Harris Suzuki 500 & Barry Sheene - British GP Silverstone 1984 - motorcycle

Description

WE
ARE
CLEARING OUT OUR ARCHIVES!
A superb and rare image of the absolutely magnificent and unforgettable
Barry Sheene
on his
1984
Harris-Suzuki 500 Square Four Grand Prix racer
, photographed during the
1984
500cc British Grand Prix
, which was ridden on the circuit of
Silverstone
on
August 5, 1984
. The frame was build entirely to Barry’s wishes by Steve Harris. The engine was a 500cc works engine from 1983.
It was the last British Grand Prix race that the
1976 and 1977 500cc world champion
Barry Sheene
participated in. H
e was born in
London
,
England
, in 1950, and became the British 125cc champion aged just 20, and finished second in the World Championships for that class a year later. A spectacular crash at the Daytona
200 in
1975 threatened to end his career, breaking his left thigh, right arm, collarbone and two ribs, yet he recovered and was racing again seven weeks afterwards. In
1976
he won
five 500cc Grands Prix
, bringing him the
World Championship
. He
repeated
as
champion
in
1977
with six victories. After the 1979 season, he left the Suzuki works team, believing that he was receiving inferior equipment to his team-mates. He shifted to a privateer Yamaha machine, but soon started receiving works equipment. In 1981, Kenny Roberts was the reigning World 500cc Champion for the third time, and Barry Sheene, now on a competitive Yamaha, was determined to regain the championship. Ironically, Sheene and Roberts battled all season and let Suzuki riders Marco Lucchinelli of
Italy
and American Randy Mamola beat them for the top two spots. Roberts finished third and Sheene fourth for the 1981 championship. A 1982 crash largely ended Sheene as a title threat, and he retired in 1984
(SEE PHOTO)
; the year the photo was taken.
The Japanese
Suzuki
company started manufacturing motorcycles in 1952, the first models being motorized bicycles. During the 1950s, 1960s and the better part of the 1970s, the company manufactured motorcycles with two-stroke engines only, the biggest two-stroke model being the water-cooled triple-cylinder GT750. A large factor in Suzuki's success in two- stroke competition was the East German Grand Prix racer Ernst Degner, who defected to the West in 1961, bringing with him expertise in two- stroke engines from the East German manufacturer MZ. Suzuki hired Degner, and he won the 50cc World Championship for them in 1962.
However, it wasn't until 1976 when Suzuki introduced its first motorcycle with a four-stroke engine, the GS400 and GS750. Since then, Suzuki has established a reputation as a manufacturer of well- engineered sport motorcycles. Suzuki's racing machines have become legendary.
From the 1960s small capacity 50cc and 125cc two strokes to the magnificent RG500 Square Four two stroke, a machine that played a vital role in the 1970s world championship roadracing scene. In the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000's Suzuki wrote history with riders like Kevin Schwantz and, more recent, Kenny Roberts Jr.
We have more photos listed on Ebay of Suzuki, the RG 500 Gamma Square Four , Barry Sheene and other brands with various riders. You can always contact us if you have any requests.
This is your rare chance to own this photo that reflects a very interesting and historic piece of motorcycle and Suzuki ‘s glorious history. Therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 7.5" x 11" (ca.
19 cm
x
30 cm
).
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy.   For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files
and board backed envelopes.
We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.
After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
First come - first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any questions before the auction ends.