Hesketh Limited Edition Extra 1980-1991

By the late seventies, the British Motorcycle industry had shrunk to a mere shadow of its former glory, a victim of management complacency and workforce intransigence. Names such as AJS, BSA, Norton and Triumph had either disappeared or been reduced to an impoverished co-operative. It was in this climate that Lord Alexander Hesketh, sought to follow in the names of Brough Superior and Vincent, and build a high capacity V-Twin Sports Tourer. Like George Brough before him, Lord Hesketh wanted only the highest quality components for a true enthusiasts machine. The Weslake designed 992cc engine, slung from a nickel plated Reynolds tube frame, Brembo brakes, Marzocchi suspension and Astralite wheels were all hand assembled by skilled craftsmen. On the 5th April 1980 the Hesketh V1000 was unveiled by ten times world champion Mike Hailwood. Hesketh Motorcycles PLC was launched in the September and raised £1.5million to finance a purpose built factory in Daventry, with a 70 strong workforce. On August 12, 1981, the day after the official factory opening, the press were invited to test ride the bikes for the first time. When the press criticised the noisy engines, clunky gearboxes and slower than expected performance, Hesketh PLC halted production in order to rectify the problems. This took longer than expected and it was not until February 1982 that the first bike was delivered. There were still problems, and production was being hampered by warranty work and mounting debt. It was now too late, the damage had been done and on 14th June 1982 Hesketh PLC collapsed, having made little more than 100 machines. That December, Lord Hesketh formed Hesleydon Ltd to resume limited production from his estate at Easton Neston. This included a new fully faired version called the Vampire, and engines built to the new EN10 specification, which finally resolved the old problems of the past. But sadly interest had waned, and only 37 bikes were built when the company dissolved. This is a book of contemporary road & comparison tests, specification & technical data, new model intros, travel, long term reports, buying second hand & history. Models covered: V1000, V2 Vortan & Vampire. 136 pages, 350 illus. SB.