Lot details
Registration No: N/A
Frame No: RMI MK2 106B
cc: 499

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 it's 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 nessacary to produce a competive example.
This example, finished in silver, is described as being in very good condition throughout having been restored during 2007.
It was originally built during 1994 for French Champion Yves Biraud using a Titchmarsh frame and Taberer engine as the basis. The engine is equipped with a twin plug head and drive is taken from the powerplant to a Quaife five speed gearbox via a Newby belt drive and clutch.
Described as being "ready to race" by the vendor it is set to contribute another element to the (ongoing) history of the Seeley G50.