Beschreibung:

Founded by Gordon Francis and Arthur Barnett, Francis-Barnett set up shop in the old Excelsior works in Coventry in 1919. The downturn in the motorcycle market in the early 1920s prompted F-B to switch from producing expensive, high quality machines to the more utilitarian. First seen in 1923, the first of these was the triangulated, pin-jointed, straight-tube frame models whose novel method of construction gave rise to the ‘Built Like A Bridge’ advertising slogan. This straight-tube ‘Fanny B’ is powered by the 147cc Villiers two-stroke engine. Of the three versions offered, this machine is an example of the medium-price (£29 10s when new) model equipped with clutch, two-speed gearbox and kick-starter. We are advised that the machine was discovered beneath the floor of an old house, and was complete except for the carburettor when found. Registered for the road in 1978, it was restored by the vendor in 2006 using all original parts. The machine is offered with a spare Villiers Sport crankcase, old-style logbook and Swansea V5 registration document.