Our Gallery includes stunning photographs of some of the beautiful machines that have been lovingly restored by our customers. We are always interested to learn more about the history of these motorcycles and appreciate what renovation work has been carried out.
AJS V-Twin
Richard Johns is a much-respected customer of Wheelwise Engineering and we are proud to have been involved in providing the wheels for a number of his restoration projects. He spent 45 years in the engine industry, starting in 1969 as a student with Perkins Engines. After completing a PhD at Imperial College, London in 1980 he subsequently worked for AVL in Graz, Austria, Ricardo Consulting Engineers and CD-adapco (now a division of Siemens) developing and applying Computational Fluid Dynamics software to internal combustion engines before retiring in 2015.
The AJS V-Twin project has been one of his most challenging to date and has involved using his stock of early Velo components to re-create a one-off bike that had had first been made by AJS in 1930 for an attempt on the world speed record. The engine of this original version is essentially two 500cc R10 cylinders, heads and cam-boxes on V-Twin crankcases.
Richard’s bike is not an exact copy and uses two Mk1 OHC Velocette cylinder barrels, heads and cam-boxes, with the components for the rest of the engine manufactured from scratch. A chassis and gearbox, etc (including wheels from Wheelwise Engineering!) were then added to make the rest of the bike.
The decision to undertake the project was made on a whim but has engaged him for several years of his life. A detailed account of this most impressive labour of love can be accessed on Richard’s blog at:
https://www.vintageajs.uk/2022/01/the-ajs-v-twin-index-page.html?m=1
(This is the index page to the entire project.)
Tom’s 1911 Triumph
Click here to read a contribution from Paul Gander, who describes the history, acquisition and renovation of a 1911 Triumph that had previously been owned by his Grandfather, Thomas (Tom) Gander. (Its other owners had also included a Mr. Rolfe!) We were pleased to be involved in repairing the wheels for “Tom’s Triumph”.
You can also access Paul’s blog by clicking here.
Since we published his article, Paul has sent us a copy of a photograph of the Triumph being ridden in 1947, from Motor Cycling. The rider is SK “Keith” Rolfe of Cowbeech – so maybe a relative!
Bernie’s Bike Shed
One of our most valued customers has had a passion for German motorcycles for over fifty years since buying a Zundapp 200S for £85 in the Summer of 1960. Bernie has his own website/personal blog, “Bernie’s Bike Shed”, which includes a lot of interesting information and pictures of post-war German motorcycles (as well as some British machines). We are sure that you will find this as enjoyable and fascinating as we do – click here to access the site.
We hope that you find these as interesting as we did and that they will motivate you to share accounts of your projects on our website.