1951 Francis Barnett Falcon 55, 197 cc (see text). Registrat...

Hammer

£1,350

1951 Francis Barnett Falcon 55, 197 cc (see text). Registration number LXS 865 (non transferrable). Frame number RM 51071. Engine number 946/233641.
Francis-Barnett of Coventry produced motorcycles from 1920 to 1966, affectionately known as the Fanny B, they specialized in making economical and lightweight roadsters, they moved into the former Excelsior works in Coventry when that company moved to Birmingham. They were founded in 1919, by Gordon Francis (whose father, Graham Francis, was co-founder of Lea-Francis) and Arthur Barnett.
The triangulated frame and straight tubes made for easy maintenance. By the 1930's, the 250cc engine was developed and its innovative flared design gave the motorcyclist protection from dirt and oil. Associated Motor Cycles took over the company in 1947, Villiers engines, of varying capacities, were used and with addition of James in 1957 the company continued until 1966 when production ceased.
First introduced for 1949, the Falcon used the Villiers 6E 197cc engine, which was housed in a rigid frame with telescopic front fork. In August 1951 the Falcon (together with the 122cc Merlin) was upgraded with swinging arm rear suspension that used dampers of F-B's own manufacture. The model continued in this form up to 1954, latterly with the Villiers 8E engine, when a new frame featuring central enclosure and a dual seat was introduced.
LXS has lived in the South Sheffield area all of its life and was bought by our vendors father in the 1960's when he bought a car off an elderly couple. Used occasionally it was stored at the back of the garage until a tidy up brought it out and he put the registration number on retention, recommissioning it at the same time.
Sold with the V5C, please note this says the engine is a 250 cc not 197 cc which the cataloguer believes it to be.