Description
This motorcycle is Lot 71 to be auctioned by Bonhams at the Timed-Online January Sale, please see the Bonhams website for full details. The timed online auction runs between January 17th through January 27th, with lots closing from midday January 27th 2025.
Public Viewing:
Available 22nd January 2025 from 09:00 until 17:00, by appointment only at Bonhams Milton Keynes.
Lot 71
Offered from the estate of the late Dave Benson, former Life Vice President of the British Two-Stroke Club and its Villiers marque specialist
1961 Francis-Barnett 250cc Cruiser Twin 89
Registration no. 416 CXD
Frame no. DH16156BW
Engine no. 429D 12495
Post-WW2, Francis-Barnett concentrated on the production of lightweight two-strokes powered by Villiers engines at first, though from 1957 AMC's own engines were fitted to many models and by 1961 the home grown product - although now manufactured by Villiers - was used exclusively. Reviving a pre-war model name, the Cruiser was a new introduction for 1954 and initially used the Villiers 1H 225cc engine, which was housed in a new frame boasting a fabricated front 'down-tube', telescopic forks and swinging-arm rear suspension. The 249cc AMC engine was adopted on the Cruiser 80 in 1956 and then three years later a new variant arrived in the form of the Cruiser 84, the latter featuring a voluminous rear enclosure and leg shields. Newly introduced for the 1962 model year was the Cruiser Twin 89, which used the Villiers 2T 250cc twin-cylinder engine and (basically) the Cruiser 80 frame and cycle parts. Two alternative two-tone colour schemes were available: black over Dover White or Arden Green over Dover White, the latter featuring on the machine offered here.
Stored and not used for many years, this Cruiser 89 is offered for sympathetic re-commissioning/ or restoration and is sold strictly as viewed (the engine turns over). The odometer reading is 33, 007 miles, some of which Dave Benson clocked up during an eventful trip to Spain and back in 1980, the details of which are recounted in an interesting article by him on file ('Cruising to a Spanish Wedding'). Accompanying paperwork includes old/ current V5/ V5C documents; a quantity of expired MoTs; and some photographs of the machine taken at various events.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.
