Ex Professional Racer š Flat Track, Road Race, Speedway and Motocross. National Number 98 in GNC and National Number 94 in MX. Retired Stunt Man.š„š½
Just completed a race prep on this 1957 BSA Gold Star scrambler built by none other than Dick Mann.
Bugsy recently left us to go to his favorite track in the sky, so this was quite special to be able to work on something he built and laid hands on.
I knew him well and was fortunate enough to race against him, ride his special built bikes twice and call him my friend. This is the second time Iāve race prepped this racer for the owner. The first time a few years back I was able to call Bugs and ask questions and find out info on the bike, this time I had to do it on my own.
This past week working on this racer was a special time in my shop.
Rocket The Racing Dog wondering what we are going to do todayā¦.. Already checked the piston edges to combustion chamber in head.
Now to check piston to valve clearance with the new radical piston and cam. Who ever thinks building a hot rod engine is simple doesnāt know what end of a screwdriver to use.
Found some old T-shirts the other day in a drawer from the old Triumph of Burbank days.
Also a program from the Ventura short track race with my father on a JAP Speedway bike when he was 17 years old trying it out of all places on the backside of the Bel-air golf course in Beverly Hills. Guessing about 1946
Guessing who the racers are shouldnāt be too hard for most, but what race track there at even stumped me until I looked on the inside cover.
Bonelli Stadium back then was a quarter-mile dirt track and then eventually paved and called Saugus Speedway and ran only cars there for many many years.
And for a little bit of nostalgic trivia the wooden grandstands that were there were actually moved from the famous Gilmore Stadium in Hollywood when it finally closed down.
Saugus Speedway closed a few years back and now all that it caters to are cheap swap meetsā¦sad. Before they hauled off all the wood I stopped by and grabbed a few 12ā planks, I wish I wouldāve done the same when they scrapped Ascot Park.
Another point of interest on this cover shot is who took the photo, God bless you Walt.
Some of the other products that Francisco made, some of the best lubricants, fuels and methanol in the business back in the day.
Moon Gas and Fire Mist, were some of their best racing fuels.
