Famous the world over

Arguably one of the most famous British motorcycles of all time, and certainly amongst the most highly  regarded and most sought after race bikes ever made, the Manx Norton was not only fast, and highly, manouvrable, but also exquisitely proportioned and beautiful to look at. Add to this, an exhaust note that is music to the ears of classic enthusiasts, and you have the ultimate package that powered a multitude of riders to race podium finishes for over half a century!

All new

The all new Tornado incorporates many hand built components specially designed by Steve Tonkin to complete classic look, whilst delivering ultra modern build quality and reliability. This is a cafe racer comfortable enough for all-day riding.

Beautiful lines

The ultimate cafe racer has to have looks to match its' performance, so the "Sprint" tank is finished in classic Norton racing silver complete with black and red lining. Brackets and engine plates have been cut by high speed precision water jet technology, whilst the hand built exhaust nestles neatly under the gearbox, whilst the gearchange and kickstart levers have all been specially made.

Modern features

No "old fashioned lash-up", the Tornado is based around the renowned race winning 500cc Molnar Manx engine, built to 1961 specification. With a top speed of 140mph on Isle of Man gearing, the new bike has a kick start and electric lights to make it user friendly.

Modern features

No "old fashioned lash-up", the Tornado is based around the renowned race winning 500cc Molnar Manx engine, built to 1961 specification. With a top speed of 140mph on Isle of Man gearing, the new bike has a kick start and electric lights to make it user friendly.

Specifications

Engine                     500cc Molnar Manx air cooled DOHC single

Bore X stroke          86mm x 85.6mm

Power                      50bhp @ 700rpm

Compression            9.5

Lubrication                Dry sump

Gearbox                    5 speed with kickstarter primary drive

Clutch                        Belt drive-dry

Final drive                 Chain

Frame                        Manx duplex cradle

Carburettor               GP or 38mm Mk2 concentric

Forks                         Manx

Rear suspension      Swingarm NJB shocks or your own choice

Brakes                       Front Fontana 210mm / Rear 7" conical

Wheelbase               57 inches

Seat height              29 inches

Fuel capacity             3.5 gallons

Tyres                           Front 90/90 18 inch / Rear 100/90 18 inch

Weight                        146Kg - 322 Lbs

Top speed                 130mph

Rare opportunity to acquire a pre-owned Tonkin Cafe racer!

No 5 of 18, Tonkin Tornado for sale. In excellent condition. 1,400 miles only. A superb road bike that turns heads!

“Easy to start and easy to ride”.

As Steve Parrish said after riding this bike .

Steve.

Matchless Typhoon

Matchless Tempest

Build date: 2006

Frame: Copy of Seeley Mk.2. built by Roger Titchmarsh

Engine: G50 built to race specification

Carburettor: Amal G.P.

Gearbox: Goldstar fitted with 5 speed Nova cluster

Clutch: NEB belt drive in Norton Commando cover

Forks: Ceriani

Front brake: 4LS

Rear brake: 2LS

Exhaust: S/s custom made by NRP

This is a “one off” build by Steve Tonkin, at home both on the road as well as on the track.

This machine is immaculate both inside and out, with only a mileage of 3,500 miles.

“This bike has been extremely reliable since I built it nearly 20 years ago” Steve Tonkin

Price: £32,000.

For more details please contact Steve Tonkin

Tonkin “Mettise”

The new kid on the block!

I got the original idea over three years ago, and have been working upon the design and detailing ever since.

The word Metisse, is French for mongrel, however marriage of engine and frame is built like no other!

My aim was to create a fusion between a British classic, with very modern reliability and features.

The result is the bike I always wanted  to build for myself, with minute attention to detail throughout every component.

Engine is a 1979 Triumph T140 750cc with a 90 degree crank,  to reduce vibration, and that sounds like a lovely V twin.

Unique custom Metisse Mk3 nickel plated frame and fibre glass body work expertly crafted by Wasp M/Cs.

Even the finish on the brazing throughout is like a work of art in itself!

Alloy fuel tank hand made locally in Cumbria, and is larger than the original, whilst the beautiful lines are accentuated by the gorgeous exhaust system custom built by Auldens of Lincolnshire, that culminate in peashooter exhausts from a 500, that recreate a lovely rich exhaust tone

Fuel is fed to the engine via a single Mikuni carb, to reduce maintenance, but produce soft, smooth yet powerful delivery. 

In road tests at speeds of up to 80mph plus,  the bike proved very nimble, and comfortable to ride over many hours, whilst returning an average of 69 mpg.

At rest, tick over was smooth and strong, with a delicious note.

Comfort is further enhanced with modern forks  and switchgear from a 2005 T120 Bonneville. The 12v electrics are fantastic,  terminating in the classic look of the powerful 55/65w headlamp.

Old and new are combined with classic kick start and electric start.

The brake is a two finger operation, combined with modern Triumph handlebar switches and controls, including indicators.

The hydraulic clutch by LP Williams, with braided cable feeds under the exhaust, to further enhance the bike’s clean lines.

Hubs, fittings and yolks are finished in gold.

The result is a range of bikes I always wanted to create and own, that are a joy to ride and all day long, and turn heads wherever they go.

In my opinion, these are probably the best bike we have ever built!

Specifications

Engine                     Triumph T140 750cc

Bore X stroke          76mm x 82mm

Power                      50bhp @ approximately 110mph

Compression            8.1

Lubrication                Dry sump

Gearbox                    5 speed with kickstarter primary drive

Clutch                        7 plate

Final drive                 Chain

Frame                        Mk III Metisse

Carburettor               34mm Mikuni

Forks                         Triumph Bonneville T100

Rear suspension      Hagon shocks

Brakes                       Front 310mm Disc / Triumph conical

Wheelbase               54 inches

Seat height              30.4 inches

Fuel capacity             9 litres

Tyres                           18 inch Avon Road Rider

Weight                        340 lbs

Top speed                 110mph

Other Recent Bikes

Rob North Replica

Engine                  750cc / 850cc / 930cc

Gearbox               5 speed std or close ratio   

                              Primary and final drive chain      Compression       9:1

Lubrication           Dry sump

Frame                    Rob North Racing

Rear suspension  Swingarm - Choice of shocks

Forks                     Triumph modified

Brakes                   Front twin discs/ Rear disc

Tyres                      Front 90/90x18"

                               Rear 100/90x18"

Top speed             120-150mph     

Classic Bike Restoration

I have been professionally restoring classic bikes of all ages for 30 years. I have now completed more than 100 bikes, all to very satisfied customers. All machines are lovingly rebuilt and hand finished to concours standard, and of course, just as importantly, totally mechanically sound..Every bike is built not only to look amazing, but to be ridden as they were intended to be as well, with modern reliability a real feature!

Types of machines restored. Vellocette, MAC, Viper, Venom, Thruxton.

Triumph T120 Bonneville,Speed Twin. T100, T90.

BSA Gold Star, A10, A7.

Norton 88,Commando,Atlas.Es2.

Indian Scout.

Sunbeam.

And many, many more…

For more information, or to find out how your machine can be restored to the same meticulous standard, follow the link below.

Steve Tonkin

BSA Gold Star

1956 BSA 500cc Gold Star Registration no. 727BYB Frame no. CB32 5496 Engine no. DB32GS 1038

Restored by Steve Tonkin in 2001 and sold by Bonhams at the Stafford Classic Motorcycle show Apr 2009 for £13,512

Do you have an old box of bits, but don’t know what to do next…

Let me convert them into a beautifully restored classic for you!

A few kind words

Back in 2007 Dick Kingston, (Co-editor of the Gold Star Owners’ Club Magazine) showed me some pictures of the Tonkin Tempest. I liked what I  saw and suggested to Dick that it was a shame for such a beautiful machine to be hidden away from the public eye. He’d had it since 2003 and was not riding it as much as he would like so he suggested that it could be for sale.

An introduction to the machine was arranged, and I just knew I couldn’t live without it! I liked what I saw, and not wanting to miss the opportunity to own it myself we agreed on a price. I collected it on 2nd June 2007 with 1,455 miles on the clock. Many of the milessince have been done at Cadwell park (my local circuit) at “Beezumph” meetings and track days. As well as Mallory Park for the annual “Festival of 1,000 bikes. Many laps have been done in fine style where the Tempest has been evident mixing it with multi-cylinder machines of much larger capacity and putting up a very good show. It has done the TT circuit afew times (some on closed roads) courtesy of the VMCC and the GSOC. The Tempest shares a stable with other machines and is called upon when an appropriate riding opportunity is in prospect. Mileage now reads 6,052 and I can say with all honesty that every mile has been adrenalin filled. 

I have enjoyed the whole Tonkin Tempest experience. The machine is now well known in the Lincolnshire area. Heads turn everywhere it is seen (and heard) and there has hardly been an outing when I’ve not been bombarded with all sorts of questions about it.

David Steele

I am the proud owner of the Tonkin Typhoon as featured in the April 2011 of the Classic Motorcycle magazine.

The machine was hand built with care and precision to a very high specification by Steve Tonkin. Details of the machine are as follows: the frame is a MKII Seeley made by Roger Titchmarsh into which Steve has fitted a full race spec Matchless G50 engine coupled to a 5 speed BSA Gold Star gearbox and primary drive. The handling is taken care of by Ceriani forks and superb Fontana brakes. The complete package makes this bike just fabulous to own and ride.

“Built by an enthusiast for an enthusiast”. 

David Hunt

“I have known Steve Tonkin for the last 15 years, during which time he has completed 6 full restorations and 4 part restorations for me, all of which were first class, including - Bonneville T120, Matchless G12, Thruxton Venom KSS Velocettes, and a Matchless G50 in a Seeley frame special as featured in Classic Motorcycle in 2003. I would add that in all cases the mechanical work in particular has proved to be completely reliable. I have used other restorers in the past, but have found to my cost, that the standards have been poor and mechanically unreliable. 

Steve is currently working on remedial work to one such machine, and has been involved in orthers in the past. If anyone would like further information, you can contact me on 07929 209 395.” 

W. McRobie

In 1996 I bought a 1923 Indian Scout that had just been restored by Steve Tonkin. I have now owned and used this bike for 13 years and am still very happy with it. The quality of the paintwork and Nickel is excellent and it has proven over the last 13 seasons, to be very reliable.

I do highly recommend Steve for any restoration and repair work to any classic motorcycle.

Peter Rohrer, Switzerland