Description
Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
Founded in Glouchester, England, by Frank Willoughby Cotton in 1918, the Cotton Motor Company produced small displacement bikes for trails, hill climbs, and TT races before WWII caused the factory to switch to engineering production. Picking up motorcycle production after the war, Cotton first released the Trials model in 1956 powered by a Villiers 197cc 9E engine.
The 197cc was joined by a 247cc version in 1961. In 1968 Villiers ceased proprietary engine production which hurt many European manufacturers including Cotton. The company persevered with a variety of motorcycles and three-wheel work trucks using Minarelli and Rotax engines before ceasing operations in the 1980s.
This example is VIN: TC158; Engine: 607D3596. The seller purchased the bike earlier this year from his cousin and states, “it was a very close example of a Cotton a best friend’s father had and taught me to ride at 14. Good memories.”
There is no odometer, true mileage unknown.
Maintenance:
Per the seller, “New tires and tubes. Compression release cable installed. New foot pegs. The gearbox is weeping a little and the so is the petcock.”
Modifications:
“The bike doesn’t have the original exhaust pipe.”
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on IRC Trials tires with date codes of 2622 and 4222.
There are no keys, the bike is kick start only.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Scotts Valley, California, this Cotton is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any Trails stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
