Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tues 24th March from 1pm
Auction: Wed 25th March from 9am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
1914 Precision 499cc
Very rare Australian-built Precision, complete with Pioneer Certificate
Estimate
£7, 000 - £8, 000
Registration No: BF5969
Frame No: R5 2817
MOT: Exempt
Understood to have been built by A. G. Healing in Melbourne using English Precision components
Imported in 2010 and restored with a front brake and Villiers clutch hub
A veteran of several Pioneer Runs, complete with Pioneer Certificate
Engineer Frank Baker set up F. E. Baker Ltd. in Birmingham to produce motorcycle engines under the Precision name, but his ambitions to produce complete motorcycles were hindered by the knowledge that doing so would upset the manufacturers he supplied. Complete bikes were manufactured between 1912 and 1919, but sold exclusively in Australia where there was not much of an industry to upset. A. G. Healing Ltd. of Melbourne was the main importer, but was also one of several Australian workshops which put Precision engines into their own frames. Many of these would have been sold not as Precisions, but under the name of the business that assembled them.
We are advised that this 1914 Precision 499cc was built by A. G. Healing from a kit supplied by Precision. It was imported from Australia in 2010 and registered in 2012, and has been in single ownership since. The cylinder barrel is of the 1912 pattern, and the rear hub was originally direct-drive but is now a single bronze cone Villiers clutch hub. It carries a period Senspray carburettor and, to comply with British laws, a lightweight front brake has been fitted. A fascinating and possibly unique machine, it has seen action on the Pioneer Run as well as some Continental events, and is supplied with a V5C and Pioneer Certificate.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
