Frank E. Baker Motorcycles Ltd
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA short-lived Birmingham motorcycle manufacturer that built Baker-branded motorcycles with Villiers engines before being sold to the James Cycle Co. in 1930.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Frank E. Baker Motorcycles Ltd was a British motorcycle manufacturer established by engineer and motorcycle entrepreneur Frank Baker in Birmingham in 1927. The company represented the later phase of Baker's involvement in motorcycle production, following his earlier work with the Precision engineering business and a period in which the Precision rights and business had been associated with William Beardmore and Company. Frank Baker first became known for developing performance-oriented motorcycle engines. His Precision engines were supplied to other British motorcycle makers, including Haden and Sun. Rather than limiting the business to engines, Baker also moved into complete motorcycles, using frames supplied by Sun, whose Aston Brook Street works were located nearby in Birmingham. Precision's prominence was illustrated by the 1911 Olympia Motorcycle Show in London, where 96 motorcycles were fitted with Precision engines. By 1918, the business reportedly employed more than 800 people, indicating that Baker's enterprise had grown well beyond a small experimental workshop. Tom Biggs joined the operation as chief designer in 1913. Motorcycle and engine production was suspended during the First World War. In 1919, Baker's company was merged with William Beardmore and Company, a Glasgow-based Scottish engineering and shipbuilding group. Beardmore subsequently produced motorcycles using the Beardmore Precision name from 1921 to 1924. Its range began with a 350 cc two-stroke motorcycle equipped with leaf-spring suspension at both the front and rear, and later expanded to motorcycles with engine capacities ranging from 250 cc to 600 cc. When Beardmore ended Precision production in 1924, Frank Baker regained the relevant rights. Baker re-entered motorcycle manufacturing by forming Frank E. Baker Motorcycles Ltd in 1927. The new company operated from Alvechurch Road in Northfield, Birmingham, and produced motorcycles under the Baker name. Unlike the earlier Precision business, the new Baker motorcycles used engines supplied by Villiers, an important British motorcycle-engine manufacturer. The available historical record identifies the Baker-branded machines as the company's principal product line, but does not provide a complete model catalogue or detailed production totals. The business remained independent for only a few years. In 1930, Frank Baker sold the company to the James Cycle Co. James continued motorcycle production at the Birmingham factory and used Baker's frame for some James models. The sale ended Frank E. Baker Motorcycles Ltd as an independent manufacturer. Its significance lies chiefly in Baker's role in the development and supply of British motorcycle engines, the earlier reach of the Precision business, and the transfer of its later frame and manufacturing capabilities into the James motorcycle operation.
History
Frank E. Baker Motorcycles Ltd was the final independent motorcycle-manufacturing venture associated with Birmingham engineer Frank Baker. Before creating the company in 1927, Baker had established the Precision business, which developed performance motorcycle engines and supplied them to manufacturers such as Haden and Sun. He also built complete motorcycles using frames supplied by Sun. Precision engines had a substantial presence at the 1911 Olympia Motorcycle Show, where dozens of exhibited motorcycles used them, and the business reportedly employed more than 800 people by 1918. Tom Biggs became chief designer in 1913. Baker suspended motorcycle and engine production during the First World War. In 1919, his company was merged with William Beardmore and Company, a Scottish engineering and shipbuilding group headquartered in Glasgow. Beardmore produced motorcycles under the Beardmore Precision name between 1921 and 1924. The range included a 350 cc two-stroke with leaf-spring suspension at both ends and subsequently expanded across 250 cc to 600 cc models. Beardmore ended Precision production in 1924, after which Baker regained the rights. In 1927, Baker formed Frank E. Baker Motorcycles Ltd at Alvechurch Road, Northfield, Birmingham. The new business produced motorcycles under the Baker name and used Villiers engines. The company had a brief independent life and was sold to the James Cycle Co. in 1930. James continued operating from the Birmingham factory and incorporated Baker's frame into some of its motorcycles. The sale brought the company's independent existence to an end while allowing elements of its manufacturing capability and design to continue within the James range.
- 1930
Business sold to James Cycle Co.
[1]James Cycle Co. acquired the company and continued motorcycle production at the Birmingham factory.
- 1927
Frank E. Baker Motorcycles is founded
[1]Frank Baker established the new company in Birmingham and began producing Baker motorcycles with Villiers engines.
- 1924
Beardmore ends Precision production
[1]Beardmore stopped producing Precision motorcycles, after which Frank Baker regained the relevant rights.
- 1921
Beardmore Precision motorcycles enter production
[1]William Beardmore and Company began producing motorcycles under the Beardmore Precision name.
- 1919
Precision business merges with Beardmore
[1]Frank Baker's company was merged with William Beardmore and Company.
- 1918
Precision workforce exceeds 800 employees
[1]The earlier Precision business had grown to a reported workforce of more than 800 people.
- 1913
Tom Biggs becomes chief designer
[1]Tom Biggs was appointed chief designer at Baker's earlier Precision company.
- 1911
Precision engines appear widely at Olympia
[1]At the Olympia Motorcycle Show in London, 96 motorcycles were exhibited with Precision engines, demonstrating the reach of Frank Baker's engine business.
Products and positioning
A Birmingham performance-oriented motorcycle manufacturer with roots in Precision engine development and a later focus on complete, Villiers-engined motorcycles.
Motorcycles · 1927
Baker motorcycles
The company's principal finished product was a range of motorcycles sold under the Baker name during its 1927–1930 independent period. These machines used Villiers engines. The available reference does not identify individual model names, specifications, production volumes, or retail pricing.
Motorcycle components · 1927
Baker motorcycle frames
Frame design and production formed part of the company's manufacturing capability. After the 1930 sale, James Cycle Co. continued to operate from the Birmingham factory and used Baker's frame for some James motorcycles.
Motorcycle engines
Precision motorcycle engines
Precision engines were developed before the 1927 Baker company and supplied to motorcycle makers including Haden and Sun. They established Frank Baker's earlier reputation for performance motorcycle engineering, although the later Frank E. Baker Motorcycles Ltd is specifically associated with Villiers-engined motorcycles.
Brand decisions
1930
Sale to James Cycle Co.M&ABackground
Frank E. Baker Motorcycles Ltd had produced Baker-branded, Villiers-engined motorcycles for several years.
Action taken
Frank Baker sold the business to the James Cycle Co.
Aftermath
James continued production at the Birmingham factory and used Baker's frame for some James models, ending the company's independent operation.
1927
Return to independent motorcycle productionStrategyBackground
After Beardmore ended Precision production in 1924, Frank Baker regained the rights associated with the earlier business.
Action taken
Baker formed a new company in Birmingham and resumed complete motorcycle production under the Baker name, using Villiers engines.
Aftermath
The new company operated independently until its sale to James Cycle Co. in 1930.
Sources1 sources
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