I bought and sold a similar J Harrison X frame many years ago, so when I spotted this one for sale recently, I immediately knew its story. Though the frame is identical to a Centaur Featherweight X frame from the early 1900s, it was made by J. Harrison & Sons of Birmingham in the 1920s and 30s using the Centaur patent design, and as you can see here they sold it either as a frame – the ‘Model K’ – for a local shop to build up as they wanted, or fully fitted as The Britannic Featherweight Model K roadster. Simplex also used the same frame design in The Netherlands, suggesting the Centaur patent was available after the company’s demise. Humber bought the assets of Centaur, so perhaps they sold the licence for the Centaur patent frame?
This rare example was sold as a frame only, and built up by whichever shop supplied it at the time. It’s in very good all round condition and ready to ride.
View in the Online Bicycle Museum
BICYCLE COLLECTORS CURATED ONLINE AUCTION, Summer 2026
This Timed Auction is live. Highest bid wins.
NO BUYERS or SELLERS PREMIUM.
THE RESERVE IS THE START PRICE + BUY-IT-NOW OPTION.
INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY: NO PACKING FEES.
BIDDING INCREMENTS: Up to £1000 = £10. Over £1000 = £50. Over £2000 = £100
IT’S A CURATED AUCTION – Colin is the auctioneer and is available to chat to you personally during the auction (or before) by email, text message, phone call, Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp.
