Steve McQueen on a Greeves!

[Brian Thompson]

Here's a link to an interesting site about Steve McQueen's interest in dirt bikes and desert racing;

http://www.angelfire.com/biz/snwvlly/bikes/steve.htm

It includes an article he wrote for American magazine 'Popular Science' in which he tests a variety of bikes, one of which happens to be a Greeves Challenger! (see attached pic.)

I've also attached a pic of him taken during a visit to Comerfords sometime in the early sixties (I think!) Comerfords were of course a major UK dealer for Greeves and other marques, and renowned off-road competition specialists back in the day. They were based at Thames Ditton in Surrey, where my own TCS was originally sold from as it happens.

Hope everyone enjoys the link and article by SMcQ.

Brian.

[Bearingman]

Here's a link to an interesting site about Steve McQueen's interest in dirt bikes and desert racing;

http://www.angelfire.com/biz/snwvlly/bikes/steve.htm

It includes an article he wrote for American magazine 'Popular Science' in which he tests a variety of bikes, one of which happens to be a Greeves Challenger! (see attached pic.)

I've also attached a pic of him taken during a visit to Comerfords sometime in the early sixties (I think!) Comerfords were of course a major UK dealer for Greeves and other marques, and renowned off-road competition specialists back in the day. They were based at Thames Ditton in Surrey, where my own TCS was originally sold from as it happens.

Hope everyone enjoys the link and article by SMcQ.

Brian.

Hi Brian,

Just a quick note here...The Challenger that Steve McQueen pictured on is an ex-ISDT International brought back to the states. It was 1 of 4 that were used on the Nicholson team in the 65 Isle of Man ISDT...

How do I know??

Take a look at the larger than stock Stefa cover and the pre-production air box. John Collard could pick these little details up I'm sure. I may own this one as the pipe looks similar to the one I own... the lights, center stand and air bottle were removed...all the pieces I need for my restoration!

Cheers!
Kenny

[Brian Thompson]

Steve McQueen on a Greeves etc!

Hi Kenny,

Thanks for the additional info as always, and very interesting indeed.

I've attached a pic that Lloyd Lingelbach kindly sent to me a few years back when I bought one of his commemorative 'team' t shirts (as worn in the pic.) I wonder then if the bike SMcQ is pictured riding is one of those pictured here in the team line up...?!

What a shame such a historic machine has lost those parts over the years, an all too common thing sadly...

Brian.

[Bearingman]

Hi Kenny,

Thanks for the additional info as always, and very interesting indeed.

I've attached a pic that Lloyd Lingelbach kindly sent to me a few years back when I bought one of his commemorative 'team' t shirts (as worn in the pic.) I wonder then if the bike SMcQ is pictured riding is one of those pictured here in the team line up...?!

What a shame such a historic machine has lost those parts over the years, an all too common thing sadly...

Brian.

Hi Brian,

It's hard saying if this photo was taken before the ISDT event. Looks like they're sitting on MX1 Challengers.

I have Brian Slark's 24IN as I found his numbered scribed in the swinging arm.

What makes the USA team Challenger's unique as they incorporated the new longer frame painted blue, but still retained the rubber fork using the 19 inch front wheel. The British team received the new banana fork and I believe were green.

Nice picture of the team.

Thanks!
Kenny

[Brian Thompson]

Colin Sparrow to the rescue (again!)

Hi Kenny,

My pleasure, and once again thanks for the further info.

Following your comments above, I had a look through my 'Leading Link' back issues, and sure enough Colin had written a nice peice about Lloyd Lingelbach which included this photo as well as some background info. (Colin's article is in 'LL'#129, June 2006.)

In the article he explains that the pic is of the 1965 ISDT team, and that the bikes are NOT the actual ISDT bikes (which would still have been Challenger based), but just what they rode in the desert. They are 24MX2 Challengers with 350x19 trials tyres fitted to the front wheels. The pic was taken beside the Nicholson Motors shop on Vanowen Street for 'Cycle News' before they (the team) left for the UK. (Thanks Colin.)

So, none of them was the bike that SMcQ was pictured riding then....at least now we know the facts!

Brian.

[Bearingman]

Hi Kenny,

My pleasure, and once again thanks for the further info.

Following your comments above, I had a look through my 'Leading Link' back issues, and sure enough Colin had written a nice peice about Lloyd Lingelbach which included this photo as well as some background info. (Colin's article is in 'LL'#129, June 2006.)

In the article he explains that the pic is of the 1965 ISDT team, and that the bikes are NOT the actual ISDT bikes (which would still have been Challenger based), but just what they rode in the desert. They are 24MX2 Challengers with 350x19 trials tyres fitted to the front wheels. The pic was taken beside the Nicholson Motors shop on Vanowen Street for 'Cycle News' before they (the team) left for the UK. (Thanks Colin.)

So, none of them was the bike that SMcQ was pictured riding then....at least now we know the facts!

Brian.

Brian

Yes, the way I understood it from Lloyd, the team flew over where the 4 Challengers where being prepared for the event at the factory, after the event the bikes were return to the states and converted to desert racing. I think Lloyd's was used by "Desert Ace" Gary Conrad. It's probably Lloyd's or Slark's that Steve Mcqueen is riding.

Of all my years searching for some of these Greeves specials, I've only seen the one of Slark's...the other 3 may still be out there.

It appears that these specials came back to the states and sold off as used, hence how some ended up in my collection many years later.

All interesting stuff to speculate about.

Kenny

[Brian Thompson]

Hi Kenny,

That's some really interesting background info, and cheers for sharing it with us; fascinating stuff!

Yes, it's great to find out more about these historic machines, especially to know they are still 'out there', somewhere.

I've really enjoyed swapping these interesting and fun posts with you Kenny, and it has given me a few ideas for some new threads to post with an 'American' flavour-watch this space, and hope you'll approve! Be great if you could add any info along the way, and thanks Kenny, as always.

Brian.

[Bearingman]

Hi Kenny,

That's some really interesting background info, and cheers for sharing it with us; fascinating stuff!

Yes, it's great to find out more about these historic machines, especially to know they are still 'out there', somewhere.

I've really enjoyed swapping these interesting and fun posts with you Kenny, and it has given me a few ideas for some new threads to post with an 'American' flavour-watch this space, and hope you'll approve! Be great if you could add any info along the way, and thanks Kenny, as always.

Brian.

Hi Brian,

I would be more than happy to help when I can. I've been around Greeves motorcycles since I was about 11 or 12. Though I was too young to remember the premier days of Greeves in the states during the early to mid sixties, I am very fortunate to know the important players in those special days regarding Greeves history in the states, so if I don't know a specific question, there is a good chance I can find out from the people who were involved.

Thanks!
Kenny

[Brian Thompson]

It's great having fantastic expertise and experience such as yours on here Kenny, and we all really appreciate your input.

We couldn't be doing any of this without having the forum...it's working!!!

Brian.

[Bearingman]

It's great having fantastic expertise and experience such as yours on here Kenny, and we all really appreciate your input.

We couldn't be doing any of this without having the forum...it's working!!!

Brian.

It's pretty fun Brian.

Thanks!
Kenny

[Brian Thompson]

Yeah, especially dealing with the spammers......!!!!!!!

Grrrrr! etc.

Delighted you're enjoying the forum Kenny!

[geoff lemar]

Heard a story around a camp fire!!!

Hi Brian, its funny some friends of mine always ster me up saying I got Steve McQueen's old bike just for a joke and they were doing it on Saturday night around camp fire we had at our National enduro event and some stranger pipes up and tells us that a guy name Barry Kirk use to have one of Steve's old Greeves , well I know Barry So I will investigate and see if the story is true I'll keep you posted.

[Brian Thompson]

Possible SMcQ Greeves down under!

Hiya Geoff! Great to hear from you mate!

Wow....now that sounds like an interesting lead! Nice one!

Look forward to hearing what you manage to find out.

Brian.