Britten motorcycle company is a christchurch, new zealand motorcycle manufacturer created by john britten in 1992. Why the britten v is the most incredible builtnotbought bike ever made. John britten designed and built the extraordinary britten vtwin motorcycle. Eight years later, britten motorcycles tells the inside story of the worlds most innovative motorbike and the man, his family, and the friends who made the dream of winning the worlds toughest motorcycle races come true. Many know of the britten v motorcycle, but how many know how it came to be. The britten v is a handbuilt race motorcycle designed and built by john britten and a group of friends in christchurch, new zealand during the early 1990s. Story of new zealander john britten and his prototype motorcycle that took on the worlds established racing teams. Im sure the some of daves story would reflect this. This is the inside story of the worlds most innovative motorbike and the man, his family, and the friends who made the dream of winning the worlds toughest motorcycle races come true only authorized biography of john britten profusely illustrated with photographs from the britten motorcycle company archives and family albums more than 50. He created the britten motorcycle company in 1992 to produce revolutionary machines to his own design made of light materials and using engines he built himself, which became famous around the world. All are still in existence today, three in new zealand and the rest scattered around the world in europe, the united states and south africa.
John britten story by felicity price john britten was a kiwi legend of the late 20th century whose distinctive, handbuilt, pinkandblue racing motorcycle broke four world speed records and reached iconic status worldwide. Britten backyard visionary television nz on screen. From his own drawings, britten sandcasted the engine. I got the pick of him exiting the track after the practice session with gary nixon and dave aldana in the frame. His bike enthralled legions of fans worldwide, who were captured by the elegance, originality and. Marked as a boy who could do better, his learning difficulties did not stop him from following his passion and realising his dream. Backyard visionary documents the maverick motorcycle. It was ahead of its time and i see no reason why any of the large bike companies. This is a great book for the motorcycle enthusiast and is high recommended. In one mans dream, a documentary about john britten s quest to innovate, the viewer is treated to an inside look at the most innovative motorcycle to ever come out of a new zealand shed. Britten worked on motorcycle design for some years, developing innovative methods using composite materials and performance engine designs. But john britten achieved his impossible dream, and the result was the greatest motorcycle in the world. However, if we receive enough interest we will consider doing a reprint.
He and his dedicated team in christchurch, designed and built from scratch the britten vtwin motorcycle. He was the man who, with a small dedicated team in christchurch, designed and built from scratch the extraordinary britten vtwin motorcycle. Since his tragic early death from cancer in 1995, john britten has deservedly taken his place as an original new zealand hero. John britten had achieved his dream of beating the world with his handmade motorcycle, and his heroic struggle for victory was permanently consigned to the record books. John britten was a kiwi legend of the late 20th century whose distinctive, handbuilt, pinkandblue racing motorcycle broke four world speed records and reached iconic status worldwide. This is the inspirational story of a design and engineering genius, creator of the britten motorcycle. John britten was a kiwi legend of the late 20th century whose distinct. Im the guy who took pictures of john britten wearing andrew strouds leathers at daytona in 1995.
John and his team of hardworking volunteers made just 10 pink and blue bikes at the britten motorcycle company between 1991 and 1998. Few realize how devastatingly well john britten s v circulated a racetrack. I have read and have the book john britten written by tim hanna. John britten was a revolutionary motorcycle designer whose homebrewed machine won international plaudits with its stunning design and performance. The christchurch house built by the late john britten features in the first episode of the new series of grand designs nz. Isabelle daughter and her husband tim weston are pictured with grand. This biography details the early life of john britten, the development of his vision and the early prototype motorcycles, and then the gruelling cycle of hard work, setbacks and failures before the britten vtwin finally was able to beat the worlds best.
This suite was originally the workshop space where legendary motorcycle designer john britten handcrafted the britten v motorcycles. The britten v is a handbuilt motorcycle designed and built by john britten and his small team in his christchurch, new zealand. John britten with the britten v motorcycle he designed and built with a small team of friends in the garage at the britten stables. John britten documentary gives behindthescenes look at. In 1992 he set up the britten motorcycle company, working from his garage workshop at home. They were both into motorcycles but as people they were as different as day and night. Engineer and inventor john britten turned an old stables in matai st, christchurch, into a family home in the 1970s. From the backyard workshop to the screaming action of. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. He created the britten motorcycle company in 1992 to produce revolutionary machines to his. John britten is a book with appeal far beyond the motorcycling fraternity, for it has. See more of britten motorcycle company on facebook. Since his tragically early death from cancer in 1995, john britten has deservedly taken his place as an original new zealand hero.
From the backyard workshop to the screaming action of daytona and the isle of mann, this fascinating. Along the way, he became a fine glass artist before getting involved in the family property development business. After fighting a short battle with cancer, britten died on september 5, 1995, at the young age of 45. Its very long and took some time to get through but it was never tedious. It includes detailed analysis of riding techniques, fascinating deep dives into engines, engineering, and motorcycle technology, interviews with worldclass racers, profiles of builders and engineers like the legendary john britten, explanations of modern motorcycle suspension theory and more. What is it about john britten that continues to inspire us today. His talent went unrecognised in its formative years, since new zealand was. In 1991 the underdog inventor came second against the biggest and richest manufacturers in the world. John britten was a very good friend of mine, and i have the great fortune to own the second britten sold.
The britten company have produced a superbly detailed diecast kit which reflects the glory of the original, of which only ten were produced. I met john in 91 at daytona, got a few shots of crevier and gary goodfellow with the precursor. John kenton britten august 1, 1950september 5, 1995 was a new zealand mechanical engineer who designed a worldrecordsetting motorcycle. John worked as a designer for heavy machinery and offroad equipment at rowe engineering. This is the inside story of the worlds most innovative motorbike and the man, his family, and the friends who made the dream of winning the worlds toughest motorcycle races come true only authorized biography of john britten profusely illustrated with photographs from the britten motorcycle company archives and family albums more than 50 people were interviewed to piece together the full storyabout the authorfelicity price is a new zealand based journalist and book author. I think most folks, after reading that, would agree with me that comparing john britten and erik buell is like karen carpenter and kiss. John britten s spectacular bike, nearly every piece was built by him by hand at his home shop, including the engine.
John kenton britten 1 august 1950 5 september 1995 was a new zealand mechanical. His britten v and v1100 were successful in a number of races. Britten backyard visionary in the late 1980s, kiwi john britten developed and built a revolutionary racing motorcycle. Motorcycle enthusiasts the world over have always talked of designing the ultimate super bike. The cardinal britten motorcycle i documentary youtube. He pursued his dream all the way to daytona international speedway in florida.
The bike was designed from first principles and hosts a number of innovations including extensive use of carbon fibre, the radiator located under the seat, double wishb. Eventually, in 1992 john created britten motorcycle company which lead to the creation of the britten v. John britten emerged in recent years as the most original thinker in motorcycle engineering. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. The britten was built in a shed thousands of miles away from the nearest racetrack, but that didnt stop it from. What i really liked about this book was that it is such a comprehensive source of. John britten was a kiwi legend of the late 20th century whose distinctive, handbuilt, pinkandblue racing motorcycle broke four world speed records and reached iconic. This is a video clip that will provide a little insight into what was truly an unbelievable accomplishment by a. Thankfully, george barber realized the significant part john britten played in the history of motorcycle racing and britten number seven now shines brightly in his world. This book will tell you pretty much everything you ever wanted to know about john britten and the v. John britten struggled through his early school life. Please note, this book has been incredibly popular and is currently sold out. The john britten story i am sorry to say this book was a large desception. If you were at the isle of man in 94, or daytona in9598, or went to the guggenheim museums art of the motorcycle show, youve seen the bike.
The iconic style and revolutionary design made motorcycle history when it took on the world and won at the battle of the twins in daytona and subsequently set several world speed records. One of the most innovative and original motorcycles ever created, britten s legacy has now spanned the globe handcrafted in a small workshop in new zealand by engineering genius john britten. Another distinctive feature of the britten is its streamlined, lightweight carbon fiber body. New zealander john britten did more than talk about it. Horses being ridden out from doors of the britten stables in around 1940 when part of the original building was a functioning horse stables. Its very biased and does not present the facts as related by the motorcycle press this maybe because the author is a relative of john brittens wife. The britten vs unconventional style and pink and blue colors make it a natural standout. Eight years later, britten motorcycles tells the inside story of the worlds most innovative motorbike and the man, his family, and the friends john britten was a kiwi legend of the late 20th century whose distinctive, handbuilt, pinkandblue racing motorcycle broke four world speed records and reached iconic status worldwide. This book has useful information and great pictures of john brittens dream bike. John britten, tim hanna shop online for books in new zealand. The bike went on to win the battle of the twins in daytona international speedways daytona bike week festivities in the united states and set several world speed records.
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