Offered from the National Motorcycle Museum Collection, 2003 FWD Seeley 499cc G50 Mk3 Replica

Registration no. not registered Frame no. none visible Engine no. FW/25 G50/25W

• Built by Fred Walmsley Developments
• Ridden by Glen English as part of his 2003 World Championship-winning campaign
•
•


Many-times British sidecar champion Colin Seeley bought Associated Motor Cycles' racing department when the company went into receivership in 1966. The previous year he had constructed the first Seeley racing frame to house a Matchless G50 engine, and the AMC purchase enabled him to produce complete Seeley G50 and 7R machines. With their improved frames, the ageing four-stroke singles enjoyed renewed competitiveness, Dave Croxford winning the British 500 Championship on a Seeley G50 in 1968 and '69. The Seeley frame progressed from the duplex cradle Mk1 to the similar but lighter Mk2, before the down-tubes were abandoned with the Mk3, the headstock and swinging arm pivot of which were linked solely by tubes running diagonally above the engine. The Mk4 introduced towards the end of 1970 featured a revised tubing layout and continued in production until 1973. Production of Seeley frames was later licensed to Roger Titchmarsh and there have been countless unauthorised copies made over the years.

The 500cc historic racing series run by the International Classic Association (InCA) was granted FIM World Championship status for 2003. Glen English won the title, scoring most of his championship points on this Seeley-G50 replica built by Fred Walmsley Developments. Although outwardly similar to the original Matchless G50 engine used in Seeley machines from 1966 to 1969, this replica unit is modified for enhanced performance and reliability.

The cylinder bore is 5mm larger than standard at 95mm and the stroke is reduced from 78mm to 70.46mm. As a result, peak power is at 8,500rpm rather than 7,200rpm. FWD claim a phenomenal 63 brake horsepower. A super-strong titanium connecting rod is used to withstand the increase stress involved. Carburetion is by a Gardner flat-slide instrument, while an electronic CDI ignition unit replaces the original magneto. A toothed rubber belt transmits power to a close-ratio Mick Hemmings gearbox with six-speed internals. Thus, equipped the FWD Seeeley-G50 weighs 238lb (108kg) and has a top speed, depending on gearing, of 150mph.

English started the 2003 season on the ex-Barry Sheene FWD Manx Norton but contested several title rounds on the Seeley-G50. The machine's very first track outing in Austria saw him win one race and finish 2nd in the other. Further victories were scored in Holland and at Donington Park's British MotoGP round. English found the Seeley more agile on twisty circuits than the Norton and went on to win the 2004 UK 500cc Classic Championship, breaking the class lap record at every circuit be raced on.

The machine's mechanical condition is not known; accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to its condition, completeness, correctness, or otherwise prior to bidding.