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This is one of the worst kept secrets in scooter sprinting, but for those that haven't heard, former Britsh Sprint Champion Keith Terry has purchased the Kusaal Flyer, the sprinter he sold last century. His intention is to break some records.

Keith has got the Flyer dry-built, and he intends to race it at Elvington on 15th and 16th August (I'm at a wedding in Brighton ). It will be much the same methanol-burning machine as before, with a couple of experimental features designed to push things beyond the limit.

Keith has got support from Graham Best at Kegra, and my own club (Colchester DVLC) have chipped in to help build a static scooter starter engine and I've offered to build it.

For those that have never met Keith, he is an extremely likeable chap, and it is ngreat to have him back in the scooter scene. This can only be good news, and perhaps your thoughts, like mine, are turning to the script of "The world's fastest Indian".

Howz it going?

I got a message from Keith this week. The bodywork is complete and off for a dab of paint. Not long to go Keith, so I hope it is quick drying paint. I am sure the engine won't be running until it gets to Elvington.

Meanwhile, I am pushing on with the build of the engine starter unit. I am using a design provided by Ciro at Replay scooters. I took the photos along to a bearing stockists in Colchester, and they could not have been less helpful. I asked for help and advice on the promise of paying them some money foir some parts and they just took the p!ss.

Undeterred, I visited Polar Bearings around the corner and Daniel could not have been more helpful. What a relief, cos I was a bit down after the visit to the other place. The only thing that Dan couldn't supply off the shelf was an axle, otherwise, he could supply everything on Saturday morning. Result. He even offered a special price for the bearings if he could have his logo on the side of the starter.

So in search of an axle, I popped back into town and visited the indoor kart centre where lots of ankle biters were having a birthday party. I asked if they had any bent axles I could have, and they did. Gratis. I was well made-up.

So I am back at Polar Bearings first thing tomorrow with my new axle and the Honda power plant, before returning to the workshop to magic something up.

sounds like a great project martin keep us upto date

Here is a photo to prove that the Kursaal is re-born.



Keith (right) is doing the prep with a good deal of help from Graham Best (left) of Kegra. KEith and GRAham formed the KEGRA race team in about 1967, though the shop was always Graham's business.

At this late night session, Keith and Graham were working on a very special exhaust. More of this later, but meanwhile, it is incredible just how basic this scooter is. An Indian barrel with no extra ports, a GP crank, no welding at the crankcase mouth, a total loss Luminition ignition, 34mm Amal carb and a four plate clutch. A lot of the extra speed will be gained by a prone riding position, and Keith may skip breakfast.

PS Thanks to Stuart Day and Paul Baker for their help with this project. Paul has supplied front sprockets of 22, 23 and 24 teeth!!

I have been in touch with Keith a number of times since Knowledge let it be known that the the bike was being rebuilt. This is the first photo I have seen and it certainly looks the business.
Keith certainly has some guts in taking an untried scooter to the fliers.
I really hope things go well and he manages to get some good runs, and I certainly will look forward to meeting him again perhaps at Santa Pod in October.
I have'nt seen Graham since about 1980, he does look well! Kegra were always a strong racing team but I had'nt realised they went back to 1967 that did suprise me.
I will be keen to know how things go this weekend.
Best wishes

Red Devil.

Looking at that picture of Graham I'm getting the uncanny urge to check my wallet and wrist watch

Yes, Frank, Keith is mad. However, his belief in this project is very strong, with an element of realism built in. It really is "The world's fastest Indian" all over again. Well, the barrel is Indian.

He will have the words "Filled with Munro spirit" written on the methanol tank.

if anyone remembers the club magazine form the 80's (against all odds sc i think ?)"scooterthing" they did a cartoon about these two and called it stavros and the old boy and they have not changed.
i still have this mag and badge and will have to scan it sometime. andy

Looking forward to seeing the 'Kursal Flyer' in action - what sort of times did it do back in the day Knowledge? Gives me some enthusiasm to get my spinter project back together. Made a visit to Kegra earlier this year, really good guys and had my engine tuned by Graham - top job!

cheers
humble

as one of the original 'against all odds sc' team that put scooterthing together i am flattered that you remembered it.. 'stavros and the old boy' were mentioned in the smegra raging ad, and not only did keith and terry take all this in their good humoured stride (as opposed to some other 'big names' in scootering), but they appeared in the photo-love story 'loves combination' i know its massively off topic and i will probably have my wrists slapped but i cant resist posting this..

Whats that rear hub???

The rear hub is from a Lambretta, with the fins machined off, bit lets get down to the important stuff.

Keith has broken the world record for the fastest speed achieved on a Lambretta engined bike.

He wanted to top the speed achieved by Innocenti in 1950-something-or-other of 201kph (121mph), and today he has had his time confirmed and his speed was 132mph.

I am sure you would like to congratulate Keith on this amazing achievement.

He is, of course, completely mad.

That really is amazing!!!..What a speed...would,nt mind taking it down the club meet!!!;D