Greeves Motorcycles

Today in Motorcycle History

Greeves Motorcycles

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Bert Greeves began postwar production of Invacar invalid carriages for the many needy survivors of the conflict. He went on to produce motorcycles which dominated the off-road racing scene throughout the 1950's, 60's and on into the 1970's. He also built successful road racers and road bikes. Engines used in their machines included Villiers and British Anzani

The Thundersley, Essex Greeves factory began production in 1952 and continued building motorcycles until a fire in the late 1970's brought financial ruin. Production ended in 1978.

Dave Bickers won the 1960 and 1961 Coupe d'Europe for Greeves - the race became known as the 250cc MX World Championship from 1962.

Greeves Models



16_2_2021
mauricecorkill681 at gmail.com
Greeves scottish 1960s
I am after a set of wheels can u help plz
Maurice Corkill
United Kingdom
05-Aug-2019
eli215 at me.com
O85E-1091
Hello, my uncle has come across Villiers Engine, the Engine Type: 3x1(?) we can see the 3 can't make out the next number at all, and the last appears to be a 1, but may be a 4,7 or 9 as we can only see the bottom of the number which is a straight line, ther serial number is O85E-1091, this is clear. I have uploaded images, we are hoping just to identify it as thoroughly as possible. Thank you for any help you can provide.
Thank you.
Eli Harris
Ukiah, CA


03-Aug-2019
afj.tiltman1 at gmail.com
Greeves 24TES 1963
Hi my recently acquired 24 TES has had an engine change i have the original buff log book which has recorded the change back in 1973 the replacement engine no. is 522D 3260 i am unable to find this on your listing any help please make model and year if possible please.
regards Tony.
Anthony Tiltman
Swansea

  • No further information on a 522D prefix at this stage. Will add to list if something turns up.

24-Jul-2019
arthur.a7 at talktalk.net
greeves. 1960 tcs frame number 60/1099
just purchased greeves. engine number 9E 076D 3892
arthur atkinson
24-Jul-2019
michaeldoublet437 at googlemail.com
Greeves hawkstone. 1961
Hi
I am looking to buy a d shape speedo for my Greeves could you help please
Michael
Hertfordshire
25-Jun-2019
nicholaspankhurst at ymail.com
Greeves 250 scrambler 1962
Good morning I believe I have a 1962 Greeves 250 scrambler engine number plate stamped 34A 160D 3925 Frame stamped 24MDS612 is it possible for you to please identify the engine as being correct period for the frame?
Kind regards Nick
Nicholas Pankhurst
Dorset

  • You would probably need to track down a Greeves specialist at one of the British vintage clubs. Ed.

29-Mar-2019
info at hanskoopman.nl
Greeves Griffon 380 - 1969
Here are two pictures for you're Greeves site, its my "as new" Greeves griffon
Hans Koopman
The Netherlands

  • Greeves-1969-380cc-HKo images posted to Comments.

21-Dec-2018
alec at smartchat.net.au
greeves 1956 20s
hi my bike has villiers engine no 626B 3140 ,this looks to be later than the bike by a few years ,please advise year of my engine regards alec
alec faulkner
brookfield

  • The following page lists 626B as "4 Speed Greeves 20SAS, SCS, DC, SA 1958-1960"
    Villiers Engine ID

16-Oct-2018
Shaw1953belair at gmail.com
1953 Greeves Hawkstone
Ghi do you happen to know the rear wheel offset for my greeves thanks a lot regards barry
Barry Shaw
United Kingdom
  • Greeves-1953-Hawkestone-BSh image posted to Comments.


22-Aug-2018
alun1394 at gmail.com
1967 greeves challenger
Where can I get a pair of fork stanchions for my bike.
Alun parry.
California USA

Fri Apr 14 2017
clanmac at mweb.co.za
puch pathfinder tank transfers
Greeves pathfinder 1971 Puch motor
looking to purchase 2 greeves pathfinder petrol tank transfers
Cape Town S Africa


Sat Dec 03 2016
colynjames at aol.com
Age related for V5
Greeves Scottish
I am looking for an age related certificate for authenticity for my Greeves Scottish motorcycle to apply for V5
Merthyr tydfil


Tue Apr 12 2016
ian<at>ianrutherford.plus.com
Marcelle Barrel
Greeves Hawkstone
Happened to see the picture of my bike from when I bought it about 6 years ago with the caption 'Marcelle Barrel' It is in fact a DOT Alloy barrel, the difference being, I am told, the Marcelle has 3 studs for the exhaust flange and the DOT has 4 studs. Regards,
Ian Rutherford UK.


April 2016
I'm the guy assembling a Greeves, frame number 24MX3A1146. I ordered a book supposedly identifying numbers, but the book hasn't arrived yet. So, I'm still in the dark. However, it does need new shock absorbers. They are coil overs, same diameter front and back. They are eyelet to eyelet. One pair is 9 11/16 (collapsed) to 13 1/2 (extended) and the other pair is 9 1/2 (compressed) to 12 (extended). Do you know where a guy might acquire such, or are these maybe rebuildable? Of course, I have the springs. They appear sound.
 
I suspect this is a motorcross bike as the front brake hub is finned. It appears stock throughout. There is no headlight / taillight, and the poor dear has evidently lived a useful life. I'm cleaning, scowering, lubing and deducing what goes where, relying on my forty-five years of experience with motorcycles, (I used to write for all the major magazines back in the 60's and 70's.) .
 
No photos yet. Still, help?

Keith
Denver, Co.

Mon Mar 28 2016
keithn881 at comcast.net
What is it?
Greeves 24MX3A1146
A bike in parts. I will assemble, but don't know anything about it.
Denver, Co.

Ed. I believe the bike to be a 1966 Challenger.


Wed Oct 23 2013
melvy4414<at>msn.com
Greeves Frame
Greeves Griffon?
I have a Greeves frame number 611585. I would like to confirm that it is a 1971 Griffon? I think the frame numbers started with 61 for that year and model? Thanks for your help...
Montana
Mon Feb 27 2012
bcourtine<at>vaughan-avocats.fr
transfer
greeves grumph (greeves with 350 triumph 1957
dear sir, I'm looking for a transfert set for my greeves 1957. i'm in Paris France
regrads

Information on Decals, Logos and Badges...


Mon Feb 14 2011
tonyfriedel<at>aol dot com
Greeves Challender 1967 Specifications
Greeves 24MX3B
I am looking for the specifications for the above motorcycle. Torque specs, oil capacity, chain tension, gear ratios, point gap, spark plug, etc.

Does anyone have this information? I would greatly appreciate ant assistance.

Regards,

Tony Friedel
Whitehall, MD USA


Tue Feb 01 2011
tonyfriedel<at>aol dot com
Greeves Parts
Greeves Challenger 24MX3B
I am looking for information on how to fabricate the rubber connector between the carburator and the airbox. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Tony Friedel
Maryland - USA


Sun Jan 02 2011
davidtoft68<at>hotmail.co.uk
for sale greaves griffin 380
greaves griffin 380
hi there i have a freind who is going sell agreaves griffin 380 but not sure where to sell
bradford

Try the classifieds section at Bikelinks


Tue Dec 14 2010
pplu44<at>telefonica.net
dealers in spin for to bay the new 280 ti trial bike
who is delaer Greeves in Spain?? greeves 280 ti
Hi� I'd like to know who is dealer Greeves in Spain. I´d like to know how much is price for the Greeves 280 ti trial.
Thank´s for your answer and sorry my bad English
Could you answer me at me mail dresser??? Thanks you
Vitoria, The Basque Country Spain

Thu Jan 21 2010
davomoto183 at comcast.net
Greeves
I was given a Greeves, and do not know what year or model it is . I can't find a frame number, don't know where to look. It has ceriani forks, arces triple clamps. Engine # is GPA5 1291. Where are frame #s located? Should the trans have #s also? Thanks in advance! Davo
California


Fri Aug 21 2009
ian at ianrutherford.plus dot com
Marcelle Barrel
Greeves Hawkstone
Any information technical or otherwise for an alloy Marcelle Barrel. May have been fitted to DOTs.
WARWICK UK

[Apparently not a Marcelle barrel, but a DOT. See entry for April 2016, above. Ed]


Sat Aug 08 2009
snrhill at gmail dot com
1963 24TES Greeves Motorcycle
Scottish Trial
I have this machine and would be interested in knowing what it is worth.
Indiana, USA
Greeves-1963-24TES-Scottish
  • The page of classic motorcycle price resources at valuations.htm may prove useful.

Tue Jul 07 2009
dlea02 at toucansurf dot com
Manuals
Greeves Silverstone (I think)
Is there any manual of any sort for the 380 cc engine?
UK


Wed Jul 01 2009
fps at netsync.net
value?
Greeves 67 challenger
Where does one go to determine the value of a my 67 Challenger
NY
frame 24MXSE277, engine GPA10118
I understand there were only 30 made that year is that correct.
Any info appreciated. I am going to try to send pictures.
Thanks,
Bob Jordan
Cassadaga, NY USA


Mon Apr 27 2009
weberice07 at msn dot com
need bike id
Villiers not sure
father left bike to me but never knew what it was .frame #24mcs/2/1390.engine type 36a #086eC1613
Utah,USA

br>


Sun Nov 09 2008
cunneen at internode.on.net
greeves info
greeves challenger
please confirm model thanks shane
australia




Sun Mar 16 2008
dianehon at comcast.net
Value of Cycle
Greeves Pathfinder 175cc
I would like to know the approximate value of my clean, low mileage machine
(500 miles)
Can't get my pics to attach.
Colorado




Wed Jan 30 2008
david74173 at aol dot com
Greevesfield
greeves 535
Hi ,

l have recently bought a greevesfield ( of which l attach a photo ). The log book is 1977, but l think that the forks are a lot earlier.

Would be most grateful if you could tell me where to look to find out more of the history of these bikes. l also have a royal enfield bullet 500 and a bsa thunderbolt 1969.
Many thanks in advance,

Dave in France
brittany france


Mon Jan 07 2008
rpuchman at xyz dot com
Greeves and parts SOLD
36MX4, M58 Griffon, M63 QUB Greeves
I have three Greeves for sale plus manuels and some parts to boot.
 I have ridden all three of these motorclcles but have not started them in several years. The 36MX4 needs some parts to run again. The M58 Griffon is complete but needs the rubber for the air cleaner. The 380 QUB will not turn over but other wise is complete. I have pictures of the motorcycles and the parts if interested? I am in the soutwester part of the USA.

Albuquerque New Mexico USA


Wed Nov 21 2007
dieselbiker at blueyonder.co.uk
Greeves 5 speed gearboxes
any / all
Hello, I hope you can help. I'm looking for some information on Greeves 5 speed gearboxes.

What bikes used 5 speeds?
I've seen pictures of Silverstone bike using two different boxes. How many different boxes were there?
Were they all Albion?
Did all boxes use drum selectors?
What exactly was the problem of the 5 speed?

Reading up on Greeves on your website, there's mention of 4 close ratios on the Silverstone, does this mean there's a big jump from 4th to 5th?

Was there a 6 speed?
Does anyone have a box or parts for sale?

Thank you for any help you can give.

Ian Wallis
Plymouth


Fri Nov 09 2007
kevinrobson1956 at hotmail dot com
i.d.
scottish
hi, just bought a greeves,original unrestored,stored since 1962,in australia.eng.no.863b608 frame no.60/1409 any info gladly recieved,kevin robson
australia
......
Tue Nov 13 2007
greeves scottish
just found number plate...PJR 480 AND supplier harry wood,newcastle upon tyne ,uk.on back mudguard.also last licience disc.dated 1963,anybody out there remember this bike? will post pics. as soon as i learn how to...2 strokes seem more user friendly .....
perth.australia


Fri Nov 02 2007
andrew.yarnold at btinternet dot com
How can trace present owner
Geeves Anglian Trials
Hi
 Iwish to trace the current owner of a Greeves Anglian Trial bike, the reg no is JOE 302E. Isold it about 30 years ago from Old Arley a village near to Nuneaton England, any info would be much welcome,or any suggestion of how to trace it.
 many thanks
Andy
Bedworth- UK


Fri Sep 14 2007
nat4x4 at telus.net
Greeves Griffin Enduro
380 Greeves Griffin Enduro .
Hi has anybody got or know of some good pictures of, the following two very interesting Greeves. The first is a 1971 380 Griffin Enduro.It has a long seat, slightly larger tank than the MX, and was sold in Canada with lights. Its also I believe a US model only but. one or two might have jumped ship and stayed in UK . The other is known as an 24MXE Challenger. or TT smooth track I would like to see pictures of this bike also. I have the Greeves Book and The Villiers Book also . But I can not find any pictures of the Griffin Enduro Info would be much apprecited. Im in Canada .
Tappen BC Canada


Tue May 29 2007
obustergang at yahoo dot com
id number
villiers
I look on the moter and found this numbers.45 3 or z dc-32a 3853.On the head was greeves.What year could it be.
tx


Mon Apr 02 2007
chasallen at btinternet dot com
Ron Parkinson cylinder head
greeves
Has every body forgoten about the cylinder head devl, by Ron Parkinson of Colchester in the 60's which gave greeves many wins, I can still get the info on this.
COLCHESTER
.......
Wed May 23 2007
chasallen at btinternet dot com
Ron Parkinson Cylinderhead
villiers
Sorry its taken so lone 2 get back 2 U but a Trojan virus ate a lot of my email's I finally found you as I took the occasion of saving all my email.
I have located Ron Parkinson's daughter & she will contact U when I can get her on the phone her name is Mary she is exited at her farther still being remembered a wonderful man & the last honest deal there was his passing was followed by many tears, I am a close friend of Mary, please let me know when the report can B viewed on your sight.
4 some reason my detail's have been removed from your pages & my ID doesn't work anymore, I f I had contacted U B4 U may have ended up downloading a Trojan & I know U don't want that so I cleaned up my PC B4 contacting any1.Regards
Chas Allen
Colchester


Nov 5th 2006
subject: Greeves 1964 ISDT
Email: tony at ogri54.fsnet.co.uk
message: Information required on Greeves ISDT reg no. DOO 96B ridden at East German ISDT in 1964


Sat Oct 07 2006
johnburrows at ozemail.com.au
Greeves Hawkstone
Please find attached some info on a bike i in Brisbane Australia. I need to sorce info on the bike to do a full restoration.I belive it may be an ex works bike.
Kind regards John
...................
Frame No 59/1875

Old Gear Case No's
SID N 15T
1801
D11765

Newer Gear Case No's
SID G 18 T? I?
(13) T
F4

Barrel M20 EXA
Crank Cases No's
Left Side Right Side
M61 M61
D11787 D11788
A9078
6363

Carby
AMAL 389/39
SLIDE 389/35

Engine Sprocket E11756 25Teeth
Final Drive 16Teeth
Gear Box end cover is cut down - only number found is H38
Right hand points cover cut down - has No B11770 & 607012
Coil cover/plate 6071/2
M2552A

The Greeves Hawkstone is named after the scrambles circuit where they had great success in 1957. Ed


Mon Jul 17 2006
twoofus at swva.net
antique or classic greeves
1947 greeves
I have a cycle that looks similar to 39 greeves which has a villiersduel exaust two stroke have a diferent frame which is what i have under the cases on each half it says47 am i right it also has 2 spark plugs i appericate any help you can give me
copper hill va.

Not sure what you mean by "39 greeves" as the marque was established, unless I'm mistaken, after the war. Have you an image of the machine you can send? Ed.


Wed Jun 28 2006
dudley at daytonacrossgates dot com
Disposal
1967 Ex works Griffon outfit
I have the original 390cc works sidecar outfit built for the 1967 TV series ridden By Alex Wright in the Nationals and the Welsh, then by me for some years. The little end went on its last race in about 1975. As well, I have a working solo 380 intended to be used for spares. Being 70, I no longer want either. Has it/they any historical value and if so, how do I sell it/them

Regards
Dr. Dudley Wallis
Scarborough UK


Fri Jun 02 2006
johndpunnett at uwclub.net
Information on whereabouts of Greeves Scottish
I bought a Greeves Scottish in 1958 from a firm in Canterbury, Kent. The reg. number was OFN 189 and I have some pics. of me on the bike. It would interesting to know if it was still around.

... sorry its taken me so long to send pics. of OFN 189, that's me on the bike, I wish I still looked so young! Regards John Punnett (01303892075) Hawkinge Kent.


Tue Feb 14 2006
grmangseth at ucdavis.edu
Another Greeves Site
There is a gentleman manufacturing replica parts for Greeves in the US. He is reproducing fenders, side panels, seats and other items. greevesparts.com
Sacramento, CA USA
......................

That bike is a 1965, 250cc Greeves Challenger MX2. The owner and fellow
that restored it is Bob Walsh. The fenders are examples of the reproduction
parts that Danny Vitaletti has begun to manufacture and offer on the
greevesparts.com website. Prior to Danny getting involved, these parts were
impossible to find.

The bike won the "Best Challenger" award at an annual Greeves gathering that just took place this past weekend. If you are interested in seeing more photo's you can visit home.earthlink.net/~frank1328 (404) . There is also a short history of the Greeves motorcycle company on the web site.

I do the photography as a favor to Frank Conley, a local greeves expert
known as the "Greeves Guru" and the sponsor of the "Greeves Days" gathering.
The photos are from last years gathering; I'll post this years photo's
sometime in the next two weeks.

I like what you're doing with the cybermotorcycles site. It is an ambitious
undertaking and will provide a wealth of information to enthusiasts. If you
would like any more info on Greeves, or more photos, let me know.

Regards,

Glen


Fri Jul 22 2005
george.ridgeon.bowls at blueyonder.co.uk
78 mm maico (wiseco) piston
trying to find a 78 mm maico (wiseco) piston for my Greeves roadracer...

I attach two photos one of 1967 Greeves with engine other an article as in
Loctite newsletter. trying to keep on t he race track we have to use other
makes of piston, I have used up to .75 RM 370 piston (77 mm) so if we could
find a + 1 mm!

I have managed to buy one 78 mm wiseco Maico piston for £115, I see much
cheaper ones on ebay they are new but larger than 78 mm?

cheers

george ridgeon
past president MGPRA

following shoulder op in June getting around a bit more
the bike is a 350 special with metal profile, yes Grimeca 7" Dual S/L

  • I would recommend chatting with Phil at Road & Race in Australia, George. He has an amazing collection of vintage motorcycle spares and is a keen road racer himself.
    Images are in the Greeves gallery Ed.

26th January 2005
Greeves Scottish listed on Ebay UK
Vendor's Description:
Greeves Scottish (frame number TES 129) fully restored with very rare accessories (see pictures - factory tool box, chain oiler etc). Alloy rims, virtually brand new tyres(you can still see the little strands of rubber sticking off the back tyre in one photo - these wear off in 1/2 a day of riding on hard surfaces!), brand new Amal carb (also comes with Vildliers S25 carb as fitted when new).
... The bad news -

1. When I tried to start it it coughs and fires but won't run - this is probably just stale 2 stroke fuel after it has been standing for over a year - it certainly flew up Red Marley in 2003 and was going when I put it away.

2. when it was at Red Marley I looped it jumping out of the bob hole and crunched the back mud guard - see photo's, and the authentic rubber competition number plate came off (but comes with the bike).

Despite these minor problems this is still one of the most complete and authentic TES Greeves you will ever find.

Images are in the Greeves Scottish gallery


26th January 2005
Greeves Silverstone RBS listed on Ebay UK
Vendor's Description:
No 24 of 27 made. Frame 24 RBS 115, Engine GPA2/125. Gearbox 35/64 SP2RCU 290 Genuine factory Silverstone ordered by Lawton and Wilson (Sid Lawton) on 30/2/63 and despatched on 10/9/64 as part of a consignment of three. That was quite late in the racing season so it would not have seen much track use until 1965 which probably explains why it was fitted with the improved front brake from an RCS model which was available from 1965. The records show it left the factory with the above frame and engine numbers and the gearbox number indicates 1964 so the basic components are original. It also retains the
original front mudguard which are rare to see now as they were easily damaged and awkward to remove and refit in a hurry and therefore tended to be discarded
by early owners.

As in common with all the seriously used machines the Albion 5 speed gear cluster was reduced to 4 for easier and safer selection and the Steffa flywheel magneto was likewise replacedby a points and coil system and then in recent years was to a modern Interspan dry cell ignition for reliability and ease of use.

Believed to be the late great TT winner Tom Herrons second racing bike. It was fitted with a very rare factory long distance tank in Tom Herrons colours when obtained by the present owner. With the bike is also the standard short circuit tank. The machine was completely mechanically rebuilt in 1994/95 maintaining the original patina and paint as a mark of respect to Tom Herron, and was last used in 1996 at the Silverstone classic festival where it was found to be very fast with excellent handling. It has been part of a motor cycle collection near Southampton since. It is formally registered with the CRMC but would require new tyres for competitionand it would be also advisable to free the piston rings before running the motor as it last ran several years ago on Castrol R mix.

MOTOR DETAILS;250cc standard Greeves Silverstone with +20thou piston designed to run on 16:1 Castrol R petroil mix. Interspan ignition, racing plug and cap, 38mm Mikuni period carburettor, original exhaust fitted with TZ end muffler for noise compliance, Albion GP 5 speed gear casing with four close ratios, Griffon metal clutch, new primary drive chain and outer casing. Original mechanical rev counter and drive in good working order.

CYCLE PARTS;Standard Silverstone frame. swinging arm and forks fitted with new bearings, black paint retained on rebuild. Original damage to footrest hanger and engine mount (normal for Silverstone) checked and rebrazed on rebuild. New short circuit tank in standard colour.Herron seat unit and original fairing retained. Original dampers worked well on track.New Akront front rim on TLS standard hub, original Dunlop rear rim on standard hub, brakes worked well on track.New drive chain.

SUPPLIED WITH BIKE; History and data file. Original IOM tand. Spare primary chain-cases, various seals, shims and minor components.Original Steffa flywheel magneto.


Greeves Book
Osprey's Collector's Library 'Greeves' All off-road and road racing motorcycles
by Rob Carrick and Mick Walker Foreword by Dave Bickers.
ISBN 085045882X


February 22, 2002
Just to let you know I have just designed a website for the new Greeves Motorcycles Ltd.
This can be found at http://www.greevesmotorcyclesltd.com/
Terry Joyce I.T.E.C. A.I.P.T.I. -- terry at ajoyce21.freeserve.co.uk


February 12, 2002
There is a Greeves site at: http://home.earthlink.net/~frank1328 .

Frank Conley is the owner of the site; he has a pretty good stock of parts for these bikes.
Glen Mangseth -- grmangseth at ucdavis.edu

If you have a query or information about Greeves motorcycles please contact us