Collection of Francis Barnett Motorcycles. British 2 stroke Villiers small displacement and rare .

[@maxc1520]

Hi, in 1959 I owned the 1946 Francis Barnett Merlin 125cc m/bike, 3 speed with a hand change gear lever. It did not have an extra oil tank like yours; the oil was mixed with the Petrol at the fuel station. The bike would not hold in middle (2nd) gear, it was always springing out of gear. I managed to find a replacement motor/gearbox unit which had hardly been used. We fitted only to find that this engine would not hold in 3rd gear. I gave the motorcycle to a friend. -- Greetings from N/W England

[@Savetherust]

Too bad your experience with the Francis was troublesome. Thanks for sharing . I always like to hear from people who rode these when they were fairly new. Thanks again for the response.

[@lagirroc]

I grew up in Oak Bank Manitoba. In about 1961 I bought a Francis Barnett auto cycle and a New Hudson autocycle. I paid $5.50 for the pair. I rode the FB for several years. The pair were totally dismantled, so with advise of my Dad I got one of them to run. Needless to say I was very proud to riding a motor bike when all my friends were on pedal bikes !!

[@Savetherust]

Very cool. I know lots of guys in that age range from the oak bank area that rode. I bought every Villiers bike for years in the area. Had about 5 new Hudson’s and one partial FB. Still have a pile of motors. Helped out a few others with projects and parts in the last couple of years.

[@tristanbuckoke9121]

Beautiful little motorcycle. Cheers mate

[@Savetherust]

Thanks 👍

[@ratarsed666]

i've owbned a few back in the 90's they are fun little bikes and an easy restoration

[@Savetherust]

Too bad no one makes rear stands. Chainguards etc. motor parts are easy to source but bodywork is tough.

[@ratarsed666]

@@Savetherust i can't talk about the situation now but back in the day i could find most parts from brakers with a few phone calls and they were cheap (ish ) , they were unpopuler then to own , you could by a bike in a box dismantled for a couple of hundred quid it passed the nights in winter putting them back together ...... but i'm in the UK it would be alot harder in canada i imagine

[@ratarsed666]

my last small Brit bike was a bantam D14 1968 , a great cheap work bike if you were not in a hurry

[@Savetherust]

I’ve bought almost every Villiers bike I could find for many years. They were also cheap here. As cheap as a 100.00 can. But almost never complete. Spent many nights building them. I have about 15 frames or more in the attic. Had to buy every one just for better fenders or parts of the motor etc.