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Author Topic: Sprite-UK/American Eagle-USA /Alron-AUST  (Read 343965 times)

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Offline VMX247

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Re: Sprite
« Reply #75 on: July 15, 2009, 11:21:21 am »
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Offline Tossa

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Re: Sprite
« Reply #76 on: July 15, 2009, 01:53:14 pm »
there's a possibility the blue one was the only one sold. 
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1973 Rickman Zundapp Metisse, to rebuild
1979 Husqvarna WR250
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Offline JC

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Re: Sprite
« Reply #77 on: July 15, 2009, 03:31:48 pm »
A, there's more than one TW article. All worth reading. As Tossa alludes, there may have been some pie in the sky too.
But both 250 or 400 looked quite nice for the era I reckon.
« Last Edit: July 15, 2009, 05:14:09 pm by JC »
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Offline Tossa

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Re: Sprite
« Reply #78 on: July 15, 2009, 04:40:02 pm »
It really has turned into a very interesting story of the Sprite and it's offshutes and what great research done by a lot of people.  Have thoroughly enjoyed reading all the differing views, and the articles/photo's put forward etc.

With the Alron, lets just say it appears like an iceberg with only one third of it showing above the waterline.  now thats deep
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1973 Rickman Zundapp Metisse, to rebuild
1979 Husqvarna WR250
1974 Husqvarna MAG CR250

Offline VMX247

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Re: Sprite
« Reply #79 on: July 15, 2009, 07:23:02 pm »
Its been interesting comparing parts and frame shapes... ;D
I can tell you something and that's the block of metal footpeg's are common on a few and would raise the eyebrow of some scrutineers   ;)   ;D  what a hazard  :o
cheers
 JC did you find anthing out from the past WA history ? Did you find the bluey yet   ;D
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Offline JC

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Re: Sprite
« Reply #80 on: July 16, 2009, 12:08:00 pm »
A, we're trying to track down more of the people who were involved w the Alron back then to confirm/otherwise a few things. Of course, even when we find some of them, memories have faded after 35yrs too. Apparently the 1st 400 they got literally blew up on the 1st outing. Not a good start

Anyone know how to contact Brian Clarkson? He was at CD6 I believe so someone must know.
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firko

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Re: Sprite
« Reply #81 on: July 16, 2009, 12:30:15 pm »
No Brian Clarkson wasn't at CD6 John, he was at Jonesys 50th a week later and did attend the Coff Nats 2 years ago. We forgot to get his contact details when we were talking to him but I'll see what I can chase up.
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Offline Tossa

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Re: Sprite
« Reply #82 on: July 16, 2009, 12:32:25 pm »
No luck yet with Graham Sully but still looking.  I spoke with the old man and from what he told JC and myself, I reckon Underbelly three looks good.  But that's anothor story
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1973 Rickman Zundapp Metisse, to rebuild
1979 Husqvarna WR250
1974 Husqvarna MAG CR250

Offline JC

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Re: Sprite
« Reply #83 on: July 17, 2009, 05:42:31 pm »
Quote from: firko on July 16, 2009, 12:30:15 pm
No Brian Clarkson wasn't at CD6 John, he was at Jonesys 50th a week later and did attend the Coff Nats 2 years ago. We forgot to get his contact details when we were talking to him but I'll see what I can chase up.

Mark, that'd be great if you could.

Boagy was here yesterday & I asked him about his Sprite motor. Its the 250 4sp Husky-copy engine. Interestingly, he also put numerous wanted ads (for an Alron) in local WA papers when his sister lived over there & never got 1 reply.

There's more than a few things that beg the question, how many were ever really made/sold? (250 or 400) Perhaps not nearly as many as was (inconsistently) claimed.
« Last Edit: November 03, 2009, 10:18:24 am by JC »
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Offline VMX247

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Re: Sprite
« Reply #84 on: July 17, 2009, 06:09:41 pm »
Yep ,maybe one man's dream.
Apparently they where around in the day ,but not too many.
Could be someones shed find tomorrow.
The fellow that owns the one for 12k over east,looks like the only one we all know of at this point in time.
cheers
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Offline VMX247

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Re: Sprite
« Reply #85 on: July 19, 2009, 08:53:44 pm »
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Offline JC

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Re: Sprite
« Reply #86 on: July 20, 2009, 08:48:37 am »
Looks nice, but.... no downtubes from backbone to swingarm pivot. How strong is that ??? (even for trials)

Just backtracking to earlier pics/posts, something we noticed when Boagy was here is that the early/original Sprite MX frames for the Villiers & Maico engines have the swingarm pivot much higher in the frame than for the other engines, no doubt to accommodate the weird shape of the Villers engine/gearbox.

Also I read recently that, tho there was talk of Husky sueing Sprite over the Husky-like engines, they couldn't cos it was originally an English design anyway - implication being that Husky may have acquired it 'improperly'. Hipkins claimed he had the paperwork to prove the british origin of the engine.

Does that open a can of worms? The 4sp Husky engine was a development of their earlier 3sp 175 engine as I recall, but did that engine copy the .......  ???
« Last Edit: July 20, 2009, 05:14:52 pm by JC »
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Offline VMX247

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Re: Sprite
« Reply #87 on: July 20, 2009, 09:34:40 am »
Thanks JC,
Reading the simpler last night in British Motorcycling history and this maybe the reason why Sprite frames have no name now and were disbanded due to the controversy,politics and heart ache involved of trying to make it in the Motorcycling manufacturing world.  :'( Another sad British tale)

Now to starting digging in the Husky pile  ;D

Hope to catch up with you at the Nationals so we can discuss more on the frames etc.Interesting about the pivots.
cheers S&A WA
« Last Edit: July 20, 2009, 09:38:35 am by VMX247 »
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Offline JC

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Re: Sprite
« Reply #88 on: July 20, 2009, 12:14:04 pm »
Quote from: VMX247 on July 20, 2009, 09:34:40 am
Thanks JC,
Hope to catch up with you at the Nationals so we can discuss more on the frames etc.Interesting about the pivots.
cheers S&A WA


A, I wish. Unfortunately I have a clash of dates w a prior engagement so won't be there.


Back to the Alron, has anybody ever heard of "works rider Ron Johnston" ?? who is said to have done the "development in WA" of the Alron before 'production'
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mx250

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Re: Sprite
« Reply #89 on: July 20, 2009, 03:32:45 pm »
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