1959 Francis Barnett, White Cruiser 79, 171cc. Registration ...

Hammer

£1,450

1959 Francis Barnett, White Cruiser 79, 171cc. Registration number 922 XVH (non transferrable). Frame number AD10742. Engine number 17T 2467.
Francis Barnett was amalgamated with Associated Motor Cycles in 1947. About that time Francis Barnett brought back the Cruiser names with a 171cc AMC engined Light Cruiser. The motorcycles Plover, Falcon and Cruiser were successful right into the 1950s as good light machines in Arden Green rather than the black finish of earlier days. James vehicles were in maroon. AMC considered Wolverhampton based Villiers to be dictatorial and they commissioned Italian designer Vincenzo Piatti to design a new engine to replace the Villier' engine. The Villiers engine was discontinued in new models in favour of AMC's Piatti designed unit. Unfortunately this did not work well due to cost and unreliability of the AMC manufactured engine. AMC reverted Francis Barnett bikes back to a Villiers engine again. The Falcon 87 with a 199cc single cylinder two stroke AMC engine was introduced and remained in production until 1966. Also that year the Cruiser 84 with a fully enclosed rear wheel and leg shields as standard equipment was available. The first Cruiser was made in 1932 and is a quiet machine made for riders where special wet proof clothing was not required. The engine being enclosed with good leg-shield and mudguard protection.
XVH, finished in period Arden Green has been owned by our vendor for many years and in November 2019, with the help of the F-B owners club obtained dating certificate it received an age related number plate. He then commenced a full rebuild, the frame and tinware were repainted, the engine and gearbox stripped and rebuilt, with new electrics and rebuilt wheels and brakes. Now completed it will require final fettling and running in.
Sold with the V5C, dating certificate, period handbook and other literature.