A Brief History of the Marque
Baker were motorcycles produced from 1928 to 1930.
The company, owned by Frank Baker, was located in Alvechurch Road, Northfield, Birmingham. He had a long involvement in motorcycle manufacture throughout the Edwardian era - firstly in America and then with Precision Motorcycles, of which he was the founder.
When Precision folded in 1912, Baker formed an alliance with industrial giant William Beardmore and Co which created the Beardmore Precision marque. Beardmore pulled out in 1924 and the company closed, and as a result Baker formed his own company in 1926.
In 1928 the Baker factory produced two lightweight models using 172cc and 247cc Villiers engines and three-speed Albion gearboxes, and by 1929 more versions were added to the range including models with 147cc and 196cc engines.
In 1930 the 147cc models were dropped and replaced by one with a 343cc engine. In addition, there was one further model with an inclined 249cc sv James engine. With the collapse of the financial system sales plummeted, and late that year Frank Baker sold out to James and they used his frame for some of their models.
N.B. It is believed that the Alvechurch Road premises were previously occupied by Hobbis Bros and Horrell, who had produced the Triple H motorcycle.
Sources: Graces Guide, Henshaw, Wikipedia
Tue Aug 11 2009
v12gte at yahoo.com
Anker motorcycle
Anker 125?
This pic is of my grandfather, dated 1938, and I am wandering what
bike it is. The tank logo seems to say "Baker", but it could be a BSA,
NSU, or....maybe it is an Anker. The backdrop is Poland.
Any clues?
Thanks in advance
San Francisco
The machine appears to be a James Model K badged as a Baker.
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