Colin Seeley
Encyclopedia
Colin Seeley is a former English motorcycle sidecar
racer and, later became a successful motorcycle designer and constructor.
Seeley began his motorcycle career as an apprentice for Vincent Motorcycles
. He then raced in the British and world championship sidecar competitions between 1961 and 1967. His best result as a competitor was a second place finish in the sidecar competition at the 1964 Isle of Man TT
.
When the AMC
motorcycle firm ended production in 1963 due to financial problems, Seeley purchased all the tooling and spares for their AJS
and Matchless
motorcycle brands. After retiring from competition, he concentrated his efforts on designing and constructing Seeley motorcycles powered by AJS and Matchless motorcycle engines. During the late 1960s and early 1970s when almost all the major motorcycle manufacturers had pulled out of Grand Prix racing, the Seeley-designed chassis became the race bike of choice for privateer
racers of the era. John Cooper
won the 500cc class at the 1968 North West 200
on a Matchless-Seeley. At the 1969 North West 200, John Blanchard and Brian Steenson
placed first and second in the 500 class aboard Seeley-designed motorcycles. In the 1969 Isle of Man TT
, Seeley placed four of his machines in the top ten in the Senior TT
race with third, fourth, sixth and seventh place finishes. His best result as a constructor came in 1970
when Tommy Robb
rode one of his machines to a fourth place finish in the 500cc world championship
. Seeley later used Japanese engines in his chassis, most notably using a Suzuki T500
engine for Barry Sheene
in 1971. Sheene used the bike to win the British national championship and declared it the best-handling motorcycle he had ever ridden.
His designs proved so successful in competition that he earned a reputation as one of the best motorcycle frame
designers in the industry. In the 1970s, Seeley moved to automobile racing when Bernie Ecclestone
hired him to work in the Brabham Formula One
team.
As vintage racing increased in popularity, Seeley's motorcycles experienced a resurgence with a victory at the 1988 Manx Grand Prix
. Since then, Seeley machines have won twelve times in vintage class racing at the Manx Grand Prix.
Superside
style="float:right"|FIM Sidecar World Championship is the international sidecar racing championship. It is one of the two remaining original FIM road racing championship classes that started in 1949, the other being the 125cc world championship...
racer and, later became a successful motorcycle designer and constructor.
Seeley began his motorcycle career as an apprentice for Vincent Motorcycles
Vincent Motorcycles
Vincent Motorcycles was a British manufacturer of motorcycles from 1928 to 1955. Their 1948 Black Shadow was at the time the world's fastest production motorcycle...
. He then raced in the British and world championship sidecar competitions between 1961 and 1967. His best result as a competitor was a second place finish in the sidecar competition at the 1964 Isle of Man TT
1964 Isle of Man TT
-1964 Isle of Man Lightweight TT 125cc final standings:3 Laps Mountain Course.-1964 Sidecar TT final standings:3 Laps Mountain Course.-1964 Isle of Man Lightweight TT 250cc final standings:...
.
When the AMC
Associated Motor Cycles
Associated Motor Cycles was a British motorcycle manufacturer founded by the Collier brothers as a parent company for the Matchless and AJS motorcycle companies...
motorcycle firm ended production in 1963 due to financial problems, Seeley purchased all the tooling and spares for their AJS
AJS
AJS was the name used for cars and motorcycles made by the Wolverhampton, England, company A. J. Stevens & Co. Ltd, from 1909 to 1931, by then holding 117 motorcycle world records, and after the firm was sold the name continued to be used by Matchless, Associated Motorcycles and Norton-Villiers on...
and Matchless
Matchless
Matchless is one of the oldest marques of British motorcycles, manufactured in Plumstead, London, between 1899 and 1966. A wide range of models was produced under the Matchless name, ranging from small two-strokes to 750 cc four-stroke twins...
motorcycle brands. After retiring from competition, he concentrated his efforts on designing and constructing Seeley motorcycles powered by AJS and Matchless motorcycle engines. During the late 1960s and early 1970s when almost all the major motorcycle manufacturers had pulled out of Grand Prix racing, the Seeley-designed chassis became the race bike of choice for privateer
Privateer (motorsport)
In motor sport, a privateer is usually an entrant into a racing event that is not directly supported by an automobile manufacturer. Privateers teams are often found competing in rally and circuit racing events, and often include competitors who build and maintain their own vehicles...
racers of the era. John Cooper
John Cooper (motorcyclist)
John Cooper was a British former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. His best season was in 1967 when he finished the year in seventh place in the 500cc world championship. Cooper was a two-time winner of the North West 200 race held in Northern Ireland...
won the 500cc class at the 1968 North West 200
North West 200
The North West 200 is a motorcycle race meeting held each May in Northern Ireland. The course, made up of public roads running between the towns of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush is one of the fastest in the world, with speeds in excess of . It is one of around fifteen events run on public...
on a Matchless-Seeley. At the 1969 North West 200, John Blanchard and Brian Steenson
Brian Steenson
Brian Steenson was a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. His best season was in 1968 when he finished the year in ninth place in the 350cc world championship. In 1969, Steenson finished second to Giacomo Agostini in the Isle of Man Junior TT. He was killed while competing in the 1970 Isle of...
placed first and second in the 500 class aboard Seeley-designed motorcycles. In the 1969 Isle of Man TT
1969 Isle of Man TT
-1969 Isle of Man Production 750 cc TT final standings:3 Laps Mountain Course.-1969 Isle of Man Production 500 cc TT final standings:3 Laps Mountain Course.-1969 Isle of Man Production 250 cc TT final standings:...
, Seeley placed four of his machines in the top ten in the Senior TT
Senior TT
The Senior Tourist Trophy is a motorcycle road race that takes place during the Isle of Man TT festival; an annual event at the end of May and beginning of June. The Senior TT is the Blue Riband event of the festival and takes place on the Friday of race week. The Marquis de Mouzilly St. Mars...
race with third, fourth, sixth and seventh place finishes. His best result as a constructor came in 1970
1970 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 1970 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 22nd F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix season. The season consisted of twelve Grand Prix races in six classes: 500cc, 350cc, 250cc, 125cc, 50cc and Sidecars 500cc...
when Tommy Robb
Tommy Robb
Tommy Robb is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer from Northern Ireland. Robb began his Grand Prix career in the 1957 season. He won his first world championship race 1962 in the 250 class at the Ulster Grand Prix. In the 1962 season, Robb became one of the first non-Japanese riders hired by...
rode one of his machines to a fourth place finish in the 500cc world championship
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced...
. Seeley later used Japanese engines in his chassis, most notably using a Suzuki T500
Suzuki T series
The Suzuki T series was a series of motorcycle manufactured by Suzuki that ran from approximately 1963 through 1977 in various engine displacements between 90 and 500 cc.-Construction:...
engine for Barry Sheene
Barry Sheene
Barry Stephen Frank Sheene MBE was a British World Champion Grand Prix motorcycle road racer.-Early life:...
in 1971. Sheene used the bike to win the British national championship and declared it the best-handling motorcycle he had ever ridden.
His designs proved so successful in competition that he earned a reputation as one of the best motorcycle frame
Motorcycle frame
A motorcycle frame includes the head tube that holds the front fork and allows it to pivot. Some motorcycles include the engine as a load-bearing, stressed member. The rear suspension is an integral component in the design. Traditionally frames have been steel, but titanium, aluminium, magnesium,...
designers in the industry. In the 1970s, Seeley moved to automobile racing when Bernie Ecclestone
Bernie Ecclestone
Bernard Charles "Bernie" Ecclestone is an English business magnate, as president and CEO of Formula One Management and Formula One Administration and through his part-ownership of Alpha Prema, the parent company of the Formula One Group of companies. As such, he is generally considered the primary...
hired him to work in the Brabham Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
team.
As vintage racing increased in popularity, Seeley's motorcycles experienced a resurgence with a victory at the 1988 Manx Grand Prix
Manx Grand Prix
The Manx Grand Prix motorcycle races are held on the Isle of Man TT Course every year for a two-week period usually spanning the end of August and early September. The 'MGP' or 'Manx' is considered to be the amateur riders' alternative to the Isle of Man TT Races held in May and June...
. Since then, Seeley machines have won twelve times in vintage class racing at the Manx Grand Prix.