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John Britten (the man)

Discussion in 'Hangout Lounge' started by dburnettesr, Apr 9, 2009.

  1. dburnettesr

    dburnettesr Member

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    came across this on another forum,,,I was just blown away,, it's long but dang this bike is hand built,,shows him poring the cast for the block,,,,,this is back in the 80's I believe an he died of cancer in the 90's if I remember right,,,it's be a little while,,,,enjoy,,,Dan
     
    dburnettesr, Apr 9, 2009
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  2. dburnettesr

    dburnettesr Member

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    dburnettesr, Apr 9, 2009
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  3. woot

    woot Active Member

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    It is a fantastic story, and pretty tragic in the end... a real marvel. One always wonders what he would have done next.

    He showed up on a hand built bike and took on not just the privateers, but the big names.

    There have been a number of documentaries and magazine articles on him. I think the last Rider magazine had an old interview with him.
     
    woot, Apr 9, 2009
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  4. XJ700VET

    XJ700VET Member

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    Amazing! Quite an inspiring story. Just think what could have been if, he would have lived longer.
     
    XJ700VET, Apr 9, 2009
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  5. Great_Buffalo

    Great_Buffalo Member

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    I agree, its a great story of triumph, courage and persiveremce. I've never seen the bike up close, I believe there is one at a museum somewhere here in the states. He had the enthusiasm of a child and the work ethic and maturity of someone many years his age. I heard that Eric Buell took many of his ideas and put them into practice on his own designs.
     
    Great_Buffalo, Apr 9, 2009
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  6. motorduck

    motorduck Member

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    This is an incredible story. This thread deserves a bump.
     
    motorduck, Apr 10, 2009
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  7. chacal

    chacal Moderator Moderator Supporting Vendor Premium Member

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    Pretty cool. And he was soooo easy-going about things......
     
    chacal, Apr 10, 2009
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  8. PainterD

    PainterD Active Member

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    I read about him a few years ago. He was an amazing person and it just makes you wonder just how far he would've gone with his ideas. I'm sure he would've made an impact on the motorcycle industry if he were still alive.
     
    PainterD, Apr 10, 2009
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  9. Kiwi

    Kiwi Member

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    For those in the USA who want to see one up close:

    Number 7 is on display at the Barber Vintage Motorcycle Museum. Birmingham, Alabama, USA.

    Others:

    Number 2 is on display at the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa. Wellington, New Zealand.
     
    Kiwi, Apr 10, 2009
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  10. PaintIt(Flat)Black

    PaintIt(Flat)Black Member

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    When I started reading and hearing about New Zealand I instantly thought it could be the same guy from "the world's fastest Indian" but it was someone else, also another great story.
     
    PaintIt(Flat)Black, Apr 10, 2009
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  11. woot

    woot Active Member

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    woot, Apr 28, 2009
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  12. woot

    woot Active Member

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    woot, Apr 28, 2009
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  13. prime

    prime Member

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    That is an amazing story. He was a master of the hand built.
     
    prime, Apr 28, 2009
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  14. Alive

    Alive Active Member

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    They showed a story on his house a few years back.... Was like an inventors dream...

    They suspect that the cancer was caused by sanding carbon and other substances in his shed without proper breathing gear... Sad sad loss.
     
    Alive, Jun 7, 2009
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  15. Kickaha

    Kickaha Active Member Premium Member

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    They used to test the bikes at the local track,it was interesting to see them evolve as there are several different versions some of which didn't run his engines
     
    Kickaha, Jun 8, 2009
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