PUB TALK

The PUB Vincent is fine again, after sorting its battery – indeed it was out last weekend as this is written. So too is the Suzuki, whose leak proved to be due to a slightly short acorn nut (PUB’s fault, long story) becoming threadbound on a slightly long stud (Suzuki’s fault). With that sorted and a new O-ring under the cover mobility is restored – which means shifting attention back to the old nails. With no other workshop woes to report it will have to be something different this month.

Bryan King, who wrote a letter in RC185 (September 2019) with fond memories of his 225cc Francis-Barnett Cruiser, despite having had a serious accident on it, probably imagined that his request for PUB to write something about the model had blown away on the wind. Not so, for the letters column is always read with interest, but she was not sure that there was enough to say, especially as her own ‘Fiery Francis-Barnett’ has had mentions a number of times already. However, as readers will know, she has recently acquired an Invicta lightweight, in the hope that it will prove more manageable than the single gear run-and-jump Triumph for veteran events – a hope which may be optimistic. There was a reason why an Invicta attracted her attention, and that is because it is an antecedent of the Francis-Barnett.

Although Francis-Barnett was founded in 1919, its founders had industry involvement before that. Gordon Inglesby Francis was the son of Graham Francis of the Lea & Francis company who made cycles, cars, and motorcycles in Coventry, 1895-1931 (and the name continued elsewhere until 1961). Indeed Gordon (‘Don’) gained some of his experience working at Lea-Francis prior to WW1 and joining the services. He did not return upon his release afterwards, but chose to set up in opposition next door in Lower Ford Street together with his father-in-law Arthur Barnett – thus forming Francis-Barnett. Neither was partner Arthur new to motorcycles, because he was already manufacturing Invicta cycles and motorcycles (originally registered at Orchard & Lloyds Bank Chambers, High St. in Coventry). The Invicta brand continued for a short time at the Francis-Barnett works, which incidentally had formerly been the premises of long established Bayliss Thomas