F-B History
Francis & Barnett Ltd., Lower Ford St., Coventry, England
The marque takes its name from the two founders, Gordon Francis and
Arthur Barnett, who began production of motorcycles in 1919.
Most models of the Francis-Barnett ("Fanny B") built in the Coventry
factory had JAP and Villiers engines, the exceptions being the Stag which
had a 250cc Blackburne, and a postwar sortie into the production of Vicenzo
Piatti designed two-stroke engines which were not well received.
In 1947 the F-B company became part of AMC which acquired James
in 1952, and in 1962 F-B production was moved to the James factory. Production
of Francis-Barnett motorcycles ceased in October 1966.
More history at the FB Owner's Club: http://www.francis-barnett.co.uk/history.htm
JAP | Villiers | Blackburne
Sat Mar 08 2008
graham792<at>btinternet.com
Model Identification required
Francis Barnett 1966 unknown
The following information is from the logbook.....
149cc engine
Engine No. J16T1193
Chassis/Frame No. J96148L
Registration No. KUL 21D
1966 registration
Any help would be appreciated
Yorkshire
There is a page of FB serial numbers here,
but none seem to match. You might also check this page for other related
numbers: serial number information:
Francis-Barnett_1966c_Yorkshire.jpg will be posted shortly.
Fri Dec 28 2007
pc.markham<at>talktalk.net
spares
cruiser 250t villiers 2 stroke
hello can you advise on where to buy a new magneto,a replacement seat
or somebody to re-cover the old one.also any ideas on insurance companies
brighton,east sussex
Sat Nov 24 2007
arthur.gent<at>tiscali.co.uk
Motorcycle Clubs
Francis & Barnett Motor Cycles
Reading your message board, I'm surprised that little is known about
our thriving Francis Barnett Owners Club
Norwich, England
Mon Nov 19 2007
vickyginger<at>aol.com
value??
francis barnett 1958 model 83 Trials bike 250cc
my step father has just restored the above bike and wondered approx
value if decides to sell also where would be the best place to advertise
leicester
English
Try the page on Classic
Motorcycle Values.
Fri Nov 09 2007
rob_acton<at>yahoo.co.uk
trying to find specific bike
Francis Barnett 197cc
Hi there, just saw your website.
Wondered if you could advise me. I am trying to track down a 1953 Francis
Barnett 197cc:
Reg plate number: NUU 422
Chassis Number: TTMS65538.B.
Engine number: 387A3187E (Villiers brand engine)
I am trying to find this specific bike. It is of personal value to me
and if found I would wish to propose purchasing the bike so that I could
get it fully restored, to be 100 percent original - as if it had just come
out of the factory, and put on display.
Do you have a members list or data base you could check this against
for me? I know you probably can't give out contact details but if the owner
was registered maybe you could pass on a letter or email from me.
I love your website, it is fantastic. If you have any other ideas how
I could go about this, I definitely would really appreciate your advice.
Thank you in advance,
Robert
Sussex
Sept 16 2007
subject: Francis barnett trial bike
Email: johnpacey<at>mac.com
message: looking for FB tank badge, could anybody please help
............
unfortunately i cannot send you a picture but, i have since found out
that the bike is a 1960 trial bike model 83. i hope this helps.
Thank you for your help
Mon Aug 13 2007
krivsky<at>telus.net
f-b rebuilding
Francis Barnett - falcon? 1952
I am restoring this 1952 FB
will need some help with parts. It has 200cc villiers which may need
the crankcase. A fuel tank, and any manuals for wiring the magneto
and lights.
Alberta, Canada
.........
it has taken time but here is a picture of the FB without the engine.
I do have the engine but it has been apart for 45 years, and so is in need
of much work.
Vince Krivsky
...........
I have updated info on my FB. It is a 1949, with the 197cc Villiers.
I have received parts lists and wiring diagrams, and more info on the Villiers
engines.
Sat Jul 28 2007
peter.sheen<at>tiscali.co.uk
dzus fastners( tool box lid)
Francis-Barnett Sports FulmarI am in du
I am in dire need of the two Dzus fastners male & female
for the tank top tool box lid.
Can anyone advise please ?
Watford Herts UK
Wed May 16 2007
brian_m_holt<at>yahoo.co.uk
Villiers Pullman Engine "inline twin"
Francis Barnett
Looking for above engine,1925/30. willing to buy or exchange similar
period AJS big port engine. tel 01225 782025
wiltshire
Sun Mar 25 2007
alan.williams
yahoo.co.uk
[bounced]
spares
francis barnett crusader ??
can you give me the name of a dealer where i can purchase parts for
my bike, alan.
wales
Try the Bikelinks directory of Classic Motorcycle
Dealers, UK:
http://www.dropbears.com/bikelinks/Classic_Motorcycles/Dealers/UK/
Sun Mar 25 2007
cazbar22hotmail
for sale
francis barnett falcon 74... 1956 plus spare engine
i have a francis barnett for sale.... if intrested please e-mail, or
telephone 01933-411861
northants
Fri Mar 02 2007
speedyf1power
Wanted
1929 Francis Barnett 147cc
I have a 1929 Francis Barnett 147cc that somwhow lost it's petrol pipe
assembly that goes from the Villiers carb to the tank..can anyone assist
to locate me this part?
The bike is for sale, open to offers.
Regards,
Peter
Sun Feb 04 2007
rbeardmorefaol
francis barnet
hello i have started restoring this bike but dont know mutch about
it was told its a 1939 125 but it says 98 on pot it has two exhusts i allso
need to regester it but dont know where to start could you help me please
many thanks rich
staffordshire
Fri Dec 08 2006
tjbcamphotmail
wanting hepl on info
3T Francis Barnett
I've been trying to find out about a bike I've got.It's a 3T Francis
Barnett eng no 116E can you help I've not even found any pictures of one
Australia
Fri Nov 03 2006
nj_southerntiscali.co.uk
parts
francis barnett light cruiser 1959 199cc
parts i need bearing nut .clutch operating body . clutch opeating
locking ring .clutch operating ball .
nottingham
Wed Oct 04 2006
allenastellhsgn.fsnet.co.uk
Restoration
Francis Barnett Plover 73
I need to trace a seat manufacturer in UK (preferably in the Midlands
area).
Northampton
Wed Sep 27 2006
trigbymultiweb.nl
In the Francis Barnett section there is a photo of a red Fulmar.
I was not aware that there were factory-made Fulmars with teleforks? I
had one in the early 1970s with leading link front forks.
The brakes were suprisingly good, fuel consumption wasn't bad, and it
had a good turn of speed for a 150cc engine with 3 gears (65MPH.)
The downside of Fulmar ownership was really lousy lights, a leaky primary
chain cover, a self fragging flywheel magneto and rearlights that burnt
out in an instant if the dip switch stayed in the central position, though
a clipper diode cured at least that problem. Finally, the ignition coil
was very sensitive to heat, meaning regular replacement after a few long
distance fast transits.
Terry Rigby
Obdam, Holland
Mon Sep 18 2006
wjbalmermsn
Workshop Manual
Hi I was wondering if you could help? My next door neighbour has a Francis
Barnett in pieces!! He says that it is 1965 on a C reg? engine no.V15T
11469? He is looking for a workshop manual! Could you help in identifying
what model he may have and where he could get manual from? Any help that
you could give would be very much appreciated
Thanks
Devon
......
Hi my neighbour has given me the following info: Plover 95 150cc with
a 149 AMC engine! Hope this helps?
Sept 5th 2006
subject: francis barnett falcon 81
Email: rodneyrodneybrown.wanadoo.co.uk
message: can you e mail me blow ups of the wheel hubs so i can rebuild
mine, i received them in pieces and am lost!!!
Tue Jul 25 2006
mariettepmweb.co.za
Francis Barnett
Hi, My dad is buzy rebuilding a Francis Barnett, but he does not know
wich model it is, the ingraving on the frame says" E88 1926 F4 7212 C or
could be a G? can anybody help us, we will take a photo and insert it ass
well. thank you
South Africa, Mpumalanga, Secunda
The bike is a Francis-Barnett Fulmar from the
mid-1960s. Ed.
........
YAAAH! Thank you so so so much for helping!
We are enjoying the web sight so much, we have learned tremendously!!
Cant wait to tell my dad gonna phone him RIGHT NOW!
.....
we are looking for some parts for my dad's francis barnett its a 1960
fulmar 88.
My dad is with me now and we are looking at some sites to try and find
him
parts for the bike. Did you mail me with some sites? We are struggling
and
where hoping you can help us. We are looking for a
Front Fork
Duel seat
Magneto
Were must we look again?
Many thanx!
Try this link: http://www.dropbears.com/bikelinks/Classic_Motorcycles/A_to_Z/F/Francis,045Barnett/
and this: http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/Francis_Barnett/
Oops. As pointed out by T Rigby, above, the Fulmar
had leading-link style forks, so the bike pictured here is either not original
or not a Fulmar. Ed.
Sat Jul 08 2006
senior409aol
Year of manufacture
Francis Barnet 150cc
I have just started rebuilding a Francis Barnet basket case & wondered
if you could advise on year of manufacture. Frame No is V4810 & engine
No. 958A.
Thanks - John
Dunstable
Fri May 05 2006
nicolasrouquettehotmail
Francis Barnett Falcon 1954
I have been offered a Francis Barnett Falcon 1954 in good condition…
any chance you can give me some guidance on how much the market price for
such a bike is?
London, UK
Try the page on Classic
Motorcycle Prices. Ed.
Fri Apr 28 2006
ges52tiscali.co.uk
frame number location
1958 francis barnett with 10E 197cc engine
Hi, Could you tell me where to find the frame number on this motorcycle?
Regards,
Gary
United Kingdom
Thu Apr 20 2006
hg61roseyahoo.co.uk
Frances Barnett motorcycles
My father rode a Frances Barnett for a number of years and speaks fondly
of them. Does anyone know where I might find a book of the history
of the factory that I can buy him for a gift?
Belfast, N.Ireland
Sat Feb 11 2006
rtc93tiscali.co.uk
Frances-Barnet
I am looking for a 1954 Frances-Barnet Falcon 67 197cc IH
Cornwall
Thu Dec 15 2005
fordcobra2hotmail
Francis Barnett/Villiers
I'm currently restoring two Francis Barnetts, one 200cc, and the other
a 250cc, from the basket. It's hard to find parts here in the states,
so please e-mail me at
fordcobra2hotmail
if you have any. I used to ride a 1953 Francis Barnett to high school
when I was 16, in 1955.
Fri Nov 04 2005
maciblueyonder.co.uk
Francis Barnett Plover
I have a Francis Barnet motorcycle which I want to restore, It has
no reg number but has a frame number of D13242 and has four engines in
various conditions, No,s 15T 8601M, 295B 22397, and 221A 27866D
would you know what engine is the correct one for this frame.
Mike
Tue Oct 25 2005
gordon.m5acdntlworld
villiers
hi is the falcon 81 with the villiers 10e engine positive earth or
negative earth it is the 58/59 model ,i have 2 wiring dia but one shows
+ and one shows - earth which one is right for my bike thanks gordon.
Mon Oct 24 2005
richnatoptusnet.com.au
1957 francis barnett search
Hi there,
I'm trying to locate a 57 FB for a colleague of mine to restore/race
- any information as to where I might find one, or a similar year, would
be appreciated!
kind regards,
Richard Suter
Perth Western Australia
Thu Jul 21 2005
absprintglobalnet.co.uk
Francis Barnett Motorcyle
Back in 1961 I purchased a second hand motorcycle. I think it was a
Franciss Barnett Ambassador 225cc twin. Can anyone confirm this bike existed?
photos and details greatly appreciated. Barry Gilbert
I think it's more likely that it was an Ambassador,
although there was quite a bit of badge swapping and it may have been an
F-B. Ed.
Sun Jul 10 2005
paulelsxtra.co.nz
francis barnett bike
I have just got my grandfather's bike but know nothing about it.
I would like to know where to look to find a picture to try too recognise
it? I've been told it could be a 175cc and between 1950-55?
Any help would be appreciated.
I hope these photos will help you tell what year it is?? Looks like
a bit of work and fun looking for parts and manuels.
Appreciate your help Paul
I hope this can help Frame number looks like TTMS64572B
engine number B 7095
thanks, Paul
[B7095 appears to be a casting number on the
barrel, not the engine number. Ed]
Sun May 29 2005
farkwaezysurf.co.nz
Francis-Barnett
Hello I received an old Francis Barnett From my farther and I am trying
to restore it.He dosn't know much about it so i am having trouble finding
Info on it all he knows is it the year is in between the late 50's - 60's
and it has a 125cc Deville engine with a wing on the engine
can any one help me?
Thu May 05 2005
troy_kirkbybeer
Francis Barnett Collector
Hi - I collect FB cycles and Literature. Currently have 3; 1949
Merlin (mainly parts), 1953 Falcon 58 bought new by my great-grandfather,
and a 1956 Cruiser (inside a glass display case in my British pub).
Have literature as early as the "second edition" catalogue up to 1964/5.
Looking for any pre-war model and a Powerbike. Any other Canadian
collectors out there?
Mon May 02 2005
evschultztelus.net
1936 Francis Barnett
I have a 1936 Francis Barnett, Restoring her for the Sec. time, very
hard to find parts. All the bikes I have had I love this old girl the most.
Date: Tue, 08 Mar 2005
subject: francis barnett 1928
Email: sdsaibot at austarnet.com.au
message: hello, I'm from Australia, and I'm looking for some info on
the 1928 Francis Barnett m/bike (as I'm looking at purchasing one). It
is not fully restored as yet, and is missing the front gauges. If you have
any info/photos or know where to find any please let me know. Thanks.
The
London Motorcycle Museum has a 1928 FB - you may be able to inveigle
them into sending you images and/or information. (Bribery always helps).
There is a very fuzzy picture of a 1928 model at the British
Twostroke Club, and there is an advert for 1928 Villiers engined James
machines here.
Ed.
1954 Francis Barnett Sales Brochure includes Kestrel 125cc and Falcon
200cc.
26th January 2005
Francis Barnett Falcon listed on Ebay UK
Vendor's Description:
This is a 1959 Francis Barnett Falcon with a 197 cc two-stroke villiers
engine. The bike is totally complete and low mileage ( 7,500) from new.
All numbers are matching, it has an interesting number plate and the V5
is present.
It was fully restored by the last owner in 1984 (have bills) and was
last on the road in 1988. It has been stood since then and apart from some
rust on the rear rim and a few rusty nuts and bolts it has lasted remarkably
well, a testament to the restorer. I drained the tank, cleaned out the
carb, put in fresh petrol and as it had a very strong spark had it running
very easily.. The engine is very fit with plenty compression and for a
little bike it has a nice bark.
If you have a query about Francis-Barnett motorcycles, or wish to share
some pearl of wisdom about these classic British machines, please contact
us!
