The man who built a world-beating Racebike in his Garage

Much of the footage used in this video comes from a wonderful documentary available for purchase here:

That documentary was filmed and edited by John's good friend Harry Ruffell and is the best resource for understanding the story of how John designed and built one of the greatest motorcycles of all time, the Britten V1000.

This video is really just a small part of the fuller story covered in that amazing documentary. I'd encourage you to support the Doc by purchasing it from the link above!

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[alistersladen]

I was lucky to have worked with John on the bikes for a couple of months in New Zealand leading up to an early entry at Daytona, truely an easy man to follow and inspired us all working often 12 or more hours a day at the garage at his home. A great part of my life and proud to have known such a great human. RIP John

[splint]

His story is amazing enough but to consider he was dyslexic it just brings it to a whole different level. At school he had his exam questions read out loud to him then he would verbally give his answer back. He completed a degree in mechincal engineering and having done that myself I can barely imagine how difficult it must have been for him. He was a truely remarkable man.

[kiwihame]

Great overview. I was the first manager of the Britten Race Team. In 92-93. You never quite "get it" when it's so close, but amazing times. Loved seeing some old faces. You in the US had your own Britten equivalent, his name was Michael Czysz. Great guy. He also died too young.

[TheAstraios]

Stroud had the britten with his name on it at a track day in Taupo, New Zealand a couple years back. Thing still looks and sounds bloody insane. Absolute treat to see it.

Quick edit on why it was so cool, I still have fond memories of sitting down in the mid 90's with my old man and him pointing out Stroud on the britten in a race. I was 8 or 9 at the time. Don't remember which race it was but the pride we had as kiwi's watching a NZ bike and rider doing so well left a lasting impression. It started my love of motorbikes to which I still ride today.

[alanmony]

In 2004 or 5 I was in Wellington, New Zealand and I went to the Te Papa Museum. The first thing I saw was the Worlds Fastest Indian! When I turned around I saw John Britten #1 on an elevated stand. I'd never heard of John up to that point but I spent hours walking around that masterpiece gasping at the innovations I saw before my eyes. I bought that book, what a man, what a bike and what a sad loss.

[iroamzad]

I had the absolute pleasure of watching this beast race in Paeroa NZs battle of the streets in the early 90's can't remember who the pilot was but the sound and presence of this weapon was unreal. They had him starting half a lap behind the other riders and by the third he was in front on the back wheel all the way down the main street including around the slight right hand turn to the end of the straight ... awesome memories.
Makes you proud to be a Kiwi.
Thanks John (RIP) and all those that contributed to these iconic piece's of NZ history.

[holdernewtshesrearin]

Great job man. I really enjoyed this.
I raced against the Britten a few times. It was a beast off the corners and that booming twin could be heard above all others.
It was and is a great bike.
John deserved much more recognition than he got.
RIP and godspeed John.

[oceanexploration]

How John's story hasn't to this day been turned into a movie is beyond me. C'mon folks!

[djosbun]

I’m not a motorcycle guy but love individuals like John. They are the heroes…..not basketball players, not football players but engineers/thinkers/doers that use their intelligence and desire to excite us all.

[lucasthomas]

As a young and ambitious New Zealander, he's such an inspiration because he shows that you don't need anything fancy, just an idea, a mindset, and a garage.

[quartusbuys]

What a phenomenal machine. I live in South Africa but was in NZ 13 years ago and went to Pukekoue race track and Kevin Swantz was there. ANDREW STROUD rode the BRITTEN. What a machine! and what a rider Andrew Stroud is. The most sought after motorcycle ever!

[davidebettin]

Ciao, these are the real stories, which we Italians love.
The passion, for art, of craftsmanship with a capital A.
My sincere congratulations.

[mcmoose]

I had a close look at the one on display at the Museum of New Zealand in Wellington.
It is an absolute work of art . No detail was missed . My wife had to drag me away by the ear after I had spent an uncomfortable (for her), slightly unseemly amount of time drooling over it .

[mndlessdrwer]

It's amazing to see how a single dude decided to just completely upend a sport he loved, brought on a small team and, through his and his small team's efforts and ingenuity, built an incredibly successful racing bike from scratch. What an incredible thing. And clearly it had loads of torque since it would pop wheelies at any and every opportunity. Wow. Just wow.

[drider]

Reminds me of another Kiwi, Burt Munro, who, 30 years earlier than Britton, recorded a one-way run at Bonneville of 305.89 km/h (190.07 mph). His unofficial (though officially timed) flying mile speed record at the Salt Flats is 331 km/h (205.67 mph). All of this with none of the technology available in the late '90s and on a raggedy looking Indian Scout that he bought new in 1921 and apparently never stopped modifying in his shed.

[haraldpettersen]

This is, or was, pure Sci Fi. The most beautiful motorcycle ever built. In the car garage at home, really a hobby project in the beginning. Wins most of what is to be won, has a record that still stands, it is just to take off your hats and bend your neck in silent admiration over this adventure.

[Benjamin-omih]

Oh boy. Story time.

I have actually sat on one of these Brittons as well as saw another one in the museum in Dunedin, NZ. I live in NZ and we got an opportunity to sit on one when we were kids in school. I've got a photo on an 8 year old me sitting on one. This man is the McLaren of motorcycles. Absolutely a legend. So sad he died so young

[djmastergroove]

This is incredible, what a magnificent engineer John was. I've literally just found this in my recommended feed, never heard of him or this bike. This popped up with Guy Martin riding the Britten because I'm into the Isle of Man TT, this video was recommended! It's awesome, I love finding gem's like this and learning about amazing people. What a legend 👍🏻

[stunter]

Anyone willing to take the time to put a video together for this man and help spread the word of his life, automatically gets my subscription. I actually worked at Daytona International Speedway and had a great conversation with John and see his passion. It was something special to see the first time his bike was on the track and how he came back to dominate.To put it plainly..He was SPECIAL.My close friend actually had the opportunity to buy one of his bikes back then for $70, 000 and decided against it.He obviously regrets that decision

[sauber]

I was there in Daytona - I remember seeing the Britten in the pit area. I walked by it, looked at it pretty good, and didn't really understand what I was seeing. It was so unique and odd, didn't know the story or about John, I didn't think of it as a contender .... Until I saw it run on track - then, HOLY Shiii !! Amazing !