Seeley-Matchless G50 500cc Racing Motorcycle

• Roger Titchmarsh frame
• Fred Walmsley-built and tuned short-stroke engine
• Drum-braked model
• CRMC eligible

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, with Seeley's rider Derek Minter securing the marque's first win (in the 500 class) at the second event of 1966 at Brands Hatch, while Dave Croxford won the British 500 Championship on a Seeley G50 in 1968 and '69.

The Seeley frame progressed from the duplex cradle original to the similar but lighter Mark 2 before the down-tubes were abandoned with the Mark 3, the headstock and swinging arm pivot of which were linked solely by tubes running diagonally above the engine. Introduced in May 1971, the Mark 4 was lighter still, featuring a revised layout of thin-wall tubes, and continued in production until 1973. Such was Colin Seeley's reputation as a master frame-maker that he was recruited by several major manufacturers, including Honda, Suzuki and Ducati, to sort out their machines' handling problems. Production of Seeley frames was later licensed to Roger Titchmarsh and there have been countless unauthorised copies made over the years.

Surely a potential winner in the right hands, this well specified and equally well put together drum-braked Seeley G50 incorporates a Roger Titchmarsh frame and is powered by a Fred Walmsley-built and tuned short-stroke engine. Other notable features include an NEB clutch; belt primary drive; PVL ignition; 44mm Mikuni carburettor; Magnesium front forks (Dick Hunt) with K-Tech internals; K-Tech rear shocks; a 230mm drum front brake; and a Kirby full fairing. CRMC eligible, this Seeley has been ridden successfully by Peter Bardell (CRMC round winner and championship 4th place finisher) and by Michael Rutter at the Classic TT.