The David Plant Collection, 1952 Burney 550cc

Cecil Stanley Burney stands as one of the pivotal early figures in British motorcycling, with a career that intertwined engineering innovation, competition success, and the wider development of the vintage motorcycle movement. Long before establishing himself as the first Honorary Secretary of the VMCC, Burney - together with his brother Alick (Edward Alexander) - had been closely involved in the origins of what became the Blackburne engine. Their engineering partnership began when Geoffrey de Havilland, then still experimenting with motorcycles, sold them his designs and patterns for £5 in the early 1900s. The brothers developed these into what would become the Blackburne engine line, later manufactured under the Burney & Blackburne name.

By 1912, the Burney brothers were trading formally with pioneer aviator Harold Blackburn, producing motorcycles and engines whose smooth-running characteristics and robust design earned favourable notice in pre war trials. Their machines performed strongly in ACU Six Days events, and the company expanded through the First World War, supplying engines and developing small aircraft units alongside motorcycle work.

Burney's own competitive achievements further cemented his standing - early trial success being followed by a respected engineering career at firms such as Daimler and Rudge Whitworth. His later vintage-era activities, including his role as first Honorary Secretary of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club (VMCC), reflected a lifelong commitment to conserving and celebrating the machines of the early motorcycling age. It was in this spirit that Burney later constructed the special machine offered here: a personal project shaped by both deep technical knowledge and a desire to revive the character of the motorcycles he had helped pioneer decades earlier.

The history file for the machine offered here contains photocopied pages from a period article entitled Building a New Burney, reprinted from Sunbeam News. The article describes the construction of this special machine by Cecil S Burney. Burney explains that after production of the 680cc Burney ceased in 1926, several unused frame lugs and lengths of tubing remained. Some years later he decided to use these components to construct a motorcycle to his own specification.

The machine described used a sidevalve Blackburne engine with large outside flywheel and low compression, weighing approximately 15lb, and was intended as a lightweight machine for Vintage use. Burney notes that the complete machine weighed around 222lb.

In the article, Burney mentions a number of technical features including the use of Chater-Lea forks; a special front stand; fibre-shoe rim brakes; a 44:10 gear ratio; quickly detachable rear wheel; and automatic belt tensioner. The engine specification included an aluminium piston, trembler coil ignition and a compression ratio of 4:1, with lubrication by Best & Lloyd hand pump. Burney concludes that the machine proved highly successful and was enjoyable to ride, noting that he rode it to Newlands Corner for a rally and was gratified by the amount of interest it attracted.

Also on file is a photocopy of a photograph published in Vintage Bike showing the completed machine, captioned: "Cecil Burney, a pioneer motorcyclist and first Hon. Secretary of the V.M.C.C., built this interesting machine recently from vintage components in an attempt to recapture the spirit of the vintage days. As described in this issue, it has trembler coil ignition and an automatic tensioner."

The machine is offered with an extensive history file, including an old-style buff logbook, issued at date of first registration on 1st July 1952, describing it as a 'built-up vehicle', with frame number CSB 1, consistent with the stamped number as above. The first recorded keeper is Cecil Stanley Burney of Hazlemere, while the subsequent owner is listed as Robert Gilbey of Yeovil. Also on file is photocopy of the Beaulieu auction catalogue (2nd July 1980), where the Burney was offered as Lot 4, selling for £220 hammer. A receipt on file for the purchase of the motorcycle is undated. There is also a copy of the Munn Motor Museum catalogue (1960s), in which the machine is described while on loan from Cecil Burney, confirming its period recognition and preservation. A copy of The Motor Cycle (March 1930, p.440) contains a brief biography of C S Burney, outlining his role in early motorcycling and engineering.

Copies of articles from the Vintage Motor Cycle Club Journal (August 1953) are present also, including the illustrated feature Vintage 'Bitza', describing the machine. There is a technical article Building a New Burney, reprinted from The Sunbeam News, detailing the machine's conception and construction using period components.

A letter from Mr C E 'Titch' Allen OBE BEM (dated 16th October 2006), provides first-hand recollections of Cecil Burney, his engineering work, and the origins of the machine. The letter also confirms Burney's role as an early and influential figure within the VMCC, and places the machine within that historical context. A copy of correspondence from the vendor to Mr Allen, discussing the machine, its restoration approach, and its connection to Burney is on file.

The file provides exceptional supporting material, linking the machine directly to Cecil Burney and documenting its construction, later history, exhibition and sale history, together with contemporary and retrospective commentary. There are photocopies of period literature, photographs, and research material, including VMCC-related publications and archival references to the Burney marque and related machines. Offered with old/current V5/V5C documents.

Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding.

Key not required