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The return of Francis Barnett
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 9:12 am
by Lee B
Anybody else read the article in MCN this week about 2 new Francis Barnett bikes being released? 1 is a roadster the other a Trials bike - Both 125cc. Apparently guy bought the name in an ebay auction and the bikes are based on Chinese Herald 'classic' bikes and being built here by custom builders 'Mutt motorcycles'. They look really nice especially the Trials bike. £3500 for the trials not bad.
The return of Francis Barnett
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 9:45 am
by Scalyback
Don't spoil it, I'm after the Vincent name.
It will have a chinese frame, engine constructed form noodle and bean sprout containers, and a portion of number 45 for the brakes!
Estimated price...£27,000!
The return of Francis Barnett
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 9:58 am
by papasmurf
The return of Francis Barnett
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 10:09 am
by PeteF
I really think this sort of thing is a bit daft. Us oldies realise it's not a Fanny B and the youngsters won't know the name anyway. On the other hand, those classic Herald 250s do look nice for the price.
The return of Francis Barnett
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 10:26 am
by Barry_Q
I remember seeing the Fanny B name on Ebay some years ago. The asking price was £10,000. I rather like the new bikes. OK, there's one or two details I'm not keen on, but that's another story. I've no idea to whom these bikes will appeal too, as the name vanished in the 1960's. Even then, Fanny B's were commuter hacks, so there's no kudos connected to the name.
The return of Francis Barnett
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 1:19 pm
by Scalyback
[center]
I might be so far wrong here, but weren't they generally 2 strokes? Let's see the real thing from the Offham rally last summer!
broooom, pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop, Broooom , pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop.
Not sure about the auto-clattering twin though? 2 or 4 stroke?
The return of Francis Barnett
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 1:41 pm
by Barry_Q
The first vid had the nasty AMC engine. The second had the lovely Villers 2-stroke 250 twin. I almost want to buy a Fanny B now.
The return of Francis Barnett
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 4:30 pm
by PeteF
They did do 4 strokes in early years.
The return of Francis Barnett
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 6:55 am
by Scalyback
[center]
saw one of them AJS noodle bikes the other day, it was screaming until it's rider poked something.
The return of Francis Barnett
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 10:48 am
by apparently lucky eddie
These people have certainly spent on their website, lets hope the bikes are as good. I have to admit I quite like the look, the roadster on puts me in mind of a tigercub with that triumph-like exhaust. It's unlikely they will produce a stroker but a 4 stroke 250 twin isn't impossible.
