An old friend who is looking for an SS100 replica (he just wants to ride it) asked if I could go and have a look at this bike as it is for sale very locally to me. I thought you would all like to see it and the seller was happy for me to put this film on KZread as the more people who see it the better for him selling it.
The only way I know if you LIKE this film and would LIKE me to make more is if you click the LIKE button and SUBSCRIBE - its free!
Please add a comment to tell me what I am doing wrong, right or suggestions for other films.
So, back to Brough Superiors SS100’s …
The bike in the film is for sale (January 2024) from Steve Griffith
www.racing-motorcycles.co.uk/
Thinking of Building your own SS100 Replica…
Engines
Ewan Cameron is THE man for making or repairing a JAP engine.
He can make you a brand-new JAP ohv V Twin engine for £20k + tax.
cameronracingengines.com/
Forks & Frames
A set of Castle type forks are £6-£7k depending upon the spec.
A replica Brough frame is £10k.
jakerobbinsvintageengineering...
Jake is THE man to make you a set of forks or a frame.
My film about a Norton Dolls Head Gearbox is here • Norton Dolls Head Gear...
In the film I call the engines a “JAP”. It is an abbreviation of the engine makers full name “J. A. Prestwich”, who were a British manufacturer of fine engines. My fathers called then “JAP’s” and so do I.
Why I am making these films … Well, my grandfather Thomas starting riding motorcycle in 1899 and soon after started a business repairing and selling them. By 1906 we was selling new bikes and was a Triumph dealer amongst other makes. In December 1911 he bought a new 1911 3 ½ hp Triumph “AP” and sold it to a local friend who rode it in World War 1 until ill health made him sell it back to my grandfather during WW1. My grandfather kept it until 1946. It took me 30+ years to find it, but I now own it - back in the family.
My father Geoffrey was born in the early 20’s and started working in the motorcycle shop and had his first ever ride on AP. In 1933 my grandfather and Dad decided to build the fastest bike in the County (Sussex, UK) and used a big JAP ohv twin. It was called The Knucker after a local mythical Dragon and also the noise the engine made. At 11.15 am on Sunday 3rd September 1929, my father listened to the radio broadcast that declared that Britain was at war. He then had a cup of tea (he was very English!) and then rode The Knucker down to the recruiting office and joined the RAF within an hour of war being declared. Proper stuff.
When he returned home after the war, he bought a Brough Superior SS100 with a sidecar to take his old father out for spins and then a succession of new Triumphs Speedtwin (46), Thunderbird (50) and finally a T110 (54). And a BSA Bantam in 1950 for short runs which has been in the family ever since.
I was born in the 60’s and was riding the Bantam around the garden as soon as my legs were long enough. By 12 years old I had an NSU Quickly (it wasn’t) to hack around the local woods. These woods near Camberley, UK were the site of the World’s first Scramble and Motocross in March 1924 - so my first rides were on “hallowed ground”.
When I discovered that the Centenary of the World’s first Scramble and Motocross was looming and nobody was going to put on an event to celebrate it, I decided it should be celebrated and the event is now on for March 2024.
The Centenary will be on the same land as the original and you can read all about it here - / scramble100
When I was 17, I blew/wisely spent all of my paper round savings of a second-hand Ducati twin and from then had a succession of all sorts of bikes.
As I have got older, I have been getting more into older bikes. I love riding them (40mph on a 110+ year old bike with no brakes is thrilling!), tinkering, restoring, researching, writing about them and now having a go at conveying my enthusiasm via these short films.
I even hold the World record for the fastest 100+ year old motorcycle - for the tale … www.go-faster.com/BrightonSpe...
Thank you for your time. My amateur approach to making these short films can only get better.
If you LIKE them then please CLICK LIKE and SUBSCRIBE and you will get told when I make a new film.
Very best regards
Paul.