BUILT LIKE A GUN?

FN – standing for Fabrique Nationale (d'Armes de Guerre) – manufactured the world's first production four-cylinder motorcycle, was noted for the use of shaft final drive on the majority of its models built from 1903 to 1923 (rather than the cheaper and less effective belts), and achieved some success in Grand Prix road racing and especially Motocross with a range of often idiosyncratically developed machines. Today it still produces a wide range of well-respected armaments – but nothing any more with wheels and an engine.

In 1899, FN had begun building shaft and chain-driven bicycles as a sideline, and in 1900 experimented with a clip-on four-stroke engine to produce its first powered two-wheeler. In December 1901, the first 133cc single-cylinder FN motorcycle appeared, followed in 1903 by a 188cc model with shaft final drive. After the success of these debut singles, FN took a giant step forward late in 1904 with the introduction of what was undoubtedly for its time the most sophisticated motorcycle yet built anywhere. This was the world's first four-cylinder two-wheeler to be manufactured for sale, with an air-cooled inline 362cc motor placed lengthways in the frame. It was designed