Posts by tag: spondon

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spondon August 2, 2022 posted by William

Track Bike Tuesday: Yamaha Powered Spondon

Spondon has been providing frames to some of the most lust worth motorcycles for decades. They have built everything from championship winning race bikes to wild turbocharged street fighters for the road. As with many small batch British manufactures, the company has a storied history and has gone through many ups and downs. While never a common thing to see on the market, it is more likely to find one in Europe than on this side of the pond. There is little chance it would be cost effective to build a motorcycle like this on your own.

As with the old Lotus adage of “Simplify and add lightness” these Spondon race bikes with a simple Yamaha single offer a refreshing change of pace to the multiple cylinder monsters that normally dominate the track day paddock. Claimed 70 horsepower are more than capable of pushing the 275 pounds of motorcycle. With something light and simple the cost would be kept down because the bike will not require tires and brakes at the rate of a larger bike. This translates to only more fun, but more time learning, training and pushing on track.

From The Seller’s eBay Listing:

Yamaha powered Spondon chassis, former Slipstream British championship bike.

It was featured in Performance bike, topping out at 148mph Silverstone.

-Championship-winning bike, ridden by Colin Sturgeon in the British, isle of man and world S.O.S series.

-Never run here in the states.

-Xt600 powered has been stored since then.

-I did refresh it back in 2008 (thinking I wanted to ride it )

Engine: Yamaha XT 600. Carillo rod. Fresh, top end, Webcam (214 grinds, 107/109

cam lobes). Falicon Stage 2 crank. Arias high compression piston, 12.5:1.

Ported head. New undercut tranny. Yamaha D

series cases. New valve guides. New clutch basket, plates,

springs. Twin Keihin Cr’s smoothbores

Chassis: Spondon twin spar frame with adjustable yokes, Tz front end, brakes, wheels, Ohlins.

275lbs (125kg) ,71bhp

It is not very often that a chance to buy a championship winning bike comes along, even less so with a Buy It Now price of $11,000. Appears to have say in a large collection for quite a few years so a refresh would be in order if the new owner wanted to use the bike on track in anger. But the process should be worthwhile and not only offering excitement on track, but also unique conversations off track. These bikes should have a great cost to uniqueness ratio. The Yamaha single should be easy to keep going and the Spondon frame should out handle almost any converted street bike.

Suzuki March 15, 2018 posted by Donn

Featured Listing – Street-Registered 1986 Suzuki RG500 Racebike

Update 3.15.2018: SOLD IN ONE HOUR! Congratulations to buyer and seller. -dc

Please note: Ted from AutoManiaGP has asked us to open the comments on this post in the hopes that the RSBFS community can assist in determining what has been done to construct this bike. There was no accompanying documentation and we would appreciate your help by examining the pictures and commenting with any additional information you can provide. The text below is our first shot but we look forward to what else can be learned. Please forward widely and thank you for your help! -dc

Suppose you had been a racer, and owned a race team, over the years acquiring intimate knowledge of several different brands of factory race gear – what might you build as a street machine? The few production years of Suzuki RG500 Gamma imprinted Mike Canepa of 10K Racing, and he put together a race-derived machine with Spondon Engineering chassis, with trackside details stem to stern, in race livery.

Suzuki RG500 For Sale at AutomaniaGP

Suzuki’s RG500 used a twin-crank square-four two stroke, with almost unmatched power-to-weight, 95 hp in factory street tune. No doubt well above that with racing carburetors and exhaust. Like any privateer’s racebike, specs are hard to come by, but this RG appears to have a Spondon chassis, an English specialty manufacturer with a long history of chassis development for major manufacturers and well-heeled weekend warriors. The twin spars are at least twice the size of a road-going RG. Later upside-down Showa forks are installed, with Nissin 6-pot front calipers radially mounted. The swingarm is thought to be from a Yamaha TZ250, an asymmetrical fabrication with a massive right side but straight left side with a brace to allow the chain to pass through. Fairings are quite like a later RGV-500, with air scoops just above the front fender feeding the four sidedraft carbs inside.

Unlike any actual racer, this RG500 is clean, polished, and road legal despite the Skoal Bandit graphics. Trim carbon mudguards are installed, along with a full featured instrument cluster. Conflicted as the four expansion chambers and turn signals, there’s a locking gas cap on the tank. The fairing’s post-and-pin supports are safety-wired to keep the cotter pin around. Consigning dealer Automania of Oregon has a great collection of pictures – here – and says this about the bike:

Mike Canepa, owner of race team 10-K Racing was in the later stages of building this race bike for the street when he passed. I had been hearing about it for over two years and unfortunately did not pay attention to what he was telling me at the time. Hind sight is 100%. The engine is V-4 Two Stroke out of a 1986 Suzuki RG500 according to the records we found, but everything else has been a guess or information others have offered up. It was not finished, but he had been riding it recently.

This motorcycle is based on a 1986 Suzuki RG500 but everything except the engine is either custom or race track sourced. The rear swing arm looks to be from a 1991 Yamaha TZ250, the front forks Honda RS250 and the frame appears to be a Spondon that had no identifying numbers or manufactures id on it. It has been titled with an assigned OR State VIN plate and the bike is registered for the street. I am open to anyone looking at the images and suggesting where they think the parts came from. Don’t be shy…

The selling price is $16,695. The VIN# is ORSPERG9G1003 and miles are unknown.

Hard to tally up the hours and dollars invested in this racer-with-lights, though the preparation is immaculate. Likely the frame has a pedigree, and Spondon Engineering has quite a following, even a fan website for reference. Power-to-weight is probably more important here than on a factory machine, and the weight should be closer to 300 than 400 lbs. Evidently inspected by Oregon DMV, it is titled and has road registration, which speaks to how close to completion the bike is. RG and RGV did well in the 500cc years of Grand Prix racing, accounting for four championships and seven constructor’s titles. Automania invites knowledgeable comment and asks $16,995 for this one-of-one, and can be reached at (541) 479-8888 or emailed – here –.

Featured Listing – Street-Registered 1986 Suzuki RG500 Racebike

Honda February 25, 2018 posted by Tad Diemer

Six-y Beast: 1980 Moto Martin CBX for Sale

You might initially be confused by what you’re looking at here, but get past that riot of color and the swoopy bodywork, and the big aluminum brick of an engine could only be one thing: Honda’s 1047cc, 24-valve straight-six CBX motor. But what about the rest of it? What exactly is a Moto Martin CBX?

Honda’s original CBX was a bit of a missed opportunity. It seemed designed to capitalize on the six cylinder racing bikes of the late 1960s, but no real link between the two seems to have been made in advertising the bike. And certainly there was no obvious visual connection, either: the original machines were jewel-like, pure racing motorcycles, while the CBX was a sophisticated, premium machine clearly designed for the road. It was big, heavy, and pretty powerful for the day, but handling was poor due to a flexible frame and the bike’s overall weight.

The main reason to own a CBX was always that huge brick of an engine with its cascade of exhaust pipes sweeping around and under it, the wild shriek of the engine, and its smooth power. But in its original iteration, that was pretty much the only reason to own one. They could be made to get around a race track: some great videos exist of them shaking a leg on track, but they weren’t really suited to it. And styling was relatively bland as well, typically conservative 70s UJM, with just a small duck-tail spoiler at the rear t0 add a bit of zing.

The solution was pretty simple if you had a bit of money and the ability to twirl some wrenches: find a nice, clean CBX, remove the motor and electrical system, and basically ditch the rest. By 1980, the Japanese manufacturers had gotten a handle on the art of making their motorcycles go around corners, but the small frame builders that had sprung up during the 60s and 70s were still around, and the CBX was a perfect candidate for a custom creation. Certainly Frenchman Georges Martin thought so, and his Moto Martin-framed CBXs are often considered the CBXs to have.

There’s no getting around the width of the inline six, and any replacement frame is going to have to figure out how to go over or under, since there’s just no going around… The Moto Martin part hugs the back of the engine pretty closely, making the stock airbox pretty much impossible, and replaces the original twin-shock arrangement with a monoshock setup, with thicker forks up front. Interestingly, it kept the original bike’s geometry, which was basically fine. A finished Moto Martin CBX was both lighter and stiffer than the original bike, with new bodywork, including a one-piece tail, kept the ducktail spoiler but gave the finished bike a much sleeker, more purposeful look, while twin round lamps gave it a bit of endurance racing cred.

From the original eBay listing: 1980 Moto Martin CBX for Sale

This is an extremely rare and highly desirable Moto Martin CBX built from a complete Moto Martin rolling chassis with all of the best equipment of the day as fitted by Moto Martin including: Moto Martin aluminium 18inch wheels, Marzocchi forks, Brembo brakes front and rear with drilled cast iron rotors, braided hoses, De-Carbon under tank rear mono-shock. It has been customised with a different bikini fairing and single piece fibreglass tank and seat unit as in the pictures (and has received a FB like from Georges Martin himself) but the original Moto Martin aluminium tank, fairing, fairing bracket, headlight bracket, seat unit, screen with a spare as shown, are also included in the sale.

The motor is very strong as befitting the bike and is fitted with Carrillo Rods and Arias 1168cc big bore Arias forged piston kit and has done very little mileage since the big bore kit was fitted (hence my reason for sale), being ridden by me only in a few exhibitions for historic motorcycles at our local racetrack.

All in great condition with a few marks and slight damage to the side cover as shown in the photographs. I am the third owner, the previous owner and I each owning the bike for over 15 years.

Your opportunity to own the rarest and most desirable bike in the CBX world!

Seller can help with shipping – I live in a city with a major port.

Like a Spondon or a Rickman, there’s really no “standard” Moto Martin: they were generally sold as kits and built to the customer’s specifications. As few as 50 may exist that are actually titled as Moto Martins, but more kits were probably sold. The listing shows this as a 1980 model, but I believe the Martin kit wasn’t introduced until a bit later, so this might be titled as a Honda CBX, per the donor engine and transmission. The starting bid is $10,000 with no bids as yet. Depending on the reserve, this might be a good opportunity to get a very rare machine for a pretty good price, but note that this bike currently resides in South Africa, so keep that in mind if you’re suddenly having fantasies of wheeling this beast past your local bike hangout.

-tad

Six-y Beast: 1980 Moto Martin CBX for Sale

Track Bikes For Sale February 18, 2013 posted by Ian

Midlands Masterpiece: 2002 Spondon Framed TZ250

Can the boys in the midlands of the U.K. improve on what came from the engineers in Japan? I’m not aware that there were ever things lacking with late model TZ250 frames but Spondon took a swing at improving on the design. Whatever the case, the whole unit makes for some serious stroker eye candy.

I’ll skip my incredibly witty small talk and lets see what we have here:

2002 spondon tz250, ex derick welch.
Not raced since 2007 just paraded and kept in my collection.
Spec as is.
Spondon frame and swingarm, carbon dymag wheels, double core kit radiator, kit cylinders new in 2007 very low miles since then, kit ignition, kit pipes, 2003 on airbox and fairings, 7 position curve map, ohlins damper, maxton front and rear suspension, Brembo m,cylinder, setup for avgas so ultra reliable, maintained by dennise trollpe thoughout its life as he was sponsoring him, plenty of data, for most uk circuts.

This bike clocked over 160 mph at the nw200 in 2007 and won and set the outright lap record at aberdare park against the likes of ian lougher and chris palmer.

This bike was reported to be around 100 bhp, from derick himself.

Comes with Spare fairing and seat unit, Some jets, spare battery, bars

This is a championship winning bike ready to race.>

What RSBFS reader can provide the details: Spondon vs. stock frame?

That swing arm looks down right spindly compared to the stock TZ unit but a dead giveaway that it is a Spondon frame. Visually, the chambers are art.

Oh, if I could only see this without the bodywork. I think it would satisfy my radiator fetish quite nicely. My bucket list would include a spin on a professionally prepped and tuned two stroke.

If you happen to have 14,000 GBP (approx. $22,000) sitting in a jar from your last trip to the U.K. you are in luck my friend.

Here is the classified ad

Ian

Honda November 28, 2012 posted by Ian

UK Beauties: Kawasaki KR1-S, Honda Segale 900 And Spondon Yamaha 200

I got the yawns searching for interesting bikes in the U.S. today so I jumped the pond and the sellers on eBay UK did not disappoint.

We see way to few of these beauties on RSBFS. I still consider the KR1’s, especially the “S” or ubber rare “R” the rarest of the Japanese 250’s. This one has had a semi restoration but apparently is still wearing original bodywork with original paint. The damn things aren’t slow either and seem to have a cult following.

I like what I don’t see; corrosion. The mind wanders and tries to imagine what a 1996 KR1 would have looked like. Would it have resembled the X-09 in any way? Scroll down halfway down the page and have some tissue handy.

Asking price is a hefty but in my humble opinion worth it at 4200 GBP. It would dress up any Kawi collection.

Click it.

Does this thing not have a Mad Max element to it? The Australian with no gas kind, not the Italian with plenty. I’m asking for your comments on this one as I’d love to know more about these bikes. As far as I can tell, they are kind of an Italian version of Harris or Spondon. I have no idea as to what series the bikes were run in. This seller has quite a few high end former race bikes for sale if you are looking to lighten your wallet.

Best heel guard I’ve ever seen. RSC was the first incarnation of HRC; correct?

Simply nasty! You might not be invited back to your local track day after letting everyone enjoy that symphony.

Asking price is 12,900 GBP and you can see more pictures here.

Lastly, this Spondon framed 200cc Yamaha caught my eye. Apparently it was purpose built for an Irish 200cc class back in the day. The bike has since been restored and is now looking for a new home. The bike is officially listed by the seller as a Spondon/Fahron. Who can fill me in on the Fahron?

I love all the different takes on frames back in the two stroke glory days. I don’t know if it a sleeved down 250 or 125 on roids.

If you are looking to dip your toe into the vintage race bike world, this may be a modest way to test the waters. The starting bid is 2,5000 GBP.

Check out the auction.

Ian

spondon June 4, 2012 posted by Ian

Keeping It Interesting: 1983 Rotax Powered Spondon SP7

These are the bikes that keep it interesting. I love running across a bike I don’t know a damn thing about and that is exactly what this is. Most of us know Spondon as a company that builds exotic frame kits for RG500’s but we’ve seen a few of their older race bikes here on RSBFS lately. I believe, but can’t confirm, this 1983 SP7 was built/sold as a complete package. Post away in the comments section if you can provide some insight into the bike.

Since I lack any real knowledge let’s have the seller explain:

1983 Spondon Rotax Inline 250cc two stroke racer. Excellent condition and very rare. Approximately one of only a few made with the new Rotax tandem 250cc motor. Ultra simple and light frame with a new generation racing engine very rare and unusual bike from Altinier Racing , Treviso Italy. Excellent condition and ready to race or show. An excellent motorcycle for AHRMA racing or for any collection. Selling on a bill of sale only with no title!

Looks like a snowmobile engine hiding in there. If you were a small manufacturer and wanted to build a 250cc race bike in the early 80’s you probably built it around this engine. Do a Google Image search for “Rotax 250cc” and see what interesting stuff pops up.

Hmmm, not very official but I guess that is your model number.

Spondon Engineering is still around and I wonder if they’d be able to give details on the bike? Might be worth an email if you are interested.

While searching the depths of the internets for info on the this bike I did stumble onto a listing on a high end bike dealer in the UK and I believe this bike was listed there (no pictures): for quite a large sum of money. If you’d like to take your chances on the auction click here.

Ian

Honda May 14, 2012 posted by Ian

Things I Like In The UK: Spondon Framed Honda RS125,1989 Yamaha FZR750R OWO1, Suzuki Pepsi RG250

There wasn’t a whole lot that caught my eye in North America this week so I looked to the old world for some inspiration and they didn’t let me down.

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It is all about the frame here. I’m sure I’d get a pretty big yawn out of most of you by posting an average RS125 but I thought the Spondon frame really made this a unique bike. The seller claims only two were ever produced.

I’m interested to know how it differs from a stock RS frame. What needed to be improved? Maybe not much since they only produced two? I know 125 racers are consumed with trimming weight so is this possibly a lighter frame?

As for the rest of the bike, the seller lists the specs as: a pre 95 engine, WP forks, Ohlins shock, Marvic wheels and Brembo brakes. The auction is on going but it also has a BIN of 3,750 GBP (rougly $6,000).

Here it is.

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Next up is a very tasty FZR750R. It brings up the question; do we have any RSBFS readers that own an entire late 80’s-early 90’s super bike collection? I’ve seen Honda collections, Yamaha collections etc. but does anyone own all of them? Say an OWO1, RC30, GSXR750RR and ZX7-RR? On second thought, don’t tell me, it will just depress me.

This appears to be a very nice stock example.

The info:

This bike was imported from Japan in 2002 and I have owned it for the last 4 1/2 years. It has had one other UK owner. It has had very limited use while I have had it, a few little rides here and there and it has been far too precious to me to take out on the track. It has never been out in the rain during my ownership, nor for that matter has it been out in the cold! That said, it is 23 years old an has not been sat in a museum either so there are a few cosmetic signs of age. However, because of it’s limited use, it feels the same to ride as it probably did back in 1989.

Would a Japanse spec OWO1 be any different than exported models? The auction is ongoing here with it hovering in the 7,000 GBP ($9,000) range as of this writing. There does not appear to be a reserve; hmmmm.

Check it out.

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I’m just taking a flyer on this one. This could be a Suzuki UK/Dream Machine Pepsi bike or just a simple respray. As you may know, Suzuki UK had some RG500’s sprayed in Pepsi colors (and some in Skoal Bandit) to liven up sales. Did they do that with the RG250 as well?

A couple of things don’t quite add up to me though. First this is listed as a 1989. Was the RGV250 (VJ21) not out in the UK in 1989? Now that I said that, am I remembering correctly that the UK only got the VJ22 officially imported? Secondly and maybe more curious is that it is a high mileage bike and the paint looks unblemished in the photos. That makes me think it is a more recent respray. On the flip side the paint looks correct and the red seat is just like the RG500.

Be it the real thing or not, it is at least some eye candy to start your week with. The asking price is the real thing. They are asking 3,999 GBP ( roughly $5,200).

Here it is.

Ian

Ducati May 5, 2012 posted by Dan