Model : 2 3/4 HP Flying banana

Production : 1919 - 1921

Category : (R) Street Bike

Wooler
350 - 2 3/4 HP Flying Banana 1920
A fruitful success

Britain has always had its share of original thinkers, and there were very few designers whose train of thought was as unconventional as John Wooler's. Between 1911 and 1955, he produced a brilliant range of motorcycles whose common theme was unorthodoxy.

"Accessibility" Was the Word
He was a believer in lightess and comfort. The Wooler trademark was a double-ended banner bearing the one word "accessibility." As far as possible, only two sizes of bolt were used throughout, and one wrench was all that was needed for normal maintenance.

Frugal Fuel Consumption
Nicknamed "Flying Banana" because of the shape of its yellow-painted tank (designed to give extra fuel capacity with its removable nose), his post-WWI flat-twin had unbelievably low fuel consumption. Professor A.M. Low - whose articles did much to popularize science and engineering recorded a figure of 250 mpg, thanks to intake pipes positioned to absorb heat from the cylinders to vaporize the fuel//air mixture from the carburetor. The suspension gave vertical wheel movements to ensure a constant wheelbase length. The automatic lubrication further indicated Wooler's original idea. A chain, acting like a bucket-conveyor, dipped into the oil in the base chamber to carry oil to an upper engine sump. The Flying Banana was a successful record-breaker. It held 29 world long-distance records, including the 350 12-hour record at an average of 40.6 mph.

SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 345cc (60x60mm) air-cooled flat-twin four-stroke
Power Rating: 3.5 hp
Valves: overhead intake, side exhaust
Fuel System: B&B carburetor Transmission-. pivoting infinitely-variable pulley, belt final drive
Suspension: vertical plunger (front & rear)
Brakes: contracting band (front); belt rim (rear)
Wheels: 20x2.25 inch wire clincher (front & rear)
Weight: 168 lb
Maximum Speed: 62 mph (Brooklands Special)

The ingenious, infinitely-variable transmission of the Flying Banana had an expanding pulley geared to the end of the crankshaft, so that it could pivot to maintain constant belt tension.