Central Classics Houten 2017

Kreidler 50cc racing engine, seen at the Central Classics a large motorcycle jumble in Houten the Netherlands.
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Central Classics Houten 2017

Ex Paul Hanson Barton Phoenix sidecar

Ex Paul Hanson 1980 Barton Phoenix 750cc Racing Sidecar Outfit

'During 1996 the Phoenix number 2 engine reappeared in the hands of Manchester sidecar racer Paul Hanson. Housed in a Derbyshire kneeler chassis the Phoenix was raced at a Forgotten Era meeting at Barkston Heath, after initially being outlawed on the grounds that it was too fast.' – Mick Walker & Rob Carrick, 'British Performance Two-strokes'.

This racing sidecar outfit was built in 1980 by its sole owner, Paul Hanson, utilising a new Barton Phoenix 750cc engine and a Derbyshire chassis. The Phoenix engines were produced in very small numbers, estimates varying between five and eight examples of the 750cc motor manufactured. Barton had been founded by engineers Barry Hart and Tony Ryan, and made its first impact on the racing scene with a three-cylinder water-cooled '500' based on the Suzuki GT380 bottom end. Ridden by Martin Sharpe, a Spondon-framed, Barton-engined 'Sparton' won the 1976 North West 200 with similarly-mounted Frank Kennedy in 2nd place, while the previous year Sharpe's bike had proved as fast as the works Kawasakis at the Isle of Man TT. The switch to a square-four engine came about after Barry Sheene asked Hart to convert an RG500 engine to 650cc, something the factory said could not be done. Hart nevertheless succeeded and used the knowledge gained to produce his own version of the Suzuki engine: the Barton Phoenix, initially as a '750' and later as a '500'. The Phoenix engine showed promise but the project never received the financial backing required to develop it, despite Hart's appeals to the patriotism of the motorcycling public and a deal with the Rank Organisation to provide machines for the 1978 film 'Silver Dream Racer' starring David Essex. Although it achieved little in solo form, the 750cc Phoenix engine enjoyed considerable success as a sidecar power unit in the hands of Nigel Rollason, whose first major success with it was a 2nd place finish in the 1979 Isle of Man TT. Rollason would go on to finish nine out of ten TTs with his Phoenix-powered outfit, eight of them on the leader board, the highlight being victory in the 1986 event. By then Barton Engineering had ceased to exist, having been purchased by Armstrong in 1981. Barry Hart moved to Armstrong as chief designer and would be responsible for its highly successful Rotax-based tandem-twin racers.

A well-known and respected sidecar competitor, Paul Hanson spent some time refining his outfit's engine and chassis, incorporating various developments such as Armstrong cylinders and an improved fuel supply system, a process that culminated in him winning the 1985 Formula 5 Championship with passenger Stuart Aspin. The outfit continued to be raced regularly until the late 1990s. Thereafter it was used only for occasional parades, the last outing being at the 'Festival of 1000 Bikes' at Mallory Park in 2010.
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Hanson Barton Phoenix

Ex Noriyuki Haga Suzuki RG400

Ex Noryuki Haga RG400. This Suzuki RG 400 is the Asian version of the RG 500 Gamma. This model was sold in Japan and only a few arrived in Europe. The 1988 RG 400 is the last 4 cylinder two-stroke with rotary distribution produced by Suzuki and equipped with a reinforced gearbox (1987/88). The here presented model is entirely original (unlike the RG 500, the RG400 was factory delivered without the lower fairing). The bike has run 18.746 km from new. This bike has a particular history which is of high value for a collector. It was bought by the famous Japanese World Championship rider, Noriyuki Haga, who had a residence in Italy. Haga imported the bike to Italy.
Year: 1988
Frame N.: HK31A-108374
For more pics see 
Ex Noriyuki Haga RG400

This bike was sold by
Classic Motorbike Collection 

Aprilia RSV and RSW250

Ex Anthony West RSW250. The Aprilia RSW250 is in my opinion the best and most beautifull 250cc racer ever build, it is a work of art!
For more pics see 
Aprilia RSV and RSW250

Special made FPE RG500 barrels

Here a very nice and detailed photo album about the special made FPE RG500 barrels.
For more pics see 
FPE RG500 barrels

Mostra Scambio Imola 2017

Ex Agostini RG500 seen at the Mostra Scambio Imola 2017, a large car and motorcycle jumble at the circuit of Imola.
For more pics see 
Mostra Scambio Imola 2017

Ex Frankie Chilli F1 RG500

Based on its World Championship-winning RG500 racer, Suzuki's Gamma roadster retained the same square-four engine layout, geared-together crankshafts, and disc-valve induction. A box-section aluminium frame, 'Full Floater' rear suspension, and triple disc brakes completed the picture. More racetrack focussed than Yamaha's rival RD500, the Gamma, with its 150mph (240km/h) top speed, 11.5-second quarter-mile time, and superlative handling and brakes, remains the closest anyone has got to offering a modern Grand Prix 500 for the road.
Not surprisingly, many found their way onto the world's racetracks, the example offered here being one such. It was prepared in 1986 for the FIM's production machine-based TT Formula 1 race series, which pitted 1,000cc four-strokes against 500cc two strokes. Its creator was the Italian Team Gallina, whose founder, ex-racer Roberto Gallina, already had plenty of experience of campaigning the Suzuki RG500 in Grands Prix, his riders Marco Lucchinelli and Franco Uncini having won the 500cc World Championship in 1981 and 1982 respectively.
In developing the Gamma for Formula 1, Gallina used many parts taken from his Suzuki RG500 Grand Prix bikes, including a magnesium dry clutch, Kokusan GP ignition system, Mikuni TMX 36mm carburettors, Tecnomagnesio wheels, braced swingarm, special exhaust system, Forcelle Italia fork, and more. Out of six starts in 1986, Chili scored five wins and ended up 3rd in the Trofeo Grand Prix F1 and 4th in the Campionato Italiano F1. Frankie Chili went on to race for Gallina in Grands Prix, but it was his switch to World Superbike racing in 1995 that set him on the path to real success. In a 12-year career in WSBK, he scored 17 race wins and twice finished 4th in the Championship. The full story of the Team Gallina Suzuki Gamma is recorded in an article in Motociclismo d'Epoca (copy available). Believed to be the sole survivor of the three machines built, this ex-Gallina Gamma was raced many times by the vendor in 2014 and 2016 in the Italian Old GP Championship. It was photographed at the Varano circuit on the 50th anniversary of the start of Roberto Gallina's racing career. Roberto Gallina's signature is on the fuel tank together with that of Vincenzo Biagioli, maker of the special cylinders.

Footnotes
The ex-Team Gallina, Pierfrancesco Chili
1986 Suzuki RG500 Gamma TT Formula 1 Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. OHM31B - 101120
Engine no. M302 - 101050
• One of three built for TT Formula 1 racing
• In-period race history
• Many special Suzuki Grand Prix parts
• Signed by Roberto Gallina and Vincenzo Biagioli
(Thanks to Bonham's for the pics and the information)
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Ex Chilli F1 RG500

RG500 hill climb cars

This time some pics of 2 RG500 hill climb cars a Jedi and a Nero, the Nero is the one in the pic. Some information about the Nero. The Nero PF1 is a single seater race car designed and built in 1992 for use in Formula 500 circuit racing, 500 cc class speed hill climbs and sprints. The mild steel space frame chassis has aluminium sheet riveted in place for added stiffness, and can take a wide variety of motorbike engines up to 1200 cc. The Suzuki RG500 Gamma engine is a unique water-cooled 4 cyl square configuration including use of power valves. This specific engine was selected because of its high power (over 100 bhp), low weight and low centre of gravity. In this particular example the drive is transmitted by chain to a modified Mini differential. Numerous Mini parts have been utilised to ensure ready availability of spares and low cost repairs (if ever required). Mini 10" solid disc brakes are fitted all round, including inboard on the rear. On a technical note the suspension (in board all round), has been designed so that bump stiffness is completely separate from roll stiffness. This provides excellent road holding and is another unique design choice.  
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RG500 hill climb cars

Restoring Barry Sheene's 1976 Suzuki RG500

Here we have some very nice vids of the restoration of one of Barry Sheene's old RG500's the 1976 XR14 bike.
Part one
Part two

Yamsel V4 500

This very special bike was built in 1974/75 by Geoff Sherwill and Lyell Williamson. Using 2 Yamaha TZ250 engines welded together and fitted into a 1971 Seeley frame. The original idea was conceived by Brian Thompson to create a wide angle V4, by using 2 Yamaha TR2 350 engines with carbs facing forward in the V. With limited budget and plenty ideas, Geoff and Lyell decided to build a R&D bike. Geoff undertook all the machine work and creating a jig/plate assembly, the case was welded together with both crank pinions driving direct to the clutch hub primary gear. This set up created extra long and angled inlet manifold tracts which wasn't ideal. To solve this problem Geoff was planning the inclusion of custom cast wide angle crankcases for the final engine. The first outings showed the engine to be reliable and only minor issues with cooling and ignition were evident. With Lyell riding the bike for 3 years and with ongoing modifications race results were several placings together with some top ten finishes. It was last raced in 1979.

Specificatons
Chassis: 1971 Seeley
Forks: Yamaha RD350
Yokes: By Geoff
Swing Arm: By Geoff, using yacht mast, no square or rectangle extrusion available back then
Wheels: By Peter Allen & Jack McDonald, cast at Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
Tank: By a friend of Bill Horsman
Exhausts: By Lyell
Paint: By Border Signs 
For more pics see
Yamsel V4 500

Yamaha F1 RD500

Here we have some nice information and pics about the Yamaha F1 RD500. Just as with the RG500 several people tried to make an F1 racer of the Yamaha RD500. The Yamaha never reached the success of the RG500.
For more pics see
Yamaha F1 RD500

Mark Philips and the F1 RG500

I found a great article on the Interweb about Mark Philips and the Suzuki F1 RG500 Gamma.
For more information see
Mark Philips and the F1 RG500

Golinelli RG500

Updated my Golinelli RG500 photo set with some new pics. Diego Golinelli is the man behind the beautiful Aprilia RSW250 frames, he also made some trick frames for the Suzuki RG500 Gamma.
For more pics see
Golinelli RG500

RG500 sidecar racer part 2

Got some new pics of another RG500 sidecar racer. Thank you very much John!
For more pics see 
RG500 sidecars

Paton 500, 1995

Here we have some very nice and detailled pics of the Paton 500 from 1995, this bike was ridden by Jean-Pierre Jeandat. (Photo's by TechGP)
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Paton 500, 1995

MBA 125 twin

I made a photo set of one of the nicest 125 bikes ever built, the MBA 125 twin. The little engine is a work of art!
For more pics see
MBA 125

Home made RGV500

Here is the extraordinary story of Nigel Duff's home made RGV500 race bike. Thinking of men like John Britten, Kim Newcombe and Burt Munro it seems that New Zealanders are a special breed of people to make bikes like this!
All the information below comes from Nigel, many thanks for that!
"For about 4 years, from 1986 I raced the RG500 Gamma in Formula One in New Zealand. The final form was as follows, 17 inch Marvics, 5.5"rear 3.5" front, Koni rear shock out of an Indy car, Forcella Italia upside down forks, 36mm Mikuni's, Mercedes 190E radiator, Dyson close ratio gearbox, Mk9 RGB dry clutch, Honda RC30 body work, 138kg, not sure of horsepower but faster than an Mk8 RGB that was out here in 1990, ¼ mile in 10.9seconds 132mph in fourth gear still setup for roadracing managed to beat the then current NZ champion on a 1990 Suzuki GSXR1100.  Stopped racing for a while, basically because I got sick of tipping off the thing, plucking the carbs off and filling the engine up with dirt.
So I decided to build a V4 500 and put the carbs in the center of the Vee where they belong. That required a new frame swing arm etc. and so I built this thing. Frame and swingarm is made from 6061 aluminium bulkheaded and gusseted monocoque a copy of the 1998 Suzuki RGV500, frame is 2mm thick, swingarm is 2.5mm. Swingarm is heat treated to t6 but frame is not done yet as I still may have to weld coil mounts etc to it. I cast up a new crankcase to carry the 1990 YZ125 barrels in a 90 degree Vee with YZ heads and pistons (nice single thin ring pistons). I have made cranks from a TZ250H and have made the gears so that the cranks fit together as they used to and run on the RG500 layshaft. A late model RS 250 ignition sits on the layshaft. Gearbox is still the Dyson model. I had a heap of trouble with the standard Suzuki gearbox when I started racing and the Dyson unit was a lot of money at the time, but it was worth every penny. Never jumped out of gear in two seasons. I have replaced the two gears involved in second gear because it looked worn but it never gave any bother. New gear set has not been used. Dry clutch uses factory outer basket and fiber plates , I machined the standard inner basket and steel plates to fit. Never had a slipping clutch after full power launches. I knew a man who worked for Ohlins, so have a pair of 42mm customer 250GP forks fitted and a rear shock that once graced Doug Chandlers Cagiva. Front brakes are 320mm Brembo rotors with Goldline calipers. Rear is a small Brembo off a mates TZ250, both master cylinders are Brembo, carbs are 35mm oval bored flat slide Dellortos. The pipes I have made myself to patterns designed with the help of the software of Gordon Blair from the Queens University of Belfast (QUB) and I challenge you to find better pipes. One of the bottom pipes took me 32 hours. QUB software has this thing at 140 hp with a relatively conservative bmep."  
For more pics see
Suzuki RGV500

Formula 500 RG500

Two Formula 500 RG500´s racing, boy oh boy what a sound!! Formula 500 RG500's racing