49D was inspired by the flat tracker Robert Earl Woodson built in 1951.
Woodson was a flat track racer in South Carolina, USA.
He raced a Special Triumph built from GP parts that were surplus at the time circa 1950. He raced the bike for several years in different classes as he rose up the ranks to be a professional racer.
The original bike is untouched and cannot be restored as the history in the bike will be lost. Our goal was to build a replica using as many original parts as possible. 99% of the parts were supplied by Ace Classics and the bike itself was built by Alan and Ewan of Ace with direction and input from myself and the procurement of hard to find parts like seats, original tyres and other HTF bits by Kev and Cliff.
Most of the parts are new, the engine and G/box completely refurbished and all the cycle parts have been ‘aged’ to provide an authenticity look for the replica. The ageing process was so successful that we concluded that it required a significant difference in its build to confirm which was the original and which one was the replica. The designated AMA number before 24D which is currently on the Original bike, was 49D, the ghost of it can be seen on the original. 49D was chosen for the replica to differentiate the two bikes as they could be easily mistaken they are that similar in finish.
The frame, is a Triumph rigid frame with GP rear cradle, the engine is combination of a close fin alloy head married to a set of generator barrels (GP barrels) and all alloy TR5 push rod tubes. The gearbox is stock for the period and fuel is provided by twin Amal carbs and remote float as per the T100 Race kit on offer at the time.
The engine: GP barrels and parallel port close pitch fin head, standard compression pistons, solid aluminium pushrods, polished rockers, dished GP timing gears, the dynamo hole has been factory blocked for racing. The Conrods are heavier in build and aluminium, high lift camshafts, the crank appears to be lightened and polished, valves appear bigger too.
Standard steel rim with a large final drive cog bolted to it and a 4 1/2 inch tyre, brakes fitted!
GP rear mudguard stays front home made GP stay.
Leather bum pad which was made with exacting similarity including being painted ‘6/gas 5/carb 4/get ready 3/position 2/ ok 1/ go!!!!’
Seat is hand made replica to the same exacting authenticity.
Trophy fuel tank and oil tank painted by ‘Jimmy the Paint’.
Lucas racing magneto
4 Speed Gearbox
Standard clutch mechanism
It has the full chain case on the primary side, GP racers didn’t have this but American flat track racers retained it due to racing on sand/gravel to stop the debris going in the primary chain so this is dead right for the bike.
The carbs are twin matched 1 inch amals with remote float chamber and pink fuel line! GP racers only used this pink fuel line.
Number board is 49D as evidenced underneath the original bike number 24D.
