ex Taffspeed racer

[Storkfoot]

This was on the forum before it died. A lot of the bodywork, including the frame, was raced in both Group 4 and 6 by the Taffspeed race team from '83 onwards. The engine, unfortunately, is not the race engine, it's a home brewed TS1. I got the frame and bodywork (I had the panels before) from Ian Frankland 3 or 4 years ago:




Much as I like the haphazard nature of the colours, I do have plans for a revamp next year.

[Toddy]

I like it as it is Paul it stands out

[bsso78]

Leave it as is, there are scuffs on that bodywork from my leathers! Never one to give any room me and big Bob, and countless others, traded elbows,knees and other appendages on the track many times.
Seriously if you want to paint panels get some new ones, thats a piece of history.

[Mr G in NYC]

Yeah leave it as it is......piece of history right there....just ride it
as it is ....LOVE it !! G.

[Storkfoot]

Barrie, I have another set of Italian legshields so, yes, I plan to "retire" the legshields, panels and the front number block which I also have.

[AdiD63]

Really like it as it is too

[Storkfoot]

This will be going on a jig within the next few days:



Suffice to say, despite me riding on it for many thousands of miles, I have been shown today that the frame isn't straight

[Angry Bloke]

Hi Paul - How did you come to notice ?

I suspect that my GP has a twist and was planning on asking Chris Sadd to take a look for me later this year

[coaster]

......How did you come to notice ?......

He keeps falling off it

[Storkfoot]

Thanks for reminding me, Col

I always knew the struts were a little bit out and that the rear number plate area, which had been welded, was out too (the sidepanels have always been ill fitting). I was confident that the frame was OK as it rides well.

But, it is an ex-racing frame so really I should have bitten the bullet and got it all checked out when I bought it 5 years ago

Anyway, today, an adult pointed out to me that the front vertical tube is visibly off set and the measurement from the toolbox door to the tube is 1cm too long. The struts are almost in the right place though so all is not bad

[soullad]

Love it mate, shame to paint it really, remove all that history, but it's yours to do with as the jester wants

[Storkfoot]

I am planning to recognise the Taffspeed heritage in the new paintwork. But, be warned, I have always found it hard to love buttercup yellow

[Dazts1]

Hi Paul , I always liked the picture (and the scoots) where the Taff team bikes are lined up. I think there red and yellow. Are they an ochre yellow or are there buttercup ?

[Storkfoot]

I know the one you mean, Daz. Apparently, it's a colour called buttercup yellow and the panels were Ford Sunburst Red. This scoot, according to Ian, was originally red from the factory.

[Storkfoot]

These pics were back in 2011 at the Irish Euro, after I'd gone tarmac surfing on the A55 on the way to the ferry. Come to think of it, this spill may be a contributory factor to my bent frame

[Storkfoot]

Now the frame is back, having had much remedial action to straighten it, I've just started messing around with the bodywork:






These are Italian leggies, and not the Taffspeed ones. They still need a bit of work.

I can't do a proper dry build as (i) I have binned my old panel buffers [ie. I need to push the panels out and check fit against the runners] and (ii) I need to fit the engine to check where I need to cut engine side rear runner [engine is a TS1 with a Franspeed Supertourer] and where to cut the hole in the panel to accommodate the RamAir filter. The side panels are new fibreglass.

[Toddy]

Was the frame bad Paul ?

[Dazts1]

Hi Paul.
Looking forward to seeing this project. Any clues to how you may be going colourwise ? I know how im hoping you do it .
Where did you get the panels from ?

[Storkfoot]

Toddy, the frame was scarily bad. I saw loads of pictures of it on the jig and it was all over the place. A lot of the problems emanated from a cutout that had been made to the tube to accommodate a manifold. This had been welded back up at some time later but, suffice to say, not in the right place. How I have ridden it for 4 or 5 year, heaven knows

Hi, Daz. It was originally red from what Ian told me so I'm thinking along the lines of a basic red but with another colour twist and an acknowledgment of its heritage. Is that suitably vague

I'll probably change my mind as I'm driving to the paintshop knowing me

I got the fibreglass panels from John Churchill. I have had a set before from John and I was always very happy with them.

Are you riding at Ty Croes, Anglesey?

[Dazts1]

Hi Paul.
Unfortunately I won't be out there. The main reason is my front brake really let me down. Great for the road , pants on the track. I have one getting made up now. My next race will be east fortune which I really hope to have my brake fitted for.
I have some fiberglass panels on the racer which I got got from my mate. I wasn't totally sure where they came from but probably from john.