Ace Cafe London’s special guest on Sunday 20th July is Eric Patterson, showcasing and firing up his unique and very special, modified 1000cc V-twin, Vincent powered motorcycle, prior to departing for the USA and the 2014 Bonneville Speed Trials at 70’s Bike Day.

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Eric, organiser of the popular bike jumbles held regularly throughout the year at Kempton Park, is the holder of a number of Bonneville Speed Trial records, with machines to include his own JAP V-twin powered Norton “featherbed” framed special and Brough Superior’s, this year Eric is going for the following four 1000cc classes with his Viscount:

Modified Pushrod “Fuel” – record at 140.76mph

Modified Vintage – Partial Streamlined, gasoline – record at 123.25mph

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Modified Pre 1979 “Fuel” Class

Modified Pre 1979 Partial Streamlined Class

The “Salt” going “Viscount” motorcycle, originally built by Peter Darvill, is number one of only ten ever made, and consists of a 1951 V-twin Vincent engine in a Norton “Manx” rolling chassis, with magnesium “Manx” wheels – its provenance includes racing at the Isle of Man TT in 1956.

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Special modifications and preparations to the bike, for racing at Bonneville, range from work on the engine, with pistons going up from 9.1 to 12.1 compression, camshafts and a BTH four plug system to fire it up. Special exhausts, clutch, belt drive and re-worked manifolds to take a pair of “Gardiner” carburettors, with Hagon supplying the suspension and the specially built alloy rims, all topped off with fuel and oil tanks in aluminium and clip-on bars!

See it, hear it and taste the salt! For more information visit: www.ace-cafe-london.com

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Tony Carter

Tony has been riding motorcycles for over 35 years and he's been a motorcycle writer for over 25 of those. He's ridden almost every motorcycle you can think of at most places around the world and he's partial to some racing, too. A Taurus, Tony doesn't believe in horoscopes (but then that's exactly what a Taurus would say!) but he does believe in Mandalorians and their right to earn a living.