

Here is a photograph of Monty (I hope). Like all bike photos, it looks better than in reality.

[Frank]

Amazing.  I've spent the last fifty years unaware of Montgomery motorcycles.  I acquired this one two weeks ago, the word has got out among the lads and I've been offered another one, 1938 vintage, that is adorning somebody's shed.

[33d6]

I told you Frank, once you get a lightweight another whole new world opens up!
Cheers,

[gliderpilot]

I have a compleate montgomery  with knee shelds and extras as it came out of factory .Restored im in new zealand

[Rex]

Is it a big ol' V-Twin version?