Rob North Frame – 1971 BSA Rocket 3 Racer

In England, Race by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: This bike was relisted a couple of times – the highest bidding ever got was up to $30,100 but that wasn’t enough to meet reserve.

Rob North isn’t as well known as he probably should be, but aficionados of Brit bikes know him as the fabrication guru who Triumph went to for frames in the early 70s. Rob apparently lives in California now but his frames live on as rights to his frame designs were sold off a couple of times and now reside with Les & Denise Whiston in the West Midlands of England. So you can buy a ‘new’ Rob North frame, or you can get this example which is claimed to have been built by Rob in 2004.

For more on the Rob North story, check out this listing from what might be one of North’s original 11 frames that were used in factory racing efforts.

This bike (VIN: RN007010) is said to have been just restored after a 10 year race career that included 39 starts, 24 wins, 6 2nd place finishes, and 4 3rd place finishes. As part of that run, this bike earned a Pacific Crown championship, which a regional series of AHRMA that includes events at Willow Springs, Sonoma Raceway, and Utah Motorsports Campus. The frame has a detachable rail to enable quicker engine changes, and the bike features a custom alloy fuel tank, AP Lockheed calipers, Ohlins shocks, and P&M forks. The motor is stock except for a larger oil pump and race cams, while fueling is handled by Amal Mk2 carbs. The seller says it’s in museum quality. All I would want to change is to add the iconic “Rocket 3” logo to the fairing!

Find this cool vintage British racer for sale in Imperial Beach, California with bidding up to $14,100 and the reserve not yet met