The ex-Hans Schwind
1971 BSA Rocket III 750cc 'Rob North' Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. None visible
Engine no. 423

• Purchased new in Germany
• Converted to racing specification in the late 1970s/early 1980s
• Richard Peckett engine

Hans Schwind purchased this BSA Rocket III from Motorrad Narr in Munich in 1971. Over the next year or so he modified the bike, fitting Borrani wheel rims, a 4LS Fontana front brake, clip-on handlebars, and a fairing. He then used the BSA on the road for some 4-5 years. In 1977 Hans purchased a 'Rob North'-type racing frame kit, which also included a fuel tank, front fork, and exhaust. The first test of the machine in its new form took place in 1978. Hans Schwind also wanted the engine tuned for racing, and it was modified by Schott in Munich, incorporating a lightened crankshaft, BLW valves, ported cylinder head, 32mm carburettors, a Mini Cooper clutch in aluminium (from MBB), and Gröber ignition. The BSA was finally finished in 1982.
After Hans suffered a heart attack, the bike was dismantled and re-assembled in 1991/1992. The frame was powder-coated, the cycle parts repainted, and a new front fork and twin disc brakes fitted. By now the BSA was only useable for racing and was no longer road legal. Its first competitive outing was in April 1993 at Monza, a 750cc Classic race. The bike was very quick in qualifying, but suffered engine damage. A new engine from marque specialist Richard Peckett was installed in 1993. Featuring a centre-plug 'head, this 750cc unit was built to 'medium-fast' specification, producing 83bhp (as achieved by the works bikes in period).

Hans Schwind campaigned the BSA in Slovakia at the Alps-Danube-Adria Cup from 1994 to 2002, achieving 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishes. His main rival was J. Ilmberger (30 years his junior). Following a collision with Ilmberger in Slovakia in 1998, Hans spent three weeks in hospital. The BSA was later rebuilt, with repairs to the engine, frame, tank, seat, etc costing approximately 20,000 DM.

Correspondence in the accompanying history file appears to indicate that the machine was in Karl-Heinz Kalbfell's possession by mid-2011. It is not known when it was last used and its mechanical condition is likewise unknown. A well specified racing triple available at a fraction of its present-day build costs.