maandag 1 juni 2009

Keith Bryen's first racer...

Keith Bryen, member of the enthusiastic group of privateers who formed the "Continental Circus" each year as they camped at, and raced in the various motorcycle GPs throughout Europe from pre WW2 up until the early 1970's after which the professional aspect took over and the age of innocence was gone, is likely the last rider to be offered a factory Moto Guzzi ride before they pulled out of racing at the end of the 1957 season.

When the Dutch TT was over in 1957, I was approached by Moto Guzzi in the paddock and asked if I would try one of their 350cc machines at the Belgium GP the following week. "How much do you want to ride it" they asked.
I felt like saying "How much do I pay for the priviledge?"
In all there were only three GPs that I rode for them before the season was finished.
Then the news that they had withdrawn from racing and no longer required my services.
We had of course returned to Australia.

So we'll start this blog with Keith's start with
racing motorcycles in Australia from 1947 to 1952.....


This photo was lifted from Dennis' website.
It depicts Keith Bryen's 1946 Triumph Speed Twin

[(2)+++1946+500cc.+Speed+Twin+Triumph.+The+first+bike+I+e+(1).jpg]
His first racer,a modified 
1946 Triumph 500 cc Speed Twin.

SO



STEEDS VERASSEND, ALTIJD DICHTBIJ


Motoring George Spauwen