Lyster Frames - Anyone have knowledge?

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smokin_blue
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Lyster Frames - Anyone have knowledge?

Post by smokin_blue »

Hello,
I am starting down the road to a new project that hopefully will involve a frame made in the late 60's or early 70's by Colin Lyster. I have been scouring the web grabbing all the little tidbits I can gather on them. I know some history of them coming to the US and being distributed through The Bike Shop stores on the east coast. I just wanted to check if anyone here had knowledge of them. I am not aware that he ever made a frame directly for the T500 as Seely did. His most well known frames were for Triumphs, CB450's and for old yamaha twins. If all goes right mine will get a title so I can run it on the street and will have a T500 powering it.

let me know if you have any knowlege to share.

Thanks!
'07 Suzuki SV650
'90 GSX-R1100 streetfighter
LS650 powered custom framed café
'72 T500 with a Lyster frame
'69 T500-parts/project?
'83 GR650-project

Past bikes
'06 Triumph Sprint ST
'86 GSX-R750
'74 GT250/T350 custom
'79 GS750
'74 TS250
'81 TS100
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tz375
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Location: Illinois

Re: Lyster Frames - Anyone have knowledge?

Post by tz375 »

In the UK they were distributed by Ian Kennedy IIRC. Colin Lyster didn't make a whole lot of frames, and the ones I have seen had Norton twin motors in them and those motors are quite long with a separate gearbox.

He was from Rhodesia I think. I don't recall seeing too many, even in magazines, but that might make for a very nice T500 special.
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smokin_blue
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Posts: 130
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2013 8:30 pm
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Location: Minnesota
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Re: Lyster Frames - Anyone have knowledge?

Post by smokin_blue »

Thanks for the tip. I think I may have tracked Ian Kennedy down to a company in Georgia now. I sent him an email but we will see.

here was the first link
http://www.examiner.com/article/vintage ... e-you-meet" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

that led me to
http://www.georgiacycledepot.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
'07 Suzuki SV650
'90 GSX-R1100 streetfighter
LS650 powered custom framed café
'72 T500 with a Lyster frame
'69 T500-parts/project?
'83 GR650-project

Past bikes
'06 Triumph Sprint ST
'86 GSX-R750
'74 GT250/T350 custom
'79 GS750
'74 TS250
'81 TS100
User avatar
smokin_blue
On the main road
Posts: 130
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2013 8:30 pm
Country: usa
Suzuki 2-Strokes: www.street-unique.com
Location: Minnesota
Contact:

Re: Lyster Frames - Anyone have knowledge?

Post by smokin_blue »

Well Ian is indeed in the US now in Georgia. I made contact with him this morning already. thanks again!
'07 Suzuki SV650
'90 GSX-R1100 streetfighter
LS650 powered custom framed café
'72 T500 with a Lyster frame
'69 T500-parts/project?
'83 GR650-project

Past bikes
'06 Triumph Sprint ST
'86 GSX-R750
'74 GT250/T350 custom
'79 GS750
'74 TS250
'81 TS100
User avatar
tz375
Moto GP
Posts: 6212
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:47 am
Location: Illinois

Re: Lyster Frames - Anyone have knowledge?

Post by tz375 »

There's some details here http://myclassicmotorcycle.blogspot.com ... racer.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; including the picture of Ian Kennedy on the bike that I remember.

Please keep us posted on the Suzuki transplant. Should be a fun project.
User avatar
smokin_blue
On the main road
Posts: 130
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2013 8:30 pm
Country: usa
Suzuki 2-Strokes: www.street-unique.com
Location: Minnesota
Contact:

Re: Lyster Frames - Anyone have knowledge?

Post by smokin_blue »

I just wanted to let everyone know that I started a build post in the customs section titled Lyster Suzuki T500.
'07 Suzuki SV650
'90 GSX-R1100 streetfighter
LS650 powered custom framed café
'72 T500 with a Lyster frame
'69 T500-parts/project?
'83 GR650-project

Past bikes
'06 Triumph Sprint ST
'86 GSX-R750
'74 GT250/T350 custom
'79 GS750
'74 TS250
'81 TS100
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