Francis Barnett Falcon

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Francis and Barnett of Lower Ford Street, Coventry, had been making rigid framed lightweight motorcycles since 1919, but they were quick to adopt the swing arm suspension for their flagship Falcon models in 1952, stealing a march on many of their larger competitors who doggedly stuck with rigid and plunger suspended frames. 

Launched in 1951 for the 1952 season, the Falcon 58 with its Villiers 197cc engine and its smaller engine sister bike the Merlin 57 with a Villiers 122cc unit were available from September 1951, although the rigid frame model remained available for those who were a little more backward thinking. With custom options available including a blue paint scheme, different weight springing to suit rider weight, leg shields, screen, side stand and rear luggage panniers, there was much to commend the new model.

Francis Barnett were also one of the first firms to realise frame number coding could be an aid to parts supply. They had been using a year letter code from 1931 and subsequently used other letters to signify colour, type of suspension, revision of model etc.

From the frame number of this machine it can be deduced it is 1952 ( letter S), a Falcon ( letter M ), and swing arm suspension ( other letter S), and that it was always black as the blue machines have a "B" suffix to denote this option.

The machine offered, MXF 207, is a Series 1 Falcon 58 with Villiers 197cc Mark 6E engine from the first year of production. It is a good candidate for full restoration or gentle refurbishment as a nice original untouched example. It comes with current V5C and old cardboard logbook as well as two historic MOT's and a handbook.