A lot of forum members will be aware that Rob North passed away in October 2024 (the 16th), his daughters have decided to auction 2 of Rob's personal machines, the Triumph is the only road going machine he ever built and he kept this for himself. I see an awful lot of race bikes come up for sale saying they are Rob North, one was recently advertised on e bay, I asked the seller to provide a chassis number, suddenly the advert was taken down. I recall writing some information on these frames some time back, if any forum members have a genuine interest I can post some information. Personally I have always believed that Rob North was the most talented frame maker there has been. I expect you will need very very deep pockets to be the lucky custodian of such a fine machine, I predict that both these machines will achieve a world record for a Triumph engined race bike. 1969 BSA/Triumph Rob North Special for Sale at Auction - Mecum Auctions
@Iceman, Steve and Russell and I are going to be at this Mecum Auction in Las Vegas at the end of the month! And we'll be there on Friday which it looks like the lot this bike will be in. So I'll get to see it up close and in person! How cool is that?? Perfect timing on your post. Last year we went to the first two days of the auction (Wed-Thurs) but decided that this year we'd attend the "big daddy" days -- Friday and Saturday. I'll be sure to track the bike down and post some photos.
Wish I could be there, and I look forward to hearing all about your day, hope you have a fantastic day. If there is any interest I can do a write up of the early days of Rob, his frames and his involvement at Triumph.
@Iceman, I'd be very interested in a write up of Rob. It will make it even more special to see this bike at the Mecum auction. Thanks!
Rob was building a triple that a San Diego life guard was riding. The last race that I talked to him about the bike sucked a valve. He was also working on one of his old (winning) sidecar bikes. A marvel to behold. I have a picture of it somewhere and hope to post it. I would have lunch with Rob nearly every Saturday before COVID hit and we would talk mostly metal working. He had a large bus he and the boys would pile into with their bikes and tools and hit the track. I could tell he missed those days. And myself and EAA Chapter 14 will miss Rob.
Here are the results from the auction of Rob's machines, on top of the hammer price there is a buyers premium. The Triumph was the only road going machine ever produced by Rob, it was his own personal machine. A great result for his daughters, and these machines will make the new owners really happy.
Thanks, @Iceman! I'll look forward to reading your write up about Rob North. And I'll get a Mecum Auction report going as soon as I finish the Sturgis report I'm not finished with yet. It was great fun to see the two Rob North bikes up close and personal this past weekend. His bikes garnered quite a lot of interest and were displayed quite prominently right at the start of the auction stage along with two great (and large) photos of Rob. I took a number of photos and will get some posted along with my Vegas auction report.
It sounds like you ha da great time Sandi, I look forward to the photos and write up, as I am sure so will lots of forum members.
Here is an image of Rob having lunch at our EAA chapter and a newsletter about his passing. He was a weekly fixture at our chapter's lunch before COVID. Rob and a friend of mine at the San Diego Air and Space Museum were pals when my friend (another Mark) was a Honda factory rider on the three wheelers (way back). Mark said Rob could take any gas tank and increase the capacity by gallons and make it look like a factory tank. Rob also had a Greyhound bus in his back lot and in the good ole days would load up the bikes, riders, and friends and head to Daytona and Laguna. Rob wore protective clothing when welding... shorts and birkenstocks. Great guy.
This is an example I saw at the 1991 TT. Not a very good pre-digital pic but I remember being impressed with the build quality, especially the tank. I assume the long pipe running to the back is the crankcase breather?
Hello Iceman . I would like to correct a statement that you made in your post . Rob and I were friends for many years and in fact he built my road going bike in 1993 , RN00702 . I miss him dearly . I don't know how to post photos but help in that area would be appreciated if you have an interest in seeing what it looks like . Motorcycle Michael
@Motorcycle Michael. When i do pictures i take hem of my computer but i think they also accept mobile. I tap the upload a file button bottom right corner and take pictures of the computer and double click them and they go over to the forum sometimes i need to size them as they are to big for the forum but rarely. Yes i would love to see some of the great man's work. He was a real legend. So many people out there that knew or respected his work. Even had a few jobs done by him as well and loads of advice and spares.
I have many images of Rob and my bike being built but they are actual photographs , I'll figure it out . The fairing is from the Hyde Harrier .
Photos' we have a printer attached to our computer. In the past i have scanned photographs and downloaded them to the computer and posted them from the computer.
Firstly, can I respectfully ask what machine did Rob make for you, was it a frame, and you built the bike up yourself. I have attached the information from the Mecum Auction that sold Rob's Triumph, it was listed as "The Only Street Bike He Ever Built". And it was his own personal machine, along with his BSA. The post reminded me that I have been a little remiss in a write-up regarding the connection with Rob and Triumph, which I meant to post. I will, as soon as time allows me to. https://www.mecum.com/lots/1129293/2005-triumph-rob-north-special/
Iceman As I stated , Rob started building my bike - not frame - on November 22 ,1993 . This is the first time in all these years that I have shared this information with anyone online and only with a very few people . How I met Rob and convinced him to start building his bikes - in the series RN007... - again , is for another day . I came to this forum sensing a real interest in Rob and his work and to share information I thought would be welcomed . My bike has never been shown or photographed by \ to the public . The photo I shared is of the Bike that Rob built for me . The only work that I did to the bike is a follows : All wiring Front fender , mounts and paint Mirrors High temp coating of exhaust Tail light mount and license bracket Dashboard - street bike after all . GPS speedo , breaker reset buttons , high beam light , ign. switch etc.. Horn - off a newer Triumph - eBay Engine built by Craig Hanson out of Chico , CA . History with racing triples , recommended by Big D Cycles out of Texas . I provided Rob with the Sun rims which you will be able to identify in photos that I will post as time and tech will allow . Rob even laced the rims . In some photos the smaller short track seat is shown , before I chose the larger Daytona one . Zoom in on the Sun decal on the rim if you care to . I am not responsible for what other people say or claim . I will not argue but I am happy to answer any question respectfully asked .
Photos of Rob North working on my bike at his Chula Vista shop . He moved to National City when he ran out of space . If there is interest in more photos of the progress of my bike let me know . Photos of how parts came together I find interesting .
