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Britten VTR1000 Tribute Bike

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Britten VTR1000 tribute bike from New Zealand
Britten VTR1000 tribute bike from New Zealand – click to enlarge

Real Britten V1000 for comparison
Real Britten V1000 for comparison
Roll up at bike night on this and watch the conversations stop. A fellow down in New Zealand, a big fan of John Britten, thought the next best thing to owning and riding a real Britten V1000, pretty much an impossible dream, would be to build a really good look alike, a tribute bike of sorts. So, starting with a Honda VTR1000 Super Hawk, he proceeded to fashion the proper body work and came up with this, an amazingly realistic facsimile of the real thing, a Britten VTR1000.

VTR and Britten VTR tribute comparison
VTR and Britten VTR tribute comparison

A three year project, he completely replaced the body work with fiberglass of his own design and crafted a new rear subframe, but other than that, it’s a stock Honda. The authentic blue and pink paint scheme is quite convincing.

You see tributes and clones in the automotive world all the time but not so much with motorcycles. This is definitely one of the better ones. Very cool!

Thanks for the tip, Bob!

UPDATE: Adding this photo after the comment below wondering about the right side. The exhaust is basically stock Honda with an aftermarket can. Yes, too bad he didn’t create something to emulate the very cool twisted header of the original, but the body work is still first rate.

Britten VTR1000 tribute right side
Britten VTR1000 tribute right side

Link: VTR1000.org

Related: The Britten Bike Story DVD

Posted on Filed Under: Motorcycle Builders

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Comments

  1. Well, my first thoughts are ‘Blasphemy’. How dare you? Replica shmecula. This is a crime against one of the best!

    Obviously I am a huge Britten fan, and after seeing 8 out of the 10 bikes in person, and 3 running (in anger no less), I will not accept replicas.

    Then I calmed down and looked at the tribute bike, and all I can say is ‘Great job’. I have never been much for replica anything but understand the intention of the creator, and applaud his will and determination in creating something that at a glance looks very much like the real thing.

    Would love to see it on the road.

    Mike C

  2. Man those New Zealanders just set out and accomplish stuff don’t they? No pics of the right side finished – I wonder what he did with the exhaust?

    • Added the photo above, it’s the only one of the right I could find. No it isn’t the twisted purple beauty of the real thing, but the bike is still quite a job well done.

      • The original “twisted purple beauty” of an exhaust system looks like someone spent hundreds of hours fabricating it; being a guy who loves complex tubing, it was the aspect of the Britten that first struck my eye — it reminded me of the “bowl of spaghetti” systems on the Grand Prix Fords of the 60s. No doubt this fellow wanted to replicate it, but it would be a daunting task to say the least. But he should have a crack at it, if only to silence those naysayers dissing him for committing the sacrilege of building a tribute to a bike he loves and the man who dreamed it, then made his dream a reality.

  3. A very good effort, well-executed. The bodywork alone is first-rate. If he can’t have a Brittten, this is the next best thing, although you’ll never mistake that Honda engine for a magnificent Britten V-twin. I doubt if it handles as well, either, but what does? All in all, high marks! Who among us decides what we want and then go ahead and make it?

  4. Well ….. replica schmecklica ….. this bike is a travesty and should never of seen the light of day … never mind being placed in the public eye for all to see . Its a freaking COPY and not even a good one at that . I’ll bet serious money if you took the Britten pastiche paint job off this POS and everyone here’d be screaming Fraud and POS as well ! This isn’t a ‘ Tribute ‘ to the man ( Britten ) or his bikes . Its simply one pathetic souls attempt to pretend he owns something he’s not capable of having . If the man would of built something Original using the Britten as a reference and an influence I’d be behind the guy 100 % . But seeing as all he’s capable of producing are blatant Xerox copies ….. well I say Two Thumbs Down . And shame on him as well .

    But then again in this Era of ‘ God Forbid Anyone Do Anything Original ” why does this bad joke not surprise me in the least .

    • It’s not your taste, fine. But I don’t believe it deserves comments such as “pathetic”… Not my taste either, but at least I appreciate the hard work.
      Show us what you’re doing first, expose your own talent and achievements.

    • I really don’t care much for this bike myself. It is like it is sitting deep in the uncanny Britten valley.

      But, “If the man would of built something Original using the Britten as a reference and an influence I’d be behind the guy 100 % .” I somehow really doubt that, in fact by now I would be looking for the, “But why? And don’t say because he could.” comment….which also crops up when people do original things as well.

      Typically on here when I don’t care much for something, know what I do? Just move on. Unless I can at least appreciate the work that went into it, then I might say something. Something someone built for themselves and is enjoying them self with just isn’t worth getting worked up about even a litte bit. Would be cool to see some of your work though.

    • “Its simply one pathetic souls attempt to pretend he owns something he’s not capable of having .”
      As opposed to, say, one pathetic souls attempt to critcise something he not capable of creating, on an internet blog.

  5. Very nice work, You have to admire a guy who sets out to make something and actaully does it.

  6. Very impressive. This is no worse than someone riding a Honda Shadow – a good bike in its own merit yet a homage to something else. excellent craftsmanship.

    Now, if you walked around wearing a SF Giants or NY Mets jersey would people accuse you of trying to convince everyone you were Willie Mays?

    -todd

    • Well said Todd .
      As a NZer I can tell you John Britten is still considered the high water mark and this copy would get respect..
      There is a Britten in the National museum in Wellington.
      People still cry when they gaze upon it’s beauty and grace, and feel the loss.
      One of the questions you’re asked after gazing upon it is
      What is your favourite part.
      Every part of the bike is such a work of art
      For me .The front axle nut.

  7. It completely misses the point. The V1000 was not about fairings, or exhaust pipes, colors or composites, even the engine was not THAT big of a deal.
    The V1000 is about suspension. Specifically, front wheel trajectories and the associated progressive trail curves derived from a multi-link suspension set-up. Stay tuned for more…JT

    • I thought the V1000 was about all of those things together being designed and built from scratch by a guy in New Zealand and then taking the fight to the factory teams with a highly competitive bike.

      • agreed,kiwis are renound for making something out of nothing and beating the world,if it was about handling John would be famous as a suspension guru

  8. With a little extra effort he could change the swingarm with a more similar one…that would help a lot the “replica”

      • @Mike – check out this Corvair powered Harley. It would be nice if the Kneeslider could do a feature on this sometime.

        Re the Britten – I think John Britten would have been flatterred. For anyone who hasn’t, I strongly recommend reading both biographies of the man, both the official and unofficial.

        What he acheived, not just in the motorcyle realm, but in other design areas as an engineer with very severe dyslexia is truly remarkable.

  10. Do the exhaust and you got it !
    I am getting the parts together to do a replica of “The Monster” from Death Race 2000…..the one with David Carradine.

    I cant wait to hear the Corvette purists cry and wail !

    The original monster was a Corvair powered Shala Vette, which really aren’t around anymore.

    • My previous comment was supposed to be a reply to Mike Walsh. Apologies and good luck to all with their respective projects.

      • Oh, that Corv/arley is just great.

        As a wet-behind-the-ears teenager in the late 60s, I used to hang around a BMW shop in Midland, Texas. One of my favorite bikes to just drool over was an R60 (I think) that the shop had slotted a VV Beetle engine into. Very understated, looked like it had come from Germany that way.

        • I knew a guy that was doing something like that many years ago. I was into VW’s, so we talked the same talk. I don’t know if his project ever turned a wheel, though. The Corv/arley looks 40 years ahead of its time…in a 1970’s kinda way. Does that make any sense?

  12. This reminds me of the Ferrari kits they had for the Pontiac Fiero. Sure it doesnt have any of the things that made the orignal great, but people still bought them.

  13. I take it from your user name that you’re a musician? Given your hatred of copies presumably you only play original music, all the time?

    This is a cover bike, same as a cover song. It isn’t the original, but the guy’s a fan.

  14. Sometimes I don’t understand the reaction of some people. This guy had an idea, put a lot of work into it and presented it to the world. No harm done!
    I had a VTR250 and, because it’s a Monster copy, put a DUCATI sticker on the tank, just for fun. I was surprised at how many people didn’t get the joke – they either thought it was real or criticised me for doing it.
    I didn’t care much one way or the other.

  15. Take the human element out of the equation, and for a moment analyze the motorcycle on it’s own merits, apart from the sappy and sometimes inflated myth of Britten. When one removes the emotional context for the project, clearly the real innovation of the V1000 was it’s suspension. Isn’t it maddening that suspension wise, the most advanced motorcycle of today was built in 1992…..

    • Reply to JT Nesbitt – Your earlier post said;

      “The V1000 was not about fairings, or exhaust pipes, colors or composites, even the engine was not THAT big of a deal.”

      And here you say “the real innovation of the V1000 as it’s suspension.”

      Let’s get real here. It’s innovations were many such as bolting everything off the motor to strip weight right down, as Colin Chapman had done with the Lotus race cars. Weight was stripped from every part of the bike. There is the extensive use of carbon fibre. Britten utilized a modern interpretation of the Hossack suspension up front. Also airflow systems from memory. The real genius for me then was to take that and wrap it in a pink and blue skin that just drew you in emotionally. And the exhaust! This bike is a work of art that is easy to fall in love with. The V1000 is a sum of many parts done very well. It led the way for many race bikes to follow.

      As for this copy. Well done. It’s one of the best copies I’ve seen. And we can all accept it for that. Great job.

  16. My son and I watched the DVD last night. Something, anything that will give tribute to that man should be done. Creative, inventive, diligent and determined, he was the glue to getting the most out of a bunch of goal driven guys. His hard work and “never say die” attitude was amazing.
    We were both real glad I purchased the DVD and we are now planning a group get together to view it all at once. The work they performed on a shoestring and with a lack of precision machinery is testimony to mans ability to create when given such a goal.
    Thanks for bringing this to all of our attention.

  17. Your earlier post said;

    “The V1000 was not about fairings, or exhaust pipes, colors or composites, even the engine was not THAT big of a deal.”

    And here you say “the real innovation of the V1000 as it’s suspension.”

    Let’s get real here. It’s innovations were many such as bolting everything off the motor to strip weight right down, as Colin Chapman had done with the Lotus race cars. Weight was stripped from every part of the bike. There is the extensive use of carbon fibre. Britten utilized a modern interpretation of the Hossack suspension up front. Also airflow systems from memory. The real genius for me then was to take that and wrap it in a pink and blue skin that just drew you in emotionally. And the exhaust! This bike is a work of art that is easy to fall in love with. The V1000 is a sum of many parts done very well. It led the way for many race bikes to follow.

    As for this copy. Well done. It’s one of the best copies I’ve seen. And we can all accept it for that. Great job.

    • JT Nesbit Reply. My last post was a reply to JT Nesbit. It appears the reply function isn’t working the best today.

      • Phil Irving 1946.
        Only Irving did not have access to composites, and did not truly understand all of the underlying physics of motorcycle suspension. Unfortunately, your assertion that the V1000 “led the way for many race bikes to follow” is inaccurate. Name one contemporary racing motorcycle that utilizes a multi-link front suspension.

        • If you know so much about multi-link front suspensions, why don’t you show us the ones YOU designed and built?

          • @ rohorn- Really? I mean, REALLY, DUDE?. I suggest you do not go there… Ask Paul.

            • The Wraith, along with the Britten V1000, are my two favorite motorcycle designs of all time.

              I was merely, if ineffectively, making fun of the worst failure of the internet: The way it encourages dumb anonymous people to find group reinforcement rather than to learn anything. It isn’t often that one reads comments from anybody who is both identifiable and has any real knowledge of the subject.

              • Ah, ok. Yeah, sorry- ineffective. That’s cool though.. I checked your page- Interesting. I like the HD sports-thing… Looks a little stretched and low to be a sportbike, but the body shape hides it’s scale. Still cool.
                I agree with the fact that the ‘net generates an awful lot of uninformed ‘experts’ in EVERY field. I just was warning against poking the Nesbitt with a stick… 😉 ALways a BAD idea…

  18. Whoa buddy. Chill. Don’t even think you are a kiwi so why are you so offended? I am a kiwi and reading Brittens biography by Tim Hanna is what got me into motorbikes in a big way 5 years ago.

    My first reaction was also ‘how dare someone attempt to copy the Britten V1000, what an insult’. But then I looked at it and it really is a work of art this guy has created – if you have seen the John Britten documentary you would have seen how much time and effort went into creating the fiberglass/carbon fire body work. This guy has replicated that part of the bike very well. So my hats off to the guy for incredible skill to produce that himself. I also see the bike as a tribute to the original, not a copy or replica. I think anything to stir up excitement and enthusiasm about this legend of a man and bike is great. Not that I knew the guy but I think Johns reaction would something like ‘wow, neat, look what you’ve done there’ (in a very South Island Kiwi accent). Rather than dissing the bike.

    Besides, isnt imitation the highest form of flattery?

  19. The headline says it all: it’s not a replica, it’s not a carbon copy, it’s a tribute bike – and a well done one at that.

  20. Nice work man! In honor of one of the few true revolutionaries dedicated to the development of motorcycles, John Britten! Long live his memory, and the courage to do something fantastic singlehanded if necessary.

  21. Just a little more info on the Britten Tribute, The exhaust isn’t the finished article, it was just slapped on for it’s VIN & WOF so he could ride it for the summer. There’s difficulty remaking the tuned spaghetti pipes because the VTR has a frame unlike the original Brittan & that gets in the way.
    Duplicating the suspension is not practical, the VIN process would be a total nightmare. This bike is basically a bolt on kit, no major alterations to the mechanical aspect to keep the VIN process simple & painless.
    It preforms & handles pretty much the same as the original VTR.
    In it’s own right it’s a work of art & it keeps the memory of the legend alive & on the road (where th real one will never be)

  22. I like many here followed John Brittens trials and victories and his final departing this realm. I always get excited when watching the videos of the britten racing. I got to see this Tribute Bike first hand last week end (11,08.2012), as I was visiting the man who made this tribute bike. I saw the beginning of this project a couple of years ago and was stunned at the enormity of the task that he was beginning to embark upon. It was with real apreciation I was able to inspect this tribute bike and marvel at the quality of the workmanship. I am astonished to read the vitreol coming from some people against this labour of love, that is intended to honour the memory of John Britten and his iconic bike. Shame on the people who critisize this tribute bike from a distance and have no real knowledge of it, or the man who has laboured over it so well.