That one on Bikeexif is sweet.
Dunstall Drainpipe: A rare Norton resurfaces in the USA
Modern race bikes are shiny, perfect things: they have the air of being extruded from 3D printers in a hermetically sealed laboratory. But in days of yore, the typical racer was usually a little battered and bruised, with unique welding marks and bodged-up brackets and bodywork. We have to admit...www.bikeexif.com
a friend has a sweat shirt with “swallow my pride “ on it. Depending how the folds in cloth lie, it can say “wallow my ride”.... but that won’t be happening with that bike!
Beautiful bike! Looks like it goes well.
How durable is this design known to be? The lack of cross bracing or gussets in the headstock and swingarm pivot area are remarkable. Even the Seeley mk3 and 4 have more bracing.
What a fabulous bike. I've mentioned before that I took a Drainpipe to the Stafford show in 2004. Later Rob sold it to the National Motorcycle Museum. Narrowest bike I have ever sat on. At Stafford I met a man who raced one with the CRMC, something I never knew. No oil problems with the drain pipe. Love to see that racing. Especially if I ever manage to get to Aintree! At Mallory Ray had a cuppa with Rob & said "that's my bike I loved it!" Signed the tank for him.
The Seeleys were famous for directly tying the headstock swingarm pivot, held in stiff box sections, where as the Drainpipe has a much more circuitous route from headstock to swingarm pivot tube, which is a relatively cantilevered spindly thing.Yeah but Seeley’s don't have the huge spine. I think that’s designed to take the load instead of bracing.
Yes it is very interesting that there were different approaches. Especially in the 50s and 60s, and into the 70s, there were LOTS of different frame makers and many different approaches.The Seeleys were famous for directly tying the headstock swingarm pivot, held in stiff box sections, where as the Drainpipe has a much more circuitous route from headstock to swingarm pivot tube, which is a relatively cantilevered spindly thing.
I mean, if it gets 'round the track good and fast and doesn't break, then that's all that matters, but it's interesting to see what's held in high regard next to something else held in high regard for seemingly the same reasons, but quite dissimilar in design.
Still can't decide which I'd rather have based on looks alone though!