I wouldn't like to guess how many Bullock motorcycles were made, but there are few survivors. In fact other than my own 2 3/4, this 4 hp Bullock Precision is the only complete machine that I know of.
Restored in Adelaide in the 1960s but now residing in interstate, the bike uses the "Big 4" Precision motor and an Armstrong 3-speed hub gear. An interesting feature is the hand starter fitted adjacent to the rear wheel; the plan being to spin the motor over via the rear wheel and belt while the machine is on the stand. It makes good sense here, with a clutch and gears to get underway, but a similar device is fitted to my De Luxe even though it is a single speed clutchless model. At least you could warm the motor up on the stand before the first "run and jump" of the day.
Despite the 1910 date on the front number plate, I'd guess at a date closer to 1915. Unlike my smaller machine that uses a lightweight Sun frame set, this machine uses A.G. Healing-built running gear, including their "Peerless" front fork. This fork, the enclosed Bosch magneto, the Brown and Barlow carburettor, Best and Lloyd drip-feed oiler and the Precision engine number all seem consistent with 1915 manufacture. In all likelihood, the machine was sourced complete from Healings, who marketed their version as the Precision Big Four but supplied similar machines to small concerns all over the country. This Bullock, and a similar surviving Mostyn are two beautiful reminders of the early days of "badge engineering" of Healing Precisions; postwar my Blue Bird was a badge-engineered Healing JAP. Home | Leon's Motorcycles | Australian motorcycles | Miscellany | Buy swap and sell | Links |
