Lot 149: Scott 498cc Racing Motorcycle

The Scott marque's association with the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races goes right back to 1909 when Scott's chief tester, Eric Myers, completed seven laps of the circuit quite successfully before taking a tumble and retiring. In 1910 Myers, undaunted by his previous year's tumble, again Scott-mounted along with Frank Phillip, completed the race mid-field. For the 1911 season the company experimented with chain-driven rotary valves, reverting to gear-driven camshaft for the 1912 season. The success of this modification resulted in Scott's TT victory that year, works-rider Frank Applebee leading in the Senior TT from start to finish  the first two-stroke to achieve this success. Tim Wood repeated this victory the following year. In post-war years Harry Langman was recruited to the Scott Works Team and he achieved 3rd and 2nd places respectively in the Senior TT in 1922 and 1924. In the 1927 Amateur TT Scott racing machines distinguished themselves in a tough-fought race in appalling conditions, Limmer finishing in 2nd place with Denis de Ferranti finishing 3rd, Ferranti clocking the fastest lap by a Scott at 59mph. The Senior TT that year was a different story. Harry Shackleton had designed a lighter machine for the 1927 season, the 7in forks dispensing with some of their strengthening girder features. Suspension was modified with 'Super' type forks with stronger springs. The wheel base had been reduced between the rear wheel spindle and the rear engine bolts and the engine was shortened and moved further back in the frame. A duplex Pilgrim pump provided the added lubrication needed for the demanding TT circuit and this was backed up by a hand pump, enabling the rider to provide that vital added lubrication to the cylinder wall at crucial times. A further feature of the 1927 machines was the two-into-one exhaust system. Yorkshireman Eric Langton joined the established Works riders, Harry Langman and Ernie Mainwaring, to form the Works entry in the 1927 Senior TT. Sadly 1927 was not to be a glory year for Scott, Langman retiring after just two laps with engine failure, Mainwaring retiring on the 6th lap, while riding in 4th position, float trouble being the diagnosed problem, and Langton retired after just six laps with a ruptured fuel tank. Niggling problems, but that is what sorts out a TT winner. This machine was discovered about twenty years ago when the collection of Scotts belonging to Cyril Wright was sold at auction. Although acquired in dismantled order and along with other dismantled bikes, careful research enabled Langman's machine, WW 1185, to be rebuilt, the frame number and engine number clearly identifying this machine. This work was undertaken by well-known Scott enthusiast, Bob Brougham, and the machine offered today is to the specification in which Langman rode the bike on The Island in 1927. Upon completion of the restoration this machine was subsequently sold to a collector in East Yorkshire and was in due course tracked down by the Ward Brothers and added to their collection. Surely one of the most significantly historic Scotts surviving, this old racer is smartly presented in traditional Scott livery with correct transfers and, although unused in very recent years, will respond well to careful recommissioning and will be a welcome guest at historic parades and demonstrations. It comes with a Swansea registration document.