Based at Thundersley in Essex, the small Greeves concern built a reputation for sporting success out of all proportion to its available resources. The company's unorthodox trademarks of a cast beam 'downtube' and rubber-in-torsion leading-link fork proved adaptable to almost all forms of motorcycle from humble commuter to clubman's road-racer, but it was the firm's off-road products, such as the machine offered here, that really put it on the map.
This machine is a genuine ex-works Greeves Anglian which was ridden for the factory by Bill Wilkinson, who went on to win the Scottish Six Days Trial riding a similar works machine in 1969, the last occasion on which this most demanding international event has been won on a British motorcycle. Registered 'SOO 23D', the machine is accompanied by its original logbook signed by Derry Preston-Cobb, sales director of Invacar Ltd, the parent company of Greeves Motorcycles. 'SOO 23D' has been in the present owner's possession since March 1996 when it was purchased from a friend who had owned it some considerable time, the machine having previously belonged to Mr John Booth, of Stockport, whose name is the last of the five recorded in the logbook.
The machine was restored in 2000/2001 and displayed at the 22nd International Classic MotorCycle Show, Stafford in April 2002. The vendor advises us that the original Dunlop wheel rims, although replaced during restoration, are included in the sale. Described by the private vendor as in good condition throughout, the machine is offered with original logbook, DVLA form with Greeves Riders Association dating confirmation, 1967 Motor Cycle magazine article showing Bill Wilkinson riding 'SOO 23D', old expired MoT (1976) and (copy) page from Don Morley's Classic British Two-Stroke Trials Bikes showing works registration numbers.