Blackburne Motorcycles

Today in Motorcycle History

Blackburne Motorcycles 1920

Olympia Show 1920

Blackburne-1920-TMC-02.jpg
8 h.p. Blackburne 1920

Produced by the makers of the well-known engine, the 8 h.p. Blackburne is an excellent example of clean and symmetrical design.

Blackburne-1920-TMC-01.jpg
Blackburne Magneto 1920

The magneto chain sprocket of the Blackburne is now fitted on to a tapered timing wheel shaft and locked by a small set screw.

Blackburne. (12.)

  • 4 h.p.; 85x88 mm. (498 c.c); single-cylinder four-stroke; side-by-side valves; drip feed lubrication; Amac carburetter; chain-driven magneto; three-speed Burman gear; chain drive; 28x3in. tyres.

Burney and Blackburne, Ltd., 28, Conduit Street, London, W.l.

A substantially constructed dual-purpose machine is the 4 h.p. Blackburne. It is fitted with 28in. wheels and all-chain drive, protected by a guard over the upper length of the chain. A contracting band foot brake operates on the rear wheel, and the pedal. is conveniently situated on the off side. Brampton spring forks are a standard fitting, and the Blackburne engine is, of course, employed. As is well known, this popular power unit has an outside flywheel and a detachable cylinder head held in place by three long studs and nuts. The low riding position, large footboards, and wide handle-bars combine to give the rider a feeling of security, and the black finish is admirably set off by the red panelled tank.

  • 8 h.p.; 85x88 mm. (996 c.c); twin cylinder four-stroke; side-by-side valves; drip feed lubrication; Amac carburetter; T.B. chain driven magneto; three-speed Burman gear; chain drive; 28x3in. tyres. Price £180.

Built essentially as a sidecar machine the 8 h.p. model has a V twin engine with cylinders set at 60°. In this engine also an outside flywheel and detachable cylinder heads are, of course, incorporated; another machine is built on very similar lines to the single-cylinder Blackburne model, although of sturdier construction with a heavier pattern Brampton spring fork. The final chain drive on this model is, at first sight, totally enclosed, but a closer inspection reveals the fact that the inner side of the chain case is absent. This chain guard, however, should be very effective.

Also on this stand are shown examples of the various Blackburne engines, and in addition to the 4 h.p. and 8 h.p. models, the 2¾ h.p. engine with a bore and stroke of 71x88 mm. is shown. The 5-6 h.p. engine is very suitable for a dual-purpose mount, and has similar cylinder dimensions to the 2¾ h.p. engine, and set at 60°. The 10 h.p. is shown as an air-cooled or water-cooled engine, the dimensions being the same, i.e., 85x97 mm. An example of the air-cooled engine is shown with a skew gear-driven magneto.

Olympia Show, 1920

The Motor Cycle, December 2nd, 1920.