Bikes 3

So many great old bikes. The problem is not which ones to include but which ones to leave out. Here are some amazing machines: -

These are ex Long Eaton Rider Pete Gay. Pete is now back in New Zealand and active within the sport. He is a referee (Boooo!)

Eastern Bloc ESO the bike that signalled the death knell for the British JAP. It wasn't any faster than the JAP but it was more reliable and could do more meetings that the JAP before needing servicing.

The ESO pictures courtesy of Rick I recommend that you visit his excellent site.

Swede Janne Dahlbergh with his Don Godden 4 valver, 4 valve engines have now become the norm

Excelsior made great frames and Jap great engines in the days when British was best

The F.I.S. In the mid 1950's the Poles built this bike. It is a blatant copy of the Jap and as imitation is the sincerest form of flattery Jap were probably not that concerned. In any case the Jap continued long after the Polish bike was discontinued. In modern times the Polish public are the greatest speedway fans in the world. Speedway needs Poland and the sport would welcome a Polish made bike again.

Frank Varey aboard his 1929 Scott. This bike was a 2-stroke and at that time Dirt Bikes had no silencing so the Scott must have been deafening at full throttle.

From Sweden The Husqvarna although it looks suspiciously like a JAP engine to me.

Hi John,
Also found this when I was going through my archives. Its one that I took at the opening meeting at Hackney in 1963, I think against New Cross. Its Norman Hunter's JAP in the pits at Hackney. I had gone there with Bobby Dugard.

Jim Blanchard

Jim sent this picture where he appears to be cutting the tread on Bobby Dugards bike so I asked him about the photo and about tread cutting.

This is me circa 1961/2. I worked after school for Ken Brett who was a tuner of the day. I would get taken to meetings to help in the pits by the various riders whose bikes he fettled. I was helping mostly Bobby Dugard and Split Waterman. I am just about to cut the tyre of Bob's bike and it is Splits just behind me. I am sure that the track is Ipswich. They both rode for Ipswich when New Cross closed with the National league in 61 I think.

Bobby later rode for New Cross in 1963, when they re-opened in the Provincial league. I travelled around with him quite a bit that year. I was only 14. I was also in the pits for the 1963 world final at Wembley looking after Splits bike which was a reserve bike for finalist Leo McAuliffe.

Best regards,

Jim Blanchard

Hi John,
Sadly, if my memory serves me well I did not cut the tyre and it was just posed and taken by Bobby. I was only about 12 at the time I think. All the riders use to cut the tyres then for most meetings. They would cut the square bits of tread pattern on the side at say 45 degrees and go deeper into the tyre giving more grip. The centre ones they would just cut groves across them. Then do the other side and change the wheel around when one side was worn out. They all had different ideas which was the best way though, and they would spend hours doing it and re-sharpening the knife etc.

No, I am almost positive its not allowed now for any meeting. In fact, Ove told me once that the only thing he can remember about the first Internationale at Harringay in 1961, (which he won) was the riders where not allowed to cut the tyres being a meeting held under FIM rules, or something along those lines I think. He was not very happy about it though.

Cheers

Jim

Ivan Mauger's gold plated bike. 1970 Jawa The bike was gold plated as a result of him winning the triple world crown! Ivan was world champion in 1968, 1969 and 1970, before his triumph in 1970 he was told that if he won a third world title on the trot his bike should be given the "golden" touch. He won it so the bike got the treatment.

This Jawa Ice Racer has never been anywhere near Tyneside despite the North East weather! But New Zealander Bruce Cribb did race around Brough Park on a bike like it, His 4 lap time was incredible but then again the spikes gave him a bit of an advantage. It was more like slot car or scalextrix but great to watch. Do you have his heat times then email me John

I am on the lookout for details of these bikes and pictures etc so get in touch if you have any. Jan.O.Dahlberg has been in touch. Have a look at Jan O's site for ice racing Ice Racing

This Crocker has been shoe-horned into a Rudge frame. It has been restored but the bike must date from the 1930's. It is another V twin so maybe it was never actually used on the speedways

If Ivan can have a Gold Bike then so can I! Ole Olsen's bike another Jawa 1971. Having seen both I would say Ole's is the nicer to look at

The most beautiful bike ever, Vic Ridgeons Rotrax Jap from the 50's when they knew how to chrome a bike!

Us old bikers will tell modern bike owners that Vincent was the Rolls Royce of the motorcycle world back in the 50's and 60's. Great pity that this machine couldn't compete on the speedway scene because it was a great British company.

This is a Speedway Velocette only 400cc so the company got it wrong it couldn't keep up with the 500's

Another view of the Chater-Lea Jap which was also know as the Copperknob! Very doubtful that these bikes were raced on speedway tracks but they do look the business.

Early riders had so many bikes to choose from and most of them were from local UK factories, so blowing an engine or wrecking a frame was probably not as expensive in the early days as it is now.

Weslake was another great British machine. They led the way for a while from the late 1970's until mid 1980's when the Italian GM and the Jawa took over.

This Weslake is in beautiful condition, it belongs to Philip Small. He recently emigrated to Canada and is continuing his passion for the sport over there. Your bike is spot on mate!

If you want to know more on the technical side visit Phil's website Phil's site and I am sure he would be pleased to get a few emails from old blighty.

It looks awesome. The shape of things to come? maybe not! Surely in a spill the silencer will take a hammering? I will ask Phil a few questions about this bike.

The Maely pictures courtesy of Rick I recommend that you visit his excellent site.

Love your site. Attached are some pics of a bike that was still in use up to 1979 here in NZ, basically it is a 49 Rotrax JAP which has been left in the condition it last raced. It still runs well, I can't believe it has as much power as it does for such an old bike. They were brave men. regards John Clegg.

Thanks John the bike looks superb. bring back the JAP