As you say, there might be different rules for the Classic, didn't Farquhar win the Senior Classic on a Paton last year ?
Probably it isn't restricted to national licence holder even in the modern classes anymore, there seems to be some foreign entries

http://www.manxgrandprix.org/Races%202009/Races2009.html

Joey rode Ian Telfer's Aermacchi in (I think) the '97 Manx.

According to THE BOOK,Joey rode Terry Teece's Bike prepared by the Bladon bros.1st as a 250,(dropped a valve at the bottom of Bray),then a less frantic 350 the next year.Lapped around 98mph on the 250,as has Bill Swallow on a Dick Linton 250.Quick for a little 'un eh?
HW (just returned from 200kms on the Ariel Arrow,am having to stand up whilst typing this!)

Hmm, yes you're correct of course HW, don't know where Ian Telfer's name popped up from

Herr,

Hi. Hope you are well. I have the Aermacchi book somewhere, probably in the garage in one of the many boxes following the move last month which I have yet to unpack. It's a while since I got it but I don't think either of us appear in it, unless I missed a photo somewhere. I'll dig it out and have another look!! A friend of ours bought me Mick Walker's book on the Manx Norton a few years back - a real treat if you haven't already seen it.

Good luck with your negotiations - those Aermacchis are a bit pricey now!!

All the best.

Ray

There are plenty of Harley 350 Sprints out here, the road version of the Aemacchi racer? Are any of the parts any good to use in a race bike as I can probably help to search out bits if anyone needs them. I have a friend in town who has one along with an A1R (converted from the road bike) his brother has an RG500 which he raced at Daytona still in his garage somewhere. Anyway, I just wondered if there are any common parts and if I could help. Two days to Mid Ohio Vintage Days



David

That's a kind offer David, but I dont think too much is interchangeable. Actually, I'm not sure which came first either..... although, thinking about it, I suspect the road bike was develpoed from the racer. The 'Harley' racers (CRTT) are Aermacchis in all but name, save for some curious omisions such as the lovely Italian forks.

Hi David,
I think some of the castings could be made to fit,I,m sure that 1 of the roadbikes crankcases could be engineered,but I'm not certain.(I,m not certain about much these days!)I think as they developed,the differences got more and more.A very early 60s racer looks quite similar to the road bike of the time.I deduce from the book that the roadsters were pretty good and robust ,whereas the early racers were fragile to say the least.But boy were the final racers lovely looking,reliable(in the main) and fast pieces of kit.
Passed through Navarrenx on the old smoker last sunday,thoughts strayed to 'Red Devil' for a moment.BTW good luck at Ohio.
Got a mate in Cagnotte who's looking for an H2 road bike if anyone hears 'owt.
Ray,if its anything like true to form for most of us, it will be a while before those boxes are emptied,and its usually the last one that the good stuffs in!
ATB HW

Roadster cases are a lot less stiff than the Ala d'Oro ones, plus the racer had an outrigger extra driveside main bearing, if I recall correctly - it's a long time ago, Andy!!

Ah, HW, the Pyrenees, a beautiful area, last year on returning from hols in Spain Madame ECR thought it would be a good idea to take the scenic route over the mountains rather than staying with the E15 Spanish coast highway.

Wrong.

The tomtom went haywire, we ended up down some dirt track on the Spanish-French border and in the hedgerows at 3 a.m. we spotted quite a few, ahem, 'dark-skinned' gentlemen who were heading north.

We were eventually pointed in the right direction by a couple of bemused (and VERY well-armed) Guardia Civil who noticed that we had been going round in circles for a while.

We visited Col d'Aubrisque, Tarbes and Simorre before heading for Toulouse.

A beautiful part of the world, well chosen by yourself

Sorry to go O/T chaps

Certainly picked a beautiful place HW! We came over the Col D'Aspe from Spain, had the family with me though so no bike. Navarrenx has a great bridge for jumping off and the river is one of the best for salmon. recommended riding territory for anyone. From there through the Massif Central is fun isn't it? No traffic and terrific roads. I'm not riding at Mid-Ohio, that will be next year. It's taken a while to get settled in the USA so I'm looking forward to meeting up with Don and anyone else that's going if anyone wants to meet then PM me and I'll give you my cell no.

Oh and I may know where there's a nice H2, it's next to his Dodge Viper! I can take a better look at it if you like.


Sorry to go off track, I just wondered if I could help with Sprint stuff. Seems the Aermacchi was mostly hand built and sandcast? Nice to read up on stuff I know nothing about. Thanks guys.


David

I don't doubt your right Larry,its just that when I was at the MGP with Fred (O'Callaghan) RIP I,m sure that someone mentioned that DL was using (in an emergency) road cases as the real things had dried up.But this was only secondhand information.BTW we got a good result with the bike (it was Paddy Smyths') after a week of torment after a valve seat dropped out in practice.Fred was at Jurby running in the bike and I tried to get an extension to the weigh in,but the organisers said no.Fred ended up riding the 'Macchi back from Jurby on the road.Boy,did it sound good following it back!Happy days.
HW

Herr,

Ahh....this takes me back! It may even be my old bike - but this one is now believed to be in Belgium somewhere. Anyway it's identical to mine in its original trim - nicely restored too.

Thanks to Richard Tracy at Rave Engineering, who was its owner a while back, for letting me use the photo.

All the best

Ray

Ooooh so nice.They just look so right.Frau W is not succumbing to pressure,so I will have to resort to 1 euro a litre Merlot for the time being.Well it is past 5.30 here!
ATB HW

Wonderful, apart from the tyres, the shot could have been taken in '68ish.

Mick Robinson is having trouble posting pics, so has asked me to post this one for him.

Photo Copyrighted to Mick Robinson.
This bike ridden By Mick, Ryan Farquahar & Lea Gourlay.

Thats a bit titchy Mick!!?

Hi All,

I thought you may enjoy a Aermacchi "Flat Tracker":



Don

Mikuni VM carb.Thats a useful mod.
HW

How about an Aermacchi roadracer of a different type:



1977, RR250.

Don

[quote name='TeeZed' date='Jul 29 2009, 01:23' post='3772164']
How about an Aermacchi roadracer of a different type:



1977, RR250.

Don


Is that similar to the Walter Villa bike Don? What's with the rear brake cable? Nice to see you at Mid-Ohio, shame the weather was so bad and you couldn't run the reverse cylinder TZ or the 'B" due to the rules.



David

Hi David,

Yes, this would be similar to Walter Villa's bike. I don't know much about this bike as it is owned by a friend of mine.

Very pleased we met up at Mid-Ohio. Sure was lousy weather though.

Don

Don,

Beautifully turned out bike - is it yours? No rear suspension on these things, and by the look of it - no brakes either!! Scary business this flat track racing!!

All the best.

Ray

I wonder if any of you amazing experts can help me with information (especially results and photos) about a 1968 Ala d'Oro (344cc) sitting in my garage. It has had three owners (other than me) and they raced it between 1968 and 1975.

The original owner was Antonio Zappa in Italy. I can find no evidence that he ever made it into GPs so was probably only active in the Italian championships. He is listed in Restelli's book on Aermacchis, but I have not been able to find any other information, so any input on him would be greatly appreciated.

The bike was then brought to the UK by Syd Lawton in 1970 and acquired by Stuart Morrell. As far as I know, Stuart did the Manx on it in 1971 and 1972 and then sold it to Keith Hill, who planned to do the Manx on it, but unfortunately he never got the chance. Sadly, he was killed at Cadwell in 1975 on a Yamsel.

Both Stuart and Keith have been mentioned on this brilliant forum and I do have some information on them, but again, I am particularly interested in results and photographs.

Thanks,
Jim

Hi Ray - hope you don't mind, but I've "emigrated" your last post over here!

I forgot to say earlier that one other reason that I preferred the Metisse was that while I sat on top of the Macchi like a monkey on a stick, I found that I sat down "into" the Metisse, and felt myself to be a part of the bike.

Speaking of 1978, here are two photos - as you may remember, Thursday afternoon was even worse than race day - you can see the track through the water at Signpost!!





Member
Posts: 76
Joined: January 09



Hi Larry,

Happy New Year! Thanks for your post, and sorry I missed it - haven't been on here much since Christmas!

I agree with you about the standard Aermacchi - I think you got used to it jumping about, but I had some comments from other riders now and then, saying they had been behind me and it was wriggling around! It improved a lot when I rebuilt all the cycle parts while Francis Beart did the engine - I renewed every bush and bearing in sight, replaced the worn out rear units with the correct length ones, changed the fork oil (what little there was in the first place!) and discovered why the front brake kept locking up!

Initially we thought it just took a bit of getting used to, going from the Ducati brakes to 'real' ones, and I put huge champfers on the leading edge of the linings, trying to make it more progressive. It was just as bad, and after another fall at Snetterton, Dennis had a go on it at Brands and came off in a big way going into Paddock, just missing an unprotected edge of Armco - lucky! When we took it apart I noticed some scoring on the 'fillets' of the hub. It turned out a spacer was missing, and the shoes had worn a 'slot' in the fillets.Not a problem until you put the brake on, then - metal to metal contact on four shoes!! One small spacer, one big problem solved - the front stopper was brilliant after that, but it was a shame I missed it the first time. It sounds like you had your Metisse well sorted. You mentioned Kate's Cottage - oddly enough it's where I often watch the racing when I go back to the Island - I think it's a bit smoother now.

Good idea to take the linkage off the rear - wish I had done that! I think that rear brake was bigger than the front one on my old Ducati (!), and as you say, way too much!! I didn't really use it a lot, but felt the return spring was very feeble, probably about alright for a ball point pen, but not that great big brake, and I think it used to 'servo up' once the shoes made contact. After some rummaging in the parts boxes I found a much stronger thing to replace it, and it snapped the lever back like the jaws of a crocodile!! I was still very wary of it though.

I found some photos of Dennis on his Aermacchis the other day, one taken splashing his way out of Governor's in that soaking 78 Manx. I will put them on the Aermacchi thread when we get another scanner sorted out, and I can track down the photographers.

All the best.

Ray

Just thought I`d revive the Aermacchi page as no input since 05th Jan !!! Where have all the "Varese boys" gone? It`ll also be nice to see the `macchi at the head of the field again, at least `til the next post If nothing is forthcoming I`ll have to bore you all with my tales of my Aermacching days, you have been warned

I'm still waiting Roger
HW

Me too Roger !!

Now now boys, it takes us `boring ol` farts` time to get going, its not like being on the front row at Cadwell and planning to be first in to Coppice, think of it more like starting on the back row with a duff knee and a pusher...... I`ll get there in the end, just don`t hold your breath! After all, there`s been nowt on the "`macchi mutterings" page since January and it took Giulio Macchi 38 years to get round to building the first two wheeler and then another 7 years before the first (175) Ala d`Oro appeared!

More `macchi mutterings momentarily
382

I think you'll find, Roger, that Andy & I are both boring old farts too

Larry/Roger,

Hi and hope your chaps are well. I have now got a replacement printer/scanner so I can put a few more photos on here, but it's been in the box in the office while I have been working in France the last few weeks. In the meantime here's one from Phil Masters' Archives, taken at Gaydon in 1976. Apologies to the purists - I put on a non-standard fairing and seat - sacrilege!!




I promise I'll get the others on here in the next few weeks!!

All the best.

Ray

Nice one Ray.Just as I remember it.I would have have been spectating that day too.Used to go to most of the North Glos meetings in those days,Caning the old rigid framed Ariel 350 down the Fosse way.Flat stick all the way.More please.
HW

Hi, Pete John had a scruffy Drixton with a big engine-420cc. It had had the cases bored out untill the roots of the threads of the cast in inserts for the holding down studs were visible as shadows! Pete said to me" sort it out and get it working -bill me for the big bits." Barbara brush painted the frame, Willy Hodge sprayed the tank and his dad Bill bored out the knackered valve guides to take triumph valves.I had loads in stock and the price was right. I took advice from several 'macci riders and ended up with a fast and reliable bike. Pete did not get a bill as it cost very little to make it good. It gave me many good finishes and a couple of class wins in the 500 class. It had a very long megga, not the usual 'macci short one. At the first Tandragee classic race a guy asked me to remove the contact breaker cover.I did so and inside it had his initials.He was Mal Kirwan and had won the Tandragee 350 race on it some years before. It had very good brakes and wheels and the sprockets were special. We had only T.T.spockets which gave it a 65mph first gear.It was a bugger to bump so I used it in the new F2 class that had clutch starts. Had some fantastic races with the 350 Yam L.C. guys,especialy at the M.C.C. Silverstone meetings. During one such meeting I was entered in the classic class and had pushers-I knew I wouldnt get it going myself. My helpers were Geoff Selvidge and Mike VanGucci. We passed about four riders pushing! I stopped at the race office on the way back to the pits as I had won the 350 class, but on a 420. I asked Arthur Bonwick to scrub the result.I was in the 350's as the 500 class was full.The second place man knew the bike but did not know about my call at the race office-almost ended in a punch up! I never had a D.N.F. on it. Pete asked me to give it to Russell Benny of Phase One Endurance fame. I remember him telling me I had buggered it up by using 12v ignition. I asked why and he told me with much authority that"Aermacci's use 6v ignition". I dont believe it was as reliable after its 6v conversion. If it aint broke dont fix it. It had an ex works short stroke motor with eccentric rocker spindles, the outside flywheel had been removed and it had a vicious dry clutch.It used a 38mm Del-Orto .The cylinder was almost a collection of alloy washers as it had been bored so thin for the liner. A great bike but at the time just an old uncompetitve four stroke with poor spare part availability. If we knew then what we know now we would be sitting on a fortune.In Sport, Rotrax.

Not sure if it still exists, but this is the Foale/Brew Aermacchi mentioned at the start of this thread.


By billbomann at 2010-11-19

Roger Hurst rode for Kawasaki in 1988 with a second place in the Production C. A big 'off' at Thruxton curtailed his International career; he still rides the Classic Manx.

Herr/Chaps,

Sorry guys - its ages since I said I would get this done. After one scanner arrived with the glass broken, and some software problems with the replacement, I finally can put some more photos on here!

This one is from practice at the 1978 Manx GP with Dennis on board Stafford Coulson's 350. I think it was the evening of the dropped valve!! By the time the bike made the race, it had another engine in it, and the guys who lent us the engine bought the bike after the race. They were renting a house at Baldrine near Laxey - and not sure but it may have been the Bladon brothers??

All the best.

Ray

That's a really good photo Ray. Aermacchis are possibly my favourite bike, I'd love to own one but I don't think that will ever happen now.

Here's one of Tony Foales creations from the Manx in 1974.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Robin,

Hi and thanks for your post. Interesting machine, there weren't many of those Foale ones around. Believe it or not, my Aermacchi was bought for £370 in 1975, and not many people wanted them then - they were uncompetitive against the Yamahas and the Classic movement hadn't got going at that stage. I was lucky to ride one at a time when they were relatively cheap!!

All the best.

Ray

I remember in 1978 as i was slowly scraping together the £1250 for my first TZ I saw a nice 250 Aermacchi for sale at around £450, I was tempted as the 250 single cylinder class was taking off at the time, but as you say it was a limited market for them by then, and as an 18 year old wannabe there was only one option for me.

Larry,

Hi. I hope you are well. I know it's been ages but I finally found the photo of Dennis splashing his way out of the Governor's Bridge dip at the 78 Manx. I think we missed the wet Thursday afternoon practice as we were still fixing one of the many problems we had during the week!

By the way, I went to the NG Racing dinner on Saturday, and sat on Aermacchi again for the first time since the 70's. John Hammond had his on display at the entrance. He bought it in 1969 and still rides it in Classic races and parades. My daughter took some photos with my phone, so I will upload them once I figure out how to do it!!

What a shame we couldn't start it up........

All the best

Ray

Hi Ray, Its usually really simple to load photo's from your phone onto your computer, in the bottom of the box that your phone came in should be a lead to plug the phone directly into a USB port on a computer, you can then just open the photo folder on your phone and download the pics.

It might take a couple of minutes the first time you do it as your computer needs to recognise the plugged in device and will ask you if you want to connect to 'nokia blah blah' or whatever phone it is, but just say yes to it and it should then show your photo folder on your computer screen.

Nice photo, Ray - brings it all back.

Shit, that was one bastard of a day . . . . . . . . .

My leathers were blue, with red and white stripes down the sleeves and sides of body.

When I took 'em off, my entire front from neck to unmentionables was blue, with fetching national colours down my arms . . . . . . .

Took two baths to get it all off.

Shame Dennis isn't here to retrospectively curse the MMMC with me - never mind, it was fun when we stopped!!

Paul,

Thanks for your help. I shall give it a go! It was easy enough with the old phone, but we have just switched from Blackberry to Iphone at work, so I am near the bottom of the learning curve at the moment!!

Ray

Larry,

Nice one! No, they were not the best conditions for racing on the Island. Dennis had some problems with his visor fogging up after the first lap, and was glad just to get round in the end.

All the best

Ray

Bill,thats the very one!Lovely little thing,light as a feather I reckon.Sadly with all the mods would not be eligible for classic racing these days.(If it still exists)
HW

I will check with Allan Brew to see if it is still lurking in the back of his garage!

Hello!

Hope you guys are all well. The Aermacchis have slipped down the order a bit since I last looked. I seem to be spending all my time working these days, so not been on here that much lately. Anyway, hopye you like this shot of my old 350 in 1975 - probably the second or third meeting I did on it as the original fairing and seat are still there! I am gradually working my way through scanning some old photos when I get the odd minute or two.

All the best.

Ray

[quote name='Ray Oldam' date='Apr 14 2011, 21:18' post='4964472']
Hello!

Hope you guys are all well. The Aermacchis have slipped down the order a bit since I last looked. I seem to be spending all my time working these days, so not been on here that much lately. Anyway, hopye you like this shot of my old 350 in 1975 - probably the second or third meeting I did on it as the original fairing and seat are still there! I am gradually working my way through scanning some old photos when I get the odd minute or two.

All the best.

Ray

Nice one Ray.Welcome back.Hope all is well with you.Great Pic. ATB

HW

Super photo Ray.

Herr/Pic Blanc,

Thank you guys. I'm good thanks and hope you are too. Work has been busy, so I don't get as much free time these days, but look in when I can. These photos are a bit more recent. My daughter Charlotte came to the NGMCC dinner with me last year to award her late uncle Dennis's trophy, and John Hammond had his 350 on display at the entrance to the hall. Photos taken on an iPhone, (copyright Charlotte!). I particularly like the arty one with the spotlight behind it! That's yours truly in the middle and the third one is John, who bought the bike from new and still races and parades it. You know, getting back on one again it didn't seem like that long ago at all.....

Ray

Just an aside, in the mid 70s when I was riding a clapped out TR2B I remember an Aermacchi breezing past me down Railway Straight at Croft and later discovered it was an overbored job 402cc ??, it certainly had some go.

Never underestimate the humble pushrod engine Greg

HW