The ex-works, J H Welsby, Isle of Man TT, 1926 Scott 498cc TT Racing Motorcycle

Bradford-born inventor Alfred Angas Scott's experiments with two-stroke motorcycle engines began in the closing years of the 19th Century, leading to the grant of a patent in 1904. Scott's original design for a vertical twin two-stroke engine incorporated the central flywheel with 180-degree overhung cranks and slim connecting rods that would characterise his products from then onwards. One of its chief advantages was close spacing to the cylinder axes and main bearings, thus virtually eliminating the vibratory rocking couple hitherto associated with vertical twins. The first complete Scott motorcycle prototype followed in 1908, its twin-cylinder engine, two-speed foot-change gear and all-chain drive marking it out as an exceptionally advanced design for its day.

Like most of their rivals, Scott recognised the value of publicity gained from success on the racetrack - and particularly at the Isle of Man TT - and first entered the latter event in 1909, becoming the first two-stroke to start in a Tourist Trophy race. Back-to-back victories in the 1912 and 1913 Senior events would turn out to be the highlights of the firm's TT record, though Harry Langman came close again in 1922 and 1924, finishing 3rd and 2nd respectively. The 1924 works bikes had featured 'square' engines of 68.25mm bore and stroke, and this new 498cc unit became available in the Super Squirrel introduced later in the year.

However, the three works Scotts that arrived on the Island for the 1926 race were unlike anything that had gone before. So groundbreaking were they that in its practice report of June 10th 1926, The Motor Cycle devoted considerable space to the new Scotts, including a photograph on this very machine, 'WU 6464'. The engine would have been familiar but the frame, forks, tank, and three-speed transmission were radically different from the earlier two-speed racers. The whole machine was substantially bigger and heavier. These new Scotts were the template for the new Flying Squirrel, which was launched at Olympia later in the year and which, with various minor changes, stayed in production at Shipley until the factory closed in 1951.

Scott's 1926 TT riders were Harry Langman, Ernie Mainwaring, and Jack Welsby. By the end of the first lap, Langman and Mainwaring were both out, but Jack Welsby rode 'WU 6464' to 18th place in the seven-lap race. Many years later he wrote to Bob Currie who published the following account of Jack's race in The Motor Cycle of 18th April 1957: "On the third lap, he recalls, he took the jump at Ballig Bridge at too high a speed, and the resulting jolt on landing stripped every tooth from the second-gear pinion. From then on the Scott was ridden in top gear only, a feat which placed quite a handicap on braking and cornering. Ramsey had to be negotiated in short, sharp skids, while Welsby was able to make the Mountain climb only by playing tunes with the clutch, which he fully expected to burn out at any moment. However, it was strongly constructed and stood the racket with only minor protest." The same article tells us that in practice, "Welsby was timed at 92.2 mph on the Sulby Straight, and the drop to Hillberry was made at 107 mph".

Jack Welsby had written to Bob Currie after reading an article published on 28th February 1957 entitled 'The Squirrel Flies Again'. Mr Leslie Deacon of Margate had written seeking more information about an old Scott which he had bought for £12. Bob Currie was able to identify the machine as Jack Welsby's race bike from 31 years earlier, and the story took up a complete page of the magazine. It is believed that the crankcase was changed at some time prior to 1957.

Former owner, the late Alan Cooper, acquired this historic Scott in 1963 and would keep it for the next 50 years. In April 2015, the machine was offered for sale by Alan's widow at Bonhams' Stafford auction (Lot 250) where it was purchased by the immediately preceding owner. At that time it was stated that it last run in 2010 and would require the usual recommissioning before being used again.

The current private vendor purchased the Scott at Bonhams' Alexandra Palace auction in September 2018 (Lot 50), since when it has been kept stored and not used. At the time it was stated that one of the rear stand's struts had broken and would require repair. Following a lengthy period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning at the very least, and possibly more extensive restoration, before further use and thus is sold strictly as viewed.

The machine is offered with an old V5C document; a buff continuation logbook dating from 1948; copies of the 1926 TT practice report and the two 1957 articles mentioned above; two original letters to Mr Deacon from 'The MotorCycle'; an MoT certificate from 2010; and copies of photographs from the Isle of Man in 1926 and one of the machine in 1957, which was published with Bob Currie's article at that time.

Prospective bidders must satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's provenance, mechanical condition, age, completeness, and originality prior to bidding.
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