The Belgium company ‘La Fabrique Nationale d’Armes de Guerre’ came into being in 1899 and was confined to the production of arms from a factory in Herstal until 1901 when it produced a motorised bicycle.

This was very advanced for the day and in 1902 they transformed this into their first motorcycle.

Ever innovative, they were one of the few companies bold enough to manufacture and sell four cylinder machines and this is arguably what they are best remembered for today, although production of this configuration ceased in 1926.

Shaft drive is another feature associated with FN but surprisingly chain drive was to become their favoured option.

The single cylinder version of their machine was in effect and by appearance a quarter of the four-cylinder, the latter achieved by the multiplication of the single cylinder to suit the new format whilst still adhering to the same design principles.

This actual machine is powered by a single cylinder, air-cooled 285cc four-stroke engine with an...