LOT 253
1907 Brown-Precision 298cc Registration no. CD 2103 Frame no. 1071W Engine no. 27613
Sold for £8,050 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 253
1907 Brown-Precision 298ccRegistration no. CD 2103 Frame no. 1071W Engine no. 27613
The Autumn Stafford Sale: The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show|19 October 2019, 14:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground
1907 Brown-Precision 298cc
Registration no. CD 2103
Frame no. 1071W
Engine no. 27613
Registration no. CD 2103
Frame no. 1071W
Engine no. 27613
• Rare Edwardian-era British motorcycle
• Many-time successful Pioneer Run participant
• Present ownership for at least 40 years
This Edwardian motorcycle was manufactured by Brown Brothers, component suppliers to the trade with a head office in the centre of London and a large facility in Acton. Using proprietary engines at first, the firm commenced making Brown motorcycles in 1902 and continued until 1915. Minerva engines were favoured initially, and Brown later used Precision power units and those of its own design. The first Brown motorcycles were relatively simple affairs, featuring vertically mounted engines and direct belt drive, while by 1908 they were offering a 5hp v-twin and the option of a two-speed gearbox and all-chain drive. By 1915 the range had expanded to include singles and twins of various power outputs and alternative transmission systems. It was around this time that Brown Brothers ceased marketing motorcycles under its own name and began concentrating exclusively on its Vindec brand, which remained a feature of British motorcycling life until its demise in 1929.
This rare Precision-powered Brown has been ridden by the founder of the British Motorcycle Charitable Trust on several Pioneer Runs, never failing to finish. Like many machines of its era, the Brown must be pedalled to start the engine after each stop, and has brakes that require a degree of forward planning, consisting of a bicycle-type front stopper and a belt-rim v-brake at the rear. Last taxed to the end of December 2005, the machine comes with an old-style continuation logbook (1950), an old-style V5, and a current V5C document. The V5 records no changes of keeper since April 1978, and it should be noted that all these aforementioned documents record the engine number as '8851', not '27613' as currently fitted. It should also be noted that the date of first registration is recorded as 1st January 1921, this being shortly after the introduction of the Roads Act of 1920, which required local councils to register all vehicles at the time of licensing and to allocate a separate number to each (many vehicles, although in existence for several years in some cases, were only registered for the first time after the Act's passing).
• Many-time successful Pioneer Run participant
• Present ownership for at least 40 years
This Edwardian motorcycle was manufactured by Brown Brothers, component suppliers to the trade with a head office in the centre of London and a large facility in Acton. Using proprietary engines at first, the firm commenced making Brown motorcycles in 1902 and continued until 1915. Minerva engines were favoured initially, and Brown later used Precision power units and those of its own design. The first Brown motorcycles were relatively simple affairs, featuring vertically mounted engines and direct belt drive, while by 1908 they were offering a 5hp v-twin and the option of a two-speed gearbox and all-chain drive. By 1915 the range had expanded to include singles and twins of various power outputs and alternative transmission systems. It was around this time that Brown Brothers ceased marketing motorcycles under its own name and began concentrating exclusively on its Vindec brand, which remained a feature of British motorcycling life until its demise in 1929.
This rare Precision-powered Brown has been ridden by the founder of the British Motorcycle Charitable Trust on several Pioneer Runs, never failing to finish. Like many machines of its era, the Brown must be pedalled to start the engine after each stop, and has brakes that require a degree of forward planning, consisting of a bicycle-type front stopper and a belt-rim v-brake at the rear. Last taxed to the end of December 2005, the machine comes with an old-style continuation logbook (1950), an old-style V5, and a current V5C document. The V5 records no changes of keeper since April 1978, and it should be noted that all these aforementioned documents record the engine number as '8851', not '27613' as currently fitted. It should also be noted that the date of first registration is recorded as 1st January 1921, this being shortly after the introduction of the Roads Act of 1920, which required local councils to register all vehicles at the time of licensing and to allocate a separate number to each (many vehicles, although in existence for several years in some cases, were only registered for the first time after the Act's passing).
Footnotes
As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.
Saleroom notices
The Sunbeam Pioneer Motorcycle Club confirm this machine was entered on their dating register in 1952 (number 9) with frame number 1017W. The successful purchaser should contact them to apply for a new Pioneer Certificate. The engine number is 8851.
Additional information
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