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LOT 239

Rotrax-JAP 500cc Speedway Racing Motorcycle

Sold for £2,875 inc. premium
Lot 239

Rotrax-JAP 500cc Speedway Racing Motorcycle

Rotrax-JAP 500cc Speedway Racing Motorcycle

Britain's best-known supplier of speedway engines, J A Prestwich (JAP) did not make complete speedway motorcycles, thus leaving the field open to a cottage industry of frame makers, among the foremost of which was Rotrax. Rotrax's forerunner had been founded in Southampton as a bicycle manufacturer by Bill Harvell. In 1945, the business was taken over and began marketing its products under the 'Rotrax' name, diversifying into the manufacture of frames for speedway motorcycles in 1952. Workshop foreman Mike Compton used Reynolds 531 tubing, which was nickel-bronze brazed into lugs to produce a beautiful frame that was light but at the same time extremely strong. The frames were chromium plated by Rotrax's neighbours, Blakes of Gosport. With demand for its engines declining, JAP faced hard times and in 1951 sold the rights to its speedway motor to former rider, Alec Jackson. Jackson continued to build engines and sell spares for many years afterwards, and the business was subsequently taken over by George Greenwood.

This restored Rotrax is powered by an early five-stud JAP engine equipped with a BTH magneto and track carburettor. There are no documents with this Lot.

Footnotes

All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

Saleroom notices

The machine is believed to be an older restoration. There is an illegible engine number present.

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