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.

Dating from 1960, this Falcon 87 features the 4-speed AMC 200cc engine and was purchased by the vendor earlier this year to complement his collection of BSAs. Last used on the road in 2006, it had been comprehensively restored by its owner who stopped riding it due to his advancing years, the bike having remained dormant ever since. The indicated 15,000 miles is believed to be correct, the vendor telling us that he thinks it has had two previous owners rather than one as listed on the V5C.

The vendor recommissioned the bike, derusting and relining the petrol tank and giving the engine a decoke, ignition service and a new battery. A short ride revealed that there was still some tuning work to do and proved to him that he was really a BSA man through and through so he has decided to quit while he is ahead. It is sold with a pair of original leg shields which are not fitted to the machine and a current V5C.