Hello, this is a little bit of a long shot, but a very nice fellow called Bernie responded to one of my videos with the following story. Does anyone have any knowledge they could share? Thanks for any help, Mike
Back in the 1950s my father [Mason Woodhouse] used to be pit crew/mechanic around the motorcycle circuits in the U.K. including the Isle of Man. His best buddy, Brian Jackman, used to race grass track at the Agricultural Shows in the North of England. A few miles from home there was an annual hill climb, Barbon Hill Climb. Sadly, they only run cars there these days. In the early 60s, they decided to build a bike to compete in the hill climb. They chose a Norton featherbed frame & a Triumph Bonneville engine. Given their experience with alcohol-fueled speedway engines, I’m pretty sure it didn’t run on straight petrol, it was road registered. They refined the bike over several years and were the 1st bike to run under 30 seconds. They regularly won their class. The overall prize alluded them because of a gentleman and his Vincent. One year the Vincent broke down and they won the outright title. I’ve never seen my dad so happy about a motorcycle breakdown! I went there with them in the early 70s and the commentator was talking about the battles Brian had with the Vincent. The little bloke on the light bike v the heavy more powerful Vincent. I thought I’d share that with you if any of your subscribers have any more info about the Barbon Hill Climb my memories are rusty and there isn’t much on the net. I think the day that they went under 30 sec. that old Vincent came along and stole the day.
Back in the 1950s my father [Mason Woodhouse] used to be pit crew/mechanic around the motorcycle circuits in the U.K. including the Isle of Man. His best buddy, Brian Jackman, used to race grass track at the Agricultural Shows in the North of England. A few miles from home there was an annual hill climb, Barbon Hill Climb. Sadly, they only run cars there these days. In the early 60s, they decided to build a bike to compete in the hill climb. They chose a Norton featherbed frame & a Triumph Bonneville engine. Given their experience with alcohol-fueled speedway engines, I’m pretty sure it didn’t run on straight petrol, it was road registered. They refined the bike over several years and were the 1st bike to run under 30 seconds. They regularly won their class. The overall prize alluded them because of a gentleman and his Vincent. One year the Vincent broke down and they won the outright title. I’ve never seen my dad so happy about a motorcycle breakdown! I went there with them in the early 70s and the commentator was talking about the battles Brian had with the Vincent. The little bloke on the light bike v the heavy more powerful Vincent. I thought I’d share that with you if any of your subscribers have any more info about the Barbon Hill Climb my memories are rusty and there isn’t much on the net. I think the day that they went under 30 sec. that old Vincent came along and stole the day.