1973 Seeley-Suzuki TR500 Racing Motorcycle Project

Frame no. CS 358 S Engine no. TR500-10067

• One of two supplied to the Suzuki GB works team
• Ridden by Stan Woods
• Present ownership since the late 1980s
• Offered for restoration

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.

Before long, the basic Seeley design was being wrapped around other types of engine: Norton Commando twin, QUB single, Yamaha TD/TR twin, URS four, and the Suzuki TR500 twin. The first of the latter was built for Barry Sheene, then a Suzuki works rider, and on its Isle of Man Senior TT debut in 1971 finished in 3rd place in a race won by MV Agusta's Giacomo Agostini. The following weekend at Mallory Park, Sheene finished 2nd to Ago and the MV. It was no surprise that other riders were soon knocking on Seeley's door with requests for similar machines.

The machine offered here is one of two supplied by Colin Seeley to Suzuki GB in 1973: '356' for Barry Sheene and '358' – that offered here – for Stan Woods. Suzuki GB had already ordered two of Seeley's monocoque designs, but these could not be got ready in time for the start of the 1973 season. In the second volume of his autobiography, 'Colin Seeley ...and the rest', Colin states: "So we reverted to our proven TR500 Suzuki tubular-framed racer as used successfully by Barry Sheene in 1971. The first rolling chassis was delivered for Barry Sheene on 24th February 1973 and the second for Stan Woods a week later".

The only visible difference between the two riders' Seeley 500s was the tailpiece: Sheene's being red and Woods' navy blue. Stan continued as a works rider with Suzuki GB for 1974 and 1975 before signing for Honda GB's endurance racing team for 1976.

The ex-Woods Seeley-Suzuki was purchased by the vendor in the late 1980s and has been stored ever since. Like many elderly race bikes, it had been modified over the years: the Dresda swinging arm; fork yokes and stanchions; handlebars; later (1974/75) Suzuki seat; and TR500 fairing being the most obvious departures from original specification.

The Seeley is offered for restoration and sold strictly as viewed. Its mechanical condition is not known; accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to its condition, completeness, correctness, or otherwise prior to bidding.