Description
1930 Montgomery-JAP 980cc V-Twin, Registration no. JT 9666, Frame no. 2907, Engine no. KT/ W 98146/ S.
• Completely restored 2018 TO 2022, • Present ownership since 2011 • Banbury Run participant 2023 • Outstandingly original.
"These Montgomery machines are for the men who prefer a distinctive mount in appearance and performance. That extra degree of soundness – those little touches which distinguish the 'super' machine from the mere motor cycle, come naturally to the Montgomery and at a price that is amazingly low." – This was taken from a period Montgomery advertisement.
The Suffolk town of Bury St Edmunds is a long way from the British motorcycle industry's West Midlands heartland, yet this was where William J Montgomery chose to set up in business as a manufacturer in the early years of the 20th Century, although after WWI he relocated to Coventry. Like many of his contemporaries, including rivals Brough and McEvoy, Montgomery relied heavily on proprietary components, although the frame and forks were manufactured in-house. Indeed, Montgomery supplied frames and its own sprung fork to George Brough in the latter's early days. Montgomery had begun by manufacturing sidecars, and motorcycle combinations continued to be the mainstay of his business for many years.
The company diversified after WWI, extending its line-up to encompass a 147cc two-stroke at the more affordable end of the range while offering a 980cc v-twin at the other. A make that did not re-emerge after WW2, Montgomery is best remembered today for its 8-valve Anzani-engined v-twin: one of the Vintage era's first 'superbikes' and a worthy rival to the Brough Superior SS100.
This highly original JAP-engined Montgomery is owned by me and was restored by me. I acquired the Montgomery in 2011 and completely restored it over a four year period, taking the utmost care to preserve its originality. The work was finished in 2022. It is a beautifully presented and rare machine which would grace any museum or private collection.
THIS IS A PRIVATE SALE. I AM SELLING DUE TO DOWNSIZING MY COLLECTION. I acquired this Monty in 2011. It was completely stripped down and the seller told me it was in boxes in a loft for many years and he bought it from someone who did house clearances in Dorset. The frame was jig straightened by ABBA the frame specialists who I was told checked a lot of the frames on the bikes damaged in The National Motorcycle Museum fire. The petrol tank and mudguards were beyond repair so a new tank was made CW Classics and new guards were acquired from Autocycle Engineering which were modified by CW to the correct specification. The primary chaincase was missing so I had CW make a replacement with new spinnings I had made. The engine was completely overhauled. Flywheels were overhauled and new small end bushes fitted by Alpha bearings. The cylinders were standard bore and were honed and new pistons fitted. All the other components were checked and repaired or replaced as needed. The magneto was overhauled by Will Salmons in Burnham on Crouch. I stripped and reconditioned the dynamo and fitted a electronic voltage regulator. The Carburettor was overhauled by Martyn Bratby. I fitted new high ratio gears and bearings in the Burman Type Q Gearbox. New clutch springs, cups and plates were fitted. The girder forks were overhauled by Ray Daniels. Metal polishing was done by Robbie the Polisher and then plating was done by Hockley Enterprises. The brakes were completely overhauled with new linings from Brake Reline Services. The original Lucas H52 Headlamp and the original Lucas MT110 rear lamp were checked and repaired. New Toolboxes were made and fitted as the original boxes were missing. New silencers were made by Armours to original specification in bare metal and were fitted in position on the bike which was then taken to Competition Fabrications of Attleborough in Norfolk where new exhaust pipes were hand made using the dry sand method in the old fashioned way and fitted on the bike exactly as needed. Everything else was checked, repaired and re-finished. The paintwork is two pack enamel which is done to a very high standard. The bike was resprayed by me believe it or not. I learnt how to spray as a teenager and re-learnt how to spray two pack from a friend in the early 2000's. I rode and finished the 2023 Banbury Run on he bike.
I also restored the Montgomery 1000cc V Twin KF 4391 Bonhams sold at The Stafford Spring Sale in 2023 which I restored between 2000 and 2006 and subsequently sold in 2015. I learnt a lot restoring KF and this bike has benefitted a lot from that experience.
