Stolen Motorcycles
In May 1998 three rare classic racing motorcycles
were stolen from Allen Burt of Sydney.
The bikes are an AJS 7R, a Matchless G50, and a Matchless G45
Allen Burt aboard his 1956 G45 Matchless
Somewhere in Europe in 1958, possibly at the
Isle of Man.
Matchless G45, 1956
Engine No. G45 215
Frame No. 4747
Gearbox No. 7R 1670
The G45 is a twin cylinder 500cc factory racing
machine. Approximate value AUD$75,000 [1]
Allen Burt in Dennis Quinlan's workshop using his "Big Bertha" lathe, July 1979.
Image courtesy Dennis Quinlan
Distinguishing Features:
The tank was not the original tank, but a 7R alloy tank painted red, with the AJS lettering somewhat larger than standard.
The Amal 1 3/8in GP1 carburettors were fitted with SU floatbowls from a Jaguar.
The top of the exhaust rocker boxes had been machined flat and a 5/16 or 1/4 inch alloy plate fitted over each rocker box. A stud, apporx 3/8 dia then passes through this plate and is secured with a lock nut. The stud goes down into the rocker box and secures the rocker posts. This mod was made on the exhaust side only.
The exhaust pipes have been painted black with a heat resistant paint.
The original Burman gearbox has been replaced with an A.M.C. type gearbox.
An additional 1 1/4 inches of rubber padding has been inserted under the seat cover so as to give a higher riding position.
Allen Burt on his 1960 G50 in more recent years.
Matchless G50 1960
The single cylinder 500cc G50 is identical in
construction to the AJS 7R except for engine capacity.
This example has no engine number. It is valued
at AUD $50,000 [1]
Alan Burt's Matchless G50 propped beside a racetrack barrier.
Image courtesy Dennis Quinlan
Distinguishing Features:
The engine is fitted with a 90mm Mahle piston.
The driveside crankcase is cast from aluminium and has no engine number, whereas the timeing side case is the original magnesium alloy.
On the drive side behind the engine sprocket there is a circular steel plate aprox 4 inches dia with aprox 12 holes. This in place of the normal 3 hole arrangement fitted to this model.
There is a "rat-trap" silencer device fitted to the megaphone.
The rhs footrest is handmade of aluminium and screws directly into the swingarm spindle, about 1.5in forward of the usual location, and is secured by a locknut on the footrest shaft.
The front brakedrum has a large handmade alloy cooling disc fiited.
The black leather seat has a strip of white leather (rather faded and dirty) which is about 2 inches wide. This goes from the top of the hump to the lower portion of the tailpiece.
The carb is the original Amal GP2, but is jetted for methanol. The floatbowl has been replaced with an SU unit from a Jaguar car.
The crankpin assy was made by Charlie Ogden (a friend of Phil Irving) in Sydney. It is quite distinctive in that the pin threads into the flywheels instead of being secured by a nut on either end of the pin. It is quite likely unique.
The original Lucas magneto has been replaced with a Bosch rotating magnet type. The high tension coil is fitted externally to the magneto and is mounted under the tank between two strengthening brackets behind the steering head.
The machine has the original alloy tank which has been repaired on the rhs with filler and repainted in original colours.
An additional 1 1/4 inches of foam has been inserted beneath the seat cover to raise the ride height.
AJS 7R 1959.
Matchless G45 1950.
Two more images of the stolen classic
racers.
AJS 7R 1959
The machine is of identical construction to the Matchless G50, the difference being in the engine capacity. The AJS 7R is 350cc. The engine number is unknown at this stage, but is preceded by the letters 7R. Approximate value AUD $50,000 [1]
Distinguishing Features:
This bike, or one very similar, was stolen.
The primary chain has been replaced with a belt drive.
There is a spacer fitted behind the engine sprocket to secure the main bearing. This is the same as that fitted to the G50. It is about 4 inches diameter with approx 12 boltholes which secure the mild steel plate.
The crankpin is unique and is believed to have been built by Tony Henderson, who built Ron Toombs G50 and 7R AJS. AJS 7R Crankpin
The right side footrest is the same as on the other two machines.
The original metal covers over the front fork springs have been removed. Aluminium fork seal holders have been made which replace the steel covers, exposing the forksprings.
As on the other machines, the seat height has been increased by 30mm.
The original 1 3/8 Amal GP carburettor has an SU floatbowl, as fitted to the other machines.
If you have any information on the issue, you may please contact us and I will pass any relevant details on to Inspector Peter J Smith (ret), formerly of Bankstown Police. If you wish to contact him directly, I can supply his email & phone number. [3]
Update 2010
I am told that a well-known Australian motorcycle racer was found to be in possession of the bikes.This blog says "The two main suspects to the theft of Alan's bikes were eventually, effectively "let off"..."
SMH article May 2008
The State Crime Command's Property Crime Squad specialises in busting organised stolen motor vehicle gangs. The Sun-Herald understands Strike Force Ecole's work has been focused in the Shoalhaven district south of Wollongong.classicmotorcycling.com.au
"we can say that police have laid charges against two brothers..."
Murder and Mayhem
In a conversation with Peter Smith Dec 2024 he stated that there was much more to the case. There were two murders and a good many motorcycles were stolen along with numerous Porsches. The names of the brothers referred to are well-known, but it appears they have not been convicted. The same goes for a classic motorcycle racer and dealer (in both motorcycles and drugs) of the day.
Peter is of the opinion that it is more than likely that the machines went to the eastern part of United States.
Update Dec 31st 2024
This thief is the one who took Alan Burt's machines. [2]
He operated from 1996 to 2006. In late 1998 Police at Operation Mawaa were told then that he was Sydney's No.1 car thief. That person was a tow truck driver and was charged with the abduction of Mr X [redacted]. He was getting into his tow truck about 3 weeks later around the Marrickville area when a Van like my Toyota Hi Ace pulled (up) and blew him away, I think with a shotgun.
Even though they were aware back in 1998 that he was Sydney's no. 1 Car Thief, he was permitted to operate until 2006 when another murder took place, Bob Ljubic was thrown off the gap. Mr X was again involved and rolled over to give evidence to the NSW Crime Commission. He got witness protection and gave very good evidence and got a new identity. No charges relating to the cars or bikes but he did a formal statement about his taking the Burt machines and leaving them for collection by the [redacted].
Burt's bikes were the only ones to be stolen. I identified a mechanic, I believe to be a heroin addict, that was working for [redacted] at their Cleveland Street, shop not all that far from Central Railway Station was supplying the address where Kawasaki Ninja were garaged. That was at the time of the theft of Burt's machines. He had also supplied information to a 3 man team prior to Mr X who were stealing the motorcycles from addresses where they were stored. That early team was headed by a classic motorcycle racer, [redacted] who later had a Yamaha shop out near Camden.
[redacted] was also a close associate of the bloke working at [redacted] and in fact supplied him with heroin. Mr X team later they were stealing Yamaha R1 and the mechanics at the Lane Cover Branch were also off.
I identified a number of machines that had been sold or serviced at the Lane Cove premises that were eventually stolen from the garages where they were stored.
A vast number of the machines were insured with [redacted]. However a Loss Assessor for [redacted] was getting the bikes from the [redacted] after they had been rebirthed and selling them back through the shops.
The Sydney Morning Herald
'Sydney's No. 1 car thief'
By Geesche Jacobsen
August 28, 2007 - 10.11pm
A witness who has accused Jason Clive McCall of throwing Mosman car dealer Bob Ljubic off The Gap in Sydney in March 2005 was the city's "No. 1 car thief' specialising in Porsches, the NSW Supreme Court heard today.
The man - codenamed X - today admitted in cross-examination in McCall's murder trial that he had also manufactured and sold drugs, rebirthed cars and committed tax and social security fraud.
He had stolen up to five cars a day during his teens and at one time received up to $5000 for Porsches stolen on demand for clients, the court was told.
Hurled from cliff: killer gets 22 years
hurled-from-cliff-killer-gets-22-years
Notes
1. Values quoted were from date of theft, 1998. Classic motorcycle prices have increased considerably since then.
[2] Refers to the SMH articles from 2007.
[3] Contact info see below.
Contact information for Peter Smith:
Phone 61 0415 372 108. 61 2 6553 9442. Email cob DOT smith AT bigpond DOT com
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