12 replies to this topic

[Paul Collins]

A sequence discovered in my old album, luckily not my bike (I mostly used Spondon kit) but this is what happened to a few owners of brand new TZ350F/G's!

Luckily this fella noticed he was having some handling 'issues' and pulled up before it collapsed!!

[larryd]

[quote name='Paul Collins' date='Nov 9 2011, 17:19' post='5386786']
A sequence discovered in my old album, luckily not my bike (I mostly used Spondon kit) but this is what happened to a few owners of brand new TZ350F/G's!

Luckily this fella noticed he was having some handling 'issues' and pulled up before it collapsed!!



TZFs, new in 1979, did not combine well with Irish road circuits, being designed and intended for billiard table racing surfaces (= car park racing !) with no jumps.

If I remember correctly, Joey Dunlop came out of the "tunnel" at Skerries one year well in the air, landed, and the Yamaha went instantly to a nine-foot wheelbase.

They were well-known as having a "fully detachable steering head" - anyone with ambition in Ireland, or doing the Manx, transferred everything to a Spondon, or other, replica.

My own "career" went on to 1986, but I always used TZD & E frames with 250 and 350 G motors - heavy, but they didn't break!

[tonyed]

This was confined to the 'F' frames where the rear unit front frame member was attached directly behind the steering head. I seem to remember they were banned at the TT unless modified.
The 'G' frame was modified to prevent the loss of the steering head (always a bonus in my opinion).

The 'C-E' frames were not without their moments.

I remember Geoff Bastard coming in after one practice session at the Manx complaining of handling insecurities on a 'D' chassis. We found the rear frame tubes below the swing arm mounting fractured with the chain holding it all together. I had my 'E' frame rubber mounted at the back engine mounting and never suffered more than the odd hang over (nothing to do with the frame however).

Edited by tonyed, 09 November 2011 - 18:02.

[fastfitter]

Were some frames (Maxton?) gas filled so they could be checked for cracks simply by applying a pressure gauge, or is that an urban myth or, more likely, my memory playing tricks?

[Paul Collins]

There was definately a gas filled frame around, I cant remember who used it though, I think it was an idea of one of the works teams.

[Leif A Nielsen]

There was definately a gas filled frame around, I cant remember who used it though, I think it was an idea of one of the works teams.

Hi,

Think is was the Bimota frame you could test with a pressure gauge

-Leif

[Paul Collins]

Hi,

Think is was the Bimota frame you could test with a pressure gauge

-Leif

That was the one!!

[fastfitter]

Great, thanks. Good to know I'm only half puddled then ;)

[tdijam]

Hi,

Think is was the Bimota frame you could test with a pressure gauge

-Leif

At one time I owned the original Cantilever Maxton that won the 1975 JuniorTT riden by Charlie Williams. in 1982 Ron Williams did some mods to the frame for me, and he was concerned about the amount of laps of the TT course the bike had done over the years, so he fitted a Schrader Valve to the frame tube to enable the frame to be pressurised with air to check for cracks in the frame.

[knickerbrook]

Yes - I also had a Maxton (twin shock) which had a Schrader valve on the top rail, under the seat. I believe it was Bill Smith's '74 bike, which I had in '76.
I sold it to Julian Bishop in '77 - wonder where it is now?

[fazz]

At one time I owned the original Cantilever Maxton that won the 1975 JuniorTT riden by Charlie Williams. in 1982 Ron Williams did some mods to the frame for me, and he was concerned about the amount of laps of the TT course the bike had done over the years, so he fitted a Schrader Valve to the frame tube to enable the frame to be pressurised with air to check for cracks in the frame.

Hi Guys yes you are correct about Ron being concerned about frames as I have nearly finished the restoration of a twin shock Maxton it was raced by Ken Huggett and crashed by him in the 1975 TT. It was badly damaged around the headstock and Ron still says he should have put a hack saw through it. I know what was left of it the bike went back to Dugdales shop iand was used as a mock up frame kit hung on the wall of the shop. This frame has self tappers in the frame near all the welded joints with the schrader valve to test for leaks.

I bought the remains of what was left, off Charlie Williams after a discussion with him as he told me he had got some Maxton parts which consisted of a frame the big petrol tank seat unit and fork yokes. Charlies right hand man Em Roberts has helped me extensively in the restoration over the years an absolute top bloke. And what Em dosent know about Maxton's is not worth knowing. It will be finished soon.

I will put some pictures on soon.

Mark

[fazz]

Hi Guys
What I should say the restoration is the remains or the frame off a bike Ken Huggett rode as the parts I started with the frame was identified as being the one from the bike Ken Huggett crashed.

I just do not want to mislead anyone as it being the exact bike he rode. I have built this bike out of period Maxton parts etc. Just to set the record straight if you know what I mean.
Mark

[picblanc]

Look forward to seeing it Mark.