Britten V-1000

BRITTEN V-1000

Artistry and innovation defined

JESSE JAMES

FIRST SAW THE BRITTEN ON THE COVER OF CYCLE WORLD IN 1991. I WAS INITIALLY attracted to its wasp-like proportions and radical "bundle-of-snakes" exhaust system. Only later did I realize the builder was just as incredible as the bike. John Britten was a Renaissance Man—mechanical engineer, self-taught architect, handcrafted-glass lighting designer, real-estate developer. Not only could he construct one of the most incredible racebikes ever, he could also design and build the house around it.

He mastered carbon-fiber techniques 20 years ahead of the curve. Building your own motor from scratch is one thing; building a motor that waxes the rest of the world’s Twins racers is something completely different altogether.

At the time the world was starting to know about John Britten, I was still building bikes in my garage. He gave me great hope that someday I could actually make something myself. Too bad I never got to shake his hand.