1937 – Francis Barnett Plover G41

This is the story about the restoration of an pre-war Francis Barnett Plover

My old Plover G/41 before restoration.
Almost complete, but a big job ahead!

(I put this in English even if I’m located in Norway)

This is the condition the bike was in when I started restoration.

A 1937 model light weight motorcycle fitted with a Villiers 150cc twin port engine.

A complete restoration was neccessary.

Looks almost impossible, right?

First of all:
I must announce : The ONLY part missing is the petrol tank. I’m sad to say that the tank was lost at a workshop who was going to weld it. Any ideas where I can get this flat bottom fuel tank? It’s 2 gallon, gear shift on right side. Contact me here.

A gift from a couple in Northern Norway

Hans and Karen Tharaldsen (on a different bike)

The bike was given to us (my father) from the landlady at the place he rented in Harstad in Northern Norway. He stayed ther at the end of the 60’s while he was in the army.

The owner, Hans Tharaldsen had this bike since 1939. During WW2 they took it apart and hide it in the barn. After the war ended, in the 50’s they assembled the bike and run if for a while. Then it was stuffed away again (I don’t know why). Mr. Tharaldsens widows, Karen Tharaldsen decided to give us this bike.

Vehicle card
Vehicle card

We received the bike and the parts were in a big wooden box. To get the exhaust pipes inside the box, they had cut it on two!!! The bike was almost complete, but the fuel tank was missing, probably stolen from the barn.

I don’t remember exactly when the bike came here, but I had it in my shed for many years until I decided to do something about it. That was in 2001

Francis Barnett? Never heard of..

The brand was not very known here in Norway. Francis&Barnett Ltd was imported by «Maskinhuset Stavanger», Est. 1920. But not many bikes left here now.

I did a lot of research to get to know the history about Francis-Barnett, collect pictures, spare part lists, owners manual and so.

At that time, I worked as a «tool maker». I had access to all kinds of machines. EDM machines, latche, mill, everything! And even better, my friend Tom Hansson was very eager to see me finish the restoration. So he helped me a lot! Unfortunately, Tom Hansson passed away and will not see the bike on the road.

Tom had decades of experience restoration Henderson and Indian motorcycles. He knew everything! I would not have come far without his valuable expertise.

Hundreds of hours

If you done something like this, you know its time consuming. I spent 70h sand and glass blastering.

I made new copper/bronze bearings, I actually made new gear sprockets for the chain transmission. Every part was studied and restorated. The only thing me and Tom didn’t do was to bore the cylinder. Tom said is was ok. And when Mr. Hansson says its ok, its OK!

Every square millimeter was cleaned, removed all paint. Frame, mud guards was powder coated by a friend. Tail light and Ampere meter was bought. I cut and glued/baked new brake shoe linings. I put hidden o-rings in engine to prevent leakage. I sent the exhaust pipes to UK, and got new ones made.
Well, I have a list of things I have done. Its a lot!

The worst thing that could happen, happened!

As I told you, the petrol tank was missing. While searching for a tank, I got a call from a Norwegian guy telling me he had exactly that tank. His workshop burned down to the ground, including the bike. But he had the tank in his house! Probably the only other tank in Norway, maybe Europe too. I bought it!

When the restoration paused, the tank was already delivered to a local workshop that was going to weld it. I told the guy it was no hurry.. Years after, I asked him about the tank. He didn’t know where it was. He said it probably was crushed when his barn collapsed. He actually kept my tank in a barn that was going to collapse! It’s horrible! What a big lost!
The chance of finding a identical petrol tank is very close to impossible!

The status now

Well, I don’t have a workshop now. No place to keep on working on the bike. So it’s put away again, while waiting for better days. The only thing on my mind these days is to get a tank.

Whats remaining :

  • Get a petrol tank and restore it!
  • Disassemble bike, send all bolt and nuts for surface treatment
  • Electric system, wiring, ignition
  • Chrome plating
  • Rubber parts
  • Silver plating of headlight reflector

Technical specs :

  • Motor : Villiers Mark 12C Long stroke air cooled 148 c.c. Flywheel Magneto Ignition, Miller SUS 6v D.M.3G Dynamo Lighting Set, Petrol Lubrication S.No GFY2512
  • Spark plug : NGK B6HS Gap 0.018″
  • Carburetter : Villiers Automatic Carburetter
  • Gear box : Albion 3-speed?
  • Transmission chain : Renold 208 Synergy 420-116L
  • Brakes : 4 inch
  • Tires : Avon Speedmaster MkII 25×3″, 16 Pressure 16P front, 20P rear
  • Knee grips : John Bull No.3
  • Nuts&bolts : BSCY British Cycle Inches?

Links :

Francis Barnett Owners Club (Website)

Francis Barnett Owners Club (Facebook)

Villiers Services – Motor spareparts

Jeff Hunter Engineering – Rubber parts