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Sprite motorcycles were produced from 1964 to 1974 by
Frank Hipkin of Hipkin and Evans, Sprite Motor Cycles, Oldbury, Birmingham,
and later by Sprite Developments, Halesowen, Worcester (1965-1971).
1964 This make came about when Hipkin built and raced his own trials and scrambles machines. These were quite
successful, so he was asked to build for others. The first Sprite
was made with suitable parts that came to hand, but production brought
Sprite frames with duplex downtubes. The engine was a combination
of Alpha and Greeves,
and very similar to other 246cc two-stroke engines of the period. To keep
costs down, the machine was sold in kit form, and they also supplied a
frame kit for the 500cc Triumph
twin engine. Models were available for scrambles or for trials with a narrower
frame.
1965 Leading-link forks were used, with others remaining as an option.
They used the 247cc Starmaker engine, and when the Villiers
supply dried up, they offered their own engine for scrambles.
1969 This was joined by a trials model with a 125cc Sachs
engine.
1970s The firm ran on into the new decade, but when their US importers, American Eagle, collapsed owing them a considerable amount of money, Sprite motorcycles
came to an end in 1974 - although the firm itself recovered.
In 1972-1974 they also built machines for BVM of Belgium using Husqvarna 405cc engines.
Note: The company produced forks and wheel hubs until at least 1978.
05-Jun-2019
tonygp100 at msn.com
Sachs Sprite 1969
I acquired this bike in 1987 and managed to get it re registered with its original registration in 1988. I have a letter from Motor cycle news from 1988 authenticating its rarity, other documents and a workshop Manuel from Jan 1975.
It then sat in the garage until 2016 when I had it restored costing £1500. Invoices kept with bike . I am looking to sell it as I can no longer store it. Before and after pictures below .
George Parker
Merseyside England
Sprite-1969-Sachs-GPa images posted to Comments.
