VISITING THE BRITTEN 1000

Looking up to the front suspension wishbones and shock

Engine casings cast in house.

Cylinder head with used piston in background. Served medium rare...

LHS of engine. Carbon Fibre Timing belt cover...

Rear shock is IN FRONT of the engine, centralising mass. Linkage runs underneath the crankcase to the swingarm.

Then I asked if I was allowed to sit on it. Stepping up onto the peg and throwing a leg over, I settled into the tiny seat. Like all race bikes, it was built for racers the likes of Dani Pedrosa, not 6 foot tall beer and pie fed boofheads like myself. I look like ate Dani Pedrosa with an egg and chips for breakfast!

It sure ain't no BMW 1150GSA!!!

The view of the cockpit. Note the lack of fork legs...

The room itself is a humble tribute to the amazing story of John Britten, his team and the bikes he built and raced. The promotional material is interspersed with many personal photos taken of the the team after hours and in the workshops which are a great window into the journey these people.

The secretary remained in the room and patiently answered my many questions about the bike and the race team, with a knowledge that would more than impress the most avid bike nut.

While the Britten V-1000s were the main thrust of the operation, other little projects sprouted on the side lines. Here is a 600cc single cylinder fuel injected motor they were experimenting with.

The 600 single - the damn thing made 75 bhp on the bench...

Three induction trumpets, four fuel injectors. Oh and wait, the air goes in the front and then out the back!!!

Currently the Aero D One Bike has been rescued from being forlorn and stuffed under a stair case and is undergoing a full and detailed restoration.

The secretary told me stories of the visitors to the museum. I was surprised to learn of the number who pass through their doors, all with a tale to tell of how they come to know the Britten. Many Americans who saw the bikes race in the US. Others had seen them race at the Isle of Man. Some are just fans. School groups frequent the display and learn what a Kiwi can do.

And what of the state of the Britten Motorcycle Company today? The lovely secretary described it, most eloquently, as 'dormant'. The moulds for the body work and the engine tooling were only designed for a limited production run. This would have to be reproduced at great expense plus the fact that nearly 15 years of motorcycle design and development has passed since the Brittens were built. She did mention that there have been various discussions and meetings over the years as to a feature film (a la Worlds Fastest Indian), but little has eventuated so far. They still receive plenty of orders for T-shirts, posters, and other merchandise which keeps things ticking over, but my guess is that the Brittens are now, rightly so, a part of modern motorcycling folklore.

The personal photos taken behind the scenes of the team and people involved lend a real personal feel to the display. This was more than a machine of metal and Composites. This was an an engineering adventure.

So if you ever find yourself in Christchurch, do pop in. Its well worth a look.

Cheers