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[Patrick]

JAP like in JA Prestwich, and NOT Japanese!!

Recently, there was an announcement that Alec Card, the Brough-JAP specialist was re-creating a new JAP complete bike.
JAP itself stopped making complete bikes almost 100 years ago, although JAP engines were famous and fitted on numerous makes up to the 50s.


MCN published an article in May, and if one 'googgle' "JA Prestwich Industries Ltd", a link will come for a 1-page website about that bike.
Anyway, the machine has rigid frame, girder fork, disc brakes, electronic ignition, but the engine looks the same as 50 years ago.
The gearbox, by the way, is a Harley copy, so presumably left change, thanks!

I emailed Mr Card, and his quick reply was that the price was £29,000, which frankly I didn't expect. The V-twin engine is apparently made by Cameron Engineering at Malvern, and looks the business. I have always been a fan of JAP engines, don't ask why ...

Anyway, has anyone here heard of these Bikes (or maybe just THIS bike) and what do you think about it?
MCN said that Mr Card intends to build several variants of the bike - maybe one with rear suspension, eh?

By the way, Alec Card sold his rights to the Brough tradename to finance the design of his new JAP. The new Brough is now made in ... Austria of all places!!
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patrick

[Patrick]

[quote="Patrick"]JAP like in JA Prestwich, and NOT Japanese!!

[/quote]


The website for the new JAP


http://www.japrestwich,com

Go and check it, and then give your impressions.
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patrick

[DD]

Hello Patrick,
I've also heard of the new JAP through MCN, and think it would be great to get these old marques back again. I also like the idea of a nice looking classic style bike that works when you need it too.
Unfortunately there are many marques that get announced in various publications as having a comeback, but never materialise, so when another one is announced, the kneejerk reaction is " I'll believe it when I see it". This doesn't really help the orderbooks fill up but lets hope this one has the backing to get some bikes up and running nicely, and the company owners are realistic enough to know this will never sell in big numbers. Anyone buying a bike like this would want some exclusivity with it.
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[Patrick]

[quote="DD"]Hello Patrick,
... there are many marques that get announced in various publications as having a comeback, but never materialise ...

Anyone buying a bike like this would want some exclusivity with it.[/quote]



Yes, for sure.

Recently we have heard of another re-birth for Norton too, with a new re-worked version of the Commando and even the Rotary at the TT. A bit long in the tooth, I think.

Metisse is soon to launch an new enduro bike with in-house designed 1000cc vertical twin. They are at the moment producing a 300 series of Steve McQueen enduro replica.

A new company MAC Motorcycles also want to build 500cc bikes not to dissimilar to the US-built Confederate Wraith.

These are all small production projects, and maybe the cottage industry Britain is famous for, to serve people who, like you say. want some individuality in their bike.

Let's face it, Bloor's Triumph success was a one-off, and no one is able to compete against Japan for mass production.

Still, I like to see something different.
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patrick

[DD]

The bike market is definitely big enough for rare and exciting models like these, but only in very small numbers. I think it's also necessary for these small manufacturers to continually update their model line. It's no good selling your first years batch straight away to all the interested owners, and then having no one to sell to in the second year. These owners aren't likely to buy another one the same as the first, and the first is not likely to have done many miles any way. They might buy a different model to sit next to or replace the first though.
Just before Bimota went bust, when they were racing the SB8 in World Superbikes with Anthony Gobert, their racing budget alone would have required them to sell a few thousand bikes at 100% profit just to brake even. There's lots of companies out there that can show you how not to do it.
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