OEC History
Frederick Osborn of the Osborn Engineering Company began manufacture
of motorcycles in 1901 using Minerva and MMC engines. After WWI, his son
John Osborn resumed production of OEC-Blackburne machines, later shortened
to OEC. During the marque's long lifetime models were produced with large
capacity V-twin JAP, Blackburne
and Matchless engines, and with Villiers
two-stroke engines after WWII.
OEC Motorcycles were made in Portsmouth and Gosport. The Hampshire Museum
has several OEC motorcycles, one of which is illustrated here.
OEC Duplex Steering
I saw your email request on Sheldon's EMU for a better understanding
of the famed OEC Duplex Steering arrangement. I attach a simple diagram
which shows the geometry of the system, so you can have an idea of how
it works. Having ridden many miles on these machines, I can testify
to how well it all works, although the worst feature is its large turning
circle and poor manoeuvrability at slow speed and when wheeling the machine
about.
I did also have a frontal collision some years ago with the rear end
of a Jeep which stopped suddenly without warning, which demonstrated the
excellent impact absorbing properties of the machine!!! The damage
looked far worse than it was, as I simply popped the bottom links out and
more or less rode home...
I have also attached a picture of my OEC after the accident referred
to above... Not a lot of people can have ever seen such a sight!
Kind regards
Martin Shelley
VMCC OEC and Blackburne Marque Specialist
Fri Jan 25 2008
dianetfinch<at>yahoo.co.uk
motorbike and sidecar
oec comador
Hi I was wondering if you could help me. I've been searchig on the
internet for any info. my dad sold a bike to a museum up in hampshire area
a few years ago and i'm trying to trace it could you give me the contact
deatails of any museums that display oec models in hampshire area or surounding
area i just don't know where to start i would appreciate any help thanks
diane
manchester
Try the Bikelinks Museum section:
http://www.dropbears.com/bikelinks/Classic_Motorcycles/Museums/UK/
Thu Dec 06 2007
terama119<at>yahoo.co.uk
OEC
SCRAMBLE /MOTOR CROSS
I once had an OEC Scrambles bike which had a square tube frame and
either a Villiers or JAP engine. Can you confirm that this was correct
and if it was a genuine factory model. As I am now in my 76th year my recollection
may be a little of track, hence the queston I am asking
London
Mon Dec 03 2007
tiale777<at>yahoo.es
oec villers 200cc -1953
I Know with the colours for de chasis and the tank of petrol if you
have any or all bike.
Wed Oct 10 2007
k0507830<at>kingston.ac.uk
Duplex Steering System
OEC commander
I'm trying conduct a research project on the duplex steering system
that is featured on some OEC bikes (the commander I think). I was curious
at whether you have any information on the system, or whether you know
of any material containing information about it.
Thanks
Jack
London
Wed Apr 18 2007
frank.squirrel<at>ntlworld.com
OEC Motorcycles
I can't find any information on JAP engined bikes from 1924. I do have
some on OEC Blackburne bikes. I have uploaded the articles to MEGAUPLOAD
in high res tif format. (!Big files)
1924OECBlackburne.tif (1.96 MB)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=T5ZXNL0O
OEC1924.tif (15.8 MB)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6STFHFRG
Duplex.tif (8.53 MB)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OBGX2ASO
N.F.WOOD (Fred Wood) was the designer at OEC and the inventor of the
duplex forks. He was a friend of my parents, and when he died (1960?)
I was given two books of press cuttings and a book of testimonials that
he had from the firm.
Jim
Portsmouth UK
Sun Apr 15 2007
zdena.sevcik<at>post.cz
motorcycle
O.E.C. - JAP 998ccm SV 1924
Dear Gentlemen,
I would like to kindly ask you for the help. So First of all let me
introduce. My name is Zdenek Sevcik from Czech republic and I have same
motorcycles- INDIAN, ZENITH and some Czech JAWA.
So my problem is: Last month I have found one special type of motorcycle.
I hope it is the possibly the O.E.C. with engine JAP 998ccm SV, but I saw
only the engine, frame and STURMEY ARCHER. The other parts are missing.
According to the engine number this is 1924 year production. But I do not
have any type of picture or any document about this motorcycle.
Please if you will find something for me it will help me very much.
So please any type of information about Great Britain motorcycles company
O.E.C. and their production from the years 1920-1930 is needed. And the
picture of OEC motorcycle with the JAP engines.
Thank you very much for any kind of information.¨
Best regards Zdenek Sevcik
Prague
Sat Dec 09 2006
bill.collins1
btopenworld
O.E.C.
I Have a 1928 blackburn engined oec and would like to find out the name
of the model and if possible some info on the front brakes. I Say brakes
as it has dual control cables.one from the handles bar, also one from a
foot lever.
Oxon
Sun Sep 17 2006
xk120.bguichardwanadoo.fr
oec jap engine speedway
je recherche des renseignements sur une moto achetée le week
end dernier à Beaulieu lors de l'Autojumble,j'ai flashé sur
une moto de speedway dans un état d'origine exeptionelle,n°
de course 85 le nom du pilote est gravé sur l'arrière du
garde boue son nom : Pat Davy,je recherche l'historique de cette moto avant
de la faire re-démaré avec du méthanol biensur .
Dand s l'attente de vous lire
BBest regards
Bertrand Guichard
Robotrans: I seek information on bought
motor bike the last week end in Beaulieu at the time of Autojumble,
I flashé on a motor bike of speedway in a state of exeptionelle
origin, n° of race 85 the name of the pilot is engraved on the back
of the guard mud his name: Davy stalemate, I seek the history of this motor
bike before making it Re-démaré with methanol biensur. Dand
S waiting to read you
Tue Sep 12 2006
roy.aslxtra.co.nz
OEC Motorcycle
Early Double forks
Have you any exploded diagrams to show how the double forks work?
New Zealand
...........
No big deal on this one, just myself and a friend were looking at the
JAP OEC record breaker on your web site and were trying to work out how
the front steering/suspension worked. They called it a duplex fork not
double as I had said. Thanks
Regards
Roy
Access Specialties Ltd
Auckland.NZ
Sun Sep 03 2006
frank.squirrelntlworld
OEC Motorcycles
I've just come across this site and seen Vic Heasmam's post of Oct 16
2005.
Could these be the machines he remembers?
Two Back Wheels Nearside.
Portsmouth UK
Thu Jul 13 2006
benkayetiscali.co.uk
OEC for sale
OEC 1935 500cc matchless engine.
My father-in-law wishes to sell his OEC, which he has owned for 26
years. Can anyone help with a possible buyer or maybe even a valuation.
Any help would be most appreciated.
Telford UK
For pricing, try
our page on valuations.
Thu Nov 10 2005
gibsondv3aol
OEC Frame
I have recently purchased an OEC Frame with Webb Forks as it is all
in bits i would appreciate a photo or a drawing or anything that might
help me assemble it
I intend to fit a JAP engine i have bought the engine is stamped KOZ/V
i understand K to bee 500cc O to be O.H.Valve V to be 1936 but what does
Z stand for,
Any help would be appreciated
Regards,
David B Gibson
Having stripped the engine and offered up the crankcase to the frame
there is no way it will fit without butchering the frame, the OEC that
was fitted with the 500 JAP must have been different at the bottom of the
down tube so it looks like i have a frame to sell or swap i still would
like help on the JAP engine type.
Regards,
David B Gibson.
Sun Oct 16 2005
vheasmamaol
Pre War Oec Motor cycles
I was employed By OEC Stamshaw Portsmouth UK in 1945. At that time
two interesting bikes were stored. One a normal 1930's model 350 or 500cc
with a normal size front wheel and two smaller in line rear wheels . Advertised
as being able to go where a horse could not, also a 1920's frame with I
believe a Blackburn engine which I believe attempted the world speed record.
At the time we manufactured 50 speedway frames for Southampton.
Have they survived?
Vic Heasmam
Review By: leistenwerner at web.de
Review Text: have you any informations over oec motorcycles i have
a interesting motorcycle oec from the year 1923
Date: 10 Apr 2005
If you have a query about OEC motorcycles, or wish to share your knowledge
of these classic British machines, please contact
us!
