c.1985 Seeley G50 MK3

Lot details
Registration No: N/A
Frame No: T.B.A.
Engine No: 264
cc: 497
MOT Expiry Date: N/A

During 1966 the well known sidecar racer Colin Seeley entered into the production of racing motorcycles, utilising the AMC 7R and G50 engines housed in a lightweight frame of his own design. Initially the engines were supplied by AMC. However, AMC quickly announced that they were ceasing production of the powerplants. This presented the fledgling Seeley operation with a serious problem with regard to the supply of powerplants for the promising machines. Colin's decision to purchase the AMC racing department and manufacture his own engines was both bold and farsighted and at a time when the British motorcycle industry was imploding, would add an illustrious chapter to its history completely at odds with industry generally.

With the supply of engines now secured the Seeley concern entered a golden period with their machines selling well. Production was soon concentrated on the G50 powered example, one of which took Dave Croxford to victory in the 1968 British Championship, a feat he repeated the following season. 1968 had also seen John Cooper secure a victory in the North West 200 whilst 1969 saw Seeley G50's taking 3rd, 4th and 5th in the Senior TT and John Blanchard repeating John Cooper's success at the North West 200.

These successes were followed by Tommy Robb securing fourth place in the 1970 500cc World Championship, an astonishing result for a privateer in the face of competition from the likes of MV Agusta, which also represented the high water mark for the G50 powered machines as oriental two-strokes became ever more prevalent and competitive.

The growth in interest in Classic Racing saw the Seeley G50, in replica form, emerge once again as front runner, with a number of companies supplying the components necessary to produce a complete machine. The example of the Mk III version offered was built during 1985 using a FSS frame as a basis. The engine is fitted with a John Twyby supplied light crankshaft and Corrilla connecting rod. The cylinder is nicasil lined and surmounted by a cylinder head supplied by Mick Tab, as was the camshaft. An Amal GP1 1.5-inch carburettor with a 'matchbox' float meters the fuel mixture and a Boyer ignition system provides the sparks. A Newby belt primary drive and Summerfield 5 speed gearbox transmit the power to the rear wheel which is equipped with a conical hub. A Fontana/Robinson front brake compliments the conical rear and new rear shock absorbers and Dick Hunt fork dampers were fitted approximately 200 miles ago. At the same time a new exhaust pipe, primary drive belt and belt cover were fitted. Last raced in September 2010 the machine is described as being in "good" condition throughout.