unusual

A 3/4 scale Ridley and a Nimbus for Reader Ted Guthrie

I love the Nimbus design (see link here). It’s like rolling industrial art. I’ve never heard of the Ridley. Really interesting bike. Kind of like a Cushman on steroids.
Ted Writes:

Hi, Steve. I enjoyed seeing the unique and rare Harley-Davidson motocrosser, featured on your site. Speaking of unique bikes, one of the more interesting I’ve ever come across is the Ridley. Produced right here in the USA, these 3/4 scale cruisers feature a 500cc v-twin engine, and fully automatic transmission.

I spotted this one at an Ohio Valley BSA Owners Club meet. Check out the old Yamaha IT200 parked behind it for a reference to its diminuitive size.

Also included is a photo taken at the same event, of a Nimbus. I’ve not done any research on the brand, but I believe it was produced in Sweden. A very interesting mix of engineering. Note the perimeter frame, yet exposed valvetrain.

Ted

As always, Much Appreciated!

1978 Harley Davidson MX250

Since we’re being obscure here lately I just figured I’d toss in one of the odder bikes from the late 70’s.

Killinger and Freud Front wheel drive motorcycle.

Lots more info here: http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/euro/brands/killinger.htm

UPDATE:Ultra Rare Gillette Roadracer. Update #2

Just got an update from the original Owner so I’m giving this post a fresh bump to the top.
Hi there.
The Gillette is my creation !!! . I think the guy who saw it in the Isle of Man must have been quite p—-d when he spoke to me ,or on the other hand it might have been me that was also well p——-d ,because he got quite a few facts wrong !!
The crank and cases were my own , but the barrels and heads at that time were Mobylette moped parts . The bike as it appears in the above photo bears little resemblence to how it was when he saw it in Douglas !! . It now has Autisa Big Bore cylinders to make it up to 195cc , 20mm Dellorto carbs , home made cylinder heads , Boyer Bransden electronic ignition , TZR 125 Yamaha gearbox and clutch plus much more .
The photo above was taken last May at the ” Coupes de Moto Legende ” at the Dijon circuit in France .
It always gives me great pleasure to receive feedback about my little ” special ” .
Regards , Geoff Bouchard .
PS I,m Not ” Dave Gillette ” as Andy from Melbourne recollects !!!.

This is a direct copy of a post of a very unique bike from over on my 2-stroke biker blog. I found it interesting so I thought I’d put it up over here.

I’ve googled and really not found much. What is this cool little bike?

2nd update from a poster on ADV rider:
I remember seeing this bike in a magazine in the early 80s. As I recall the frame is from a Gilera and the engine is made from 3 Mobylette moped engines hence the name Gil/ette. The builder thought this was a great name as the Gilette shaving people had just brought out their 3 blade razor.

UPDATE: From the comments section, Andy in Melbourne writes in:

Hi, I met the bloke who built this bike in 1991 on the Isle of Man. It was late one night and I was staggering up the beachfront at Douglas and i almost stumbled onto this little Gem. I asked what it was and when he said a Gillette 150 I was most amazed. in 30 years of riding I had not heard of a Gillette, but that was because this is the only one ever built by this man, whos name from memory was Dave Gillette. He made the crankcases and the 3 cylinders and heads are the power heads from chainsaws from memory and so 3 X 50cc. =150cc. It was as pretty in the flesh ( what I could see , it was Very late) and I have never forgotten. what a great treat to se this amazing little bike again
Andy in Melbourne

Thank You sir for the heads up. I was really stumped on this one. Great Stuff!