Description
FN 1904 2¾hp 300cc 1 cyl aiv Frame # 11513
FN (Fabrique Nationale d‘Armes de Guerre) was a Belgian company established in 1899 to make arms and ammunition for hunting and warfare (they still do).
Soon it was decided that diversification of production was a good strategy to reduce the risk of peaceful times.
In the late 1800’s the production of bicycle parts was taken up; soon complete bicycles were added to the programme, followed in 1900 by motorcars.
At that time FN was already a major manufacturing firm, with premises taking up around 30 acres with 40,000 square metres of factory buildings.
By the end of 1901 the first motorized bicycle was presented, powered by a 133 cc clip-on engine. It got the nickname “little donkey”, followed in 1903 by a belt driven 188cc single-cylinder motorcycle.
Early 1904 a 300 cc single-cylinder motorcycle was produced with bore and stroke of 70×80 mm, still with unsprung front forks , however soon the 1904 model got front suspension.
From 1905 on the four cylinder was catalogued and the single was further developed as a light model.
The popularity of FN motorcycles is shown by the high sales figures: between July 1902 and July 1904 some 6,000 machines were sold.
The machine we offer here is original and unrestored and features unsprung font forks, battery-coil ignition, an own FN spray carburettor, flat belt drive with large wooden rear pulley, original exhaust system with optional hand operated cut-out valve, seperate oil tank and a rear stand luggage rack combination.
This FN is in that ‘dream-find’ condition appearing to be absolutely correct with that patina which is so difficult to find.
An extremely rare survivor in any condition, this beautiful early veteran, eligible for the best events, is virtually complete in all respects.