1980: The year of the Sony Walkman. the year of the Sinclair ZX80 computer, and the year of the most (checks notes) iconic motorcycle in history!
Unquestionably the greatest film ever made, Silver Dream Racer was released on this day with cinemas up and down the country reporting young men and women literally attempting to break down the entrance doors…
…trying to get out.
So just what was Nick Freeman riding to victory? Was it even a real motorcycle? Well, yes it was. Two motorcycles actually. Made by Barton Motors (now gone) for the film genuinely entered in to the 1979 motorcycle grand prix at Silverstone, though it was ridden by British racer, Roger Marshall, not David Essex.
Sadly, the machine, a two-stoke wasn’t quite up to the performance of a real GP bike. They managed to qualify 16th but only after sllpping in a 750cc engine when the scrutineers weren’t looking. It was in the points for the race, but developed a fuel leak and had to pull off the track. Marshalls let it back on between groups of riders during the last lap so they could film it ‘winning’ across the finish line.
Where is the bike now? Nowhere. The original bike is no more. The one you may have seen in later photos is a mock up made from a third chassis and doesn’t run.
It is a sad loss to the motorcycling world.
And now, enjoy possibly the worst trailer of all time…
