Francis Barnett Falcon 87

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Francis & Barnett was formed in 1919 when Gordon Francis (son of Graham Francis of Lea Francis fame) and Arthur Barnett (manufacturer of Invicta machines) formed a partnership to produce motorcycles in the old Excelsior works in Coventry.

Famed for their ‘built like a bridge’ bikes of the 1920s and ‘30s, Francis Barnett continued unabated until the outbreak of World War Two (when production switched to vital war work) resuming motorcycle manufacture in the late 1940s. The factory came under the banner of AMC motorcycles in 1947 and was at first allowed free rein to produce their own designs, but the reliance on another manufacturer, namely Villiers Engineering, to produce their engines was of some concern to AMC.

In the 1950s AMC hired the services of an Italian, Mr Piatti, to produce a design for a range of engines of 150, 175, 200 and 250cc capacity to power both the offerings from Francis Barnett and their sister James factory which was also under the control of AMC. The Falcon 87 with the new 200cc (actually 199cc) AMC two-stroke engine replaced the earlier Falcon 81 197cc Villiers offering and received updates to include full alternator charging system, Wipac lighting and an extra gear ratio making the gearbox a 4-speed unit rather than the earlier machine's 3-speed box.

First registered in December 1962, this Falcon 87 features the 4-speed AMC 200cc engine and was acquired from an online auction site in 2009, before undergoing a full mechanical and cosmetic restoration. Engine work included a full strip and rebuild with rebore and oversize piston. Much chrome work was replaced and a new exhaust system was sourced and fitted.

Numerous invoices on file document the restoration work carried out, along with old tax discs, a current V5C and older V5, last MOT and SORN documents as well as a handbook and parts manual. While not on the road recently, this machine has been used lately by a film props company for film work and set dressing; now surplus to requirements it is being sold here.

While photographs were being taken the machine was ticking over sweetly and a quick spin around the estate showed all charging system, gears and clutch to be working correctly. The original Lincolnshire registration VDO 755 appears to be transferable as there are no notes on the V5C to suggest otherwise.