1936 Francis Barnett Cruiser G45

This is the much regretted sale of my Franny B,which to be honest is my favourite bike out of all the ones I have owned over the years.Unfortunately bills have to be paid so it has to go.

The main thing i love about it is its originality,to some original means that it still has the right parts after having an overdone restoration,to me,it means its never been restored and still wearing its original finish.This bike falls into the latter category!

I think there has been some light cosmetics done to the tank,but it has been done in a sympathetic way so there is no way to tell its any different from the rest of the bike.New tank grips were made from an original,specifically for this bike by the chap who does all the grips and rubbers,he made a new mould just to make them!

Nothing else has been repainted,rechromed or changed.

The original transfers are still present on the sidepanels,and it has the original(not a repro) Terrys saddle cover.

A regular wipe with an oily rag is all that is needed to protect it and give it a light lustre.

It starts and runs beautifully,with a lovely deep ring ting from the fishtail silencer.

The engine is a Villiers XV11-A,Twin port 250 single.This Cruiser is even more rare in that it is the more powerful 45 model,which is fitted with a modified piston and Amal carburettor,instead of the 39 model which has the usual villers carb.

Drive is by chain to a FOUR speed Albion gearbox,most unusual for a bike at the time as most were still making do with 3 speeds.Gear change as you can see is by hand,up for first,neutral,then down for 2nd,3rd and 4th.This is actually much easier to use than you might think,and as it is a very forgiving engine,you can get away with being in the wrong gear when you want to use a hand signal or brake etc.

Rigid rear suspension,although the lovely pan saddle and large springs soak up the bumps,and F-B's pressed girder forks up front.

As a result of all this,it rides and performs amazingly for a 72 yr old bike,this is a vintage bike that you can actually use!

In fact,when my Honda C90 ran out of mot,and my Ariel needed a new cylinder head,the only thing i had to do the 15 mile round trip to work was the Frantic,so i rode to work on it for about 3 months,as well as trips to the Vintage clubs pub night and rallies etc,and it never let me down.

There is no speedo or brake light on this bike,so i rigged up a cycle computer to tell me how fast i was going.It cruises comfortably at around 45mph,much quicker than many other bikes of this period.Top speed is said to be 65mph,but i have never been over 50mph on it.Runs on a 30-1 petroil mix,and probably does around 60-70mpg.

When i was using it i often had to remind myself that it was over 70yrs old,because it is so easy to ride(once your used to it!)and went so well that i would often use it instead of my other bikes,i dont believe that bikes should be locked away in heated garages,never to be seen,they were built to be ridden,a task that it does very well.

It was mot'd and taxed until March last year,which was when i stopped using it,having too many other projects on the go to give it any attention.It will require a new battery and possibly a new light switch,as the bakelite has cracked and the switch lever wobbles about.The bike was rewired shortly before i bought it,and i think it had new points and condensor.Ive fitted a new HT lead and set the carb up,as it was running to hot.Obviously,the full enclosure does make it run warmer than on a normal bike.Sort the battery and switch out,and i dont know of anything that would prevent it from passing a test.

Still has its triangular toolbox under the saddle and its little sidestand,in addition to the hefty rear stand.

I have tried to remember and describe everything to you,if you want to know anything else please ask.It is of great importance to me that it goes to a loving home where it will be used regularly,im not expecting most people to ride to work on it(!) but it thrives on regular riding.

Comes with V5C,a few old mots and a copy of the original brochure.Reserve is low.

Prompt collection and payment would be appreciated.

Happy bidding!