The sublime and the ridiculous bikes at the TT

The Isle of Man is the perfect place to go bike spotting during TT fortnight.

This year the island is being invaded by more than 9000 bikes ranging from standard Blades and R1’s to one-of-a-kind choppers, unusual customs and an interesting selection of vintage machines. 

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Jon Davies, 37, from Birmingham rode over on his heavily modified Suzuki GSX-R1100M. The 91 plate bike, has been in Davies possession since 1994, and little is left of the original bike save the frame. 

The bike is far from showroom fresh but has Galespeed wheels, AP Racing brakes, Suzuki GSX-R1000 K1 forks revolved by K-Tech, Technoflex shock, Carillo conrods, harder valves. Since 1994 it’s hard six sets of piston rings and six cylinder honings to keep it fresh. It has done 10.1s quarter miles at 138mph.

Jimmie Gillespie, from Mauchlene in Scotland, was putting in some laps of the famous circuit on his modified Buell S1, which has a Ducati 916 front, with a custom made yoke and bars crafted by Gillespie and a 1250 big bore motor, which guzzles fuel.

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While Tim Collins, 59, from Birmingham, was on his slightly more sedate BSA A10 Super Rocket.

Collins owned a Super Rocket in the 1960s and couldn’t resist picking up this one when it went up for sale last year. It cost just £4,000 to buy and needed a bit of attention. 

“The work is continuous, I have been working on it over here at the TT, It has an oil leak that needs seeing too today. “ I have hand painted the frame, and just kept it running, but I can’t afford to have it off the road.

Fellow Brum resident Tuma, 37, has a more ostentatious  2004 Harley-Davidson V-Rod, with Screamin’ Eagle pipes, modified swingarm to fit 240 section rear wheel and tyre, MV Agusta F4 tail unit modified to fit the V-Rod sub frame, polished five spoke wheels, uprated brake discs front and rear.

Tuma said: “I ride the bike as much as I can, I know it looks well used but that’s because it is.”

MCN wants your pictures! Have you spotted anything eye-catching at the TT or anywhere else on your travels? Or do you own something unusual? Send your ictures to us and we’ll feature the best on our website.