Considered at the time of his death the best motorcycle engineer in the world, designing and building motorcycles and much more, John Britten gave us a fabulous lesson of perseverance, courage, humility and creativity. If you never watched it, this 5- part documentary (total 7 h 15 minutes) shot in his home in New-Zealand is a must see for all the pros and backyard builders around the world. By the time he died of cancer in 1995, John Britten had become a household name. See the video by going HERE (thanks Pepper).
Tribute To John Britten. Backyard Motorcycle Visionary.
Published by May 7th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.32 Responses to “Tribute To John Britten. Backyard Motorcycle Visionary.”
- 1 Pingback on Jun 6th, 2009 at 7:51 am
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A class act and a tribute to the art of motorcycle building.
(which begs the question, that simply has to be asked)…………..
Why do moronics get more media attention ………… ????
Just curious.
-nicker-
Undeniable passion and ingenuity. Much inspiration can be drawn from John’s life.
What an amazing innovator ahead of his time.
He certainly holds his place in motorcycle history.
John Britten is my absolute hero,I don’t think that any individual
has ever built a bike even close to his last.,almost everything on it
was an original design and when it was built in his home shop
as a hand made prototype that was massaged into a successful
complete package capable of winning races against the biggest OEM
factories was incredible , I think it took a huge personal talent, amazing
amount of work and determination from him and a team of friends who
had expertise in the areas he needed ,and maybe just a little bit of luck.
Nicker,
Your question is the most humorous of the year. The answer is quantifiable relationships of like lifeforms.
Mike
This morning I opened my email and started with the usual reading of the Cyril Huze Blog. The “John Britton” article seemed to jump out at me. I followed John’s adventures on the track and with his 101 Scout as many did back in the day, not realizing then that he would not only be the hero of an industry, but an incredible role model for those who aspire to anything above the norm. He is certainly one of my hero’s who’s spirit and unwillingness to give up has helped me to stay the course. If I was a bit short on inspiration this morning, I’m not now! Thanks Cyril!
Ok, too early for spelling. Britten, Sorry John.
Yeah, he was a genius. You gotta wonder though, did all that working with composite materials lead to him getting cancer?
does anyone know where to buy the complete documentary?
respect.
Pepper & Cyril – thanks. This is intense.
The AMA would do everyone a favor by giving proper attention and promote the BoT race again. It would be a small tribute to Britten.
Eric – try: http://www.britten.co.nz/store.php3
I don’t know if it is available on cd-rom, yet or not ?
Re; where to buy
The full documentary is available on the site – click through the clips on the right side of the player. It is not available to buy on DVD anywhere though it is free on the website.
Hi all,
The Doco is a good look but if you want the truth read Tim Hannahs book. Just called John Britten.JB was a visionary but much of the work was ,as it turned out was done for nothing by his mates. They gave up years of their lives fo no reward.I know a few of the guys quoted in the book and it is word for word, no slant just the truth.
I went and watched a number of the pre production bikes and have some good photos and memories of these amazing two wheel experiments.
The “Back yard shed ” mentality has done NZ proud as a country, we are a buch of tinkerers.You are not a man with out a shed to build things in. Though this way of life is going with the advent of the PC,Tv and play station.
The best Kiwi motorcycle doco is about a Kiwi (Can’t remember his name cause it’s saturaday am)
who took a Konig German out board motor and put it in a GP bike and blew everyone away.
I dare anyone to watch it without getting a lump in your throat or have to blink away a liitle extra moisture in your eyes.It tells how callous the orginisers in those days treated the riders and how expendable they were.
Enough gotta go to my neices wedding.Probably boring as hell with the same ol stories but at least it’s free beer
James (Kiwi)
Tenacious at its very best.
Rocky
1957S/VG
It’s inspiring – and an affirmation of the authenticity of biking people – to read these comments about John Britten. He literally made something out of nothing, fueled by genuine passion, determined thinking, and yes, John Reed, a bit of luck. And all without antics or drama, just an occasional show of human emotion. What a man to be admired!
Does anyone know details about his engine? I know it was a 60-degree twin with what appears to be 4-valve heads, but I haven’t come across information other than that…ordering the book.
He is a man who commands respect and deserves to be in the history books. One has to admire such guy, he just did it, no dramas and with a smile on his face. My only regret is that I did not have a chance to meet him before his passing. Respect mate!!!
Truly one of the greatest motorcycle designer and a true builder.
Amazing. I remember getting that issue of Cycle World and thinking what a cool bike. Now watching this video all these years later I find myself thinking. What a cool bike! 20 years from now it will be just as amazing as with was then. What a great bit of history. Was very cool to see all that build footage leading up to Daytona. Wish there was more available to see.
Amazing, Simply amazing.
Peace
Joe
It’s a shame that people like Britten struggle and die, while people like OCC prosper. Life is really unfair.
Does anyone know if there are any Brittens in the USA? It would be great to have one for the Sturgis ““Rebel Rousers – Motorcycle Icons that Inspired Us to Ride” exhibition. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know through this post or you can write me at mike@lichterphoto.com. Thanks, Michael
Britton was the one of he world’s top inovators in motorcycle design and racing.
Only now is Ducati employing his frameless engine design concept with their new 2009 MotoGP bike.
His genious is comparable to Colin Chapman and Jim Hall in automotive / car racing.
I photographed Britten’s superbike for the 1999 Fast Dates Calendar.
This bike was owned by Mansson Technologies.
This Calendar is still available in Collectors Corner at FastDates.com
Thanks for the link to this great Video story!
Mike L –
We had a Britten on the cover of Robb Report Motorcycling quite some time ago. I didn’t do the editorial on that feature, but Cordero shot it for the cover and editorial and maybe he can connect you.
Jim thats awesome you had it for your Calendar.
that’s a collectible and I certainly give your props for your knowledge, appreciation and diversity of bikes used on your calendars.
Hi,
Of the bikes built 4 originaly went to the USA. they are all listed in Tim Hannas book as well as the struggles, tribulations and the mechanical changes,Bike per bike.
I live in the South of NZ .When I was a kid I pressed my nose on the glass of the local Triumph franchise,there I used to hear stories of Burt Munroe and then he passed on.Then I got to watch the development of the Britten.I went to many of his race days. Especially to the Sound of Thunder where the BEARS (British,European American Racing Sports) let him race outside of the rules cos there was not really a class to cover that bike.(was there ever)That was his shake down day before they would pack up for Daytona.Saw Jason McEwan going sideways in the rain passing bikes up the pit straight with a big rooster tail out the back.
You do not always know history is in the making when you are actually watching it.
I went to the 25th aniversary of the Bears last year at Ruapuna park..
JB raced there on that first day 25 years ago.On a Tiger 110 (i think) along with a grid of others.On that original grid were a couple of my mates and on the Aniversary they put as many of the original crew there again.Silver hair and some without…and some missing… it was a great day. There were 3 Brittens and some development bikes. I have some pic’s. if anyone is interested.
James (Kiwi)
PS the Brttens were on display not on the grid
I just saw a Britten at the Barber museum in Birmingham Al it is fantastic. We went with a local who had never seen the museum, he was supprised at what he had been missing. I would go back, and I live in Mn just to see it again, with 750 bikes on display you don’t know where to look first.
A 5-part documentary on New Zealand inventor John Britten.
Synopsis:
During the late 1980s, Kiwi inventor John Britten developed and built
a revolutionary racing motorcycle. He pursued his dream all the way to
Daytona International Speedway, where, in 1992, as an unlikely
underdog, he proceeded to beat the biggest and richest manufacturers
in the world. Britten: Backyard Visionary documents the maverick
motorcycle designer that Guggenheim curator Ultan Guilfoyle described
as “the New Zealander who stood the world of racing-motorcycle design
on its head.”
Britten: Backyard Visionary
http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/britten-backyard-visionary-1993
( WS)
Each segment is about 40 Meg in size. Full screen view looks GREAT.
I posted the link for those that wanted to see where “here” was originally taking them.
good thank u
Hello,
“One Man’s Dream: The Britten Bike Story” is now available to buy on DVD at: http://www.brittendvd.co.nz
It’s a much longer and more complete documentary than the one available at NZONScreen (we made that one as well).
Regards,
Ben Ruffell
DVD Producer