Interesting thumpers in old bike mags

[Smithy]

My mate's neighbour passed him a load of old bike mags to read and he passed the on to me. There were a couple of interesting thumpers in two of them and I wondered if anyone remembered them or knew where they are now.

The first was a Matchless 250 CSR frame with an XBR500 motor in it. Best of both worlds sort of thing. The second was called the Griffun which is basically a BSA B33 frame and motor with loads of parts from other bikes holding it all together.

Both were very nicely done and I hope to goodness no-one has bought them and 'restored' them thus losing their unique character.

[Propellor]

I vaguely remember the griffun. I used to buy the classic motorcycle mag years ago, might have been in there. Can't remember!

[SteveC#222]

I remember the Matchless/XBR - wasn't it made or owned by a guy called Cutler ( same as me) ?.  As I recall, as you say, it was a very nice best of both with genuine classic looks and Japanese leak free reliability.

[CrazyFrog]

Happy to report that the Griffun is alive and well  .

It was built in the early eighties by Dave Griffiths who was the Chairman of my club (Kings Norton MCC in Birmingham). Dave (who was a lovely chap), built it with a 1000cc V twin (I think it was a matchless) originally. Sadly he passed away shortly after completing the Griffun, from cancer. He was only in his early fifties I think.

After his death, the bike was bequeathed to the club and at some point the original V twin was deemed to be life expired, and the BSA engine substituted. The bike has had several 'guardians' since Dave's death and we have an annual 'Griffun' run in September to commemorate both him and the bike, which usually makes it along.

The Griffun may well have been in the Classic Motorcycle magazine, as the editor in the early eighties was also the club President, Bob Currie.

The club is still going strong and we celebrated our 70th anniversary last year. Check us out at http://e-voice.org.uk/knmcc/

[Smithy]

That's fantastic Crazy Frog thank you so much for the update. I am so glad that the buy it and restore it brigade didn't get their hands on this one as so much individuality went into the machine. Any chance I could join the September run? Having seen and admired it in the mag I'd love to see it in the flesh.

[CrazyFrog]

I'm sure that would be fine Smithy. If you are local, why not pop in and say hello one Thursday night? 

[CrazyFrog]

I remember the Matchless/XBR - wasn't it made or owned by a guy called Cutler ( same as me) ?.  As I recall, as you say, it was a very nice best of both with genuine classic looks and Japanese leak free reliability.

I have a nice low mileage spare engine for my SLR650, and something like this would make a nice retirement project. I know somebody who has put a Suzuki LS650 Savage engine in a featherbed framed Manx Norton replica and he calls it a 'Manki'. Again, it's extremely well executed and you need to do a double take to realise what it is!

[Smithy]

Hi Crazy Frog

Thanks I will look forward to the run and seeing Griffun in the flesh. I will hang on to the article so that if your club hasn't got a copy it can have this one, be nice to go with the bike as it tells the story of its creation.

I live in North Notts so not too far away, I will accept your invite and pop along one Thursday, be nice to meet you.

I've seen pics of the Manki and it is indeed well done. I have to admit to being a little jealous of people with that level of skill, if I drill two holes in a bracket one of them misses!