Diesel-engined motorcycles have been relatively few, and those that have appeared have usually been one-offs built by their enthusiastic owners using engines designed for powering boats, pumps or electric generators. This example is one of a series of such machines inspired by diesel-bike pioneer, Ernie Dorsett, and built in the 1990s. Manufactured by R-B developments of Brixworth, Northamptonshire, it uses the Fuji Robin diesel engine and rolling chassis supplied by Bavanar Ltd, at that time the UK Enfield importer. An all-alloy, air-cooled single, the 412cc Robin produced a maximum of 8.5bhp at a leisurely 3,600rpm and came equipped with electric starting. An amazing 200mpg was claimed, making it theoretically possible to travel from London to Edinburgh - and back - on a single tank full. Top speed? We are advised that this example has seen 55mph on the clock, going downhill... !

Robert first saw a Robin on the Isle of Man being ridden by an elderly pipe-smoking gentleman who said it slowed his life down. The following year, Robert ordered one from the manufacturer at Motorcycle World, Beaulieu. 'P368 HNV' was used on the Isle of Man for a while and was last taxed to the end of April 2010, by which time it had covered circa 3,600 kilometres. The machine is offered with old/current V5/V5C documents, three expired MoTs, and the original purchase invoice.