RELOCATION AND BUSINESS CHANGEOVER
It has been a frustrating year with delays to the new property and efforts to establish a sound way forward for the Hesketh but we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel while we wait for the builders to finish the necessary improvements to the premises. This has restricted but not stopped the work on customers machines and feel that the improvements planned will make the delay worthwhile leading to a big increase in capacity during the coming year.
Alongside these efforts with the fresh enthusiasm from Paul we have been looking at the best way forward for the bike and have explored some very exciting things which we all cannot wait to explore further and implement after the relocation is complete.
Unfortunately due to the delay we cannot be contacted on a land line with the most reliable way being the email contact. The mobile is restricted as the reception is very poor in the workshop I am using at the moment. I am sorry about any inconvenience but will respond to any clear massages and post the new number as soon as we have one.
Paul and myself would like to thank old and new Hesketh friends for all the support given during this new chapter in the Hesketh story which at times has extended well beyond the normal support expected and we wish you all a very merry Christmas , many safe and enjoyable Hesketh miles during the coming year, and watch this space.
Mick and Paul
NEW OWNER OF HESKETH MOTORCYCLES
It gives me great pleasure to announce that from the 1 May 2010 a new man will be in charge of the day to day running of Hesketh Motorcycles. This promises to be another exciting period for Hesketh as Paul Sleeman takes the helm with some very exciting ideas. I will still be assisting for a few years yet and we will not be moving from Turweston until the new premises are ready so hopefully the every day support will have no disruption. No need to panic over that spare part or service as its business as usual and under the new leadership will become even better with a more focused effort towards the Hesketh from both of us.
Safe riding - Mick Broom
CHRISTMAS CHEER
As we approach Christmas and to the day thirty years ago I was asked by Bubbles Horsley and the Lord Hesketh to work over Christmas so they could get the bike in the shops by easter ( we all had a lot to learn ) and join the team of 'me' in the bike development shop amongst the F1 car team it is hard to think of all the things that have happened since then , and I was only going to stop for three months!!!!
It is never boring working with the Hesketh and nothing has changed as we reach yet another bench mark in its history. First let me state that there is no connection between a certain electric scooter and me, second I am hopeful that the Hesketh motorcycle will move on but cannot give details yet and last but most important thanks for all the customers who have made the last few years so enjoyable. I wish you safe motorcycling in the new year and hope you have a most happy Christmas, continue to watch this space for news.
Mick
ANOTHER 28 YEARS?
After a period of interest from third parties it is regrettable that the business of Hesketh Motorcycles is not to change from the current format of over 28 years in the guardianship of Broom Development Engineering and will not move on to a proper structured business with expanded production numbers we had hoped for to satisfy the interest in the bike
Due to the considerable investment in development time and new improved parts
on the shelf together with commitments to customers we will carry on with special
commissions of a few new bikes and working on modifications in the future and
the supply of spares and service to ensure the continued success and enjoyment
of the present owners when possible. To achieve this we need to down size the
operation and reduce the overheads which might require relocation from the present
premises. Be assured while plans did not turn out as hoped endeavours will be
continually made to find a solution for this machine to continue and be made
and enjoyed into the future.
It is funny but the position we are now in is a repeat of the situation in 1983
where efforts to support the owners led from the expected three months work
into the 28 years of discovering friendships and having great rides with some
very good memories so don’t right off the bike just yet but I don’t
think we can manage another 28 years.
In the short term we are still investing in parts and have just had made some
very sexy oil filter covers in black carbon, intended for the new bikes these
will replace the alloy covers on the standard engine if you wish. To get samples
on bikes so owners can see them the first four sold will be at no increase in
price from the alloy parts it replaces.
Also we have managed to locate the original tooling for the fly screens lost
for over twenty years so will be producing a batch from this soon and possibly
a higher Vampire screen if there is enough interest. Rationalization of the
stores will mean slower moving items will be cleared while retaining the capacity
to manufacture all parts but any replacements in the future will attract a low
volume premium in the price so now is the time to buy that odd part if you think
you will need it.
After a very busy year with lots of interest in the company to take the bike forward into the future I have found the Christmas period and financial downturn has slowed things down somewhat, but its not stopped so while I have nothing yet to report on any way forward I am still talking to a number of interested parties to find a way forward. Customers will be pleased to know we have up rated the heating system which is carbon neutral most of the time to make their visits more welcome ( and longer).
I have just received and made up into sets the latest computer ignition packs during Christmas and the first went out as a retrofit on Keith Rowles nice second hand Vampire a few day's after Christmas. I don't think the rest will be on the shelf for long. Keith also benefited from some recromed and reconditioned fork legs which are now on the shelf to replace the pitted forks on your bike ready for the spring MOT.
While busy catching up with the remaining engines in for conversion and doing some development components for a major manufacturer I am also busy digitizing the old drawings and upgrading the design details of most components for the future to make any relocation a bit easier and the manufacture of future parts more accurate.
As I am considering relocation, while this is not definite it might be a good opportunity if you have a bike or parts on the premises to check with me on the best thing to do and so I can keep you informed on what's happening.
Those who know and love my old red Vampire will be sad to learn that some clumsy woman driver took the opportunity to modify one side when turning right as I passed by. Shall we say the bad side is now the good side! Hopefully if the insurance plays ball this will lead to a bit of an overdue tidy up with fresh parts and paint in the coming year.
Last but not least I would like to thank you all for the support last year and hope you have many safe and happy miles on your Hesketh in 2009 and hope to meet up with you soon.
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 maintenance. 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 - Thank you
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.
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.
