Vintage Albion 2-speed gearbox featuring casting number CXA 671. Albion Engineering of Birmingham supplied gearboxes to dozens of motorcycle manufacturers during the 1920s and 1930s, making their transmissions some of the most widely used “bought-in” components of the pre-war era. Because many smaller motorcycle companies did not produce their own transmissions, Albion gearboxes became the industry standard across Europe, appearing on dozens of different brands.

The CXA 671 casting belongs to the Albion “Midget” or “C-Type” family of gearboxes, compact hand-shifted units designed for lightweight motorcycles and small displacement machines. These transmissions were commonly used with Villiers-powered two-stroke engines and lightweight pressed-steel or tubular frame motorcycles

FITS:

The Albion CXA-series gearbox was used by numerous lightweight motorcycle manufacturers that sourced transmissions from Albion.

Primary Motorcycle Brands

• Francis-Barnett – Used on early lightweight models including the Zarabout and early 147cc / 172cc machines (Models 1–4).
• James – Common on lightweight two-strokes and utility models such as the Greyhound.
• Sun – Often paired with Villiers-powered Sun lightweights.
• Royal Enfield – Early small displacement models (approx. 200cc–250cc) occasionally used Albion gearboxes before Enfield standardized their own.
• Coventry-Eagle – Seen on machines like the Silent Super and other Villiers-powered lightweights.
• Excelsior – Used on models within the lightweight Pioneer range.

Additional Manufacturers

Albion transmissions were widely adopted across the motorcycle industry, and similar units can also be found on:

• DOT, Cotton, and OK-Supreme lightweight racing and utility models
• Radco, Rex-Acme, and Raynal motorcycles
• Monet-Goyon (France) lightweight “Motocyclettes” using imported Albion components
• Early Velocette / Veloce two-stroke models before the company standardized its own gearbox designs

Because these transmissions were supplied to many manufacturers, buyers should verify mounting bolt patterns, shaft diameters, and sprocket alignment for their specific motorcycle.

CONDITION:
Used vintage condition with heavy natural patina consistent with age. Great shape overall. The casting appears solid with no visible cracks or major impact damage. Would benefit from a full teardown, inspection, and lubrication before use. External hardware shows expected oxidation from age and storage. The shift linkage point remains intact.

I do my best to describe everything accurately, but I don’t know every single detail for every year and model. Please double-check the part numbers, look closely at the photos, and verify the dimensions to make sure this is exactly what you need for your specific application. 

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No refunds. Item as-is. What’s pictured is what’s included. Please view photos and inspect as well.

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No refunds. Item as-is.

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