Top Gear: Britten V1000 Racing Motorcycle

[@1morpork]

One of the few men in this world I look up to. He took on the world and excelled. What a true hero. RIP John Britten

[@Mr.6speed200]

❤❤❤

[@servicarrider]

What a brilliant talented guy. He could not only envision it he could make it happen. A rare combination.

[@moderatefkr6666]

This man was off the genius scale.

[@d4v1d5c0tt]

Just think what he could have done over the last twenty years if he hadn't died. What an amazing man

[@lillnemo1]

he could or maybe this was it....

[@combativeThinker]

Seems God was in need of a mechanic.

[@TheTamihana]

Saw the one at Te Papa today - what a work of art. Another admirer was there, and he insisted on telling me all about the technical ins and outs, then we got to the cancer, i had to walk away before he started to cry,thats the emotional effect that bike carries. Ahead of it's time, so was John. RIP mate you'll always be a legend!

[@xXxXzADeXxXx]

Simply the best motorcycle project in modern history. Thank you again John for making us dream even today.

[@bossco09]

John Britten and Burt Munro, two legends of New Zealand motorcycling........:):)

[@richhardchoppers7869]

They Both my fav. True Legend

[@Antanix]

Heartbreaking story. I remember that bike...there were several articles on Italian motorcycle magazines, everything was astonishing - design, engine, everything. Sure John Britten deserves a place near Tamburini among the Lords of Motorcycles.

[@motorbiketours]

This has got to be the most amazing bike ever built.

[@aras1024]

WOW, just imagine this: a team, between races, welds a fucking cylinder liner! It would be unbelievable today, and those guys did it. New Zealand gave us some of the most iconic and awesome guys in the world of motorcycles, Burt munro, John Britten and their determination of becoming the best. I just hope we'll see some more in the future.

[@kelsofire7366]

oh we will mate ... cant keep us Kiwis down

[@yankees29]

The craftsmanship and ingenuity John displayed is world class. What an amazing man.

[@peterdykzeul3074]

An absolute legend and so far ahead of his time. A real shame to have lost him so early in life. Imagine what he could have achieved had he lived a full lifetime.

[@72hourbob61]

Back in 2015 I got to see 4 of them on the race track at the same time. It was here in the US at the Barbers Vintage motorcycle show. To see one is one thing but to hear 4 of them on a race track at the same time is another story.

[@donmunkres899]

I was lucky enough to see a Britten in Las Vegas at the Gugenheim Art Of The Motorcycle exhibit at the Venician . My daughter had to tear me away from it . The bike was a complete work of genius . The fact that it was built by a small group of guys working in a garage is just mind blowing .

[@Cinnabun]

I saw #20 down here in NZ at the Te PaPa museum, I was way too young to understand just how good the bike is but I distinctly remember being shocked at how fast it looked and that it was designed and made here by a few guys always loved the blue curly exhaust too.

[@humandroid53]

Cinnabun Only 10 ever built actually. Te Papa has number 2.

[@Cinnabun]

Doug BM no, by #20 i meant its racing number lol

[@dsruddell]

reminds me of buell building bikes in a barn

[@Creabsley]

Building bike frames not bikes

[@ThrashNZ]

I'm from Christchurch too, I have recently built up my first bike from parts - but to completely design and fabricate one from scratch? Now that's something else entirely. A true legend, RIP John.

[@Mr.6speed200]

❤❤❤

[@pashakdescilly7517]

Does Denco Engineering of Chch still exist? They made 500cc speedway singles. John Britten commissioned them to make a 1000cc V-twin in the early 1980s. I went to a Magog bike show in New Plymouth and saw it there. It formed the basis of John Britten's first blade aero project. My 1955 Norton was bought new by a New Zealand air force pilot based at Wigram. I wish I knew his name... My current project is building Vincent Rapide from boxes of bits. What's your bike made from?

[@340i]

love this bike, every time i go to TePapa I stand and stare at it for ages. if you're not from wellington (NZ) and get a chance, there's one on permanent display at the museum up stairs by the cafe.

[@xxxklian06xxx]

i remember watching the britten racing in nz when i was at high school and then sitting on one about 13 or 14 years ago, and watching that clip is enough to bring a tear to the eye. JB was an absolute bloody genius. makes me truly proud to be a kiwi.

[@g0fvt]

Thanks for posting this video, a truly remarkable and motivated individual. I have read much about him in the past, a man with incredible energy. A sad loss.

[@Mr.6speed200]

❤❤❤

[@parkaoz]

So cruel that such a genius was taken so young... I remember fondly seeing the V-1000 racing at Phillip Island many years back and it literally played with the other bikes down the long main straight... It could just pop the front wheel up whenever the rider chose and seemed to have limitless power... We all lost out with the passing of this great man... We can now only wonder what incredible creations we have missed without his creativity. Rest peacefully Mr Britten...

[@tosgem]

Love it. We used to have a bit of that spirit over here in Aus, when Jack Brabham designed, built, and drove his own car to the 1966 Formula1 championship, but I feel we've lost more of this "can do" attitude than the Kiwi's. Good onya NZ, and much respect to John Britten.

[@Mr.6speed200]

❤❤❤

[@yannieleftheriadis9755]

Thank you my aussie friend we too respect those great aussies

[@vulturnuszan]

the greatest bike ever forged, saw one in Te Papa museum in wellington. Astonishing. Shame he was taken so young. One can only imagine what he could have done in an average lifetime.

[@EJ25RUN]

That really is one of the greatest motoring achievements ever! R.I.P. John, we will never forget your genius.

[@victor9191]

someone should do a movie of this...such a great history

[@Mr.6speed200]

❤❤❤

[@Schmeeky455]

I'm reading Tim Hanna's biography of John at the moment, he was a genuine genius, and the bikes he made were as much artworks as functional machinery. This is the first time I've seen footage of the bikes in action, or of John himself. Thank you 71bsab50 for posting this up. RIP John Britten, you were taken from us too soon.....

[@spheresector]

i read about this bike and John Britten in german bike magazines, but never saw the bike or the man in moving pictures..thank u so much 4 posting , i didnt know he passed away :-( what a loss 4 NZ and the world!

[@gulgaltha]

The bike, and more importantly the man, has always been an inspiration to me. Thank you for this.

[@Polmansol]

'Found this on an old VHS tape and thought it far too important not to share.' Damn right, and thank you for sharing.

[@zappafile]

I remember at the age of maybe fourteen seeing this bike debut at Pukekohe race track in Auckland New Zealand. With a new rider on it's seat after about three laps having beaten all track records at Pukekohe Britten announced he was happy with the way it handles so was going to now focus on some real power. WTF! I have never seen so many jaws drop at one time since. A truly amazing bike and a truly amazing man. Kiwi's rule.

[@tHoM0r]

Saw this bike when it was being developed, racing here in wanganui and at manfield in fielding. I feel privileged to see such an engineering masterpiece in action

[@vctrsone]

my uncle worked on this bike doing carbon fiber..its a great bike...thankyou very much for uploading this.

[@sobby36]

thanks a ton for posting this...we woudnt have ever seen this otherwise..a very inspirational story

[@Metalfest44]

so much genius and patience involved in the production of a great motorcycle

[@sidefx996]

Such a shame that amazing people like this get taken from us so soon...

[@Mr.6speed200]

❤❤❤

[@Autan4]

A Genius. Such a big loss..... Thanks for sharing.

[@servicarrider]

An incredible individual. He left his mark in this world.

[@clearot8272]

He'll be back :)

[@combativeThinker]

@@clearot8272 I’d like to go a few laps with ‘im on that day.

[@0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0100]

John is truely one of lifes gifts to us all,a pioneer in so many ways.makes me proud to be a NewZealander.

[@zomgpow]

I remember as a kid reading a book on Bikes and the Britten was on it. It was spectacular to look at!

[@46danz]

A truly remarkable human being and my number one favorite bike of all time.

[@Velton2014]

Brilliant Man and Machine, so happy to see this posted onto the tube.

[@layback590]

I've heard about this motorcycle, but this is the first time I've seen it for real, it's more awesome then I thought.

[@conclaveluminis]

Genius is a word both fitting and inadequate.

[@olivertoeknuckleiii2093]

The single, greatest motorcycle racing bike ever made. Nobody else could reinvent a motorcycle and ‘make it work,’ but Britten did. He is the greatest loss to motorcycling in history. He was the most brilliant engineer. RIP Mr Britten. Your work will live on in history.

[@MustaffaCuppa]

Vintage Top gear (when it is featured motorcycles and classic cars), and even had car revues and reports from the worlds motor shows (now there's a thought) not just 3 clowns in Ferraris shoving bananas up each others exhaust pipes and putting cheese in the air con. Thanks for posting.

[@polderfischer8565]

Thanks for uploading this peace of history!!!

[@antman5474]

New Zealand IS the nation of engineers, nowhere else on earth produces this level back yard shed genius.

[@wogga8]

This makes me feel proud to have met john Britten. I have a print of the bike signed by John Britten on my wall.

[@steady2wheels]

Wow what an inspiration this man is. simply amazing

[@krazyjey]

out of a garage ,a bike designed to beat the world...and out a vhs video, that deserve the high honor of youtube museum. thanks for sharing

[@trubritbiker]

The DVD/Video is available on the Britten website in NZ

[@schwantz3434]

thanks for posting the vid boss. rip john and mark,i always think of you at black dub.

[@kezzakilla7171]

I bet my bottom dollar that everyone thats been to "Te papa" and just stare at this bike... Engineering poetry to my eyes!

[@jonathanferguson4658]

I didn't know there was one there. More reason to get to Wellington next time I am home. Such an amazing bike.

[@georgeknights8444]

Its at the Paeroa battle of the streets each year too

[@Metal-Possum]

I never understood the hype until I researched the bike myself about 3 years ago. It's not as simple as just seeing pictures of 90's colour schemes and styles, especially when you don't know much about motorcycles.

[@Creabsley]

You hear about how te papa got it - they were bidding on it through an intermediary being all secret squirrel, then when they won it, Britten’s wife said - if they told me they’d wanted it I would have given it to them for free. But that’s te papa, absolute 40iq sjws

[@kelsofire7366]

@@pyromaniac354 and i dont see any horns on your head hahaha

[@servicarrider]

What a brilliant mind. Talented hands of a sculptor.

[@rastamonvibrationyeah3238]

People like John live for ever

[@fidelcatsro6948]

its the 20th year of passing of a man who built a legendary bike that went up against the big motor names in the industry..too badd he died way too young..he inspires me to rebuild my tiny yamaha 115cc bike into something of a britten legend one day

[@jc9ball]

Thank you very much for sharing, I never knew this tape existed, now I gotta get a copy!

[@squidword64]

John Britten, genious, RIP Mark Farmer, TT racer and enthusiast, RIP

[@ManxAndy]

John Britten, a man before his time, his expertise and dedication to building what was a bike, in technical terms, years ahead of anything we had seen, should never be forgotten 👍🇮🇲

[@boyd46]

An incredible man & an incredible machine. His achievements will never be equaled in motorcycling, R.I.P

[@rob2049]

!Greatest motorcycle ever made!! Can you imagine latest creation if this guy was still around? Jimi Hendricks = Guitar Britten = Motorcycle

[@umiskivinick]

i remember seeing this on TV many years ago, thanks for posting. R.I.P John.

[@tom666araya]

Wow, Thanks for sharing this awesome video! R.I.P. John Britten

[@billjackjane]

undescribable invention, passion, and of course mortorcycle genius

[@NotusJohn]

Thanks for sharing. Awesome bloke

[@philippethomas1629]

Redécouvrir des images de cette merveilleuse moto est un pur bonheur. J'ai eu le plaisir de voir La BRITTEN rouler à MONZA, ainsi qu'à ASSEN, en 1991. En 1998, nous avons remporté le CHAMPIONNAT PRO-TWIN, avec la VTR 1000 HONDA, profondément modifiée (carénage et selle carbone aLors de la course des Twins multi-soupapes, j'ai pu voir cette fabuleuse BRITTEN, laisser sur place, les Ducati, et remporter la course, en faisant des weellings, comme dans votre vidéo

[@steakmeal74]

Legend of a man, cruelly taken too soon!

[@71bsab50]

Definitly agree, if anyone wants to find out more about the Britten V1000 then the film "One Mans Dream" is the way to go. This is a very well done montage of the film that was done for the BBC's Top Gear program that showcased John Brittens remarkably achievements to a wider audience. It also happens to fit within KZbins 10 minute rule.

[@Guy-em4ck]

Just saw one of these at George Barber’s museum/track in Leeds, Alabama.

[@fallingwatersnz]

John Britten is a hero of mine. He was a brilliant man... a true genius. He is someone all young boys should learn about and look up to.

[@Thermoman69691]

This reminds of Monroe the other kiwi who had the worlds fastest Indian. This bike sounded nice and worked unlike other homemade attemps. RIP Britten your a legend indeed!

[@ethownzbh]

I think the important thing is that he did what he loved while he lived

[@willardnzcpfc3433]

Where's the Movie...

[@AvP1971]

Willardnz CPFC Go to the Britten web site it’s on dvd

[@thereaper91]

I was like you, lucky to watch this bike race in its hey at Wanganui boxing day races. The had it do a few laps at last years boxing races 2008. Andrew Stroud rode it round the track a few times. Oh the memories.

[@TriumphBeezaman]

How on earth can anyone give this a thumbs down ?

[@patrickbrown7491]

Kiwi ingenuity! New Zealenders have a can do attitude & a cottage industry to make anything,why these bikes which were ahead of their time stopped being made? It didn't take long for the Japanese to produce 1000cc v-twin sports bikes,imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! RIP John

[@Hajduk-Kralj]

Going to see the bike at Te papa museum in Wellington today. A few days ago some women climbed onto it ignoring the signs. Hope it’s not going to be a issue

[@828cc]

Thanks for uploading this.

[@8o8whitelightning]

i got to watch this bike race around the cemetary road corse in wanganui...there will never be another bike or man like this..PERFECTION!!!

[@2000bda]

Good to see Stroudy still doing weel on the track to this day too

[@Marc329]

John Britten was a brilliant man. Michael Czysz is continuing in John's footsteps today.

[@RockStudioLive]

Thanks for posting this.

[@andymadden6328]

As an Englishman & an engineer I hold this man in the highest esteem , what a talent such a sad loss to motorcycle racing

[@thatkiwidude]

Brilliant post!"One Mans Dream"awesome vid!

[@Hsenag87]

Master of the masters

[@trubritbiker]

There is a DVD available about the Britten called "One man's dream"

[@SEMIAUTOMAN]

What a talent!, A real Kiwi Hero. RIP John.

[@zipvon8817]

42 hit the dislike button. WHAT A BUNCH OF WANKERS. Not bike lovers that's for sure. Rip John.

[@deficator750]

22 wives

[@kelsofire7366]

Idiotic haters mate ... we all know what an Amazing man he was

[@donniebaker5984]

They're afraid of the new zealanders as maybe next they'll be building anti-gravity machines going to another planet from nearly at Forge in their backyard seriously my hats off only people like myself who have who have the ability he turning wrenches without any idea as to what has been done here all I can say is it's Shear genius can anyone imagine the patients and the ability to strive on it's incredible

[@donniebaker5984]

Has the world forgotten to give him his Nobel Peace Prize I'm serious don't you think it's about time we give him this man in Applause worthwhile there are no words to describe what this man went through just a model of what he built would have taken the art world but now he goes again the biggest manufacturer of the entire world take them on single-handedly you can't say enough

[@donniebaker5984]

John Britton is the Enzo Ferrari of two Wheels

[@stockcar269s]

R.I.P. John, A True Kiwi Legend

[@thomshere]

Thanks SO much for this!

[@Outamyhead]

You would think he was the inspiration for Silver Dream Racer, even though that was a good ten years before he really did make a bike that rewrote the book on building motor cycles. Sad to hear John passed not long after this Top Gear clip was made (I remember watching it the first time round on TV), truly inspiring guy. Glad Berry did the segment about Britten, what better way of documenting a mans passion for bikes than a guy who is a motorcycle nut himself?

[@sabbac]

The footage is from the doco available on nz on screen

[@Jo3yB7]

This Man Was A Motorcycle GOD.!

[@gustavmeyrink_2.0]

Two of John's mates knew enough to have been able to continue production and development after John's death. One of them had a helicopter, when hikers were stranded on a mountain near by during a storm both volunteered for the rescue mission and died when the chopper crashed.

[@loscochinosdelmar]

For anyone interested go to NZ On Screen and do a search for Britten - Backyard Visionary. It is a documentary that screened in NZ in the early 90's that followed the building of the second bike he took to Daytona. The documentary is in 5 parts and is 45 minutes long and is well worth a look at. For some reason, I can't post the URL here.

[@YamFZR93]

Greatest bike ever designed, built or raced. Period. John Britten: greatest inventor who ever lived.

[@milwaukeegregg]

guy really was special! Good ones always leave young!!

[@TheAdam92ea]

He's the 20th century DaVinci.

[@Blackscorpion1963]

+reg shovelworth Not sure where you are coming from with that statement especially the end where you say 'but he took all the credit'. John Britten never 'took' anything from anybody.

[@whatwhatyep]

But he was the chief engineer and designer.

[@yogibear4682]

Yamada, you're a muppet, he built the whole thing in his garage. Yes, he had friends help him, but none of them helped design it, John did it all. kzbin.info/www/bejne/imrZoWial85rmqs

[@BlackPete...]

@@yogibear4682 Just ask the people who worked on the bikes. You will never learn the truth by watching videos. Don't get me wrong... John was a great guy and he and his team built amazing bikes - but his team did more of the work than John ever admitted to.

[@malboyce3468]

I saw this bike [1 of them] at a Geelong street drags thing about 10 years ago... it wasn't running right but it was still the tastiest sounding and looking thing on display. The VHS video that came out a short time after JB's death sure was an eye opener, from JB casting a crank case in his kitchen [yes his kitchen], to wheelstanding past opponents during a BEARS race in the USA, it was a great video. I wish I still had that video, but thanks to youtube I can still catch my nostalgia moments :)

[@keebaman]

A New Zealand hero.

[@nosharpe]

Thank you for sharing this video

[@57dogsbody]

John Britten and everything about the man and his bike leaves me SPEECHLESS.......So I won't say anything else.

[@michaeltaylor8835]

Rest in peace john