LOT 512

1922 OEC-Blackburne 8hp Registration no. BK 7448 Frame no. 2274 Engine no. TB398A

Sold for £25,300 inc. premium

Lot 512

1922 OEC-Blackburne 8hp
Registration no. BK 7448 Frame no. 2274 Engine no. TB398A

The Spring Sale - The International Classic MotorCycle Show|23 April 2022, 10:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

1922 OEC-Blackburne 8hp
Registration no. BK 7448
Frame no. 2274
Engine no. TB398A

Best remembered for its curious 'duplex' form of steering gear and Claude Temple's record-breaking exploits on the mighty OEC-Temple-Anzani, the Osborn Engineering Company commenced motorcycle manufacture in 1914. The Gosport-based firm began by making motorcycles under contract to engine manufacturer Blackburne before marketing machines under its own name from 1920. OEC also made its own engines under the 'Atlanta' name but mainly relied on proprietary power units, mostly from Blackburne, during the 1920s. As well as the patented duplex steering, introduced in 1927, the firm offered rear springing from 1929. An option at first, this looked like a 'plunger' arrangement but in fact used a pivoted fork. By the late 1930s the rear springing was standard and the duplex steering optional. Blackburne, JAP and Matchless engines were used in the early/mid-1930s, then AJS engines from early 1937 onwards. There were also some Villiers-engined lightweights.

This rare OEC-Blackburne v-twin comes with its original buff logbook issued on 19th April 1922 when the machine was licensed as a 'Bicycle & Sidecar'. Licensing is recorded up to 1925. Retaining its original frame and engine, the machine had been loosely assembled in the then owner's loft when the immediately preceding owner purchased it around 2009. The OEC had already been restored to its present condition when the current vendor purchased it on the 20th June 2021. Offered with a substantial history file and a V5C.
Offered without key

Footnotes

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