Francis-Barnett

Last updated

Francis & Barnett Limited was an English motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1919 by Gordon Inglesby Francis and Arthur Barnett and based in Lower Ford Street, Coventry, England. Early motor cycles were affectionately known as ' Franny B'. Motorcycles were produced for enthusiasts and was reasonably affordable for citizens for use as general transport. The majority of the lighter motorcycles used Villiers and later Two-stroke engine and later Associated Motor Cycles AMC engines. During the 1930s the 250cc Cruiser model 250 cc (15 cu in) was developed with a faired engine that protected those riding from any oil or dirt – one of the first of its kind to do so. AMC took over Francis & Barnett Limited in 1947 combining this with the James motorcycle models in 1957. The combined company remained in business until 1966. [1] [2]

Contents

Lea Francis 1914 V-Twin 1 Lea Francis 1914 V-Twin 1.jpg
Lea Francis 1914 V-Twin 1

The Lea Francis cycle and motorcycle business had been formed by Graham Francis and R.H. Lea in 1895, [3] [4] who was the son of Graham Francis who manufactured motorcycles under the name 'Lea Francis', went into partnership with Arthur Barnett to create Francis & Barnett Limited. Gordon married a lady whose father was Arthur Barnett and already producing Invicta motorcycles. [5] Both Francis and Barnett both related by marriage started in the same company's workshop as that of Bayliss Thomas and Company Limited in Lower Ford Street, Coventry, established in 1874, who produced the Excelsior model. They were reformed as the Excelsior Motor Cycle Company in 1909. Photograph of Excelsior No1 Works, Bayliss Thomas and Company taken outside the works before 1909 - this is the same works that Francis-Barnett move into. [6] [7] The first English motorcycle produced which continued until 1965. At first Francis Barnett machines were little more than re-badged Invicta motor cycles. [8] During the 1920s Francis Barnett made supple sheet metal work and pressings for the motor industry that proved successful. In 1947 Francis Barnett took over Clarendon Pressings and Welding Company Limited. In 1948 Output was increased and Industrial trolleys and pressed fabricated parts for the motor industry were made. [9] [10] Photographs and story of Clarendon Pressings and Welding Company, in Clarendon Street, Earlsdon, Coventry. [11]

The very first new Francis-Barnett motorcycle was well pronounced by its bright red and black fuel tank and J.A.P. 292cc side valve engine with two speed Sturmey Archer gearbox , but production costs were an early problem. Gordon Francis learned from his army days having seen damaged motorcycles in his Motor Transport Workshop and considered a design of bolted straight tubes as a simple replacement frame. He overcame cost factors by first looking at the problem of frequent fractures of the motorcycles frames and evolved a six straight tubular frame with one of the pairs specially formed. The hub of the rear wheel up to the saddle and footrest formed a triangle and the frame below the tank an inverted triangle. The tank itself was held in position by similarly formed tubes. The frame could be bolted together with basic tools. In 1923 he exhibited a machine with this type of frame at Olympia. [12] [2] Riders like Tom Meeten took part at Brooklands and Scottish 6-Day Trials and stunts such as riding up Snowdon. [13] On 12 July 1928 a trio of riders started at the foot of Snowdon at Llanberis Station. John Moxon and Geoffrey Jones from Villiers and Eric Barnett from Francis Barnett. They covered the 3,270 feet of ascent in 22 minutes. The Supersport 172cc 2.75HP was awarded Gold and silver medals at the Scottish six day Trials in 1924. [14] [15]

Continuing with cost factors and simplicity in mind the new wheels of the new Francis Barnet were on spindles and easily removed. The 147cc Villiers two-stroke engine with flywheel magneto was light with a two speed Albion gearbox, a three speed was an option, and very easily reassembled and at a very low cost. The construction came with a no breakage forever guarantee. Other 250cc and 350cc machines were also produced with a sidecars as an option. The Pullman model followed in 1928 with a 344cc vertical in-line two-stroke Villiers engine. From 1928 to 1930 the black motorcycles followed the fashion and were coloured cream. They reverted to black in 1931 and to Arden Green around 1947. [16]

2015-03-07 - Thinktank - Sasha Taylor - 328.JPG
SLNSW 11535 Fred Loudons motorcycle shop with FrancisBarnett motorcycles corner Elizabeth and Goulburn Street SLNSW 11535 Fred Loudons motorcycle shop with FrancisBarnett motorcycles corner Elizabeth and Goulburn Street.jpg
SLNSW 11535 Fred Loudons motorcycle shop with FrancisBarnett motorcycles corner Elizabeth and Goulburn Street

In 1937 Arthur Barnett died aged 74 and his son, Eric took over his father's position at the company as sales director. Eric Barnett was killed by a lorry that failed to stop in 1963. [17] From 1938 a new 98cc Powerbike was made alongside the 125cc Snipe and these were intended for the military soon after the outbreak of World War Two. During the air raids over Coventry in 1940 the Frances Barnett Factory was completely destroyed. The company continued making parts during the war at an alternative location. It was not until 1945 that production resumed back at Lower Ford Street with the 98cc Powerbike and then the 125cc Merlin. The Plover, Falcon and Kestrel machines followed.

Francis Barnett was amalgamated with Associated Motor Cycles in 1947. About that time Francis Barnett brought back the Cruiser names with a 171cc AMC engined Light Cruiser. [5] The motorcycles Plover, Falcon and Cruiser were successful right into the 1950s as good light machines in Arden Green rather than the black finish of earlier days. James vehicles were in maroon. AMC considered Wolverhampton based Villiers to be dictatorial and they commissioned Italian designer Vincenzo Piatti to design a new engine to replace the Villier' engine. The Villiers engine was discontinued in new models in favour of AMC's Piatti designed unit. Unfortunately this did not work well due to cost and unreliability of the AMC manufactured engine. [18] AMC reverted Francis Barnett bikes back to a Villiers engine again. [19] The Falcon 87 with a 199cc single cylinder two stroke AMC engine was introduced and remained in production until 1966. Also that year the Cruiser 84 with a fully enclosed rear wheel and leg shields as standard equipment was available. The first Cruiser was made in 1932 and is a quiet machine made for riders where special wet proof clothing was not required. The engine being enclosed with good leg-shield and mudguard protection. The Cruiser is displayed at Lord Montague's National Motor Museum, Beaulieu. [20] [21]

In an attempt to break away from Villiers’ monopoly supply of engines, AMC commissioned Italian designer Vincenzo Piatti to design all-new two-stroke engines. Piatti was already known to AMC management through his novel, but breathtakingly ugly, Piatti scooters, but the project was a total mess from start to finish. First of all, Piatti's design – constrained by AMC's demands for cost cutting rather than quality – was very conservative. Second, it was poorly made by AMC and soon gained a strong reputation for unreliability. Added to this was an all-enveloping dullness which reflected a tired management, distant from its customer base.

In the early 1960s changes in the marketplace caused a transfer of production to Greet in Birmingham in 1962 to join James motorcycles. The Lower Ford Rd, Coventry Factory was closed down and some staff moved to James. The James and Francis Barnett bikes became virtually the same apart from cosmetic changes of colours and badges. The last new model was produced in 1962, the newly designed Fulmar with a spine frame, pressed steel bodywork, leading link forks and 149cc AMC engine. Production of Francis Barnett motorcycles continued until 4 August 1966 when the AMC Empire was taken over by Manganese Bronze. Both Francis Barnett and James ceased to exist from October of that year. [22] [5]

Francis-Barnett 175 cc JAP side valve 1926 Francis-Barnett 175 cc JAP side valve 1926.jpg
Francis-Barnett 175 cc JAP side valve 1926
Francis Barnett K 39 Cruiser Francis Barnett K 39 Cruiser.jpg
Francis Barnett K 39 Cruiser
Francis Barnett Falcon Model 81 200cc (1959) Francis Barnett Falcon Model 81 200cc (1959).jpg
Francis Barnett Falcon Model 81 200cc (1959)
Francis Barnett Plover 150cc (1959) - 14709399311 Francis Barnett Plover 150cc (1959) - 14709399311.jpg
Francis Barnett Plover 150cc (1959) – 14709399311
Villiers 10D Engine - 8335802962 Villiers 10D Engine - 8335802962.jpg
Villiers 10D Engine – 8335802962
Villiers 10D Engine Villiers 10D Engine.jpg
Villiers 10D Engine
Francis Barnett Fulmar 88 (1964) Francis Barnett Fulmar 88 (1964).jpg
Francis Barnett Fulmar 88 (1964)

In the popular British television series Heartbeat a Francis Barnett Falcon F150 is featured as the police motorcycle, before being replaced by a BSA Golden Flash.

Francis-Barnett Powerbike and Motorcycle Models 1919–1966

List of models: [23]

Francis & Barnett Ltd. of Coventry also made bayonets. The finish quality was not the same standard as the government factories. These bayonets were very rare, with only a handful of known examples. [40] [41]

Francis-Barnett Powered Cycle and Motorcycle 2015 –

A new company, Francis Barnett Coventry, formed in 2015, produces Francis Barnett powered cycles and motorcycles a few miles outside Coventry in the town of Kenilworth. Models produced are the Batribike, Francis, Falcon 4-stroke, Merlin, Kestrel, E-Dirt Bike and Oset models. [42] [43]

Batribike Diamond Batribike Diamond.jpg
Batribike Diamond
Francis Barnett Powerbike 56 1949 Francis Barnett Powerbike 56 1949.jpg
Francis Barnett Powerbike 56 1949

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norton Motorcycle Company</span> British Motorcycle Manufacturer

The Norton Motorcycle Company is a brand of motorcycles headquartered in Solihull, West Midlands,, England. For some years around 1990, the rights to use the name on motorcycles was owned by North American financiers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AJS</span> British automobile and motorcycle manufacturer from 1909 to 1931

A. J. Stevens & Co. Ltd was a British automobile and motorcycle manufacturer in operation from 1909 to 1931. The company was founded by Joe Stevens in Wolverhampton, England. After the firm was sold, the name continued to be used by Matchless, Associated Motorcycles and Norton-Villiers on four-stroke motorcycles until 1969, and since the name's resale in 1974, on lightweight, two-stroke scramblers and today on small-capacity roadsters and cruisers. The company held 117 motorcycle world records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trojan (automobile)</span>

Trojan was a British automobile manufacturer producing light cars between 1914 and 1965, and light commercial vehicles for a short time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BSA Bantam</span> Type of motorcycle

The BSA Bantam is a two-stroke unit construction motorcycle that was produced by the Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) from 1948 until 1971. Exact production figures are unknown, but it was over 250,000 and some estimates place the number closer to half a million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sprite (motorcycle)</span> Historical British make of motorcycle

Sprite was an historical British brand of off-road motorcycle, built by Frank Hipkin, of Hipkin & Evans, trading as Sprite Motor Cycles, initially at Cross Street, Smethwick, Birmingham and later by Sprite Developments Ltd., Halesowen, Worcester (1965–1971). The Sprite slogan was "Built by riders—for riders". Frank Hipkin died in August, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matchless</span> British motorcycle and automobile manufacturer

Matchless is one of the oldest marques of British motorcycles, manufactured in Plumstead, London, between 1899 and 1966. A wide range of models were produced under the Matchless name, ranging from small two-strokes to 750 cc four-stroke twins. Matchless had a long history of racing success; a Matchless ridden by Charlie Collier won the first single-cylinder race in the first Isle of Man TT in 1907.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Triumph Bonneville</span> Type of motorcycle

The Triumph Bonneville is a standard motorcycle featuring a parallel-twin four-stroke engine and manufactured in three generations over three separate production runs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Villiers Engineering</span> Historical motorcycle manufacturer

Villiers Engineering was a manufacturer of motorcycles and cycle parts, and an engineering company based in Villiers Street, Wolverhampton, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cotton (motorcycle)</span> Former British motorcycle manufacturer

The Cotton Motor Company, was a British motorcycle manufacturer of 11a Bristol Road, Gloucester, and was founded by Frank Willoughby Cotton in 1918. F.W. presided over the company until his retirement in 1953. The company was reconstituted as E. Cotton (Motorcycles) Ltd, and traded until 1980. The marque was later resurrected in the late 1990s by a business which manufactured replicas of earlier machines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Associated Motor Cycles</span> Former British motorcycle manufacturer

Associated Motor Cycles (AMC) was a British motorcycle manufacturer founded by the Collier brothers as a parent company for the Matchless and AJS motorcycle companies. It later absorbed Francis-Barnett, James, and Norton before incorporation into Norton-Villiers. Henry Herbert Collier founded Matchless as a cycle company in 1878. His sons Henry (Harry) and Charles (Charlie) joined him and the name was changed to H. Collier & Sons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norton Commando</span> British motorcycle produced from 1967 to 1977

The Norton Commando is a British Norton-Villiers motorcycle with an OHV pre-unit parallel-twin engine, produced by the Norton Motorcycle company from 1967 until 1977. Initially having a nominal 750 cc displacement, actually 745 cc (45.5 cu in), in 1973 it became an 850 cc, actually 828 cc (50.5 cu in). It had a hemi-type head, similar to all OHV Norton engines since the early 1920s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phelon & Rayner 1.75 hp</span> Type of motorcycle

The Phelon & Rayner 1.75 hp was a British motorcycle made by Phelon and Rayner (P&R). There was only one P&R model which had a 1.75 h.p., 260 cc. engine with 66 x 76 mm bore and stroke fitted in a standard bicycle type 28" frame. It was fitted with a surface carburettor, single speed friction disc transmission, a 9 pint combined oil and fuel tank, bicycle pattern front forks and 28 in × 2 in wheels. The colour scheme was black frame and mudguards with an aluminium enameled fuel tank with coach lining.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BSA A7</span> Motorcycle

The BSA A7 was a 500cc motorcycle model range made by Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) atitsr factory in Armoury Road, Small Heath, Birmingham. The range was launched in 1946 using a 495 cc (30.2 cu in) long stroke engine. An improved 497 cc (30.3 cu in) version based on the BSA A10 engine was launched in 1950. The various A7 models continued in production with minor modifications until 1961/2 when they were superseded by the unit-construction A50 model.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norton Jubilee</span> Type of motorcycle

The Jubilee is a Norton motorcycle made from 1958 to 1966. Named to commemorate Norton's Diamond Jubilee, the 249 cc Jubilee was a break with Norton tradition designed in response to UK legislation introduced in 1960 limiting learner riders to motorcycles of under 250 cc. It had the smallest engine ever made by Norton, and was the first Norton with a unit construction engine and gearbox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Enfield Thunderbird</span> Type of motorcycle

The Royal Enfield Thunderbird is a cruiser style motorcycle produced by Royal Enfield Motors in India. The Royal Enfield Thunderbird is known as Royal Enfield Rumbler in export markets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norton Isolastic frame</span>

The isolastic frame, designated by Norton as GlideRide, used a system of engine-to-frame mountings incorporating rubber bushes to isolate the vibration of the vertical twin engine from the frame and rider. The isolastic frame was developed for use with the Commando inclined engine, whilst the Featherbed frame continued in production for the Mercury with a softer-specification 650 cc vertical-engine until 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda SS50</span> Type of motorcycle

The Honda SS50 is a 50 cc (3.1 cu in) motorcycle manufactured by the Honda Motor Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norton 650 Dominator</span> British motorcycle produced from 1962 to 1967

The Norton 650 Dominator was a 650 cc vertical twin motorcycle manufactured by the British Norton Motorcycle Company from 1962 to 1967. Initially production was at Norton's Bracebridge St, Birmingham factory, but following the factory's closure in 1963, production was transferred to parent company AMC's works in Plumstead, London. Initially produced in single and twin carburettor versions, the single carb version was soon discontinued. The twin carb version, the 650SS, was described as the 'Best of the Dominators'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norton Mercury</span> Type of motorcycle

The Norton Mercury was a 646 cc (39.4 cu in) air-cooled OHV parallel twin motorcycle made by Norton-Villiers from 1968 to 1970. It was the last Norton model to use the 'featherbed' frame. Following the collapse of AMC and the subsequent formation of Norton Villiers, the company's focus had been on the new Norton Commando. There was a large inventory of parts from previous models that would not be used on the Commando, and to use up this stock the Mercury was conceived. The Mercury was introduced in October 1968 and around 750 machines were produced, most of the production going to the US. The model was also used by the Nigerian Police.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clúa</span>

Clúa was a Spanish motorcycle and automobile brand by Construcciones Metálicas Clúa from 1949 to 1962. The company was owned and founded by Joan Clúa i Maluquer. Its headquarters was located at 6 Avenida de Pau Casals, Barcelona, Spain, at the time called Avenida General Goded, and the assembly line was located at Carrer d'Espronceda.

References

  1. http://www.francis-barnett.org%7Clast page
  2. 1 2 Tragatsch, Erwin (2000). The New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Motorcycles. London: Quantum Publishing. p. 560. ISBN   978-1861603425.
  3. "British Classic Motorcycles - Home page of British Classic Motorcycles". www.britishclassicmotorcycles.com.
  4. http://www.lfoc.org/history/Gordon%5B%5D Francis
  5. 1 2 3 "British Classic Motorcycles - Francis Barnett". www.britishclassicmotorcycles.com.
  6. http://i35.servimg.com/u/f35/19/48/49/06/excels22.jpg%7CBayliss%5B%5D Thomas and Company taken outside before 1909
  7. "Bayliss, Thomas & Co. - Coventry Transport Museum Wiki". wiki.transport-museum.com.
  8. "1921 Invicta - Classic Motorcycle Guide". www.realclassic.co.uk.
  9. "Midlands News: 30.08.1956: Francis Barnett Motorcycles". The Media Archive for Central England. 28 July 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  10. https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Clarendon_Pressing_and_Welding_Co#cite_note-1%7CGrace's Guide
  11. "The Tubular Bell Foundry - Earlsdon Online".
  12. http://www.francis-barnett.co.uk/?page_id=27%7C FB History
  13. "Tommy Meeten and the Francis Barnett 1927". 15 April 2012.
  14. 1 2 https://i0.wp.com/www.nwmba.org.uk/speedtracktales/mediac/400_0/media/fannyb2.jpg [ bare URL image file ]
  15. 1 2 "francis barnett - Search Results - Speed Track Tales - Page 2". speedtracktales.com.
  16. "Francis barnett motorcycle". Answers.com.
  17. "Eric A. Barnett". www.gracesguide.co.uk.
  18. "Memorable Moto Francis Barnett Cruiser - Motorcycle USA".
  19. Attwood, Peter; Cakebread, Bill. "Working at AMC - Two Stroke Shop". www.workingatamc.london.
  20. "Francis Barnett 1940 - Yesterdays".
  21. "The National Motor Museum Trust". www.nationalmotormuseum.org.uk.
  22. "Francis-Barnett Motorcycles".
  23. "Francis-Barnett Motorcycles". Classic Motorcycles by Sheldon's Emu. ManxNorton.com.
  24. "1924 Fracis Barnett "Zarabout"". June 2019.
  25. "British Motorcycles". Classic Motorcycles by Sheldon's Emu.
  26. 1 2 "Restoration of a 1948 Francis Barnett Merlin by Hanson Mechanical located in Westminster Maryland". Hanson Mechanical Classic Jeep Restorations in Westminster Maryland.
  27. 1 2 "Francis Barnett 172cc Brooklands Track Special". www.brooklandsmuseum.com. www.madesimplemedia.co.uk.
  28. "Race Results – Isle of Man TT Official Website". www.iomtt.com.
  29. "Tommy Meeten and the Francis Barnett 1927". 15 April 2012.
  30. "1932 Francis Barnett Condor Classic Motorcycle Pictures".
  31. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 1 March 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  32. "Autocycle a B C".
  33. "The Old Ways". www.users.globalnet.co.uk.
  34. "Scottish Power(bike)". www.icenicam.org.uk.
  35. "Francis Barnett Powerbike History".
  36. "Francis Barnett Manufacturers Team Bikes ISDT 1954 & 1955". 5 April 2014.
  37. "Mapping the ISDT:West Germany 1956". 17 February 2017.
  38. "Bonhams : 1965 Francis Barnett 250cc Scrambles".
  39. https://yandex.ru/images/search?pos=40&img_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.handh.co.uk%2Fmedia%2F2657%2F1350x950-heartbeat.jpg%3Fanchor%3Dcenter%26mode%3Dcrop%26width%3D1000%26height%3D721%26saturation%3D0%26format%3Djpg%26rnd%3D131738758390000000&text=1963%2F1965%20-%20Francis%20Barnett%20-%20Falcon%20Trials%20model%2092T%2C%20Villiers%20246cc%2032A%20engine.%20Colour%20red%20with%20silver%20tank%20and%20mudguards..&rpt=simage&lr=105765%7C 1961 BBC TV series
  40. "FB History |".
  41. "British No. 9 Socket Bayonets".
  42. "Francis-Barnett Coventry - Bringing Back The Francis Barnett Name". www.francis-barnett.org.
  43. "Francis-Barnett is back".