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Mystery motorcycle number one
We’ve been contacted by a client who writes: “I’m trying to identify the motorcycle once owned by my great uncle, pictured in the accompanying photograph taken in Fulham, London, in the 1920s. Any ideas? Jon Fletcher.”
What do you reckon? I think the engine is a Blackburne, gearbox Sturmey-Archer and forks Druid.
Justin Faithfull at Andy Tiernan Classics, Framlingham, Suffolk.
As you suspected, Justin, the engine is a side-valve Blackburne unit, probably a 350cc, but I can’t see enough so add it could just be a 250cc or even a 550cc engine as I have in my long term (47 years now) OEC Blackburne. However 350 is favourite for this machine. Although the gearbox isn’t that clear in the photograph, it looks Sturmey-Archer, and the forks are Druid side-spring.
Although not 100% certain, the machine looks very like a circa 1923 Rex-Acme, which at this time were using predominately proprietary parts to build its motorcycles. Thus, differing options of gearboxes (including Sturmey-Archer), various front forks such as the Druids fitted to this machine and at the time favoured Blackburne engines including their range of 250, 350 and 550cc side-valve units, 350cc and later 250cc and 175cc ohv units for sporting models and IoM TT entry machines, were commonplace.
By delving into family history Jon was then able to supply further information about
