Manufactured by Forest Finlay, Sydney 1906~1911
375 George Street, Sydney, 1904-1906
139 Enmore Road, Enmore, 1906-1907
77 Market Street, Sydney, 1907-1908
Forest Finlay was apprenticed as a watchmaker, then a photographer before he opened a cycle building works at 375 George Street, Sydney, where he assembled motorcycles using Buchet motors. He moved to a three story building in Market Street and by 1907 he was building complete motorcycles fitted with a replica Buchet motor. He was the first to import the FN Four in 1906. He was Secretary of the Pioneer Club until 1907 and he joined Alick McNeil & Mcintosh in 1911 selling Napier, Straker Squire and Buick cars. A year later he and Alick McNeil left to join Garretts, where he sold Fiats for the next 14 years. He competed in Fiat cars in the 1920's.
One of the latest types of motor cycles introduced in this State has just been landed by Mr. Forest Finlay, of George street, cycle builder. The machine has been specially imported for speed work, and is capable of doing any mileage from 3 to 55 miles an hour. The engine is 4 cylindered, each of the cylinders being cast separately. The horsepower is 4 to 5, and the latest type of mechanical valves is fitted Magneto Ignition is used on the machine, and there is cog wheel transmission instead of the chain or belt system, as usually adopted. The frame is a little longer than usual, but considering the size of the engine, it is most compact. A front and back brake are fitted to the machine, which is supplied with exceptionally strong forks. Automatic carburetter is fitted instead of the ordinary variety.
A feature of the machine is the free wheel clutch which, in a cycle, weighing as it does over 200lb, is most desirable. The engine can be started on a stand by turning a handle as in cars. To get the machine going one has only to turn the handle, lift the stand, jump on the cycle, and throw in the clutch. The noise made by the motor is very small, and the vibration is so infinitesimal that one would not sometimes think that the engine was actually going. It is understood that Mr Finlay intends breaking all track records on the machine.
The Sydney Morning Herald Thu 4 Jan 1906 (via Trove)
N.B. Make of machine not stated in the article, but elsewhere it is mentioned that Finlay imported an FN Four in 1906.
An interesting departure in connection with the motor cycle trade has just been introduced by Mr Forest Finlay of Market-street who has laid down a fine plant in order to produce in his own workshop some small powered motor engines. Mr Finlay's successes of recent date in the motor cycle arena have been pronounced inasmuch as he has won or secured at least a place in the majority of the contests for which he entered. As a practical engineer the local motorist thinks that he can by the use of several of his patents show a decided improvement in his own productions over the imported article. Mr Finlay has on hand a specially designed frame of exceptional neatness and rigidity. The total motor cycle will not exceed 110lb.
The Sydney Morning Herald Sat 28 Jul 1906 (via Trove)
The Sydney Morning Herald Sat 6 Jul 1907 (abbreviated) (Trove)
Sources: Terry Parker of the VVMCSA; Trove NLA
Guy Finlay at Vintage & Classic Motorcycles Australia - up to 1960 FB group writes:
"A great uncle of mine, Garnet Finlay, started in a shop in Enmore making and selling the first motorbikes in Australia. He then opened a shop in George St., Sydney around early 1900s."
The name Garnet Finlay does not appear in any documentation found thus far. All references are to Forest Finlay.
N.B. Unrelated to Finlay Bros, Melbourne.
If you have a query or information about this Australian machine please contact us
