1929 Chater-Lea
Rare face-cam engine

Registration No: BF 9486
Frame No: 1571
Engine No: CS338
CC: 348
MOT: Exempt

• A desirable vintage machine
• Lightly restored by the current owner
• All Chater-Lea components used
• Current V5C and VMCC dating certificate on file

Founded by William Chater-Lea in 1890 by 1908 Chater-Lea were entering the Isle of Man TT races. They used a variety of proprietary engines before the First World War. Peace-time production started in 1919 with twin-cylinder models followed by large singles in the 1920s. In the early 1920s Chater-Lea tried to change its touring image into a sportier one and employed Dougal Marchant as development engineer. He converted a Woodmann-designed overhead valve Blackburne engine to overhead camshaft and it became the first 350cc to exceed 100 mph, recording 100.81mph over the flying kilometre during April 1924.

Later, Marchant set a world record flying kilometre for 350cc and 500cc motorcycles at 102.9mph for the firm. Few resulting sports Chater-Lea models were sold but the firm won a contract to supply 800 AA Patrol sidecar outfits to offset their costs. The last motorcycles were made in 1936. At one time they made the world's fastest 350 cc model. Production stopped when Chater-Lea's engine supplier, Blackburne, ceased operations.

This 1929 350cc face-cam Chater-Lea was lightly restored by the current owner using Chater-Lea parts. The frame is from a genuine 1929 550cc side-valve, and with all its running gear, with the engine being the desirable face-cam design. The vendor has used the machine and advises us it does ride very well. We have been informed it is ‘running well’ and is accompanied by a current V5C and a VMCC dating certificate.

For more information, please contact:
Mike Davis
mike.davis@handh.co.uk
07718 584217