Cotton 1937 Model 29/J 349 cc 1 cyl OHV JAP 3603

Cotton 1937 “Model 29/J” 349 cc OHV JAP two-port frame # 15114 engine # IOS F3910 /SE

The Gloucester-based Cotton factory was one of many small manufacturers that used proprietary engines in the years between the first en second world wars. But there was something quite special about the Cotton, that made it much more successful than most other small makes: its frame. The frame that Frank Willoughby Cotton designed around 1914 was of triangulated construction, very light and exceptionally strong. Cotton was studying law at the time, but after WWI he decided to become a motorcycle manufacturer. In 1922 Cotton entered three machines for the Junior TT; an unknown young Irishman by the name of Stanley Woods rode his Cotton to an impressive 5th place, despite a number of alarming mishaps during the race such as the machine and rider catching fire during refuelling!
The next year Woods rode again for Cotton and he scored his first of 10 TT victories, being only 19 years old. Cotton had proved the very good roadholding and cornering qualities of his bikes and the make was to win many more races. Most racing successes were achieved with the fast and reliable Blackburne engines. In the years after WWII Cotton left the triangulated frame principle and scored successes in moto-cross and road racing.

The 1936 range consisted of no less than 17 models with single cylinder engines from JAP, Blackburne and Villiers in capacities from 150 cc to 596 cc. Some models had dry sump lubrication, others total loss. Throughout the thirties only minor changes were made to the general appearance of the Cottons.

Ourt Model 29 has a 70 x 90 mm bore x stroke two-port JAP engine. The F letter code refers to model year 1937; JAP started the new model year in September. The machine has been well restored and comes with Miller headlight, Bosch magdyno, Burman gearbox, high-level exhausts and bum pad.

A detailed photo report (approx. 30 photos) is available for every motorcycle on our website, which we send upon request.