Intresting 920 racer - 290 lbs

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I think it was original....not much demand for Drainpipe replicas when at the time you could have a Rickman/Seeley/Lowboy amongst others off the shelf
Indeed, Bob was the only person who ever suggested to me that there was a 'copy' made at all! Though I saw Parovani's Quest, but it wasn't referred to as a Dunstall copy, I understood there were a couple more made. Gordon Russell should know.

There were plenty of original Seeley frames around for those who wanted them, even if sort of at the end of the initial production phases. I am sure you know when Seeley stopped frame production, I can't remember.

Rickman was still producing, albeit no longer favoured by most, in very small batches to order. Mine was from the last batch of 5 frames for a Norton twin in October '75 (Atlas config).
 
Indeed, Bob was the only person who ever suggested to me that there was a 'copy' made at all! Though I saw Parovani's Quest, but it wasn't referred to as a Dunstall copy, I understood there were a couple more made. Gordon Russell should know.

There were plenty of original Seeley frames around for those who wanted them, even if sort of at the end of the initial production phases. I am sure you know when Seeley stopped frame production, I can't remember.

Rickman was still producing, albeit no longer favoured by most, in very small batches to order. Mine was from the last batch of 5 frames for a Norton twin in October '75 (Atlas config).

Yes, genuine Seeleys were available, even after Seeley closed shop. Fred Rileys Mk4 was made specially after they had ceased official manufacture, as verified by Colin himself when I asked him about the frame. He said it was the last official Seeley , specially commissioned for Fred, but in the 80's when Steve was racing that drainpipe, new Seeley (replicas) were available from Barber, KSS, and "official" ones from Roger, there were also Simpson/Laurie (similar to Mk4 Seeley) and Kerby versions available.

Redferns were available too

Pat French was still making Metisse ones, I'm sure Spondon would have obliged if approached for one of theirs, so trying to replicate a Drainpipe would probbaly have been for some masochistic reason
 
My Mk3 is genuine. I believe they were the lightest frame. Jerry Kooistra had Bill Horseman riding his Mk3 G50 in historic races for a few years back in the 80s and 90s.. Bill was very successful, but he wa sa much better rider than most. He told me he could feel the front of the Mk3 wandering when he pushed it hard. But they had the bolt in ladder in front of the motor. I use the piece of gussetted chrome-moly push-bike tube. I never feel my frame flex. But I don't use extreme angles of lean.
 
My Mk3 is genuine. I believe they were the lightest frame. Jerry Kooistra had Bill Horseman riding his Mk3 G50 in historic races for a few years back in the 80s and 90s.. Bill was very successful, but he wa sa much better rider than most. He told me he could feel the front of the Mk3 wandering when he pushed it hard. But they had the bolt in ladder in front of the motor. I use the piece of gussetted chrome-moly push-bike tube. I never feel my frame flex. But I don't use extreme angles of lean.

You won't flex it in the garage, or your local carpark

A proper track where you might go over 100mph and have to brake hard could tell a different story
 
Yes, genuine Seeleys were available, even after Seeley closed shop. Fred Rileys Mk4 was made specially after they had ceased official manufacture, as verified by Colin himself when I asked him about the frame. He said it was the last official Seeley , specially commissioned for Fred, but in the 80's when Steve was racing that drainpipe, new Seeley (replicas) were available from Barber, KSS, and "official" ones from Roger, there were also Simpson/Laurie (similar to Mk4 Seeley) and Kerby versions available.

Redferns were available too

Pat French was still making Metisse ones, I'm sure Spondon would have obliged if approached for one of theirs, so trying to replicate a Drainpipe would probbaly have been for some masochistic reason
Add in Vendetta frames from John Caffrey?
 
Throw in a vertical rear shock with suspension link and you'd have the cleanest Norton ever.
 
Add in Vendetta frames from John Caffrey?

Yes, they were officially approved by Colin too. I'm sure there were others along the way who made them too.... there was a company in Edenbridge whose name escapes me, they mostly did off road frames, but made a few Seeley replicas too
 
I just found out who started all this bike lifting!

1606072433978.jpeg
 
Since we're talking about the frame builders from back in the day, perhaps someone might know the answer to who made my Mk 4?
It's ex Frank Rutter 750 Commando with a prefix MK4WWExxxxW.


 
I recall an article in Bike magazine in the mid 70's, where Alistair Laurie is pictured doing exactly the same, but with a Trident......
That would be one of the very lightweight Trident's he built!

He did several.
 
That would be one of the very lightweight Trident's he built!

He did several.
Yes, do you recall what weight he eventually ended up with? A fantastic bike, I saw one of his creations at the IoM in the early 80's. Porn on two wheels, really... :)
 
Yes, do you recall what weight he eventually ended up with? A fantastic bike, I saw one of his creations at the IoM in the early 80's. Porn on two wheels, really... :)
Intresting 920 racer - 290 lbs

I took this on Douglas Prom on the IOM in 1978
 
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I once rode a standard Triumph Trident. It did a wheelie at almost walking pace. The weight distribution must have been strange.
 
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