12 replies to this topic

[Rodaknee]

One of great British riders from the 60's and early 70's.  He was first to use aluminium wheels, amongst many other ideas.  Such a pity he wasted his time on single cylinder bikes and the Nortons.  In recent years he made replicas of the Norton twins and Arter Matchless.  He also wrote a book, which sold well.

 

https://www.bikespor...ms-has-had-died

 

 

[Bob Riebe]

Though I am a Yank, I have read a lot of him and , to me, he is a name of recognition.

A breed of man now disappearing.

[Michael Ferner]

Not always easy to keep track with the many motor cycle Williamses in Britain, but Peter was easily recognizable with the fat glasses Not sure he considered his stint with the John Player Norton a "waste of time", though. A quick google suggests his only world championship win came at the Ulster on a two-stroke MZ, so he defintely got around.

[kevins]

[Rodaknee]

The book "Designed to Win" is on Amazon at £200.  It's also on Ebay for £35 from Peter's own company.  Someone is being greedy.

 

Looking back at the 60's and 70's there are not many riders from that period still around.  Luton Boy obviously and Dave Croxford come to mind.

[Rodaknee]

Not always easy to keep track with the many motor cycle Williamses in Britain, but Peter was easily recognizable with the fat glasses Not sure he considered his stint with the John Player Norton a "waste of time", though. A quick google suggests his only world championship win came at the Ulster on a two-stroke MZ, so he defintely got around.

The Norton was the last of the push rod engines, along with the similarly dated Triumph and BSA triples.  What was the point spending all that time and money on the monocoque frames, apparently they only built 3 or 4 of them.  If only the British bike companies had spent money designed a decent engine, instead of grabbing the profits for themselves.  Greedy sods all of them.

[AndyLee]

Sad news. I was talking to him at the Classic TT a couple of years ago, he didn't look very well at all but was full of enthusiasm about a new bike project he was involved with.

[10kDA]

Sad news. One of the greats for more reasons than race results. The video had me thinking the color scheme of his leathers and the big W on his helmet were worthy of a superhero. R.I.P. Peter Williams.

[LittleChris]

RIP Peter

[Rodaknee]

This is from Peter Williams book.  What a kick up the arse this must have been to a rider who'd spent months in hospital and was permanently disabled.

 

 

Barry Sheene, who was following me at Oulton Park as the Norton came to bits, encouraged me to sue Norton and, realising the significance that he had seen the disintegration of my bike at close quarters, he volunteered to be my chief witness.  Litigation is a painful and expensive action but he repeatedly encouraged me to carry on over the two years it took for the case to reach the High Court hearing which was scheduled for his convenience after the end of the racing season.  It was six weeks before the date of the hearing that my solicitor phoned me to say he could not contact Sheene, could I try to contact him?  Eventually, I spoke to him, he said he wanted to go on holiday.  The case could not proceed and I was lucky to settle out of court to get back the legal costs I had spent
 

[tonyed]

Bazza, a  man whose self promotion and interest was legend   

Edited by tonyed, 29 December 2020 - 08:30.

[Rodaknee]

Bazza, a  man whose self promotion and interest was legend   

We'd be calling him the People's Champion now.

[StanN]

Sad news indeed. I met Peter at Pukekohe in 2007 and he was in poor shape then, having difficulty moving around. I have signed copies of both editions of Peter's book, great reading.

 

The Greeves Silverstone that I bought from the UK, sight unseen in late 1981, and had shipped out here to Canada to race in our recently organized vintage racing scene, had a heavily modified frame and was fitted with an Oldani front brake. It was only when I came across an article by David Dixon in one of the 1966 UK motorcycle weeklies about the Orpin water-cooled Silverstone, built for the 1966 season, that I discovered that mine was the bike actually modified by Peter Williams when he was working for Greeves, to accept the Orpin w/c cylinder and LE Velocette rad. as well as to alter the footrest position and lower the rear subframe to suit his requirements. He hated the standard Silverstone riding position after riding an Orpin Silverstone in the 1965 MGP.

 

After Peter crashed the bike heavily at Snetterton late in the 1966 season Orpin removed the cylinder, rad. etc. and these were replaced by a standard air-cooled cylinder in the rebuild. This was the way it was when I bought it and has remained that way since. I have raced the bike here and in the US since 82 and have just pre-entered for the 4 race VRRA series for 2021, Covid-19 permitting. I just love vintage (classic) racing, your bike never becomes obsolete!

 

RIP Peter.

 

Stan