First time out: Norton Manx 350

Based around a 1954 chassis and a later '59 350cc engine, the Manx is in near standard form apart from the modern silencer helping it pass strict noise regulations at many smaller race tracks.

The bike will run at Cadwell Park next week in a non-competitive track day in preparation for the Biker's Classic event at Spa Francorchamps in Belgium on July 1st.

With help from Andy Savage the machine now runs very well and should provide a keen novice rider with a few thrills around the hopefully sunny Lincolnshire 'mini-Nurburgring'. If all goes well this season, a possible belt primary drive and 5/6 speed conversion could be on the cards for next year.

As it's my first time riding the Manx in (relative) anger I have also booked some valuable tuition provided by Club MSV at Cadwell to help me with racing lines and to spot any areas of my riding showing room for improvement.

The full report from Cadwell will follow.

Pembrey British Historic Racing

These shots were taken at the recent BHR Pembrey event on Saturday 21st May. Highlights for me include Merv Stratford's race winning works engined Rudge 250 and a very trick Manx. Of the two races I entered on board the NSU 250 Sportmax Replica the first was my very first ACU road race- one to remember!

Merv Stratford's famous four valve head Rudge 250.

In the search for more power, this expansion chamber was no doubt the result of countless trial and error.

A very trick Manx. This machine had a new five speed box and a clever torque-arm system. Who knows what's inside..

I raced against this Greeves two stroke. Well sorted and quick off the line.

Norton Flat Tanker

More details of the side-valve flat tanker, coming soon..

VIDEO: The Vincent Black Falcon

Behold the "75bhp Swiss watch" Black Falcon by Falcon Motorcycles.

"The Black Falcon is the third motorcycle in the Concept 10 series from LA-based Falcon Motorcycles. Built off the 1,000 cc V-twin engine of a 1952 Vincent Black Shadow, the Black Falcon took a year to build. Almost everything, except the engine, is handmade. The Black Falcon is the third motorcycle in the Concept 10 series from LA-based Falcon Motorcycles. Built off the 1,000 cc V-twin engine of a 1952 Vincent Black Shadow, the Black Falcon took a year to build. Almost everything, except the engine, is handmade." Los Angeles Times YouTube channel.

Fore more info, specs and images of this incredible 140+mph ex drag-racing machine visit Bike Exif

1926 Harley Davidson 1200c OHV Model J

Sold by Bonhams Auctioneers at the Hendon RAF Museum in 2010 was this angry looking 1926 Harley Davidson 1200c (74ci) OHV Model J racer.

I recently stumbled across  several images I took of the machine and just had to post them again.

Every part of the motorcycle had been tweaked in the search for more speed, the finish displaying an aged patina that only added to the appeal. Wearing number boards from a relatively recent event, I can only presume the bike runs very well.

Converted to OHV at some point during it's 85 year life, the Harley had straight through pipes, cheese-holed everything and a bum seat that resembled a kind of hernial ballooning! Fitting for a 85 year old machine capable of well over 100 mph.

Ideal as a vintage sprint and display bike, it sold, including taxes for £29,900.

Super Cafe Racer by Taimoshan

The challenge to create the best looking, fastest, most purposeful cafe racer is a long and winding road. There are many subjective variables that need to be addressed but I feel there are several ingredients that are as simple as black and white, or should it be red and silver? See what I mean..

Firstly the frame. Norton featherbed. It just has to be in my opinion. The second most important pieces in the puzzle are the seat unit and tank. Again, they have to resemble original Manx items. Thirdly, clip-ons and rear sets. Beauty certainly is in the eye of the beholder but to achieve the desired 'look', proportion, stance-angle, sound and performance all require careful consideration.

Finally the engine, the heart of any motorcycle. Should it be a Norton pushrod single? Harley pushrod? Vincent V-Twin? BSA Gold Star? Yamaha XS? Suzuki GSXR? or the old faithful Triumph Twin? Obviously some options provide more logistical challenges than others but what lump made over the last 50 years would create the epitome of a cafe racer? And slot into the bay of a featherbed frame?

Cardiff based bike builders Taimoshan believe Aprilia have the answer. The Super Cafe Racer is a Norton featherbed cradling a 1000cc Aprilia RSV motor.

The quality of the work appears to be extremely high. The time and effort put into the rear suspension and unit pro link set-up is remarkable. The rear monoshock has no top mounting point on the frame in order to prevent frame flex which can disrupt handling.



The wiring loom, fuel pump, ignition, full engine management computer and throttle bodies all sit 'in tank' under the Manx style unit.

For more information visit the Taimoshan Cycle Works site.

Laxey Woollen Mills & Fottofinder Bikesport Archives Exhibition

Every year at the Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix, enthusiasts Bill Snelling and Fred Pidcock host a photo exhibition at the Laxey Woollen Mills displaying a selection of the 250,000 motorcycle racing images which make up the Fottofinder Bikesport Archives.

Admission is free but the hosts will be collecting for the Manx Grand Prix Supporters Club Helicopter Fund. If you're off to the Island this year why not pop in, take a look back in time and help a great cause.

For more information visit Fottofinders.co.uk. Alternatively, if reading is more your thing, Bill's excellent book shop can be found at Manxshop.com

1951 Vincent Grey Flash Replica - Bonhams at Stafford

Based on a Series C Comet 500 single, a striking Grey Flash replica is for sale as part of the Bonhams Motorcycle auction at Staffordshire County Showground on 24 April 2011.

Originally capable of 115mph the racing trim Grey Flash was a formidable and rare racer- only 31 were ever produced. With an output of 35bhp at 6200rpm the works machines never won a TT race but did take several victories on the continent and famously at gave Geoff Duke's Norton a scare at Thruxton with John Surtees at the helm.

This particular Grey Flash Replica is complete with rear cantilever suspension, Girdraulic front forks and would make an excellent period race machine. It carries a pre-sale estimate of £8,000- £12,000.

Mallory Park VMCC - In the paddock

A selection of some of the tastier motorcycles spotted on the lunch break around the paddock at the VMCC test day. Look out for the rare Godet Vincent and Mularney 4 valve Manx..

Mallory Park VMCC test day - 8th April 2011

Some very sunny images of the recent test day at Mallory Park with NSU 250 Sportmax Replica and 500 ES2 'Green Meanie'. The fantastic weather and brand new surface at Mallory provided the perfect opportunity to put some miles on both machines in preparation for my inaugural race later in the season.

The nimble, lightweight NSU proved itself as an extremely capable track machine, (hopefully like the rider in the near future) diving into turns and remaining very stable at higher speeds. Wearing new Avon Roadrider track tyres the strong little 250 was very stable under braking and encouraged ever higher cornering speeds as my knowledge of the track improved.

There were all sizes and ages of machines present, including this pre-war Velocette 350 I'm chasing into Edwine's.

This shiny beast was built by the very highly skilled Mike Pemberton of Pushrod Performance. Beginning with a 1960 Norton 99 Dominator frame, the bike uses a 350 crank, short stroked with an alloy 500 barrel. Combined with belt primary drive, a rather special piston and you have quite unique machine. Nick-named the Green Meanie (a drop of green paint was used to achieve the frame colour), I see it as something of a streetfighter from the 60s...

On board G50 at the TT course

Brilliant video of a very quick lap of the TT course on board a sorted Matchless G50. It must take some work to make them go this fast.

TT3D Closer to the edge - The official trailer

A new 3D film telling the incredible story of the Isle of Man TT is about to be released. Featuring many of the current superstars including Ian Hutchinson, Guy Martin, Conor Cummins and Michael Dunlop, do you need any more encouragement to get yourself to the cinema from 22 April?