Do you recognise this frame?                                          Chris Tyler

This story begins as all stories do, a long, long time ago.

That does not mean that it is a Vintage story, just that it slips in under the twenty five year rule! As I browsed the back of the Tich Allen bible. (The monthly magazine)

(I am one of those sad people who read the ads first, every time without question)

I came upon an advert for a frame, for sale as the popular phrase of our time states, as cheap as chips. On further investigation, I discovered that the owner had been unable to prove the providence of the said frame & was therefore passing it on. Rumours of the maker of the said frame had been bandied about but the gentleman in question was not forthcoming on a thorough discourse on the subject. I will leave you to ponder on this point! I inveigled a friend to put up the dosh & collect the frame for me (cheaper still) Unfortunately I had to reimburse him when I went to view my purchase. Sight unseen as many of my purchases are. Put your trust in the lord & let them know that you visit the area on a regular basis & will return! On first site I was disappointed as it was in a bit of a state. Exactly as described but not as my feverish imagination had,

Well, you know, imagined it. The fact that my friend kept saying how light it was did not lighten my spirit. I was perturbed. I had a sneaking feeling that I had added another priceless item to my collection in the attic. Do you know the feeling? I once brought a frame from darkest deepest Wales. Even my friend in Swansea who viewed it for me was lost. Described as like a Dresda frame for a big Triumph or something. My friend agreed with him! When this frame arrived it was apparent that at some time Mr Degans did build and race on the sands of Penrith. Did not!!

However, back to this frame. I am also one of these people who do not build a bike right. I.e. dry build it, weld on brackets & then paint it. No, I always have to save it from further decay & then file of the nice coating to weld on the brackets.

Poser, I suppose. At Lydden last year I took my beautifully painted frame to show to Dave Degans as the bike is a Dresda. Yes that’s right it is a Dresda. As the previous owner had suggested. As the Rod Gould swinging arm & the one inch lightweight tubing cried. Dave was not very happy! Yes he informed me, that yes indeed it was one of his frames. BUT  He told me that it was one of his Daytona frames. He also told me in no uncertain words, that who ever had added the bracing tubes from the swinging arm to the top frame rails had no need to do so as the handling is perfect. The bracing from the top rails to the headstock was an abomination. But what really left him speechless was the alteration to the frame to fit a NORTON ENGINE in it.

Still it is a Dresda! Dave has confirmed it! 

When I brought it, I did not know that it had been adapted to take a Norton engine. There are no front engine plates, the engine mounts straight into the frame. I fitted my converta engine plates, thinking that as the engine was further forward in the frame they would be to short. Wrong! The gearbox only fits in by using an early “slim” oil junction block. The frame is four & a half inches shorter than a featherbed. Out came the cardboard & templates were made. I would like to think it is close to how the original owner built it.

My friend Chris Knibbs made the exhaust & primary drive cover & is available if you need a similar job doing. If you have seen the alloy framed Vincent he constructed for himself you will know the quality of his work.

What I want to know is do you recognise this bike?

Have I now finished another project but was it a success or a failure?

Send me an e-mail. I need to know. This part is as important to me as building the bike. I put the frame in Roadholder the Norton owners club magazine but did not get a reply. Can one of you racer’s complete the picture?

All the best Chris Tyler

tylernewsome@aol.com

If you would like more details on the bike give me a bell.

I can enlighten you on what happened to the bike that donated the engine unit? Those who know me don’t need to ask.

If you would like to know about my Antig Daytona I can write another story.

I traced the owner & manufacturer on this one. 

This page was last updated on 07/08/03.