Lea Francis bicycles were among the most expensive in the world.
In this era, three cross frames – the Raleigh X frame and the Centaur Featherweight and Resilient – had higher price tags than a Lea-Francis. So the Lea Francis was the most expensive diamond frame bicycle in the world.
Superb build quality is a given; the bonus is the fine details, each of them a Lea-Francis patented innovation, and all can be found on the bicycle featured here.
1. Introduced in 1900, ‘Trip motion’ enables you to step on or off the bicycle from the pedal without it turning, as the left side crank is locked into position.
2. The Lea Francis gear trigger is a unique design, and is fitted with an ivory knob.
3. A small removable lid covers the top of the front brake linkage. Concealed roller lever brakes were a Lea-Francis patent, subsequently offered, under license, as an option for 1910/1911 Raleighs. The front brake rod is integral to the steering head, and the brake fittings are a unique design. Removing the lid mentioned above provides access to the front brake linkage.
4. Though most cycle makers adopted full front mudguards in 1908, Lea-Francis retained the old ‘abbreviated’ version. Their concession to modernity was to fit, as an option, a mudguard extension. Curiously, it attaches to the bottom of the integral brake rod – when the brake is pulled on, the mudguard tip rises with it.
5. Rear lights became compulsory for bicycles, and R.H Lea’s patent Reflex Road Light was the most stylish rear cycle light available. A heavy duty version was made for motorcycles.
6. Like the Golden Sunbeam, the Lea Francis grip caps are removable, with oiler inside one and in the other a glass tube which would contain a length of rubber for puncture repairs.
7. The cast aluminium rear luggage carrier, Lea Francis patent number 542764, was introduced as an option in 1909.
8. The aluminium pedal design, with sixteen rubber studded treads, was patented by Lea Francis in 1908 and known as the ‘Leaf’ pedal. Not only did the name relate to LEA Francis, it is also in the shape of a leaf. These pedals were the most exclusive available at the time, and were also fitted to Dursley Pedersens.
1912 Lea-Francis Men’s Cycle
Sturmey-Archer ‘Model FX’ 3-speed gear (FX 019827)
Lea Francis gear trigger with ivory knob
Lea Francis patent oval aluminium pedals (as fitted to the Dursley Pedersen)
Concealed Roller Lever Brakes (with front brake linkage inside steering head)
Trip Motion
Bluemels grips with removable caps for Puncture kit & Oiler.
Lea Francis patent aluminium rear carrier rack & ‘Reflex Road Light’ rear lamp
23″ Frame
28″ Wheels (Aluminium ‘Roman’ Rims)
Frame No 25080
(Now sold)
The long list of interesting features to be found on a Lea Francis is probably unique among all bicycle of the era. Any one of those innovations on a bicycle would set it apart from the crowd. My favourites are: 1. The front brake whose linkage passes through the steering head – it’s connected to the removable mudguard extension, which lifts it up every time the brake is applied. 2. The LEAF aluminium pedals. 3. The gear trigger with ivory knob. 4. The Bluemels grips with removable caps.
The Lea Francis was restored some years ago, and is still in excellent condition. Everything is in first class working order, and it’s ready to ride.
1910 LEA FRANCIS CATALOGUE EXTRACTS
CONCEALED ROLLER LEVER BRAKES
& INTEGRAL FRONT BRAKE LINKAGE
THE ‘LEAF’ PATENT ALUMINIUM PEDALS
(LEA FRANCIS PATENT No 14231/08)
Lea Francis patented this special design, a ‘Leaf’ pedal, which was made for them by Brampton. They were also an option on Dursley Pedersen machines. Observe that the pedal name LEAF relates to LEA Francis, as well as being in the shape of a leaf.
LEA FRANCIS PATENT PARTS:
TRIP MOTION
BLUEMELS REMOVABLE GRIP CAPS
The handlebar grips on the 1910 Lea Francis are similar to those on a Golden Sunbeam – they unscrew for fitting an oiler and puncture kit. It was missing its oiler and the only one I had available fits into the seat post, so I fitted it there, as on a Royal Sunbeam.
LEA FRANCIS PATENT ALUMINIUM LUGGAGE CARRIER
R.H LEA’S REFLEX ROAD LIGHT
