1934 OEC 750 V-twin

OEC 750 V-Twin

Dual-front fork and JAP V-twin engine.

OEC comes from the Osborn Engineering Company. Frederick Osborn started in 1901 with motorcycles featuring integrated Minerva engine blocks. In 1920 his son John Osborn joined after Blackburn decided to manufacture engine blocks only for other marques. Thus OEC-Blackburn was born, which later became OEC. In 1930, their engineer Fred Wood designed the Duplex control system. A clever front fork that would greatly improve steering and handling. Hence the slogan "The Modern Motorcycle". The concours joked that OEC stood for "Odd Engineering Contraptions". This frame was used for all their models from 350cc to 1000cc. OEC is also the company that built Claude Temple frames by Temple that were used by all major marques in their attempts at speed records.

This rare OEC 750cc JAP side-valve is from 1932 and was first registered in 1934 in Ostend.

The engine was restored in the 1980s and the engine block went to the United Kingdom for a professional overhaul. It has since seen very little use. All looks good and original, but the motorcycle needs a thorough service and to be recommissioned.