It was to be later, in 1952 that Rotrax started to produce their first speedway motorcycle frames. Mike Compton, who was the Workshop foreman, together with the British Oxygen Company, developed a nickel-bronze brazing technique for the frame lugs and "Renolds 531" tubing that was to give the beautiful hand-built frame the strength and quality needed for track racing. This method of brazing was later adopted by the aircraft industry on their jet engine frames.
Meanwhile, Alec Jackson (himself a former rider) had taken over manufacturing rights of the JAP speedway engine in 1951 and continued to hand build engines and spares for many years afterwards, later still to be taken over by George Greenwood.
The Rotrax frames were initially chromed by Blakes of Gosport and then sent on to Alec Jackson's in London for the fitting of a JAP engine. And so the Jackson-Rotrax was formed.
Pictured Above: The classic Mk1 Rotrax Speedway machine owned by Richard Snodin who has kindly submitted these pictures.
The earlier Rotrax Mk1 machines were fitted with 22inch rear wheel (as is Richard Snodin's machine above) whilst in 1956, this was changed to a 19inch rear wheel. Later still, the Rotrax Mk2 evolved which included an oil-in-frame lubrication system and a loop rear frame, but we shall look at that one on another page.
ABRIDGED SPECIFICATION
(For later 19in rear wheel model)
Frame: Rotrax design built with Reynolds 531 tubing and low temperature bronze welded throughout. Finished in bright polished chromium plate.
Front Forks: Telescopic type with concealed springs. Fork girders bridged for strength.
Clutch: NORTON type with multiple bonded plates. Chainwheel running on .25" rollers and incorporating rubber shock absorbers. Chainwheel 42T. Final drive sprockets 14T, 15T or 16T.
Countershaft - Single Speed: Hardened steel shaft running on ball- bearings in alloy case.
Transmission: Primary Chain: 1/2 x .305 Renold. Final Drive Chain: 5/8 x .255 Renold.
Wheels: Strongly built on special hubs with heavy gauge spokes and steel nipples. Knock-out spindles.
Rear Sprockets: Light alloy. Sizes 57T to 60T.
Engine: 500 cc J.A.P. Speedway engine 80 mm. bore X 99 mm. stroke. This engine has the lowest lb. weight per brake horse power developed of any unsupercharged engine in the world
market. Weight: 59 lb. net. Output: 45 B.H.P. at 6,000 R.P.M. Compression ratio: 15:1 for use on alcohol fuel only.
Carburettor: Amal twin float track racing carburettor type 27/013 operated by very quick action twist grip.
Magneto: B.T.H. K.H.l. Special racing type with water-proof end cover and platinum points.
Exhaust Pipe: Large diameter exhaust pipe secured by two clips to frame.
Footrest: Solid one-piece type supplied for fitting to R.H side to customers own positional requirements.
Rear Mudguard: Valanced at R.H. side to protect carburettor air intake from dirt.
Tyres: Special Speedway 2.75 x 23 front and 3.50 x 19 rear. Two solid security bolts fitted to rear wheel.
The Vic Ridgeon Rotrax
Amongst the ever growing collection of restorer Rick Newlee, you will find his latest addition, namely a Rotrax machine owned by the great Vic Ridgeon.
As is customary with Rick's work, he has spent endless hours restoring the machine to its former glory and ensuring no detail is overlooked. Rick first acquired the machine around eighteen months ago, and after the usual trials and tribulations, the Vic Ridgeon Rotrax now proudly sits in a purpose-built building along with the rest of his ever growing collection, all of which you will find throughout these pages.
It is hoped that a web page is forthcoming on Rick's "Mini-Museum", and of course a link will be added so all can see what is truly a remarkable collection. Back to the Rotrax, and below are just some of the pictures that Rick has kindly forwarded for me to add to my Workshop. Included is a picture of the Vic Ridgeon Rotrax taken at Peterborough in 1995.
Bob Allen's Machine
Restorer Bob Allen recently acquired a JAP from New Zealand that we believe to be a Rotrax Mk1 - unless someone knows different ! These are some of the photographs used in identifying this machine.
Bryan Lambert, "eagle-eyed" as ever, noticed the (possible) Rotrax Mk1 below is fitted with a 5-spring Burman clutch. They are not interchangeable with the 3-spring Norton units as fitted to Richard Snodin's bike Above.
