Francis-Barnett
From Graces Guide
Francis-Barnett were producers of motorcycles from 1920 to 1966.
The company was founded in 1919, by Gordon Francis and Arthur Barnett, at Lower Ford Street, Coventry.
- 1920 The first model was produced using a 292cc JAP engine and a two-speed gearbox - it also had foot-boards with toe guards.
- 1923 The well-known 'built-like-a-bridge' frame concept was first introduced, having been devised by Gordon Francis. Cheap to make and easy to assemble, it had seven pairs of tubes that bolted up to form a triangular frame. It used a 147cc Villiers engine which resulted in a very cheap and popular machine.
- 1924-1926 Various models were added to the range including those for Sports and Touring.
- 1927 Only two-stroke models were made during that year, plus the limited production Pullman with its unusual design whereby the cylinders and crank-shaft were set along the frame to drive the three-speed gearbox.
- 1928 The range remained the same, with the exception of the Pullman.
- 1930s The new decade brought new models and, in particular, the Cruiser. It had a new frame design and an enclosed engine. For the rest of the decade, the firm produced mainly two-strokes.
- 1940 Following World War II, the company produced only two models - the Powerbike and the Merlin
Sources of Information
The British Motorcycle Directory - Over 1,100 Marques from 1888 - by Roy Bacon and Ken Hallworth. Pub: The Crowood Press