classic motorcycle forum

Motorcycle Discussions => Identify these bikes! => Topic started by: VintageBike on March 04, 2008, 03:59:26 AM

Title: Is this a Francis barnett?
Post by: VintageBike on March 04, 2008, 03:59:26 AM

Can anyone help Mike Marsh identify the bike in this picture?  His father believed it to be a Fanny B taken in 1932.

(http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/YaBBAttach/Fanny-B.jpg)

Title: Re: Is this a Francis barnett?
Post by: Martin_UK on March 04, 2008, 06:16:35 AM

Unfortunately not a Franny B as they were still using their "Built Like a Bridge " Frame and fork in 1932. Looks more like a lightweight Coventry Eagle or possibly a Dunelt with a villiers engine.

Regards,

Martin

Title: Re: Is this a Francis barnett?
Post by: 33d6 on March 06, 2008, 05:49:15 AM

As it appears to have  only one exhaust port on the right hand side, the engine would be a 148cc Mk15C. This appeared in 1934 as a slightly cheaper version of the Mk12C introduced in 1932 so unless the original 12C cylinder had problems and been replaced by a 15C (they're interchangeable) the the bike has to date from at least 1934.
It can't be a Coventry Eagle as they had a very distinctive pressed steel frame.
Villiers dominated the lightweight market at this time and a large number of manufacturers included a Villiers powered lightweight in their range regardless of what else they made. Sometimes they can be very difficult to identify. It makes an interesting challenge.
Cheers, Bob