Vintage Brit SuperThread!

[Bendernz]

Originally Posted by Rich B

Bendernz sez:

"Bet you don't know what this is..... below"

It is a replica of the BSA MC1 racer (never raced) built in NZ using a GS engine that is reduced to 250 cc. The original in in Sammy Miller's museum.....

So what did I win?

A smartarse award? Musta cheated... But you are right, created by a mechanical genius called Donald Lowe from Dannevirke here in NZ. He's created a number of unusual machines.

Well done that man.

[roadholder]

Yikes, even these are 30 years old now!

[caponerd]

I remember when they brought those out.

Lord Hesketh's attempt at reviving the industry.

I'm not surprised they failed. Expensive, and not all that good looking. Too contrived compared with the Triumphs, Nortons, etc. that came before.

[ricochetrider]

Originally Posted by caponerd

I remember when they brought those out.

Lord Hesketh's attempt at reviving the industry.

I'm not surprised they failed. Expensive, and not all that good looking. Too contrived compared with the Triumphs, Nortons, etc. that came before.

I saw a Hesketh at the Barber Museum. It's black, if I remember it correctly. I recall some small discussion about them a few years ago on the BritBIke site, but don't know anything about these bikes.

[roadholder]

Originally Posted by caponerd

I'm not surprised they failed. Expensive, and not all that good looking.

Yes, interesting in some ways but hardly cutting age for the period (and the money)...being introduced when air-cooled twin shock sportbikes were on their way out.

[2manyrides]

Originally Posted by 22manyrides

Maybe some else can help...

Here we have two B50 heads grafted onto...
(something else)
And it is or is in a norton (of some kind) frame?

[Reryder]

Originally Posted by 22manyrides

Maybe some else can help...

Here we have two B50 heads grafted onto...
(something else)
And it is or is in a norton (of some kind) frame?

Well I know it is a Norton slimline Featherbed frame, tins and running gear, including gearbox.
But +1 on WTF is that bottom end? Homemade? Speedway special? Clewstroker prototype?
Certainly a one of a kind, whatever it is.

[ricochetrider]

Originally Posted by Reryder

Well I know it is a Norton slimline Featherbed frame, tins and running gear, including gearbox.
But +1 on WTF is that bottom end? Homemade? Speedway special? Clewstroker prototype?
Certainly a one of a kind, whatever it is.

It sure looks like it's had the proper piss ridden out of it- whatever it is! Nice patina.

[Thumpermeister]

"Noriel" Square Four. Another interesting hybrid.

[Rob Farmer]

Originally Posted by caponerd

I'm not surprised they failed. Expensive, and not all that good looking. Too contrived compared with the Triumphs, Nortons, etc. that came before.

Still available new if you want one http://www.broom.engineering.btinternet.co.uk/

A friend of mine was a test rider at MIRA and spent hours testing the Heskeths when they were being developed. Apparently they parked up the bikes on launch day only to have one of them dump it's engine oil during the launch photoshoot. The problem was down to materials with different heat coefficients. sorted out years ago. They are a very usable machine if you have the money. All a bit desperate and home made for my liking though.

[2manyrides]

Originally Posted by ricochetrider

It sure looks like it's had the proper piss ridden out of it- whatever it is! Nice patina.

I like the "fused" two into one and rusted muffler

[Reryder]

Originally Posted by 22manyrides

Apparently the engine was developed as a prototype by a professional designer and pitched to Triumph in 1977, who said, "Nah, no future in big v-twins"

Few scant details here, showing also some more pics, very nice Commando primary on the other side.
http://www.b50.org/vtwin.htm

And a great mag article on the mad genius who made it in his garage here
http://www.diagnosis2012.co.uk/v-twi...april-1978.pdf


.

[2manyrides]

Thanks for posting these!

I read them with relish

[ricochetrider]

Yeah nice read there.
Cool stuff.

[johnny moped]