AJS Big Port

This is likely to be the oldest dirt track bike which still exists.  It was made in 1926 and was used in Australia before speedway came to the UK in 1928.  If you have an earlier bike please get in touch.

Fay Taylor aboard her Douglas DT Speedways greatest ever lady rider

Fred Fearnley's Douglas dirt track model has bigger tyres that were available as an option.  The engine here has no protection. Not a good idea if you are about to take the bike onto a dirt track

Douglas-DT flat twin...... The "Leg Trailers" Favourite Bike.  All the weight of this bike was at the bottom just a few inches from the ground due to its engine layout. The bike was prone to crazy angles on the corners because of it's low centre of gravity created by the engine configuration and also the extra length needed between the wheels to accommodate the engine.  Riders of above average height had no option other than to throw their left foot backwards on the bends and Leg trailing became common because of all the Dougies in use on our tracks.

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Royal Enfield with a JAP engine and below a Glanfield Rudge.  Just 2 of the British Bike makers trying out their machines for speedway.

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The Americans were also running speedway in the late 1920's early 1930's.  Harley Davidson and Indian were producing suitable bikes for speedway.

Harley Davidson

A description of the above bike has been received from Neale Gentner: -

The V twin Harley on your site is an 8 valve, 1000cc from 1923, pre speedway, it is a mile and half mile (horse track) racer, I believe the bike on your site is the ex Tom Benstead, ex Jack Turner, ex Lionel (AKA Les) van Pragg, ex Charlie Ogden, now owned by Bill MacNamara of Sydney, Australia, this bike was raced on Australian and British Speedways with many other motors fitted, eg OHC AJS, OHV ARIEL & NORTON. This machine, in it's various guises, appears in quite a few early editions of "Speedway News". I believe it is presently being offered for sale.

Neale

 

The 1934 Harley. has anyone any details of a later Harley Davidson built for speedway?

Frank Brookland from Invercargill in New Zealand has been in touch. The picture below is of his 1928 Harley which has just been restored.

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In 1931 a British engine maker go involved.  He was John Alfred Prestwich whose initials were J.A.P.  JAP began by supplying 500cc single cylinder engines for fitting into a variety of frames.  Then later they made the complete bike.  This more or less ended the challenge from other makers.  Douglas, Rudge etc.  A purpose made bike was always going to out perform converted machines.

John Alfred Prestwich (JAP), were arguably the best engine makers of them all? They were British, their factory was in Tottenham, London and they reigned supreme for many years from the 1920's until the end of the1960's.

The all British Jap in a mark 1Rotrax frame 1950's.  In my opinion this is the best looking bike of all time.  Can you disagree? Thought not. It is beautiful is it not?

Update: Rick Newlee from Arizona USA has been in touch, he says. I agree with your assessment of the MK1 Rotrax in chrome, as being the Worlds most Beautiful Speedway bike.  Ours always gets a great deal of attention and lots of comment and praise when shown.  My restoration of that bike was a labour of love.   Even Vic loved it when I sent him photos.

You did a great job on the bike Rick

Rick has his own website www.azspeedwaymuseum.com check it out.

Then along came the Czech built ESO and the Jawa

1951 ESO  

The eastern bloc Czech made bike that after a quiet start increased its sales at an alarming rate. Jap ignored the challenge like the rest of Britain's motorcycle industry at their peril.

The 2 Czech bike makers merged and the ESO name was lost as the new company retained the name Jawa

Jawa 890 first Jawa after they took over the E.S.O. company.

 Look out Jap you now have some serious competition..... Too late!! They didn't listen! and Jawa rules the roost in modern times.