WHO IS LES WHISTON?
Most people who are into bikes have heard of the enigmatic racer-turned TV star, Guy Martin; but who exactly is Les Whiston? Les Whiston is one of the most amiable, quiet, unassuming but talented engineers, who lives and works in the West Midlands; but is the man that Guy Martin goes to when he wants a new bike built.
Guy Martin met Les at the Isle of Man TT in 2015. Les had an end garage at the event, and Guy came along saying that he wanted to ride the wall of death, but with a BSA Triple. Guy’s father owned a Rocket 3, so it was inevitable that Guy developed a fondness for these big triples. Unfortunately Guy then had a serious accident which kept him from this challenge for about a year.
Initially Guy wanted to use the original Amal carburettors, but Les urged him to use a set of Keihins. Guy ploughed ahead, fitted the Amals, but it wasn’t long before he contacted Les to say that he was having trouble getting the engine to run right. So a courier quickly conveyed the Keihins to Guy which solved the problem. Amal carbs certainly have their place on a standard engine, and they are the historically correct carb; but – you can’t beat modern technology for racing success.
Also I have to point out that Les has a very busy business to run, making spare parts and on rare occasions, building a complete bike. However, it is the Rob North frame and variations of the Rocket 3 and its Triumph stablemate the Trident that he specialises in – this is his bread and butter. But then a few years back, his regular work was interrupted by Guy, who requested that not one but two specialist bikes be built. And as time went on, and Guy’s bikes took up more and more of Les’s time, his regular customers were pressing him to get their bikes finished too.
All of this put increasing pressure on Les through the first half of 2017 to try and get the race bike ready for the 2017 Classic TT. However, the first machine that
Guy wanted to use was the unique bike to take on the dangerous wall of death challenge in 2016. And he pretty much assembled this himself from the parts Les supplied (roughly 85% of the bike). Once this unusual and special bike had done its job, Guy wanted a bike that he could take to the TT Classic races, for he had set his heart on this type of competition.
And just as a note for anyone who may have watched the wall of death challenge on YouTube, to see Guy riding a V-twin Indian; this was done more as a promotional effort, and the Rocket 3 wasn’t even seen. That’s TV advertising and big business for you.
1972 road-going Rocket 3. Keihin CR Special Racing carbs were chosen over the more traditional large bore Amals, as I wanted to avoid having to ‘tickle carbs’ every time I started the bike. The Keihins are 31mm smooth bore/round slide, while the usual Amals are 32mm.
“The frame is finished in Ducati metallic grey, while the tank and seat unit is in glorious British racing green. Also tailored to the rider is a very tasty mid green diamond stitched racing seat by Bill Roberts.
“I wanted a solid, reliable starter motor system, which was supplied by Ark Racing of Willenhall, and is fitted beneath the carburettors. It’s a powerful unit, small and compact, powered by a Lithium gel battery and this combination will perform more than adequately, hopefully continuing to do the job for some time.”
Once the roads dry out CBG hopes to discover just how Tim’s bike has turned out. Thanks go to all at Trident MCS – Rob North Triples, Dudley, and the owner, Tim Riley for additional pictures