Francis-Barnett
Francis-Barnett was an English motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1919, by Gordon Inglesby Francis and Arthur Barnett, and based in Lower Ford Street, Coventry, England,
The company developed a triangulated frame using straight tubes which could be bolted together using basic tools.[1]
Most of their light motorcycles used Villiers and later AMC two-stroke engines. In the 1930s the company developed the 250 cc Cruiser, one of the first motorcycles to have a faired engine, protecting the rider from oil and dirt.[1]
Francis Barnett was taken over by Associated Motor Cycles in 1947 and combined with James in 1957. The combined firm remained in business until 1966.
A number of models were named after birds including the Falcon, Hawk, Kestrel, Merlin, Plover and Snipe.
References
- 1 2 Tragatsch, Erwin (2000). The New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Motorcycles. London: Quantum Publishing. p. 560. ISBN 1861603428.