| Manufacturer | Hesketh Motorcycles Daventry Broom Development Engineering Silverstone |
|---|---|
| Production | 1980- |
| Engine | 992 cc air-cooled 90-degree V-twin |
| Top speed | 120 mph (193 km/h) |
| Power | 86 bhp (64 kW) @ 6,500 rpm |
| Transmission | Five speed constant mesh gearbox with final drive sealed roller chain |
| Brakes | Brembo 310 mm-diameter twin discs (front) with single 270 mm diameter (rear) |
| Wheelbase | 1,510 millimetres (59 in) |
| Dimensions | L 2,235 millimetres (88.0 in) |
| Seat height | 838 millimetres (33.0 in) |
| Weight | 244 kilograms (540 lb) (dry) |
| Fuel capacity | 23 litres (5.1 imp gal; 6.1 US gal) |
The Hesketh V1000 is a British motorcycle originally designed and built by Hesketh Motorcycles in Daventry, Northamptonshire. Lord Alexander Hesketh had been planning the production of a new British motorcycle since 1974 and began talks with engine specialists Westlake in 1977 about the development of a big V-twin. Hesketh Motorcycles PLC was formed in 1981, a purpose built factory was set up to manufacture the V1000 in Daventry, and production began in 1981. The V1000 was expensive and rather noisy, and given its 992 cc capacity and dry weight of 244 kg (540 lb) was rather underpowered. Only 149 V1000 motorcycles were sold before the company was wound up in August 1982.[1] Broom Development Engineering continued development and produce twelve V1000s each year.[2] An MCN review of the Hesketh declared: " People see the Hesketh V1000 as an 80s version of the Vincent twin; and the engine has a classic simplicity about it, featuring a modest 86 bhp delivered at just 6500 rpm. So long as you understand that you're buying a handbuilt, relatively sedate, classic British motorcycle, you're not likely to be disappointed with the performance of the Hesketh V1000. "[3].
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Styled by John Mockett (who later went on to design the Triumph Rocket III) the Hesketh V1000 was conceived as a luxury sports machine that could save the British motorcycle industry.[4] The engine was specially developed by Weslake as an air-cooled 90-degree V-twin with 95 mm (3.7 in) bore and 70 mm (2.8 in) stroke, giving a displacement of 992 cc. With a one piece cast crank and aluminium jackets on iron cylinder barrels and alloy cylinder heads, the V1000 was the first British motorcycle with four valves per cylinder and an overhead camshaft. With electronic ignition, Lucas alternator and starter motor, lubrication is semi wet sump and the gearbox is a five-speed constant mesh to a sealed roller chain final drive. Front suspension includes custom yokes machined from solid aircraft specification billets, and conventional rear suspension is provided by twin Marzocchi shocks.[5] Unusually, the chain drive sprocket was concentric with the swinging arm pivot, an arrrangement which kept chain tension constant.
In 1983 Lord Hesketh formed a new company Hesleydon Ltd to manufacture a revamped V1000 with a full fairing, called the Hesketh Vampire. Described by reviewers as heavy and tall, it went into production while still needing development. As well as gearbox problems such as false neutrals, the new fairing restricted turning and the Vampire did not sell well.[1]
Established in 1982 by engineer, Hesketh test rider and motorcycle racer Mick Broom,[6] Broom Development Engineering have continued to improve the V1000 engine and frame performance as well as updating earlier motorcycles to the latest specification have each year produce about a dozen new V1000 EN10 motorcycles which are the V1000 with oil cooling improvements including an oil radiator to cool the rear cylinder. They have also produced fifty Hesketh Vampire tourers to customer specifications which can include specially made panniers.[2] The latest model improvements included in the Vulcan include changes to the running gear to bring it up to date with radial tyres and modern suspension, brakes together with a bigger engine and computer control. In a bid to attract much needed investment in the marque, Mick Broom put the Hesketh business on the market in September 2008.[7] Broom, who has now built over 300 Hesketh models, was badly burned in a petrol fire in a workshop in August 2011.[8]