Offered from The Forshaw Speedway Collection, c.1939 Moseley-JAP 500cc Speedway Racing Motorcycle

Engine no. JOS/C 84960

• Rare example of a Mosely-JAP
• Designed and built by a master of the craft, Alec Moseley
• Built from high tensile lightweight aircraft specification tubing
• Acquired by Richard Forshaw in 1991

Alec Moseley "lived and breathed" speedway throughout his life. He was a contemporary of Wal Phillips, George Wallis and the JAP era of racing at Brooklands where from 1921 he tuned and raced sidecars but soon gravitated to speedway when he signed as technical advisor to International Speedways Ltd. This was followed by a move to Stamford Bridge and in 1932 joining Wembley as chief mechanic as well as working for West Ham. Alec Moseley built up a reputation as amongst the finest engine tuners and also known for his bespoke speedway frames. A skilled engineer with a keen mathematical mind and a deep thinker in literature, philosophy and psychology, he was also a noted tuner of pianos. It was not until 1939 that the first Moseley frames appeared, his Super Lightweight. This experience leading to his appointment as Chief Planner of Aircraft Frames for the RAF. After the war Moseley was involved with the HRD Vampire engine for speedway. Development was proceeding with this special engine which was providing comparable power with the JAP, the fine tuning due to Moseley's close attention to detail leading to some encouraging tests at West Ham. Although thirteen complete engines are believed to have been built they never really became popular. The JAP by this time had such a reputation built up over so many years it was always going to be difficult to break into the market. The situation very much like the domination of GM in the world of speedway today.

The first Moseley speedway frames had been reported in April 1939. Made entirely of high tensile lightweight aircraft specification tubing resulting in a total weight of the machine at 170lbs. The crafting of the handmade frame was noted as "the finest piece of workmanship seen in any workshop". Moseley made special frames for Eric Chitty and a few other selected riders. This rare example of a Mosely JAP was acquired for the Forshaw collection in 1991. Apparently it was one of two frames rescued from the workshop at West Ham. In a letter dated 1991 Richard Forshaw in thanking Alan (no second name recorded) says that he has already started to make it more original, "I am keen to tackle the problem of reproducing the wheels and lifting handle". It would appear that the restoration of the machine was never completed. Whilst the wheels and lifting handle are in place there is need for an oil tank and the Amal twin float track carburettor. The handlebar controls are in place but there are no cables. There are no fuel taps or fuel lines either. The copper plating is patinated with wear conducive with the frames working life. This Moseley JAP is a very rare and unusual speedway machine designed and hand built by a master of the craft. The mechanical condition is not known and therefore we recommend re-commissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent.
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