Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
5910
OEC
350 Villiers - 1928
Famously unorthodox
The little Osborn Engineering Company was founded in Gosport, Hampshire, in 1901 by former racing cyclist Frederick Osborn. He built motorcycles for Blackburne until 1914, and took over production of these machines under his own "OEC" trademark in 1920.
Duplex Steering
The firm was best-known for its unorthodox "duplex" steering, patented by Osborn's son John and Fred Wood in 1925 and put into production in 1927. Turning the handlebars caused a complex parallel-link frame, which carried the front wheel, to turn.
Record-Breaking
As early as 1922, Claude Temple set a record speed of 108.48 mph on an OEC-Anzani. In 1930, he tuned a supercharged 996cc OEC-JAP with which Joe Wright became the first motorcyclist to exceed 150 mph (though not with the duplex steering, since a sheared drive key meant that a conventional – Zenith – frame with an OEC tank was substituted at the last minute). Yet, the duplex fork was used on many models – even base models such as this 350cc tourer – with an external inertia flywheel and a lateral carburetor, though a conventional girder fork would have done just as well. Promoted as the "Modern Motor Cycle" in 1930, OEC's prototype combined duplex steering with the revolutionary Tinkler "Power Egg," an aluminium casting housing engine, radiator, gearbox and fuel tank. Financial problems prompted a move to a new factory in Portsmouth during the 1930s. Nevertheless, the firm continued on its unorthodox way for 20 more years.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 343cc (79x70mm) air-cooled Villiers single-cylinder
Power Rating: 9 hp @ 4,500 rpm
Valves: two-stroke
Fuel System: Amal carburetor
Transmission: 3-speed, chain final drive
Suspension: OEC Duplex forks incorporating enclosed helical springs (front); rigid (rear)
Brakes: drum (front & rear)
Wheels: 19 inch wire (front & rear)
Weight: 315 lb
Maximum Speed: 52 mph
Complex and expensive, the OEC Duplex forks used two pairs of vertical tubes connected by links on both top and bottom. The forward pair also contained the suspension springs.