honda_trials Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 I have a friend in Spain who has a rather special Montesa 349 (see photos below). He would like to know who made the frame, he has a feeling it was an English made item but knows nothing else about it - can anyone shed any light on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big john Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Funny that! Ive had John Dickinson at T&MX News have a look at these very photos and he reckons it could be a derivative of the Beamish Suzuki frame, it looks very like the handiwork of the Beamish frame creators! The bike belongs to 'Manuel C' of Sotobike club, doesn't it? Big John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b40rt Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 The shocks change in each photo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tilertrialler Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 the welding or brazing on that shock absorber gusset is never , mick witlocks, or would he ever let it leave the factory like that. the mans got pride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big john Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 the welding or brazing on that shock absorber gusset is never , mick witlocks, or would he ever let it leave the factory like that. the mans got pride. I didn't say the frame builder was Mick Whitlock, did I? Big John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honda_trials Posted January 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Funny that! Ive had John Dickinson at T&MX News have a look at these very photos and he reckons it could be a derivative of the Beamish Suzuki frame, it looks very like the handiwork of the Beamish frame creators!The bike belongs to 'Manuel C' of Sotobike club, doesn't it? Big John Hi Big John, I see the similarity with a Whitlock frame but look at the welding by the rear shock mount - that is not quality work and Mick Whitlock usually brazed rather than welded and to a high standard. I will stand corrected if anyone knows better but I don't think that is his work. Will we see you at Telford this weekend? Look me up, I will be on the Beamish stand in the main hall. Cheers, Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honda_trials Posted January 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 I didn't say the frame builder was Mick Whitlock, did I?Big John Nobody else made the Beamish frame Big John. You are right ahbout the owner by the way - I think he is trying to research the history as far as I understand it. Cheers, Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel dabster Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Steve wilson? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big john Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Hi Big John,I see the similarity with a Whitlock frame but look at the welding by the rear shock mount - that is not quality work and Mick Whitlock usually brazed rather than welded and to a high standard. I will stand corrected if anyone knows better but I don't think that is his work. Will we see you at Telford this weekend? Look me up, I will be on the Beamish stand in the main hall. Cheers, Jim Hi Jim, JD threw another name into the mix, that's why I didn't specifically say it was the handiwork of Mick Whitlock! Yes I'll be there all day saturday, so hopefully see you at some point in the day! Big John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beamish owners club Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 Steve wilson? Excuse my ignorance Nigel but who is Steve Wilson and is he still producing frames? Does he have a trade name? Cheers, Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 (edited) Steve was from around the Midlands originally and used to practise in our local quarry along with Arthur Browning and Dave Smith (enduro rider, nice bloke sadly no longer with us) As well as being a Bultaco sponsored rider Steve was quite innovative and used to come up with his own designs for trials frames/swingarms (and other stuff including BMX) He had made various frames throughout the 70s, not sure exactly which bikes for apart from Bultaco. John Collins has one of Steve's Bultacos which he rides in Sammy Miller events now and again. It has a novel airbox/fuel tank layout. No idea if that Montesa is one of Steve's or not. It is so close in design/appearance to the standard Mont frame though. Forgot to mention, he lives in Cornwall/Devon somewhere now (or did at least) no longer involved in trials Edited January 23, 2009 by Woody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeman Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 Woody , Are you saying Dave Smith is no longer with us ??? I raced with him and Arthur Browning back in the early 70's when I worked & raced for Sprite . Great Bloke !!! Gordon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bultaco49 Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 Here is a picture of a Steve Wilson Bultaco frame. The swing arm is mounted differently but the layout otherwise is similar and is finished in chrome or nickel. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honda_trials Posted January 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 Thank you all for your help, I think it seeems the consensus is that it's a Steve Wilson! Cheers, Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel dabster Posted January 27, 2009 Report Share Posted January 27, 2009 might be but would be rare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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