Sanvenero 500 square four

In the same time when the Morbidelli was racing there also was another Italian square four in the GP 500, the Sanvenero. This bike was build with the money of a large building contractor Emilio Sanvenero. Some technical specifications; crankcase by Campagnolo, gearbox by CIMA, cranks by Hoeckle, Nikasil barrels and pistons by Mahle, the frame was made by Nico Bakker and it had 120 ps. There were two bikes one with stepped cylinders. The riders were Carlo Perugini, Michel Frutschi and Guy Bertin. The bike had one victory on the boycotted Nogaro GP in 1982 by Michel Frutschi. When Sanvenero went bankrupt in 1982 the bikes stayed in Hockenheim after the GP and found a home in the racing museum. In 2012/2013 German two stroke specialist Matthias Farwick restored one of the bikes and rode it at the Bikers Classics of 2013.
For more pics see
Sanvenero 500 square four

Morbidelli 500 square four

This time some pics of a very nice Italian square four the Morbidelli, a rather special bike with an alloy monocoque frame and a very nice engine. This bike was ridden by Graziano Rossi and Giovanni Pelletier. Somewhere in the middle of last century, obsession for the motorcycles grew exponentially, so much so, that in 1950s, 60s and 70s, many riders decided to build their own bike for racing purposes. One such man was Giancarlo Morbidelli. He was among the few hobbyists who not only build his bike, but also won races with it. Initially started as a hobby, the Grand Prix wins gave him credibility and the small shop behind Morbidelli’s woodworking machine factory in Pesaro, Italy, launched top-level racing machines that earned four GP world championships. The team won the 125 cc world championship in 1975, 1976 and 1977, and won the 250 cc championship in 1977.
For more pics see
Morbidelli 500 square four

Amicale Spirit of Speed Show Mill

Suzuki RGV500 seen at the Amicale Spirit of Speed Show in Mill The Netherlands October 2014. 
For more pics see
Amicale Spirit of Speed Show Mill

Spondon F1 RD500

The Spondon F1 RD500 is restored, the current owner did a great job and came up with some extra information about this very rare and unique machine.
"I spoke to the engine builder just 3 weeks ago and was told this; The bike was built in the winter of 1984 and tested on a “water break dyno” not one of these dynojet things!!! So its at the crank the readings. At 10.500 rpm it made 125bhp and at 11.500rpm it made 150bhp however the pistons were not up to the job so a limit of 125bhp was set to make it reliable. The bike was ran for only one season as the rules changed at the end of the season allowing 1000cc four strokes so the project was then scrapped.
The bike is all totally original apart from two things.
1. The original forks were stolen for another bike many years before I got it, I am still trying to locate some original forks, so in the mean time I have just fitted some period forks.
2. The Front Spondon brake calipers were butchered and are currently being refurbed, so I have fitted Yamaha FZR calipers, the Spondon calipers will be fitted shortly.
Even the wheels are original and have been crack tested by Steve Turner the chap who made them in 1984."  
For more pics see
Spondon F1 Yamaha RD500 

Bruce Anstey sets a new 2stroke record at Man

Bruce Anstey sets a new 2stroke record at Man! Bruce Anstey, riding the 2stroke Valvoline by Padgetts Racing 1992 YZR500 Yamaha, powered to a stunning victory in the 2014 Motorsport Merchandise Formula 1 Classic TT Race on the Isle of Man, making history on the way. As well as establishing a lap record of 123.894mph (18:16.324) for the F1 class, Anstey’s time was also the fastest ever 2stroke lap of the TT Mountain Course, breaking Ian Lougher’s record set on a 500 V-twin Honda in the 1999 Senior TT. Anstey dominated the race from the start and eventually won by over a minute from James Hillier with Russ Mountford securing the final podium place.
For more pics see
Bruce Anstey sets a new 2stroke record at Man

The Manfred Herweh collection

Ex Manfred Herweh Nico Bakker Rotax tandemtwin, seen at the technik museums of Sinsheim and Speyer.
For more pics see
The Manfred Herweh collection

Bikers Classics 2014

Suzuki RG500 seen at the Bikers Classics July 2014, Francorchamps Belgium.
For more pics see  
Bikers Classics 2014