THE WAY WE WERE IN OCTOBER
· · · · · · · · · · · 1920 ..· · · · · · ·· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
D R 'Wizard' O'Donovan (490cc standard BS Norton) broke six Brooklands records, previously held by Jack Emerson (ABC).
The new yardsticks were 200 miles at 63.44mph, 250 miles at 63.40mph and three hours at 63.63mph, in classes C (500cc) and D 750cc.
Wizard's Norton used Dunlop tyres, Binks threejet carburettor, Philipson variable speed engine pulley and CAVmagneto.
· · · · · · · · · · · 1945 ·· · · · · · · ·· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
Following the war's end, some motorcycle factories were already hard at work on racing and competition programmes. Bert Perrigo of BSAwas looking for younger, accomplished riders - including from the military ranks - to join the Small Heath competition shop, as their pre Second World War stars (including himself) were now six years older than when they last competed.
There were also rumours of an all new projected racer from Mr V Stohansel of the Scott Motor Cycle Company. The Saltaire factory was considering making a fresh entry into IoM TT racing and other international events with a Senior-class machine, powered by a 30°V-four supercharged two-stroke 500cc engine. Drawing board plans included options to use either carburettors or mechanical fuel injection, combined with rotary valve induction. Currently the concept was nothing more than an advanced drawing board exercise, but the Press was excited by its potential.
···········1970······································
Suzuki had recently announced its intention to move into the big bike market, when unveiling the prototype GT750 at the 17th (1970) Tokyo Motor Show. Factory press releases informed the new machine had been developed from the existing Suzuki TSOO twin, by the addition of an extra cylinder and liquid cooling. After further development - including a system to reduce oil smoke emissions through the threeinto-four exhaust system - the model was to be put onto the market in a year's time at a price yet to be announced.
The GT750's 739cc
(70mm x 64mm bore and stroke) two-stroke engine was claimed to develop an estimated 67bhp @6500rpm, giving the 550lb (4821bdry) machine fast acceleration and a 110mph top speed. Projected specification included 200mm twin leading shoe front brake, five-speed gearbox with chain final drive and 33.4 gallon petrol tank.
···········1995······································
To encourage staff and associated members out of cars and off motorcycles, £200,000 had been invested by the University of Portsmouth into its Bikeabout cycle loan scheme. For a little (or no) fee, users would be issued 'smartcards' with, like credit cards, a magnetic strip, which users would swipe at cycle docking stations dotted about city and university sites to release or return cycles.