Model 7 Dominator Bobber in the Making

I have posted a couple of Model 7 bob jobs but here's one in the making. The frame is an early rigid "Garden Gate" with a girder front fork. The gearbox is perplexing but appears to be a "Doll's Head" or "upright" type. The front hub is a full width type which is a later dominator brake. Interesting mixture of eras present on this bike but like the the line. You can follow the progress right here at The Gasbox.

P.S. Just noticed the sectioned front downtube. Explains the rake.

A Little Bit More Familiar.....Mystery Unraveling

I wrote a post the other day titled "Something Familiar" discussing a motorcycle that I had seen via the Norton Model 7 forum on Yahoo. The bike is gorgeous and upon close inspection I noticed familiar Norton bits such as the Model 7 tank and laydown gearbox.

Imagine my surprise when 24 hours later I came across the bike up for auction on Ebay USA. It's listed as a 1931 James V Twin currently residing in Cognac, France and associated in some way with Tony Smith Racing. The bike itself comes with a pre-war class racing pedigree.

It is clear that not all the bits on this bike are pre-war or anywhere close to 1931. I did a few searches and was unable to find anything on a V-twin James. I had always associated James with lightweights and the engine reminded more of a JAP despite the advertisement to the contrary. I will admit that I am no expert. The gearbox is definitely a Laydown type with the kickstart blanked off. The frame has a double downtube and the centertube appears cut. Affixed to the centertube lug is a bolted rear section reminiscent of rigid ones bolted onto Triumph bobbers. It looks like a Garden Gate Frame save the front downtubes which could have been modified. Top the whole thing off with conical hubs and an early Model 7 tank and you have one hell of a bike especially with the girder forks.

The "nortoness" of this bike might be explained if the Tony Smith Racing associated with the advertisement is the same Tony Smith that campaigned a Gus Kuhn Norton Commando at the 1970 Bol d'Or. Tony Smith was an engineer and works rider for BSA in the sixties as well as winner of  the production class at Brands Hatch in 1974 aboard a Gus Kuhn Commando. The possible "French Connection" is that Tony Smith ran a motorcycle racing school in France during the 70's. He was also a competitive TT rider.

Tony Smith

All I know is that if I had the cash I definitely would buy it. It's a special that mixes modern and vintage in a seamless and functional manner. It's a rider which makes the bike that much more appealing to me. I also love the backround of the photos. The Cognac region is gorgeous. If I really had the money, I'd buy the bike and it's garage if you know what I mean!

Something Familiar

I have written a few posts on bobbed or modified Model 7 Dominators. I 'll admit that I have sounded like a crusty, old fart. I just haven't been "wowed"by the efforts. This picture is a bit different and arrives thanks to Rohan at the Model 7 forum on Yahoo. This bike is awesome with a very recognizable element- the beautifully sculptred petrol tank of the Model 7. It also features a rigid "Garden Gate" frame and norton laydown gearbox.  Now that's a special!

Totally Outta Control

Every now and then you meet somebody special via the internet. Never met him personally but I am honored to say that I contributed in a small part to Roland's masterpiece. I don't deal really in choppers but I do appreciate creativity and technical savvy when melded together to produce something truly special. It takes vision to transform a vintage, single-cylinder thumper into something this hot!!!!!!

The whole story of the building of this piece of iron hailing from Brittany, France can be found at Outta Control. Definitely worth a gander. Congrats Roland on a beautiful bike. Makes me wonder what's next.

Objects of my desire

I love looking at auction catalogues especially Bonhams detailing some wonderful bikes, spares, and collectibles. Most of the stuff is out of my league but one can dream. The October 17th Staffordshire auction has some great items with all the usual cast of high dollar characters. There appears to be a liquidation sale of Vincents and Vincent spares. Beautiful pieces to be sure especially when paired with Broughs and Goldies. What caught my attention however was the little beauty below:

1953 EMC 125cc Racer courtesy of Bonhams

According to the Bonhams' description, EMC was founded by Dr. Josef Ehrlich, an Austrian engineer, who emigrated to Great Britain in 1946. His unconventional ideas appear to have forced him out of mainstream production and into racing. His initial design of a phasing piston was considered a form of supercharging and was blocked from competition by the FIM. Dr. Ehrlich then built a series of Puch-based split single racers in 1952 which I believe is pictured above. Very popular in the 1953 TT with Surtees being the most notable rider. Unfortunately, he was injured on a practice run. According to the Bonhams' description, these bikes had the honor of being the noisiest bikes of all time.

Credit to Bonhams for all the info and photo

What if Bugatti made a motorcycle?

What if Bugatti had made motorcycles? I can only imagine the landscape of vintage motorcycling. Would Brough-Superior or Vincent be the top dogs? I don't know but it is nice to consider. Nice to think about if only that another top designer would have applied  his artistry to two-wheeled locomotion. We will never really know what Ettore Bugatti's efforts would have been if he had been interested in the endeavor but there are some notions if we take his T-72 bicycle motor as inspiration.

T-72 Bugatti Cyclemotor on a Peugeot Bicycle

I'll admit that I was immediately taken by this engine. Granted it's not a motorcycle but it's a start. The design of the T-72 engine reveals a great deal of the ideas and mechanical concepts going through Ettore Bugatti's mind during World War II. The T-72 cyclemotor was part of a package of engines concieved for a post-war Europe in which the Nazis were considered to win. Bugatti understood the reality of what a post-war life would be like. He knew that there would be rationing, high taxes, and a need for economical modes of travel.  The cyclemotor was joined by 370 cc T-68 mini-car and the 1.5 liter T-73 to fulfill those needs.

 

How would like to be the machinist?

This was not a simple engine in the mold of the Ducati Cucciolo, Velosolex, or BSA Winged Wheel. The T-72 was a 12.7cc, supercharged, twin cam engine capable of revving to 10,000 RPM. The engine was completely self-contained constructed of a single alloy casting with bosses specifically made to fit on the Peugeot bike shown above. The solex carburettor is visible on top behind the cyclinder as is the magneto at the rear. The whole system relied on the gearing of the bicycle's epicyclic hub.

It's complexity cannot be overstated. In fact, the amount of detailed machining required to produce the engine would have made this a very expensive little bike. Perhaps as some surmise, this little engine was an attempt at camouflaged luxury made to conform to the societal norms of post-war reconstruction. Unfortunately, no one will know since it never went into production.

For more detailed technical information, please go here.

Special acknowledgement goes to the Bugatti Revue and DucCutters for the pics and backround information

Melding Two Passions

via Ottonero

Playful Derision

Courtesy of Jeff Decker

Those involved in motorsports are definitely cut from a different cloth especially those that speed around on two wheels. Motorcyclists have attitude. An attitude that ranges from gentlemanly competition to what many would consider antisocial. The spectrum of these attitudes manifests itself in a multitude of symbols. Many of us are familiar with some of these symbols of contemporary biker culture including co-opted Nazi runes and the flaming skull of the Hell's Angels; however, we may be less familiar with symbols associated with the more genteel beginnings of our sport.

I was reading the wonderful blog Vintage Norton Motorcycles by John De Kruif. He posted an entry about Conrad Leach's most recent paintings including the one pictured below entitled "Brooklands George". The painting depicts the venerable Dr. George Cohen riding his Norton M18 at speed.

"Brooklands George" by Conrad Leach

One detail that could easily be missed and highlighted by John De Kruif is the "tweenie devil" on the rear fender thumbing his nose at those trailing behind.

A "cock-a-snook"

The "tweenie devil" is one of several forms of cock-a-snook or minor diabolical being frequently represented as a mascot for automobiles and motorcycles in the early days of motorsports when owners wanted to make statement while showing pride in their vehicle. Turns out  that the term "cock-a -snook" refers to the hand gesture performed by the imp and is a vague idiomatic expression first documented in 1791. Some believe that the phrase may originally have been "to cock a snoot" in describing thumbing one's nose at someone.

                             The Dunhill Mascot "Tweenie Devil"

With this historical backdrop, I wondered why the famous tobaconnist Dunhill utilized the cock-a-snook and more specifically the "tweenie devil" as their mascot. Dunhill originally started off as a saddlery that with the advent of the automobile was transformed into "Dunhill Motorities" by an astute Alfred Dunhill to supply motoring accessories including sidecars for a new class of sporting gentleman. The boot of Alfred Dunhill's own car was adorned with the "tweenie devil" no doubt to challenge others to catch him if they could. Ever the innovator, Alfred Dunhill had many motorsport related patents to include a dashboard clock and a windproof pipe that marked the company's entry into the tobacco business in 1905.

                                    The "Flying Dunhill Devil"

Reconnecting with their past, Dunhill in 2008 commisioned a motorcycle for the opening of their Tokyo store from George Cohen. The "Flying Dunhill Devil" made its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and took a year to build. It is one of seven limited edition replicas built. The chassis is a modified mid-30's Norton 16H fitted with a 1,000cc J.A.P. engine from 1920. All I can say is it definitely captures the "attitude".

Thanks go to Dr. George Cohen for providng backround information and photos of the Flying Dunhill Devil.

Ever since there have been bikes, there have been customs!

Impressive little single cylinder with some serious rake courtesy of Working Class Customs.