1971 Ulster GP

[Racer156]

Hello,

I was trying to do some research for a gt500 based replica of Jack Findlay’s 1971 Ulster GP winner. I’ve found very little info on the web considering the significance of the bike. Also, there’s conflicting information. It’s either a Seeley framed bike or a special constructed in partnership with Danielle Fontana. The other option is that it’s a stock TR500. Based on what I’ve read I think the 1971 bike was a Seeley Mk2 framed bike and the 1972 was the special. Also, I’ve only found two good pics from that season:
https://pin.it/7D4k9CD
https://pin.it/7kGeN8Q

My question is does anyone have any better pics of this bike or anyway to confirm what chassis the T500 engine was housed in? Let me know

Thanks

[tz375]

Ozebook says that for 71 he had Fontana build a special frame. It's hard to see much in those photos, but the rear shock area doesn't look like Seeley.

John Woodley and Micheal Pettifer in Australia would probably know, if they are still around.

Does Ray Battersby's book have anything to say about the bike that Jack rode?

[Racer156]

I couldn’t locate a copy of Ray Battersby's book at a reasonable price. There’s one on eBay for $140. I bought the mick Walker one instead it get here tomorrow. Maybe someone out there that has one can let me know if there is any info? If there is then I’ll get it.

[dollydog]

you could try baylon mccaughey - think that's the spelling - he goes by the name of bean mac on fb. very knowledgeable bloke and he lives in ulster. if he doesn't know, then i'm sure he'll know somebody that does
cheers, dd.
p.s. anybody that's never been to the ugp ought to put it on their bucket list - it's awsome.

[Racer156]

Thanks! And UGP is on my bucket list!

BTW I was able to find a copy of Ray Battersby's book in the UK at a decent price so I have one the way

[tz375]

I finally got to my copy of Battersby's book and it doesn't add much of anything to the discussion. It does mention Jack's win but just lists it under the results for 71 for TR500 (XR05). In the text, there is a mention of Seeley frames which arrived in May and were commissioned by Suzuki GB. Sheene rode the Seeley 500 for the rest of the season and there are pictures around of that bike or bikes.

[GT-Karl]

There is no major information about Jack's Ulster win in Rays book cause it was not a "Team Suzuki" involved affair! In fact the two pictures in the first post here show imO a triple Kawasaki sponsored by Harry Hunt and ridden by Jack in some US races!

i have a picture from this race (found in a 1971 issue of the german "Motorrad" magazine) it shows clearly a Seeley framed Suzuki air cooled twin. weather it was a genuine TR engine or a tuned road twin couldn't barely be seen !

sadly i'm not able to post pics here on the side!

cheers

Karl