Latest News - September 2008

SUCCESSFUL WEEKEND - OPEN DAY AND MASTER CLASS

After a very successful master class followed by a social evening and then the open day to follow I have had requests for a repeat of the master class but concentrating on specific area's of the Hesketh engine and Chassis for home maintainance. If there is enough interest I will run a one day course on the Engine with another day reserved for the Chassis and advanced riding if required. Please get in touch to indicate your interest and the format / subjects you would like included. Because this will be more a hands on approach the numbers per course will be limited to less than ten.

Your support makes these events successful - Thankyou

 

A New Era for Hesketh


The Hesketh motorcycle business will move up a gear for 2009.

Mick Broom, who has championed the Hesketh motorcycle since the demise of the Daventry factory, is planning to retire and so the business is up for sale together with a full order book, work in progress, good stock levels and an offer to be involved in any changeover period so the new owners are in a position to drive forward the production of the new variant first announced a short while ago.

Over 30 years Mick has developed the Hesketh into a fine classic and has now wishes to help a new team to produce the 1200cc Vulcan.

If you have an interest in securing the future of the Hesketh motorcycle then accept Mick’s invitation to get in touch

Call Mick on 01280 841 842 or email broom.engineering@btinternet.com


OPEN DAY – HESKETH MOTORCYCLE WORKS

Sunday 14th September

The weekend of September 14th will see the annual Hesketh motorcycle open day at Turweston Airfield, near Silverstone in Northamptonshire.
Amongst the attractions on the Sunday will be vintage airplanes, cars, bikes, stationary engines and local motorcycle dealers.
The factory will be open with staff on hand to answer questions and a possible sneak preview of progress on both the new Hesketh safety motorcycle tourer and the Cedos gentleman’s sporting model.
The pig roast will provide fuel and there will be family attractions and a Hurricane fly past as we hope to better the 3000 attendance of last year.

Call Mick on 01280 841 842 or email broom.engineering@btinternet.com

 

MORE NEWS --- MASTER CLASS ----- 13th September 10am

I have decided to hold the first masterclass as part of the open day weekend .The first will have the subject of 'Hesketh Ownership' as its theme. This when possible will involve hands on demonstrations as well as the question/answer sessions with explanations on service and modification requirements giving the history and rider tips to get the best out of owning and riding a HESKETH. Places are limited and food in the form of lunch will be provided complete with detailed course noted for future reference. Price is a provisional £50 per person. Watch this page for more details.

 

This Year OPEN DAY 13th and 14th SEPTEMBER 2008 - Make a Date

 

NEW BRAKE LINES

We now stock new brake and clutch lines which while stainless are a proper crimp which is a requirement for new MOT tests. Prices of stainless ,full crimped brake lines with a translucent Teflon back covering and stainless banjo bolts, basically the best you can get which should last for another twenty five years.So if you want to carry on stopping --
You have an option of a single rear line with pressure switch on the master cylinder which makes bleeding the back brake possible and a lot easier than the one as is.
Approximate prices which are plus the carriage and vat
Front Brake lines Complete £38
Clutch Line complete £23
Rear brake Line complete £39 Specify twin or single option

 

ENGINEERING NEWS

Edward Digby the new lad is still busy machining the conrods and is close to finishing them when he moves on to the next challenge which will be the steel cranks to suit the longer stroke. We are awaiting a piston manufacturer to put a proposal for the bigger pistons which we are very exited about. The last time we increased the size was in 1979 and I can still remember the effect this had. The first engine was only 900cc, don't ask me why! This is one thing that our American cousins have right as there is no substitute for cubes ( unless you want to put up with loads of revs ).This will give us three size options on the engine to go with the two frame options with two footrest heights and all the other choices which mean that the bike is built for you and your wishes.

BELOW - The very old and new
A picture as we leave Easton Neston of the earliest road legal Hesketh of Dave Sharp's and the latest model with the Lord standing in his garden for the last time. Our time there 27 years his family have lived there for 400 years and so to the future.

old and new

 

VULCAN - New Model
Due to the amount of new components we need to manufacture for them it is taking a bit longer than expected but the first test engine has been on the road for two years now and is performing well. This is using the 1100cc motor but we are still trying to obtain larger pistons so it will become the full 1200cc we intended.
We are also completing the new stainless exhaust systems which will also suit the standard V1000.
On completion of the first machine using the lower frame this will be available for press and customer test rides. If you are interested in a ride please email your details and we will let you know when it becomes available.We are just finalizing the details such as the air box and are starting on the second set of bodywork when the move allows

I believe this is the first time that a picture of the first Hesketh bike has appeared in general view. We will be adding to this with others in the revamped manual complete with notes from the early days.

first bike