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Ref Facebook and the Manx oil in frame / big tube frames - that was me who posted the photos.There are two frames;-One frame is a replica fitted with a 1955 500 engine. The lower tube on the drive side of the engine is tucked in to allow the fitment of an outside flywheel Manx 350. Origin of this frame is unknown but I’d stake a big clock on it being made by Ken perhaps 15 years ago.The other frame is one of 3 frames commissioned by Duke from Reynolds and is a Sprayson made frame. Rather than have a lower tube on the drive side it has a plate which is lightly scalloped (see period photo further up this thread).The main advantage with these frames is weight saving. The oil in frame chassis weighs 12.4kg and is pounds lighter than a late Manx frame plus you still have to add an oil tank and platform to the featherbed. The Earls forks represent a huge weight saving too. I believe Dukes lightweight 350 tipped the scales around 270lbs whereas an over the counter Manx tipped the scales at 320!I now own the Duke frame and intend to rebuild it to 55/6 spec with leading link forks which I also have, Manx engine and laydown box. The front brake will be 7r as original and Manx rear hub (in 55 the bike used a works type rear hub but this was swapped for a normal type with floating brake plate again I have all this stuff. The chassis, forks, engine etc was purchased from Roger Bowring who raced it in the late 50’s and into the 60’s with Manx engine initially and later with a triumph twin engine. If I get a notion (and win the lottery) I’ll put together an outside flywheel 350.
Ref Facebook and the Manx oil in frame / big tube frames - that was me who posted the photos.
There are two frames;-
One frame is a replica fitted with a 1955 500 engine. The lower tube on the drive side of the engine is tucked in to allow the fitment of an outside flywheel Manx 350. Origin of this frame is unknown but I’d stake a big clock on it being made by Ken perhaps 15 years ago.
The other frame is one of 3 frames commissioned by Duke from Reynolds and is a Sprayson made frame. Rather than have a lower tube on the drive side it has a plate which is lightly scalloped (see period photo further up this thread).
The main advantage with these frames is weight saving. The oil in frame chassis weighs 12.4kg and is pounds lighter than a late Manx frame plus you still have to add an oil tank and platform to the featherbed. The Earls forks represent a huge weight saving too. I believe Dukes lightweight 350 tipped the scales around 270lbs whereas an over the counter Manx tipped the scales at 320!
I now own the Duke frame and intend to rebuild it to 55/6 spec with leading link forks which I also have, Manx engine and laydown box. The front brake will be 7r as original and Manx rear hub (in 55 the bike used a works type rear hub but this was swapped for a normal type with floating brake plate again I have all this stuff. The chassis, forks, engine etc was purchased from Roger Bowring who raced it in the late 50’s and into the 60’s with Manx engine initially and later with a triumph twin engine. If I get a notion (and win the lottery) I’ll put together an outside flywheel 350.
