1938 Levis Model B Special

Lot details
Registration No: EOL 285
Frame No: 26529
Engine No: 26670
cc: 250
MOT Expiry Date: T.B.A.

Levis had entered the motorcycle market in 1911 establishing themselves as a two stroke specialist, winning numerous events with their lightweight machines both pre and post the First World War, including the 1920 and 1922 250 TT's. As the twenties progressed the company moved increasingly to four stroke production and by the nineteen thirties their range was almost entirely four stroke based. Levis had also shifted their competition activities away from road racing towards trials in which they were rapidly earning a formidable reputation.
The B Special was a development of the B series 247cc machines that had formed part of the range since the turn of the decade. The addition of the word "Special" in the title started in 1935 in order to distinguish the existing over head valve machines in the range from the simpler and cheaper "Light" models offered in the same capacity range and introduced for that year. The Special was supplied with a single cylinder overhead valve engine with a twin port head and total loss lubrication. High level exhaust pipes were employed as was a foot operated gearbox. Differences for the following season's models were confined to the adoption of simpler knee grips and the mounting of the footrests on the lower frame rail with a consequent increase in adjustment. The next major revision for the B Special came in 1938 when it adopted fully enclosed valve gear.
The example of the very rare 247cc B Special offered features the enclosed valve gear introduced for the 1938 season and is presented to a very high standard throughout having been the subject of a well executed restoration. It is presented with a red and chromium plated fuel tank lined in gold. The chromium plated rims are painted to match with the rest of the paintwork being black. It is offered with a Swansea V5C and an MOT valid until July 2012.