The British Railway Clock Specialist
This page is about my other hobby Motorcycles. I have ridden and owned bikes since passing my test in 1979 and spent a brief time as a Motorcycle mechanic and have always enjoyed working on bikes. Current rides are 2021 Aprilia Tuono Factory V4 1100, 1996 Suzuki GSXR 750 SRAD, and currently building a Suzuki TV250 2 stroke special. I have also included bikes I have previously restored and owned, some of these have been featured as main restoration features in Practical Sportsbikes magazine.
Click on any image for a larger view.
After having the 2017 model I traded it in for a new 2021 Aprilia Factory Tuono V4 1100. It had many changes over my previous 2017 model including a much faster ECU a new dash and changes to the swinging arm and full electric Ohlins suspension. It came with the factory race map and Akrapovic exhaust all dealer fitted. I Have changed the handlebars and re fitted the rearsets I had on my 2017 one. I will remove the charcoal cannister and pairs system in due course and also re flash the ECU with a custom Gabro Racing map which also lowers the fan temperature cut in point as these do run very hot in traffic.
This is my Suzuki GSXR 750 WT in the rare first year colour of Purple. It was Supplied new by Suzuki GB to CG Chell Motorcycles Stafford on the 16th January 1996. Frame number is 213 and Engine Number is 274 so one of the first 300 to roll of the production line. I have done a full re commission of the bike which included stripping the carbs and cleaning them, Front forks fitted with new oil and seals, Swinging arm and Front headstock removed and cleaned greased and adjusted, new chain and sprockets , front brake calipers stripped cleaned and new seals fitted.
Now Sold. This was my 2000 Aprilia RS250 MK2 Nero Diablo. I recommissioned the bike which included a full nut and bolt stripdown and used genuine Suzuki & Aprilia parts. The Bodywork required a full repaint and I soured all the decals from Italy and applied them myself which was a job not for the faint hearted.
Now Sold. This was my Honda NSR 250 MC21 SE, it has undergone a full nut and bolt restoration. The Engine has had the crankcases and barrels matched and the Power valves have also been machined and matched by GT Performance Plymouth as well as having a new crank as the original had rust on the webs. All nuts and bolts etc have been replated, forks re chromed, clocks converted to MPH, and various other bits cleaned and restored. The fairings etc have all been repainted after sourcing panels with no cracks or lugs that have been broken. It should put out over 60bhp.
Now Sold. This was my Ducati 748R dating from 2000, it is an early MK1 which was delivered into the UK in March 2000. In 200 Ducati revamped the entire 748 range and the top of the range model was now the 748R, Ducati’s racing homologation model produced only in very limited numbers. This engine was again a derivative of the SPS model but with more tuning. The main difference is that the R model has an overhead shower-injector arrangement compared to the 748E and S model’s traditional throttle bodies, titanium connecting rods, titanium valves and more extreme valve timing, the 748R has a larger, two-part airbox and thus the frame was also different to accommodate this. The suspension choice was Ohlins for both the rear shock and front forks, although the very first models in 2000 used Showa titanium nitride(TiN) front forks and a Showa shock absorber. Mine is one of these although the rear now has an Ohlins. The engine included a very basic slipper clutch to ensure that this would then be homologated for use in racing, as well as an oil cooler.
Now Sold. This was my Suzuki RGV250 SP VJ23 dating from 1996 is Suzuki’s final incarnation of the RGV250 and is not only the finest of the line but also one of the finest two-strokes ever built. This last RG250 got a total redesign from the engine out, previous RGVs were powered by a 90-degree two-stroke V-twin, the VJ23 got a 70-degree unit with a smaller bore and longer stroke giving it dimensions closer to square and more akin to the GP bikes, it also benefited from a close-ratio gearbox and dry clutch. Chassis-wise, the VJ23 has fully adjustable suspension and GP-inspired frame and swingarm. Production started some time prior to February 1996 with and was launched at the 1995 Tokyo Show. All of the Japanese home marked bikes designated as the T model were restricted to 40bhp. In total just 2218 VJ23s were built. Mine has benefited from being derestricted with a Zeeltronic CDI and ultra rare Japanese expansion chambers, I have rebuilt the engine with a new crank, T model pistons and rings, converted the speedo to read in MPH, fitted a later GSXR radial master cylinder and braided hoses. It has been properly set up on a dyno and puts out a safe 57bhp and is an absolute gem of a bike to ride.
Now Sold. This was my Aprilia Factory Tuono V4 1100 2017, In a bygone era, superbikes had high-mounted, one-piece handlebars and stubby fairings I rode things like Kawasaki’s seminal Z1R 1000 back in 1980. After having quite a few Suzuki GSXR 750’s I fancied a change and as soon as I saw the Aprilia I knew it was for me. It features all the modern tech with the Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC) which offers all the riding and safety assistance functions that were originally developed for the racing machines, including launch, traction, and wheelie controls, plus a quickshifter, blipper, cruise control, and cornering ABS. Its a Hooligan Bike ! and I am gradually putting my own mark on it with various changes and upgrades.
Now Sold. This was my 1995 Aprilia RS250 MK1 Reggiani Replica. I recommissioned the bike with genuine Suzuki & Aprilia parts replacing all the cables (13 off them !) new Suzuki pistons rings circlips and small end bearings, Power valves checked and cleaned, front forks fitted with new oil and seals, rear shock serviced and re gassed by MCT suspension, steering head bearings replaced, crankcase split and checked then re sealed with three bond, carbs stripped ultrasonically cleaned with new main jets and needle valves and carb hoses replaced, silicone water hoses fitted with new stainless jubilee clips, new Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tyres fitted front and rear, new Regina O ring chain and Swarbrick carbon exhaust end cans
Now Sold. This was my 1994 Suzuki GSXR 750 SP R it has only covered 18,000 miles from new, and it is has now been completely restored to as near original condition as possible. The GSXR 750 SP R is probably on of the rarest Japanese race homologation models with only 200 being built worldwide, 150 went to Germany 50 to France and 6 of the German destined bikes were imported into the UK by Paul Denning of Crescent Suzuki fame, he raced one and sold the other Five of which mine is one of them. After more research it appeared that my bike had been featured in Superbike magazine August 1994 alongside Paul’s race bike so I have now purchased a copy of the magazine.
Now Sold. This was my 1992 Ducati 900 SL MK1 #110 Purchased in Late August 2012 this Superlight had been stored in a shed for 10 years, then changed hands twice in the last three years with not a lot done to it. I decided that a full strip down and rebuild was needed. Already noted were some expensive mods that were done in the 90’s, Full Skorpion(Akrapovic) stainless race exhaust with carbon cans, Arias high comp pistons, Dynojet Stage 2 kit with K&N, Baines racing Twin Setrab oil cooler etc. The Bike is now restored and I am enjoying riding and showing it. More recent mods are the fitting of a lightened flywheel from a 600ss and a fully mappable Ignitech ignition system. This Superlight MK1 is one of the oldest recorded in the UK and the 5th worldwide, there were 952 made worldwide in 1992 and this is number 110. It was featured in a 9 page article in issue 34 of Practical Sportsbikes magazine.
Now Sold. This was my second Ducati Superlight MK1 restoration, once again it needed a full strip down and painting etc. If was a great sense of achievement to save another of these rare bikes.
Now Sold. This was my third Ducati Superlight restoration. This is Mark V number 299 and was one of the last few produced worldwide. It benefitted from a full service good clean and once over.
Now Sold. I had to have another ! Back in 1979 my second ever bike was a Blue Suzuki GT250 B, I found this one in Ebay advertised in Boxes, but it had one owner from new and 7730 miles on the and even retained its original dealer numberplate. After 7 years I decided to start and finish it with a view to selling it as space was at a premium. It underwent a full nut and bolt restoration using where appropriate Genuine Suzuki parts, the engine has undergone a full rebuild with a rebore and 0.5 os Suzuki Pistons, crank rebuilt with new rods seals and bearings, carbs cleaned and new jest installed. All Gaskets, seals and O rings were replaced. Frame powder coated, rear mudguard (original) re chromed, seat pan powder coated and new seat cover fitted, Tank resprayed professionally by KAS Hull, new fork stanchions, new fork seals and oil, new rear shocks, all wheel bearings replaced, taper head bearings fitted, brake caliper overhauled with new seals, pads and Hel Performance lines, rear brake shoes replaced. NOS horn, Indicators, Mirrors. New Chain, new tyres and inner tubes, Wheels re spoked with nos spokes and one rim. All cables replaced with NOS items, Boyer Bransden electronic ignition fitted with uprated dual spark coil. New Regulator Rectifier fitted replacing the rectified only OE equipment, all wiring checked and some connectors / connections replaced, handlebar switches overhauled and cleaned, new Gel Battery. I doubt there are many like this that are still around.
Now Sold. This was my Suzuki GSXR 750 WT SRAD 1996 and came complete with its original sales receipt from Bridge Motorcycles Exeter dated 28/2/96 for £9250 ! it also has its original hand book and service record book and lots of receipts, I am the 5th keeper and I bought it to lightly restore late in 2015 for my collection. I ended up doing the following, new fork seals and oil, new chain (RK HD O Ring), new Front and rear Brake pads (EBC), callipers striped and rebuilt with new seals new Brake fluid, carbs ultrasonically cleaned and balanced, new air filter, engine Oil change (Motul), new Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tyres and a New battery. After all that the engine fired up first bang of the button. It had been of the road and stored for 9 years.
Now Sold. This was my second SRAD Suzuki GSXR 750 WT 1996 and was found on Ebay advertised as not running well, it needed the carbs sorting and a few other things as the one above, but once sorted it too fired up first bang of the button.
Now Sold. Suzuki GSF 1200 K6 2006 last of the oil cooled models, I purchased it and did the New fork seals and oil and Hagon fork springs oil changed April 2018, new chain & sprockets (DID HD O Ring), new Front and rear Brake pads (EBC), new front and rear braided brake lines, new Brake fluid, carbs cleaned and balanced, K&N air filter, engine Oil change (Motul 5000 10w 40), new SKF wheel bearings, wheels powder coated white, new Michelin Pilot Power 2CT tyres and a New battery April 2018, Renthal bars , bar end mirrors, 14tooth front sprocket, Just Bandits Belly pan fitted properly, genuine Suzuki single seat, Harris billet rear sets, Chic design (imported from Japan) Cockpit fairing, Japanese radiator guards, stainless steel exhaust hanger, carbon front mudguard and side panels, rear seat undertray and mudguard eliminator fitted. The Bike is fitted with a Dynojet carb kit and a Beowulf carbon end can with link pipe, pairs system removed and ignition advanced by 3 degrees. Rode it for a Year or so and then sold it to my ex Boss.
Now Sold. Found on Ebay in 2012 this Suzuki GSXR 750 WX Srad had around 1600 miles on the clock !! It hadn’t been used for a while so needed the normal service items as well as the fork seals, chain etc, I even managed to find some genuine Suzuki footrest heal plates and other fasteners. This was a true time warp bike, and in hindsight I should have kept it 🙁
Now Sold. This was my 1993 Suzuki GSXR 750 WP it had only covered 12,000 miles from new, and was totally original. All I did was to re shim the valve clearances strip and clean all the brake calipers and strip and re build the carbs, the bike had been left standing for quite a few years and the carbs were completely blocked, a manual clean followed by a dip in my ultrasonic tank soon sorted them out and all the internal o rings were replaced, the bike started 1st push of the button. The WP was the second year of the new water cooled GSXR engine which replaced the oil cooled model in 1992, this engine would carry on until the introduction of the GSXR SRAD in 1996.
Now Sold. This was my second 1993 Suzuki GSXR 750 WP restoration, once again it needed various components stripping down, and the carbs certainly needed a full clean as it had been standing for a few years.
Now Sold. This was my 1993 Suzuki GSXR 1100 WP it has only covered 13,000 miles from new, it is totally original, all I have done is re shim the valve clearances strip and clean all the brake calipers and strip and re build the carbs,
The 1100WP was the first year of the new water cooled GSXR engine which replaced the oil cooled model, this engine would carry on until 1998 when Suzuki dropped the 1100cc capacity range.
Now Sold. This was my Suzuki GT550 M triple cylinder 2 stroke dating from 1974, it has been imported from the U.S.A. and has only covered 9,000 miles ! It was in generally good condition and the chrome is pretty good having been in one of the drier climates, the paintwork required resparying and the the engine was fully stripped and the crank re built, new rings gaskets etc, I also fitted it with electronic ignition.
Now Sold. This was my 1990 Suzuki GSXR 750 L it had only covered 16,000 miles from new, it was stripped down to the bare frame and the engine was stripped down to sort out an oil leak. I rebuilt it as totally standard apart from a couple of mods to the wiring.
The L model was the last but one of the Suzuki GSXR oil cooled motor in the 750 range, 1992 would herald a completely new bike the 750 WN and would introduce water cooling to the GSXR range. I parted with it in 2011 and bought the 750WP.
Now Sold. This was my 1973 Honda CB 750 K3 sohc it had only covered 11,000 miles from new, and came back from the U.S.A. this was my second full nut and bolt restoration and although enjoyable the bike never “did” it for me so was sold and is now residing in Malta.
The K3 model was never imported into the UK in this guise and this was the forth year model of Honda’s ground breaking 750 single overhead bike this model alone started the death knell of the British motorcycle industry and I’m afraid you can see why once you have worked on comparable machines.
Now Sold. Had to tick the Ive owned a Brit Box. This Bonneville T140D U.S. Special it had only covered 9,000 miles from new, and I imported it back from the U.S.A. This was my first full nut and bolt restoration and the first ever British bike I have worked on, I restored it to look original but brought some things in line with the 21st century, including the brakes, wiring, switchgear and also converted the clutch to hydraulic operation. I rode it for 10 or so miles and decided that Brits weren’t for me, it now resides in Kent.
Yep Ive had one ! This was an ex XR1200 cup race bike as raced by Blade Cheltenham who actually won the series. Loads of goodies including Harris Yokes, Big Piston forks, Ohlins shocks, Brembo Disks, screaming eagle tuning box etc, but still far too heavy for me so it got the chop. Enough Said.
