Yes well These Lester Rowley owned bikes must have bred.
As far as I remember, and I was pretty close, Lester actually raced three.
A 1974, ( still looked like a BSA). A 1975, (Yellow f/g tank). and a 1977. (first leading axel forks, Alloy tank, still 4 sp.)
He was 6' 3" and 16 stone at the time. Lyall Allen had a late 77, 3 speed, Weslake conversion 4 valve.
But Lester did have a new 78 model, as on VMX Mag cover, on it's way, when he broke his leg at Mac Park, road racing.
That bike was sold to a C grader here in S.A. There were 2, 75 models here orriginally, the other one went to another friend
Ross Mc Murtrie. Then 2, Late 75/76 models, still f/g tanks, one went to a lad up in Darwin or Alice Springs and the other one sat here
for a while after the lad that ordered it hurt himself, untill local legend, many times State and Aust champ, and Yamaha dealer,
Dave Basham, bought it, but never raced it.! (That's a great story, I'll tell one day)
I don't believe Lester sold any others. Having said that I guess that makes.. 7, that could be called EX Lester Rowley bikes.
Yes Steve Warns did restore one, and tells me he sold it in a trade for a road bike, Thinks he got about $10,000.00 for it.
Why wasn't I told Steve. And there was a 78/79 Model here at one stage that Jimmy (The Crab) Aird rode in Aust.
I believe this to be the truth, as I remember it. (untampered)
$20,000.00.?? They're not that rare yet.
Are they?