[CR]Reprise: What else did they build?

(Example: Racing:Jean Robic)

From: "JB Froke" <jbfroke@msn.com>
To: "classicrendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2006 20:00:31 -0800
Seal-Send-Time: Sun, 15 Jan 2006 20:00:31 -0800
Subject: [CR]Reprise: What else did they build?

Back to the question, what else did they build? Lea-Francis of Coventry, my favorite maker of Shooting Brakes, or English Woodies, did indeed make bicycles. In fact, it was about bicycles that the original partnership of RH Lea and GI Francis was formed in 1895.

Shuffling through Lea-Francis (vintage auto) owners' club materials, I recently learned that Lea-Francis cycles were innovative high-quality products, and Lea's talent for invention led to the filing of 42 bicycle related patents including gearboxes, pedals, lights and reflectors.

In 1912 Lea-Francis manufacturing emphasis changed from bicycles to motorcycles, and bicycle production ended during the First World War.

Seven Lea-Francis bikes currently are owned by Lea-Francis club members.

JB Froke, Pebble Beach CA