1930 Montgomery-JAP 996cc V-Twin

• Completely restored 2000-2006
• Present ownership since 2016
• Ideal Banbury Run participant
• 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." – 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 996cc 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 was formerly registered in the Isle of Man as a motorcycle combination (from 3rd July 1948) and comes with its old Manx logbook (issued 1987). Previous owner Geoff Keeling acquired the Montgomery in 2000 and completely restored it over a six-year period, taking the utmost care to preserve its originality. The work was finished in 2006. (Photographs of the machine 'as found', and still carrying its IoM registration, are on file.) The Classic Motor Cycle then featured the machine in a six-page article by Roy Poynting in its August 2007 edition (copy on file). Geoff Keeling rode the Montgomery on the Banbury Run once but used it infrequently thereafter.

The current vendor has owned the Montgomery since 2016 and has used it sparingly. Kept in dry storage, the machine is presented today in fundamentally the same condition as it was immediately after the high quality restoration. Other accompanying paperwork includes a VMCC correspondence and dating letter; DVLA correspondence; some expired MoTs; and a current V5C document. The provision of a three-brush magneto is the only notified deviation from factory specification. A beautifully presented and rare machine which would grace any museum or private collection.
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