The History

Former sidecar Grand Prix racer Colin Seeley acquired rights to the Matchless G50 and AJS 7R singles in the late 1960s and developed both the engine and a new chassis, producing the Seeley G50 Racer.

 

Initially the engines were supplied by AMC, however AMC quickly announced that they were ceasing production of the powerplants. This presented the fledgling Seeley operation with a serious problem with regard to the supply of powerplants for the promising machines. Colin's decision to purchase the AMC racing department and manufacture his own engines was both bold and farsighted and at a time when the British motorcycle industry was imploding, would add an illustrious chapter to it's history completely at odds with industry generally.

 

With the supply of engines now secured the Seeley concern entered a golden period with their machines selling well. Production was soon concentrated on the G50 powered example, one of which took Dave Croxford to victory in the 1968 British Championship, a feat he repeated the following season. 1968 had also seen John Cooper secure a victory in the North West 200 whilst 1969 saw Seeley G50's taking 3rd,4th and 5th in the Senior TT and John Blanchard repeating John Cooper's success at the North West 200.

​

 

This Bike

The Matchless G50 engine is entirely brand new, it has better main and big end bearings than the original, Bore is 90mm and Stroke is 78mm (giving 496cc) and has a compression ratio of 11.2:1. The gear box Quaife latest 6 speed racing box with magnesium cases and uses a Bob Newby racing clutch and belt primary drive. The Carburettor is AMAL 1 ½ GP with remote float and ignition is by Lucas Magneto.

The Seeley Mk 3 frame is new in 2016 built by Roger Tichmarsh who is licenced by Colin Seeley to produce the frames today using the original jigs, seat and faring and petrol Tank are all taken from the original templates.  The front forks are Manx, fitted with 230mm Seeley double sided single leading brake, the rear brake is genuine Manx conical with improved cam levers, the exhaust is based on the QUB Dr Blair system used on the last of the Seeley racers, it is custom handmade with removable baffles for unrestricted race events. Dimensions and specifications of the exhaust were supplied by Colin Seeley himself and a big thanks to Colin for all his help.      

The Bike will be used at the CRMC and other classic events in 2017 and at the Belgium classic GP at Spa