Lot details
Registration No: VF 1571
Frame No: 10492
Engine No: 10488
cc: 350
MOT Expiry Date: None

Although, Thomas Humber had exhibited a number of solo / tandem motorised cycles at the 1896 International Horseless Carriage Exhibition and dabbled in motorcycle production from 1902 - 1905, it was not until 1909 that his company really focused on the two-wheeler market. Beginning with a somewhat unconventional 3.5hp belt-drive design that featured sprung front forks and a combined frame downtube / exhaust silencer, Humber Ltd swiftly progressed to a 2.75hp V-Twin with which it won the 1911 Isle of Man Junior TT race (P.J. Evans leading home a team of six successful finishers). Having experimented with various air- or water-cooled twin and triples, the company launched a new 349cc sidevalve single in 1923. Performing well in that year's Six Days Trial, the model was later joined by OHV and OHC derivatives. Renown for its quality, Humber's high-priced motorbike range lost sales ground to the likes of BSA and Ariel throughout the 1920s (a factor which saw it being dropped altogether in 1930).
Part of a private museum collection, this Humber sidevalve has been in storage for some time and will therefore require recommissioning prior to usage. Sold strictly as seen, it is offered without any paperwork.

PLEASE NOTE: Since going to press with the catalogue, we have received the following documents for this lot: V5/C Registration Document, Old MOT Certificate, Period Photographs, Buff Logbook, Instruction Book