John Britten Race Leathers

[orange dog]

If anyone knows of someone who might be interested in a unique bit of bike history, I have just listed on trademe a set of John Brittens early race leathers. These are the ones he was wearing when he crashed one of his earlier bikes when the throttle jammed at the end of the Ruapuna straight, so the lower legs have been damaged.
They ARE the real thing and in fact I am hunting some of the earlier mags for photos of him riding with these leathers on, if anyone can help with that I would appreciate it.
They are listed under 'collectables' so I don't know what sort of coverage they will get with riders, so if you know anyone who might be keen, let them know.

These leathers have been sitting in a box at the bottom of the cupboard for years and probably deserve a better home. I have also entered this years charity postie bike run: www.postiebikechallenge.org and, while I am hoping for sponsorship to cover some of the cost needed to enter, proceeds from this sale will be put to entering this event. One of the charities I will be raising funds for is www.projectkph.co.nz check it out, Leah is doing a fantastic job.

listing Number on trade me is: 221129817

Cheers, Jason

[Shaun]

If anyone knows of someone who might be interested in a unique bit of bike history, I have just listed on trademe a set of John Brittens early race leathers. These are the ones he was wearing when he crashed one of his earlier bikes when the throttle jammed at the end of the Ruapuna straight, so the lower legs have been damaged.
They ARE the real thing and in fact I am hunting some of the earlier mags for photos of him riding with these leathers on, if anyone can help with that I would appreciate it.
They are listed under 'collectables' so I don't know what sort of coverage they will get with riders, so if you know anyone who might be keen, let them know.

These leathers have been sitting in a box at the bottom of the cupboard for years and probably deserve a better home. I have also entered this years charity postie bike run: www.postiebikechallenge.org and, while I am hoping for sponsorship to cover some of the cost needed to enter, proceeds from this sale will be put to entering this event. One of the charities I will be raising funds for is www.projectkph.co.nz check it out, Leah is doing a fantastic job.

listing Number on trade me is: 221129817

Cheers, Jason


Try contacting TE PAPA, they may be interested?

[Mully]

Try contacting TE PAPA, they may be interested?

Yeah, but they'll want 'em for free, I suspect.

Awesome piece of NZ motorsport memorabilia - if I had the coin and a man-cave to take them, I'd be all over them.

[Beemer]

Try contacting TE PAPA, they may be interested?

No, a better bet would be Thompsons Bike Museum near Rongatea - they have heaps of memorabilia and I bet they would be interested. Unfortunately they are not listed in the phone book under that, just under the guy's own name (I think the son runs it now his father has died), but I am sure someone on here can track down a number for you. We're going there next month so I'll ask the other half when he gets home for lunch and see if he has a number handy. I'd rather see them go there than to Te Papa to be honest.

[lankyman]

I was under the impression from the doco that has been screened a few times over the years that john never actually rode the bike himself...correct me if I'm wrong

[orange dog]

Thanks for your help.

As for racing, John was quite competitve racing a classic triumph which he restored himself. While a very few of us including John got to lap Ruapuna a few times on the V1000, the Britten I am referring to is his earlier attempts at building his own bike but using a Denco engine... hey, just found it, whadayou know. See: http://www.britten.co.nz/history/aerobike.html#part3

The throttle jamming at the end of Ruapuna was the reason he crashed in these leathers, the sculpted leg section was the reason he didn't seperate from the bike and therefore lost a part of his foot / toes.

This was just before I joined him so if anyone has a more accurate version, please post.

Cheers

[Motu]

Orange Dog of business card fame? (and a lot more than that I know)

[orange dog]

at last... but yes, gotta fill the tank somehow

[MyGSXF]

In tonight's Nelson Evening Mail..

On ya Jason! :rockon:

[SDU]

Why don't you contact The Britten mc company- they have a display off memorabilia for people to go to in Worcester st chch. They might buy them back

WWW.britten.co.nz

[sil3nt]

Why don't you contact The Britten mc company- they have a display off memorabilia for people to go to in Worcester st chch. They might buy them back

WWW.britten.co.nzprobably because they already sold for over $6000 :niceone:

[SDU]

probably because they already sold for over $6000 :niceone:

:clap::clap::clap:

[MIXONE]

Welldone that man.I just hope they go to a good home!

[orange dog]

Thanks all, frikin awesome result and sounds like a bit of a Britten renunion might happen. Contact me at: jason@orangedog.co.nz if there is any team members out there keen to come.
As for a good home, the leathers were purchased by a representative for CANON. See: http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/2498316/Nice-fit-for-Brittens-leathers for more details.

See: www.maddogchallenge.co.nz to see where the proceeds will go.

Jas