thumper rider ?

[spooky]

out for a ride around in the sunshine last night and found this chap sitting on a pub wall, do you think he rides a thumper ? or more likely a douglas?  what might he be saying, he`s holding his silver trophy cup..

[timbo]

Very unusual! Why a Douglas? I reckon he's saying, "with the power of a thumper, you can even climb brick walls." 

[spooky]

Douglas were one of the main speedway machines in the 30`s

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=douglas+speedway+bike&biw=1366&bih=643&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiVgOOK1YLOAhXGIcAKHSJfAlIQ_AUIBigB&dpr=1#imgrc=oUTWmDBuQ_0FTM%3A

[timbo]

Ah, of course. Havnt been to a speedway meet in a few years, as theres, none in Ireland. My father in law and his big brother, would have been big fans of the Potters in Stoke almost seventy years ago, and I won't ever forget the first meet I went to at Workington about ten years ago. I still reckon its my favourite live motorcycle sport, as I've the attention span of a knat, and its always an evening of flat out action
Maybe we should have a Thumper do at the national championship sometime,as they are the ultimate thumpers in the raw. Can I ask where the photo is taken,and any other info you have ?

[spooky]

Funny i have never been to speedway... but i do have a soft spot for `fore and aft` dougies, thank google for photos,

[Moto63]

Aahhhh.....speedway, my first real introduction in to motorbikes I think. Me and big bro (propellor) used to go every Wednesday night to watch the bradford barons up at odsal, (where the bradford bulls rugby team have their ground) I'd have been about 10/11 years of age so be around 73/74.... We went for quite a few years if memory serves me correct. Mainly jawa and J.A.P. Engined bikes back then and they didn't have that little guard thing on back then to stop the shale being thrown up. Great memories.
Cheers...Michael

[timbo]

OK, so who does know who the figure in the photo is, and where? 

[spooky]

It`s at a pub near me, i am going back on a quieter day to see if the landlord has any history..

[CrazyFrog]

Yep, speedway started my interest in Motorbikes in the late 70's and I've been an avid fan ever since. I still go down to Perry Barr to watch the mighty Brummies every week!

We had a brilliant talk at my bike club a while back by Peter Johns (http://www.peterjohnsracing.com/) about tuning the engines, which apparently churn out about 80bhp at the back wheel  . I can also remember seeing a special in Classic Bike a few years back called the Jabsa which was a Jawa speedway engine in a BSA frame, fully road legal, amazing power to weight ratio and apparently went like a rocket. Great stuff.