New 50 year old race project

Staytite · Dec 4, 2022

I was a bit surprised to see this at Kempton yesterday.
Thought perhaps Chris was picking it up

It had Croxford written on the seat tail on the other side.

mean gene · Dec 4, 2022

Love the bike, so seldom see by us yanks. But looks like a complex over engineered rear break "system".

Chris · Dec 4, 2022

Staytite
I took a few photos of that bike.
Gene I always thought that rear wheel was a brilliant endurance design. Rear wheel removal leaving everything else in place.
There were some great bikes there.
Spent a lot of time chatting to the new owner of misfit a classic sprinter.

Chris · Dec 5, 2022

Well things have taken a turn lol as I may have traced the original Mick Grant bike! Ive asked if I can post the pbotographs I was sent on here, hopefully if I can I will tommorrow. It seems I am not alone as I have traced 3 more bikes & been told another one was altered & a Konig engine fitted!

Chris · Dec 6, 2022

Chris · Dec 6, 2022

Well the green bike is! Believed to be Mick Grants & no your eyes dont decieve you but yes that is bike number 2 in the background. The owner has had them stored since they were last used in the mid eightys. Supposedly the Grant bike is in a very poor condition.

Chris · Dec 6, 2022

The other bike was the Rutherford sponsored bike ridden by Bob Steele.
Im going to try & contact Fred Broadbent as I thought he had the second bike.

Chris · Dec 6, 2022

There is more 😂
Another frame was altered to take a Konig engine.
I have another photo!

t ingermanson · Dec 6, 2022

Chris said:
View attachment 101840 View attachment 101841 View attachment 101842

I used to think a Seeley Mk2 was the best looking Commando iteration. I was wrong. Those bikes are really something else.

Rethinking my life choices right now.

Chris · Dec 17, 2022

So this is where I am at!
My project as per the photo

Chris · Dec 17, 2022

The engine is from a racebike 750cc spec unknown.
The 5 speed Quaife is fully rebuilt
Front end will be Commando length forks as the headstock length is longer than the Featherbed & used a special Jim Lee cast iron dropped down top yoke. I have a Norvil front end caliper & disc. The rear wheel is a Triumph conical which I have a Don Pender finned job to make it look like the Manx rear wheel it should be. The tank has patina ie it's well dinged.
The rubber mounts for the engine are actually featherbed swinging arm bushes.
When I strip the frame I probably wont find any clues as Jim didnt number his frames but it is a well worn warhorse. I've made no progress with finding any history on this frame
However
I have through a lovely gentleman called John, traced the whereabouts of the Mick Grant Jim Lee Commando. It is the green bike in the earlier Photo. John says it hasn't been on track since the 80s & is in poor condition. The bike went from Mick to Eric Houston (April 72) then via Alan Duffus, Jack Gow & Stuart Adam's to the current owner.

Chris · Dec 17, 2022

Chris · Dec 17, 2022

Nice photograph by Bob Bruce of the Rutherford sponsored bike ridden by Bobby Steele. This bike is in Edinburgh. Fred Broadbent says he asked him for measurements ie front wheel spindle to front engine mount to headstock. Seemed to think there was a difference compared to Fred's. Jack Gow next to him.

Chris · Dec 17, 2022

Another Bob Bruce photograph of Mick Grant's bike at Silouth in 1971

Chris · Dec 17, 2022

I found this photograph & I have no details on who the photographer was!
However looking at the photograph I believe that is Mick Grant on the Fred Broadbent bike, with his old open face before he went to the full face with the Jim Lee logo

Saber · Dec 18, 2022

Chris said:
Nice photograph by Bob Bruce of the Rutherford sponsored bike ridden by Bobby Steele. This bike is in Edinburgh. Fred Broadbent says he asked him for measurements ie front wheel spindle to front engine mount to headstock. Seemed to think there was a difference compared to Fred's. Jack Gow next

Chris said:

Nice photograph by Bob Bruce of the Rutherford sponsored bike ridden by Bobby Steele. This bike is in Edinburgh. Fred Broadbent says he asked him for measurements ie front wheel spindle to front engine mount to headstock. Seemed to think there was a difference compared to Fred's. Jack Gow next to him. View attachment 102134

Click to expand...

Is that an extra left leg hanging off the side of the bike?

Saber · Dec 18, 2022

If its not a leg, what is it??

Chris · Dec 18, 2022

Saber
Lol
The days of bump starting! Sidesaddle was something I could never do! To old now thank God for clutch starts.

grandpaul · Dec 18, 2022

Saber said:
If its not a leg, what is it?? View attachment 102145

Three legged rider. That middle leg had to go on one side or t'other...

Mark Savage · Dec 18, 2022

...perhaps it's Jake?