DIY motorcycles – 1902 style

Some of us have built, owned or bought hand-built motorcycles, often specials crafted from existing machines to make the ideal mount of our dreams. And the name proudly emblazoned on its tank gives us a clue as to the origin of the constituent major components, or at least the engine and frame.

Favourites include Triton (Triumph engine, Norton Featherbed frame), TriBSA (Triumph engine, BSA frame), Grumph (Greeves frame, Triumph engine) and Norvin (Norton frame, Vincent engine), among others.

Then we’ll have all espied many others, (Velton, NorSuzuki, Japton…), plus classic/ modern engines installed in bespoke frames, such as Metisse, Seeley and Harris. The examples are endless and an internet search or trawl through adverts and specialist catalogues will uncover much of what you need to build your dream motorcycle. And of course there is nothing to stop you making (or having made) components to suit your scheme.