The man who built a world-beating Racebike in his Garage
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- čas přidán 31. 05. 2024
- Much of the footage used in this video comes from a wonderful documentary available for purchase here:
brittendvd.co.nz/
That documentary was filmed and edited by John's good friend Harry Ruffell and is the best resource for understanding the story of how John designed and built one of the greatest motorcycles of all time, the Britten V1000.
This video is really just a small part of the fuller story covered in that amazing documentary. I'd encourage you to support the Doc by purchasing it from the link above!
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I was lucky to have worked with John on the bikes for a couple of months in New Zealand leading up to an early entry at Daytona, truely an easy man to follow and inspired us all working often 12 or more hours a day at the garage at his home. A great part of my life and proud to have known such a great human. RIP John
Wow! That's awesome, what kind of stuff were you working on?
What a privilege that would have been. I have an article from the makers of Derakane VE resin about the Britten in my kayak factory. It inspires me every time I walk past it. Designing and making race stuff and have it succeed is the most fun.
That's awesome. I went to Te Papa just to see the bike. I spent a long time looking over every inch like someone would a piece of fine art, and I'm not really into road bikes.
We need a John Britten day
@@geoffbeyer1873 sad they pulled it apart and put it behind glass.
Yep, some people are just born leaders.
How John's story hasn't to this day been turned into a movie is beyond me. C'mon folks!
I'm a kiwi motorcyclist - I wrote to the team and Johns wife Kirsten - she was a top model and lovely lady - suggesting a movie about John - we already have Burt Munro's story. It would make a great movie.
It is a movie . How there’s people this uneducated is beyond me
@@Not2sure Please provide a link then for us less-educated bumkins, thanks
His story is amazing enough but to consider he was dyslexic it just brings it to a whole different level. At school he had his exam questions read out loud to him then he would verbally give his answer back. He completed a degree in mechincal engineering and having done that myself I can barely imagine how difficult it must have been for him. He was a truely remarkable man.
Tom Cruise overcame dyslexia. Applied Scholastics learning technology !.
Bullshit, he was given a posthumous honorary degree
Jesus said, “No one can enter the Kingdom of God (God's family) unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but spirit gives birth to Spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, You must be born again” (John 3:5-7). what does this mean? Well you have to believe with your whole heart that JESUS died for your sins and after 3 days and nighrs GOD raised HIM from the death, so you can be baptized and after being baptised ask GOD for the HOLY SPIRIT . WHO will guide you trough life!
High intelligence often comes with 'defects' like for instance dyslexia.
So if you have a child that is dyslexic, or Asbergers or some other thing that they start life with that is thought to be a potential problem, just Google some of the great minds that have gone before.
Stroud had the britten with his name on it at a track day in Taupo, New Zealand a couple years back. Thing still looks and sounds bloody insane. Absolute treat to see it.
Quick edit on why it was so cool, I still have fond memories of sitting down in the mid 90's with my old man and him pointing out Stroud on the britten in a race. I was 8 or 9 at the time. Don't remember which race it was but the pride we had as kiwi's watching a NZ bike and rider doing so well left a lasting impression. It started my love of motorbikes to which I still ride today.
John didn't just build his own house, he built a lathe from old bikes to turn marble and make the columns and when his wife wasn't happy with any of the fixture choices, he milled their own.
I believe he cast the fixtures.
GTFO that is nuts! He's a savant
@@marthamryglod291 There’s a semi hard to find documentary about him called One Man’s Dream. If you want to feel like the laziest MF’er ever, watch it.
@@AveragePicker lol thanks for the info!
@@marthamryglod291 usually what happens to the kids allowed to go ham. most parents won't even allow it, let alone encourage it
Great overview. I was the first manager of the Britten Race Team. In 92-93. You never quite "get it" when it's so close, but amazing times. Loved seeing some old faces. You in the US had your own Britten equivalent, his name was Michael Czysz. Great guy. He also died too young.
Where are the cyscz bikes now? Saw a doco on Michael once. Can't find it now
Ian Drysdale from Australia, Jim Fueling and Kenny Dreer in the U.S.,
Did anything happen with the juggernaut project?
In Germany there was Friedel Münch.
@@Lexx1976 Not to take anything from him, but he didn't build a motor though, he used the NSU TTS engine.
Reminds me of another Kiwi, Burt Munro, who, 30 years earlier than Britton, recorded a one-way run at Bonneville of 305.89 km/h (190.07 mph). His unofficial (though officially timed) flying mile speed record at the Salt Flats is 331 km/h (205.67 mph). All of this with none of the technology available in the late '90s and on a raggedy looking Indian Scout that he bought new in 1921 and apparently never stopped modifying in his shed.
He 'Cast' his own pistons too, ( in a home-made crucible in his shed!) reckoned that the best were a 50-50 mix of melted-down chev and ford pistons ! Dave NZ
So true!
@Allstahr I doubt it would make any difference. Burt doesn't seem to have thought much of technology. Burt was about lateral thinking.
I enjoyed the movie with Anthony Hopkins even if they jumbled around some details. It's free with ads on CZcams "The World's Fastest Indian".
@@Ho-Chi-Sockhe would've loved it
I had the absolute pleasure of watching this beast race in Paeroa NZs battle of the streets in the early 90's can't remember who the pilot was but the sound and presence of this weapon was unreal. They had him starting half a lap behind the other riders and by the third he was in front on the back wheel all the way down the main street including around the slight right hand turn to the end of the straight ... awesome memories.
Makes you proud to be a Kiwi.
Thanks John (RIP) and all those that contributed to these iconic piece's of NZ history.
Probably Stroudy riding.
@@chrisnorman8628 Or jason Mckewan
Ah the battle of the streets. What a great annual event that was…
In 2004 or 5 I was in Wellington, New Zealand and I went to the Te Papa Museum. The first thing I saw was the Worlds Fastest Indian! When I turned around I saw John Britten #1 on an elevated stand. I'd never heard of John up to that point but I spent hours walking around that masterpiece gasping at the innovations I saw before my eyes. I bought that book, what a man, what a bike and what a sad loss.
I think *Andrew Stroud* deserves a big mention.
I watched his whole riding career, including taking the Britten to victory.
Legend! And once of the nicest guys you are likely to meet.
Yur not wrong he was on it wen the front end collapsed!!!
@@paulscrimgour4769 Nope that was Chris Haldane
@@bobbuilder7946 I'll second that.
More power to you. Has he racing in Europe in the 80s in a caravane with his family going from track to track? I can't remember.
Ciao, these are the real stories, which we Italians love.
The passion, for art, of craftsmanship with a capital A.
My sincere congratulations.
One of the more impressive things about the Britton was the carbon fiber wheels. It was the first vehicle to ever use them, breaking the previously held belief that they would never hold up. He actually had trouble finding anyone to make them, because no carbon fiber layer at the time wanted the liability.
Carbon wheels are still rare as fuck, even the top line of motorsports like F1 doesn't use them.
@@XBullitt16X Königssegg now is building their own carbon fibre wheels.
Jesus said, “No one can enter the Kingdom of God (God's family) unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but spirit gives birth to Spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, You must be born again” (John 3:5-7). what does this mean? Well you have to believe with your whole heart that JESUS died for your sins and after 3 days and nighrs GOD raised HIM from the death, so you can be baptized and after being baptised ask GOD for the HOLY SPIRIT . WHO will guide you trough life!❤
@@johanneshartman4618 wrong topic buddy
As a young and ambitious New Zealander, he's such an inspiration because he shows that you don't need anything fancy, just an idea, a mindset, and a garage.
And acquiring the machines and tooling, to put in garage....been there.
@@briansharp4388 people think a hammer and screwdriver can do it all
@nooneisrightallthetime-zv7hs used to have a lathe, milling machine, and a ton of tooling. Built cars and motorcycles after work for extra income. Everyone thought that they could come by and get "just this little thing" made, for free, most have no idea what goes into getting even close to the proper equipment.
Great job man. I really enjoyed this.
I raced against the Britten a few times. It was a beast off the corners and that booming twin could be heard above all others.
It was and is a great bike.
John deserved much more recognition than he got.
RIP and godspeed John.
wow im inspired by his achievements...
Let's not forget Andrew Stroud who rode this bike to many wins.
@@fidelcatsro6948 - he built a world class superbike.
@@chrisnorman8628 -absolutely! He was a beast himself.
@@holdernewtshesrearin5471 yes
One of my industrial design students at Wellington Polytechnic worked on the new fairing and body in 1991-2 He was missing from class/studio…a lot. He’s the young guy in the work shop with Britton in a couple of the video clips. He was also one who’s health was effected in the build with the carbon fiber material.
Thought the work shop was in christchurch?
This is, or was, pure Sci Fi. The most beautiful motorcycle ever built. In the car garage at home, really a hobby project in the beginning. Wins most of what is to be won, has a record that still stands, it is just to take off your hats and bend your neck in silent admiration over this adventure.
I had a close look at the one on display at the Museum of New Zealand in Wellington.
It is an absolute work of art . No detail was missed . My wife had to drag me away by the ear after I had spent an uncomfortable (for her) , slightly unseemly amount of time drooling over it .
Is it still in Te Papa?
I saw it at the Te Papa, too! Mind BLOWN!!!
@@pashakdescilly7517 I believe there is one at Barber's Motorsports Museum.
@@DakarBlues There is indeed and it is glorious!
Still they’ve stripped it down still on display with parts on display.ay but for Maintenance purposes, it’s on their website
What a phenomenal machine. I live in South Africa but was in NZ 13 years ago and went to Pukekoue race track and Kevin Swantz was there. ANDREW STROUD rode the BRITTEN. What a machine! and what a rider Andrew Stroud is. The most sought after motorcycle ever!
I was there didn't know how lucky I was at the time
True when you see one in the flesh you understand what a working art work the combined form and function is.
Hard to comprehend unless you see and hear it in the flesh. I saw and touched the Britten at Wanganui many years ago when Andrew Stroud rode it at the Cemetery Circuit. My first vision of it was Andrew giving it the slipper out of a corner, leaning over at 45% and on the rear wheel all the way down the straight. The sound was so different and so magnificent. It was so powerful it would just stand up under acceleration at any point. An amazing experience I will never forget.
@@rickfreezerburn1159 only a few comprehend this. You are one of a few fortunate like me to experience that first hand. Ps Where do you live. I traveled halfway around the globe to experience that😜
Andrew is my cousin. He has far too many kids!
I’m not a motorcycle guy but love individuals like John. They are the heroes…..not basketball players, not football players but engineers/thinkers/doers that use their intelligence and desire to excite us all.
I agree 100%
I also agree 100%
Well said.
No, no , no. If you cant be an engineer or a rocket scientist, you use what you've got.
It's amazing to see how a single dude decided to just completely upend a sport he loved, brought on a small team and, through his and his small team's efforts and ingenuity, built an incredibly successful racing bike from scratch. What an incredible thing. And clearly it had loads of torque since it would pop wheelies at any and every opportunity. Wow. Just wow.
Prodigous torque ; clearly !!!!!
Jesus said, “No one can enter the Kingdom of God (God's family) unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but spirit gives birth to Spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, You must be born again” (John 3:5-7). what does this mean? Well you have to believe with your whole heart that JESUS died for your sins and after 3 days and nighrs GOD raised HIM from the death, so you can be baptized and after being baptised ask GOD for the HOLY SPIRIT . WHO will guide you trough life!
Like the video said, it was a passion project.
That torque explains why some Harleys can beat some sportbikes in a dig. 🕶️
Read the history of the modern Americas Cup......its a kiwi thing.
I had the pleasure of having out with John Britten back in '94 at Daytona when my guy Nick Ienatsch was hired by John to ride in the Supertwins class - one of the most AMAZING and ego free individuals I've ever met in my entire life- he explained to me that the only non designed and built my him parts on the bike was a Ducati transmission- he built every single part on the bike including casting the engine cases, cylinder heads, wheels, chassis etc - And i was completely devastated when I heard he was taken so soon -
I used to read Nick for years before I was old enough to get a bike and start riding. I still think about the pace
I happened upon this video and incidentally I saw an episode of grand designs many moons ago (if I recall correctly) which involved his beautiful family home being renovated by his family. It was a really amazing episode actually. They covered him a fair bit, he seems like a truly magnificent individual. I envy you for having met him, what a nice story! All the best
I might add that the house contained numerous things that John had invented or at least designed rather uniquely too… a true inventor!
thanks for that ....I was curious what transmission he used
No. You are a liar.
Oh boy. Story time.
I have actually sat on one of these Brittons as well as saw another one in the museum in Dunedin, NZ. I live in NZ and we got an opportunity to sit on one when we were kids in school. I've got a photo on an 8 year old me sitting on one. This man is the McLaren of motorcycles. Absolutely a legend. So sad he died so young
Dude that is so cool!!
I would like to see that photo.
NZ 4 such a small country succeed to the highest level with many inventive things.. chch nz.. The Island can do/need to do attitude. Britton was a very special chap indeed and the motorbike, well anyone with a mechanical mind understands the rarity of such a masterpiece. The brighter the candle the quicker it burns..
No one knows the exact day hour /But we can see the signs events all around us. And by the timeline, Israel is 80 years and 1 generation span according to bible text will be around 2027 , which israel was declared first in 1947 + 80 years = 2027 . so we know we dont have 10 years left as this is 2022 so the rapture, then the tribulation will be before 2030 for sure.
The rapture will happen without a doubt and it will happen much sooner than many believe (less than 10 years according to all the environmental, weather,astronomical signs ,israel timelines etc showing ). It will happen without any warning , not one , in an instant , catching masses of people off guard just like God always does, ie the flood ~ a rude awakening . No one knows the exact day or hour the rapture will happen is a certainty . THE RAPTURE CAN HAPPEN NOW at ANY TIME make no mistake !! . Please awake to Christ Jesus which is the ONLY hope NOW and dont let it be found out it IS all true later when its too late & many have been left behind in the most terrible times the earth Has Ever experienced Before and ever will...for anyone who sees this and doesnt know what to do please If anyone hasnt given their life and heart to Christ Jesus will have REAL BIG problems way bigger than any problems Ever had If left here on earth after the Rapture . After the Rapture The USA , Worldwide , will face More evils , Inner city chaos, firearm wars etc etc ,power & water , food shortages , military invasions,mass executions (yes much blood will be required by antichrist ) etctec than it Has EVER been seen Before and you surely dont want to be Here then . We Have Time NOW to change , please seek Christ Jesus while there is still time to save ! no one knows the day or hour of the rapture it will start out just like any other day and it will Take Place In the day In Broad daylight/sunny day , In an Instant FLASH without ANY warning ,& there will be peoples Driver Ids, cell phones ,wallets found in various parking lots,Purses, bill folds Found at work etc etc with NO explanation , and People VANISHING so No One can refute it has taken place. .
romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shall be saved!
please share with others =IMPORTANT
raptureready.com
Fellow kiwi! Happy easter mate
I have followed the Britten story since the early 90's.... John was so far ahead of his time, his engineering designs on the V1000 have still not been replicated to this day. Anybody remotely interested in motorcycle racing design, should take the time to educate themselves on the complete story of the 'Britten V1000'.....Rip John.
I've never heard of this guy or even know anything about motorbikes. I clicked because of the headline, thank you for sharing the story of this fascinating man.
Yes this man makes me proud to be a New Zealander he lives a mind blowing life
He's dead.
damn we all dream, but this guy actually won that dream.
I was lucky enough to ride a Britten in 1994. I worked at the time for Allan Jefferies in Shipley, West Yorks, Nick (my boss), of course rode the '94 TT on the Britten and after the island event, we had the bike in the showroom for a few months, every couple of weeks he'd roll it out to fire it up, offered me a chance around the car park. It's a while ago now, but I remember it felt as light as my then TZR250, very slim between the knees at the tank and that ENGINE!!!! Just immediate propulsion like I'd never experienced before, and I only got 2nd gear. Wide car park and only just enough lock to turn it around. Nick said he'd kill me if I dropped it, I'm still here to tell the story. Only now do I realise how lucky I was to have ridden it. What a bike!
I was lucky enough to sit on one of these bikes when I was 10 years old at the street races at greymouth nz.
I didn't know much about it or John except for what my mum told me but the way she said it I could tell he was a very special man.
The bike had a powerful aura about it and I will never forget that day
Anyone willing to take the time to put a video together for this man and help spread the word of his life, automatically gets my subscription. I actually worked at Daytona International Speedway and had a great conversation with John and see his passion. It was something special to see the first time his bike was on the track and how he came back to dominate.To put it plainly..He was SPECIAL.My close friend actually had the opportunity to buy one of his bikes back then for $70,000 and decided against it.He obviously regrets that decision
Thank you! As a kiwi I’m proud that this story has been shared! I work at the Museum of New Zealand and we are lucky to have one of John’s bikes on display! Thanks again.
You mean te Papa?
@@pashakdescilly7517 yes Te Papa Tongarewa
I was there last Christmas holiday and I spent half an hour literally just looking at the bike. Absolutely beautiful.
cant believe ive missed the bike all this time! been going there for years on family road trips and never noticed the bike! where abouts is it? i must go find it.
@@aydenfellerhoff3160 When I saw it, the Britten bike was in the entrance. That was a few years ago, it may have been moved elsewhere.
I was there in Daytona - I remember seeing the Britten in the pit area. I walked by it, looked at it pretty good, and didn't really understand what I was seeing. It was so unique and odd, didn't know the story or about John, I didn't think of it as a contender .... Until I saw it run on track - then, HOLY Shiii !! Amazing !
I'm another who can walk into the museum and not get past the Britten in the lobby. The more you look the more you realise what an incredible feat was achieved by an incredible team. They sound awesome too. I often think what his family and the world missed out on. RIP John.
The fact that it's beautiful to look at is a gift. Why would I wait in line for hours to spend 10 seconds in front of the Mona Lisa when I could see this. My family all drive expensive cars as status symbols and they all hate dogs. They see our Big Pumpkin (an orange Subaru) and me as a failure. These are the same people who can't use a dipstick or change a flat tire.
Great to see a Properly compiled CZcams segment on the Legendary Man and His Unique Machines .
New Zealand " Home Engineer " that took on the World . And Won in the end .
And , Yes . The Design of the Britten V-1000 could have been built last week , let alone 35 yrs ago .
"let alone 35 yrs ago ". Holy crap, now I'm feeling my age. I can remember The Twin Eagle Trader magazine when it was in newspaper format featuring the Denco engined Britten.
I remember when Cycle World featured that bike. I really thought it represented the future. Fast forward to today and we still have forks up front, and rear shocks that are basically mounted to the swingarm. I wonder what could have happened if he had lived and gotten hired to head the design for a major company. We might have bikes that levitate.
i think that the front end was a 50 year old design which could never really progress much further , front forks now are far better than when britten did his forks , that was an awesome bike and glad i got to hear it do a demo at one of the street races
@@macunion1225 BMW have made their paralever swingarm front suspension work very well , Never say never again.
@@heartobefelt do they put it on their premium super bikes ? or just a soft tourer ?
@@macunion1225 That's a fixed idea. Never say that to a Kiwi; They'll make it work and work better . That's one of John's ingredients; and one of his stand-out attributes !!!.
@@pauloconnor7951 nah , we dont do anything amazing anymore , britten , freeth , bourne , BSL all gone and no slights or crafars coming through . i was in an aussie pub watching crafar beat doohan by 10 seconds in the 500s , so damn proud to be a kiwi that day , now after decades in a highly technical field i think most kiwis are retarded and lazy and we only do woke well
Damn that's a good video- I live in New Zealand there's heaps of people who work like this in their garage or shed but John Britten tops them all. R.I.P. dude you're a national treasure
Makes me proud to be a Kiwi. Thanks John. RIP.
For anyone who has not seen the Barber Motorsports Museum near Birmingham AL, there is nothing like it. You get to see the Britten and I can almost guarantee you will see bikes that you have only read about in books and magazines. I saw a silk for the first time and a Ner-a-car for the second time.
What an incredible story! John was to bikes perhaps what Colin Chapman was to F1 (‘add lightness’)
Why do these amazing and inspired mavericks of technology blaze into our world and then vanish just when they are about to become mainstream? Life is always an adventure and they seem to have mastered it before most, but then are gone before they get the recognition.
Thank you Bart for putting this video together.
We had the privilege of building a race car in his old dyno room in 2015. The guy who painted his bikes painted our car with the same colour scheme which was a real honour! I saw that John’s old house sold recently, it was a really interesting place.
I was lucky to see this bike racing on the battle of twins at the A1 circuit in Austria. And i even could take a closer look at this bike in the box and had a little talk to the team. The black one with the checkered flag design was there at the start. So sad the genius behind this wonderful machine passed away so young.
John was a brilliant man, very humble.
He lived up the road from my uncle here in Christchurch New-Zealand.
Brilliant engineer with an amaising imagination, and a can do attitude.
His life was taken far too young by cancer.
R.I.P John!
I was born and raised in Christchurch, New Zealand and as a fanatically enthusiastic motorcyclist for my entire life [Now 58] this Man represents the epitome of the Kiwi DIY ethos. My hero, Not ashamed to say I cried the day he died.
The day I got to look at a Britten in the flesh at the Te Papa Museum in Wellington was my equivalent of truly religious, emotional experience.
RIP John, oh what may have been
No. You are simply a Silly Billy fantasist.
It blows my mind what John achieved , and all this at an age 3 years younger than I am right now. Makes me feel ridiculously inadequate!👌
@@supertramp6011 welcome me to the club as well.. im 48 and i can barely get my 100cc yamaha running..😭😭😭
@@fidelcatsro6948 lol, same age as you bud!🤣
@@supertramp6011 we should build a 1000cc twin cylinder superbike...we will cheat by making it a 2 stroke engine cos it will be easier to build🐱👍🏿
Brilliant respect to Mr. Britten. The world needs more passionate Legends like him.
RIP John Hinds. Not mentioned here, but an incredible soul who kept many a racer alive.
Yes much respect. But what the hell has he got to do with this?
Lovely walk down memory lane. A great man with a great and dedicated team behind him, including his wife.
From my recollection regarding the flat battery it was due to the use of a Ducati regulator/rectifier that failed, not a loose wire.
In regards to staying up all night to fix the cracked cylinder liner: since no one made a cylinder liner that would fit his engine, he brazed up the crack BY HAND.
Amazing man. The world lost a great one when he died of cancer at 45. RIP John Britten.
Probably all the welding. RIP. Candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long
Or was it all that carbon fibre molding ect 🤔
@@kevindarkstar
Carbon fibre molding and in particular grinding doesn’t do wonders for the lungs.
Yes, it was a faulty outsourced rectifier and not a loose wire that caused the failure.
I vividly remember that cylinder liner repair, the factory teams thought he was nuts, "can you weld up cylinder liners?" They asked.... " I don't know but we're going to give it a go" was the reply....A True Classic Kiwi.
He was truly a great loss to not only NZ, but also Engineering and Arts.
He still is a great inspiration to many and I am remind of this everytime I set eyes on my autographed photo.
Inoperable skin cancer ultimately took him from us.
RIP John.
@@rarkitorparkit Wonder if he got any inspiration from Burt Munroe
The Britten is a masterpiece even more so today. If John had lived hard to imagine how it would have evoloved.
I'm not even a person who watches this type of racing but that's an incredible story. He truly accomplished a lifetime of work in a very short time.
New Zealand has had a few chaps like this over the years. John Britten, Burt Munro and Bruce Mclaren spring to mind.
Don't forget another New Zealander, Bill Hamilton the inventor of the jetboat engine czcams.com/video/ABuOPPro4E0/video.html
Check out the Hunwick Hallam X1R, built by Paul Hallam and his brother Andrew in Australia in the 1990s
A bike built from scratch bike that almost made it into production , raced in Australia for a season.
These guys very similar to John Britten amazing thinkers and doers. I feel blessed to know the brothers.
Harley buying in on John Britten?
So they could dry-shaft him and run him over as they did to Erik Buell?
I really couldn’t imagine a faith more cruel than that!
My thoughts exactly!
They did have a good look in the engine
Better if Britten & Buell teamed up after HD hosed Buell. It probably hosed Willie G. as well, as the XLCR cafe racer never got much marketing support. But raw genius level talent must be muffled at its source or risk elimination under the doctrine of NIH -,not invented here. Said doctrine can even extend to others in the same company if that talent isn’t a part of the “official” design engineers.
Harley is a bad company
@@mattgoodmangoodmanlawnmowi2454 Britten & Buell teaming up?
What a lovely thought
A few years ago I had the pleasure of being up close and taking pictures of one of the bikes at Road America for a vintage race. The bike got to take a parade lap a speed. That bike sounded great.
The stories of John can go on all day. Incredibly impressive feats.
I visit one of the Britten every year, and just pour over it for an hour.
I had a chat with John in the paddock one evening at the TT nice chap. The day Mark was killed was a terrible day weather wise with delays and a shortened race. The race went ahead after very heavy rain. Glen Helen is a tree lined valley following a river and is notoriously difficult section of the course and has taken many lives over the years. Mark was an experienced TT and road racer and had many top 10 finishes coming 4th once, a tragic day. To see that thing go was something else, the sound and the sock wave as it passed took your breath away, it could have easily won.
I was there too in 94. Mark Farmer was a top bloke. It put a terrible shadow on the week. I worked at Jefferies and was supporting Nick. He spoke about the Britten and how it just wheelied the whole straight after the right hander at Quarterbridge. A huge shame JB didn't get chance to evolve this bike in to something that could withstand longer road races.
When I discovered the Britten v1000 I was 5 years old back in 1998 and I found the motorcycle in a Scholastic science book that talks about vehicles and other machinery, I was completely mesmerized by the motorcycle, it was like seeing something that is so otherworldly because, by that time I've never seen a motorcycle that looks more advanced than a common Honda bike or a Harley Davidson, through my five-year-old Mind by that time, I came to the hopes that maybe one day I'll be able to come across a Britten v1000 in the near future, although I never had during my younger years, but it would have been incredibly epic to see one in real life more than a photograph in the page of a Scholastic science book.
Yes! I remember that book in the school library and I would just stare at the bike.
@@marthamryglod291 yes indeed, it was a revolutionary bike back in that era, when I was young I would always refer to it as the new bike of that decade, even today it still looks new whereas some bikes would try their own spin of a concept that came from the 80s or 90s, they still look like they belong in the 80s and 90s where is the Britten v1000 its design is in some cases timeless. Like it doesn't belong to any era at all.
I paid Homage to one on display at a Suzuki Dealership in ChristChurch. Come back soon John !!
I'm more of a fan of mad geniuses than a race car or motorcycle fan, John Britten definitely is a mad genius imhop. Thanks for making this amazing mini-docu.
I remember reading about him and his wild looking motorcycle in several magazines when I was in high school. The bike was so incredible looking and futuristic, and it was the creation of one man and his team, not some huge motorcycle company with an endless budget. I cut out pictures of the bike and stuck them to my bedroom wall.
Great to see you highlight this. I’m a kiwi and was racing at the time. I’ve been on track with a Britten and it blew by my Kawasaki Superbike like i was only running on 3 cylinders. Amazing machines. By the way the crash of the new Britten when it was first tested breaking Chris Haldane’s collar bone was at least partially his fault. It was a shakedown test of a brand new bike and the crash occurred after he pulled a wheelie. Not what you should be doing on the first running of a new bike. John did so much even made his own carbon fibre wheels
First motorcycle ever with Carbon Fibre wheels no doubt; I'm guessing F1 was first !!
NASA visited NZ to suss out what he was up to when he made those wheels. No one had done it before.
It’s hard to say that it may have been a blessing in disguise as he engineered the parts differently adding strength to the joints
I saw his first prototypes, the red one, at Ruapuna racetrack back in the 80s. Seeing the real thing in the flesh was so wild compared to what else was out there at the time. His family home was rebuilt and featured on a TV show called Grand designs New Zealand.
His daughter and son in-law brought the family home from John's wife after the christchurch earthquake and repaired the home great episode of grand designs nz this home is truly glorious before and after it's remodel.
A few years ago I was sitting out the front a cafe and had a Britten shirt on, a lady walked past and said "hey nice shirt" and gave me a nod. My partner thought it was weird. I said nothing to her and just smirked. It was Johns Widow, who Id actully bought the shirt from at a Britten meet at Ruapuna Raceway.
i brought a Britten T-shirt from John at Bathurst bike races in 1994 , signed by him , Andrew Stroud and Jason McEwen , i still have it but of course its not wearable , i might cast in in poly resin one day and mount it on the wall
My first exposure to the Britton in cycle world started a love affair that lasted the rest of riding career that lasts to this day! I have ridden Buells since 1999, and still love them and ride as often as possible, and I just turned 73 yrs old! Thank you for this well done article, and thanks be to John Britten, rip!
John Britten was a true one off & a real Gentleman, a sad loss for his Family, Friends & New Zealand.
I have a photo of me as a 9 year old, sitting on on of the Britten bikes, when me and my father were at a race in the mid 90s. It truly is a work of art, and I often think about how lucky I was to see it up close, let alone sit on it. John left us too early - make sure you get your moles/freckles checked!
This is incredible, what a magnificent engineer John was. I've literally just found this in my recommended feed, never heard of him or this bike. This popped up with Guy Martin riding the Britten because I'm into the Isle of Man TT, this video was recommended! It's awesome, I love finding gem's like this and learning about amazing people. What a legend 👍🏻
Terry Two Fingers
Great video - I actually lived a couple of hours from Manfield racetrack in NZ. The kids and I went to see the World Superbike round there in the early 1990's. The Britten was featured. In the pits I saw Raymond Roche (very successful Superbike racer) just standing looking very intensely at the Britten......... must have been for 10 - 15 minutes at least. - Was my chuckle of the day!
Successful enough to clinch the SBK world championship at Manfield in 1990 in race one, which is just as well because the Ducati he rode shit its pants in race 2
It's great to hear the story of the bike. There is also a Britten 1000 at the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum and it was awesome to see in person
That museum is insane!
I live about a 45 minute moto ride from the museum and have made the museum a destination many times for a nice ride through the backroads. It's been a while but I assume the Britten is still there behind the rope barrier with a sign that says "DO NOT TOUCH!" I was in there one day with my wife and aside from the docent at the front entrance, the place was empty. I was kneeling down studying the mechanics of the Britten for a long time and while looking at a piece of carbon fiber structure and was compelled to touch it, which I did. I just lightly tapped it with my finger nail to see how rigid it was and I got busted from across the room! "I hear TAPPING!" was yelled across the room by the docent. LOL! It's brutal....I'm such a rebel!
@@OhMySack Have you got the finger nail in a jar on your mantle?
Thank you for bringing his story, I had never heard of John Britten till now. Mind blown!.
Thank you to whoever recorded these pivotal moments.
I actually saw a Britten at a race in Willow Springs, amazing bikes.
The Britten story is an amazing one, probably not known well enough. Something that will never be repeated. Very sad that he passed away at such a young age. If he had the time who knows where the Britten bike and name would have ended up. The man was a genius.
Roger Donaldson should do a movie.
😅
A True Kiwi Legend.
A Immense Loss For All.
He may no longer be with us yet his inspiration will forever stay with me.
FYI....THE DOCUMENTARY IS TITLED:
'One Man's Dream, The Britten Bike Story'
and it's an exceptional insight to an exceptional man.
RIP John.
(Edited because my spelling sucked)
Kiwi genius. Another Kiwi motorcycle legend is the late Kim Newcombe. In the early seventies he built his own 500cc two stroke GP race bike and competed with it in the world 500cc GP championship, in his first season competing with it he finished 2nd overall in the world championship, in his second season competing with the same bike he was leading the championship with only three races to the end of the season. He was odds on favorite to win the championship. On the third to last race he had qualified on pole position and was leading the championship on points. Tragically Kim Newcombe crashed and died at that race on a dangerous corner he himself had warned the race officials about, only to be ignored by them . He is a little known yet great Kiwi motorcycle and engineering legend and talent, sadly lost to this world at too young of an age.
This piece was really well done -- just look at the passion, reminiscence, and interest in the comments. Great work.
Well said, totally agree
I saw the Britten team tear up the Daytona track some years ago during Bike Week. The team used the next-door campus of Daytona State College for overnight teardowns and rebuilds. These guys were very friendly and accessible to us enthusiasts.
I remember seeing one of these years ago , truly futuristic.
Watching this makes me proud to be a kiwi. If anyone can... we can .🇳🇿
I've always had an interest, yet never have ridden a motorcycle.
This was an amazing video for me to watch. Thank you for sharing!
I remember seeing pictures of this bike ages ago, such a distinctive bike.
Wow, just one of your best ever videos, thanks for putting this out there. I was aware of the Britten back in the nineties and was in awe at his engineering prowess, but having not heard much about him, sadly I kind of forgot to look him up. What a sad loss for his family and friends, and the motorcycling world. RiP John Britten, we will never forget you.
Britten...he was way ahead of everyone...thinking outside the box...simply awesome!!!
My life was made complete when I saw a Britten in the flesh at the Goodwood Festival of Speed a few years ago.
I was very good and didn't even try to lick it.
Edit - I have, somewhere, a copy of that Britten edition of Cycle World.
If things had turned out differently for John you could probably buy Britten flavoured icecream at your local supermarket because , who wouldnt want to lick it ?
Carbon fibre flavoured with a hint of burnt rubber and scent of race fuel.
Luckily enough I was old enough to enjoy reading of his exploits. Amazed as teenager looking at his bikes during their development in magazines. Truly a dreamer and doer! Great story!
This was a really great story. The way you structured and narrated this video and the information within was highly professional and attention grabbing. In a world full of short attention span , "scrollers" that watch short over truly interesting and informative videos .
This one grabs you ,sits you down, straightens your posture , and talks to you. And you listen.
I had the luck and honor to be able to talk with John at length about the innovations on his bike back in 1989. I was never a racer, but did act as a corner marshal for about 10 years at several tracks. I got to know about bikes and the riders during those times. I was also an auto mechanic during those times so I had more than a passing knowledge about bikes as well as cars. What John did with his designs were beyond anyone else at the time. I wish now I had been able to get to know more about him and his work.
it wasn't a loose wire that hobbled the bike, it was a faulty aftermarket regulator rectifier, It was a copy of a Honda MN4 rectifier, the genuine one was around $500 at the time and the shit one was $150, I did warn John they were shit but he was on a budget! One of the very few parts he didn't make! XR400 valve keepers and GSXR clutch plates were some of the only other things.
I thought the bike ran a total loss electrical system
@@craigcourtney4209 it maybe total loss but if the CDI was DC it would have needed a reg/rec to turn the AC into DC.
he also used GSXR big end bearing shells , one of the two bikes entered at Bathurst races in 1994 was pulled out after the bearings shells failed and he couldnt get spares anywhere locally , i spoke to him in the Pits there.
Thank You 🙏 for wonderfully narrating one of the most inspiring piece of motorcycling history... If Biking was a Religion, John would surely had been one of the GODS...
Church of the Road.
Bart, my family has been racing bikes for decades. My uncle Henk Van der Mark won Le Mans 24 hours in 1984 in coop with Dirk Brand on a Suzuki powered Bakker framed streetbike. They did this using a regular engine and only using a team of two riders. Short before Le Mans the engine had trouble with the cilinder walls and they used a scrap part from a car. Team RoadRunner was the name. Michelin even had an advert using their name in 1984. Might be interesting to do a video about. Basically winning with the odds against them in a really long endurance race using a parts bin special bike. It is the only time the Netherlands won and I believe the only time it was done using a two rider time. Also, my cousin Michael Van der Mark still races Moto GP and World Superbike.
awesome!
Total legend. Typical number 8 wire kiwi ingenuity 🇳🇿 awesome video. Well done 👊🏻
Great video. During the period I followed all the alternative front suspension projects, Heijara, ELF, Hossack..etc.
John was a genius, carbon fibre front fork, carbon wheels frame stressed engine, the aerodynamics, diameter of pivot shafts, it's Endless.
“Suzuki will never make anything but an inline-4 for racing”
My friend. The TL-1000R would like to chat
I saw that bike run at daytona 200 in 97, it was wheelies on the high banks of turns 3&4 at daytona! It truly was a unique bike with a boat load of power and tourqe. Plus the colors made it stand out and no one knew of it at the time.
Man this is the most amazing story...amazing man and amazing machine. Thank you for bringing me this story. May John rest in peace and keep the rubber side down for eternity...
bart out here making all the videos I want to make... time to get started I guess. Another great one, thanks for highlighting the brilliance of John Britten.
I remember when all of this was happening in real time. It's a great story.
So cool to see him again.
Gonna go dig out my copy.
Seeing him with the wire and hot glue makes my heart swell up.
He paid for the house by making lamp shades of stained glass and wire.
I met John when I was manning the tool crib at AMI during one Bike Week. John and his team came in, to put their motorcycle together; there wasn't one part I could recognize except the wheels/tires! They built this amazing machine, but as I recall there were problems with rain at the track.
Great story. Back in the 90s and early 00s i was really into trying to design my own motorcycle coming from working in shops to being in engineering school. I loved digging into Britten, tony Foale, the tularis and several other "one offs". I ended up heavily modding rather than building from scratch but maybe one day.....
Absolutely fascinating! I had no idea to what extent Britten went in this pursuit. Just amazing. Could it be done today? Absolutely! The available tools to accomplish what is needed are much more common and prolific. Thinking of Britten using extensive carbon fiber in that age just blows my mind!
Me and buddy of mine who was highly inspired by Britten decided to modify a bike in his vintage Triumph shop some 20 years ago from junkyard parts while the boss was on a vacation around the US, it was kinda in the spirit of John Britten and we succseeded the project working around the clock before the shop owner got back, not even scratching the iceberg Britten achieved, but we followed his dream, and build what we wanted with little tools and small pockets, i am sure someone will achieve what Britten did sooner or later, really enjoyed the video, huge thumbs up from Holland👍👍
Kiwi Ingenuity!! We'll never see another John Britten, no one will have the sheer nerve and skills.
Great video! Back in the ‘90’s I was around AMA CCS circuit and got to see Britten bikes in the pits and on the track. I was in awe then and I am in awe now. An amazing feat of engineering. Just imagine if John had lived. Gone too soon.