SRK189W
Junior member
- Location
- Shropshire
The former editor of Superbike Magazine was Tony Middlehurst, not Middleton. Hope this helps, Steve.
John Reed spaceframe Montjuic
- Thread starter Otto
- Start date
Andy J
Hero member
- Location
- Isle of Man
Oops, thanks, got his name mixed up with a school classmate. Obviously another sign of aging.
Happy New Year all,
I popped in to see Mathew before Christmas. He didn't have a particularly strong memory of the Laverda other than
the bike was commissioned by Mike Scott of Superbike and built by John Reed at his unit which used to be at a wood yard at 'Frogs Island' near Britwell-cum-Sotwell. Once John Reed had built the rolling chassis it was handed over to Mathew to complete the detail at his workshop 43 High Street, Didcot.
There was no rear shock when he got it just a strut to stop the rear collapsing. The bike needed wiring and as built there was no provision for battery location. The bike originally ran with no alternator - total loss electrics. The frame was co-axial in that the swinging arm was in line with the gearbox sprocket for chain tension. This arrangement caused a headache to route the gearchange linkage.
The bike had been run at Brands Hatch by Scott in an event organised by the Southern 67 Club - so there were internals when it appeared at Racing & Sporting Show.). Mathew remembered that it handled well but thought Scott only raced it for part of a season.
Mathew's memory of helping AJ was that the wiring had been 'updated' so that it was no longer total loss...whoever had done it however had made a bit of a mess. He also remembered that the Monty was at a disadvantage at the Manx because the petrol tank capacity necessitated refuelling every lap.
Nick
I popped in to see Mathew before Christmas. He didn't have a particularly strong memory of the Laverda other than
the bike was commissioned by Mike Scott of Superbike and built by John Reed at his unit which used to be at a wood yard at 'Frogs Island' near Britwell-cum-Sotwell. Once John Reed had built the rolling chassis it was handed over to Mathew to complete the detail at his workshop 43 High Street, Didcot.
There was no rear shock when he got it just a strut to stop the rear collapsing. The bike needed wiring and as built there was no provision for battery location. The bike originally ran with no alternator - total loss electrics. The frame was co-axial in that the swinging arm was in line with the gearbox sprocket for chain tension. This arrangement caused a headache to route the gearchange linkage.
The bike had been run at Brands Hatch by Scott in an event organised by the Southern 67 Club - so there were internals when it appeared at Racing & Sporting Show.). Mathew remembered that it handled well but thought Scott only raced it for part of a season.
Mathew's memory of helping AJ was that the wiring had been 'updated' so that it was no longer total loss...whoever had done it however had made a bit of a mess. He also remembered that the Monty was at a disadvantage at the Manx because the petrol tank capacity necessitated refuelling every lap.
Nick
Hi Nick,Happy New Year all,
I popped in to see Mathew before Christmas. He didn't have a particularly strong memory of the Laverda other than
the bike was commissioned by Mike Scott of Superbike and built by John Reed at his unit which used to be at a wood yard at 'Frogs Island' near Britwell-cum-Sotwell. Once John Reed had built the rolling chassis it was handed over to Mathew to complete the detail at his workshop 43 High Street, Didcot.
There was no rear shock when he got it just a strut to stop the rear collapsing. The bike needed wiring and as built there was no provision for battery location. The bike originally ran with no alternator - total loss electrics. The frame was co-axial in that the swinging arm was in line with the gearbox sprocket for chain tension. This arrangement caused a headache to route the gearchange linkage.
The bike had been run at Brands Hatch by Scott in an event organised by the Southern 67 Club - so there were internals when it appeared at Racing & Sporting Show.). Mathew remembered that it handled well but thought Scott only raced it for part of a season.
Mathew's memory of helping AJ was that the wiring had been 'updated' so that it was no longer total loss...whoever had done it however had made a bit of a mess. He also remembered that the Monty was at a disadvantage at the Manx because the petrol tank capacity necessitated refuelling every lap.
Nick
Thank you for your report of your visit with Mathew. Please thank Mathew for me.
I recognize a lot of the issues, like the place for the battery and the gearshifts. The battery can be on another place but I try too keep it as is. I don’t have the original parts of the gear change so I have to solve the same problems again
The capacity of my new petrol tank is also very low.
All this was happening in 1982 or 83? Does anyone have information about Scot racing the bike before it became a price to win in the magazine?
I don’t think Mathew has any pictures of that time?
Again thank you very much, highly appreciated.
Cheers Otto
Andy J
Hero member
- Location
- Isle of Man
Otto, there is a face ache group that has members that were involved with the Southern 67 racing club, and also a website. You might be able to find some more information about the races Mike Scott and the bike competed in.
www.southernsixtysevenracing.com
What’s in a Name? – Southern Sixty Seven Racing
www.southernsixtysevenracing.com
Tree Hugger
Full member
- Location
- Scotland
Hi David, this is fantastic!
No I don’t have these articles, didn’t know they existed. The First picture without the fairing, will help me a lot with rebuilding the bike. And the story, probably Mathew is in it too!I send you a pm, maybe you can send copies or tel me witch number off SBmag they are in.
Much appreciated, Otto
Tree Hugger
Full member
- Location
- Scotland
Got your PM Otto, will be in touch. 
Hi Nick, thanks to David (Tree Hugger) I have copies of the articles in Superbike Magazine.Hi Nick,
Thank you for your report of your visit with Mathew. Please thank Mathew for me.
I recognize a lot of the issues, like the place for the battery and the gearshifts. The battery can be on another place but I try too keep it as is. I don’t have the original parts of the gear change so I have to solve the same problems again
The capacity of my new petrol tank is also very low.
All this was happening in 1982 or 83? Does anyone have information about Scot racing the bike before it became a price to win in the magazine?
I don’t think Mathew has any pictures of that time?
Again thank you very much, highly appreciated.
Cheers Otto
In September 1981 there was an article wrote by or in name off Mathew Mason. It’s about his struggle to build a race bike off the show bike. I recognize the problems. I got the rear suspension in parts and tried to put it together. Seems to work alright. In the article Mathew tells how he did make it work. He did a good job!
Below the copies of the article. When you see Mathew tell him my regards and thank him for his story by you, the article and his work on the bike! I will try to keep his work intact.
Attachments
Hi all, like I mentioned earlier I now have copies of the articles in Superbike Magazine thanks to David.
Some are specific about this bike with great pictures. I like to have the real magazine's
Unfortunately I can’t find these issues on eBay.
Is there someone who can help me with the Superbike Magazine issue from September 1981 and January 1982.
When you want to sell the whole years 1981, 82 and 83 would be even better.
All cost for me!
Thanks in advance.
Otto
Some are specific about this bike with great pictures. I like to have the real magazine's
Unfortunately I can’t find these issues on eBay.
Is there someone who can help me with the Superbike Magazine issue from September 1981 and January 1982.
When you want to sell the whole years 1981, 82 and 83 would be even better.
All cost for me!
Thanks in advance.
Otto