Info Please?! 1968-70?? Ace 100 Daytona Road Racer

[BritSpeed]

Hey guys. My name's Steve. I am a bike guy with a flavor for all things British. With that being said, a John Steen designed and built Daytona road racer crossed my path today. I am looking for any and all information? I know nothing. Literally. I've been told it raced in '68 or '70 at Daytona. I don't remember. It has all kinds or racing parts that go with it.

I want to sell it at Mecum auctions in Las Vegas but I don't know what it's worth. Any help is greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance!

[thrownchain]

More info, more pics. What's the motor? Tire sizes? Frame number? Motor number? Other than the Steen name on the fairing you have no other history?

[rtboone]

greetings

The tank, front end, rear brake pedal placed on the left side, lack of down tubes ( as far as I can see in the photos ) looks very similar to the 1968 Harley D 125 Rapido.

Tom

[BritSpeed]

It is a rapido frame. I was told they had to be to race at Daytona. The bike is enroute to my location so I can't get numbers for a few days.

[BritSpeed]

Here are a few more pics.

[thrownchain]

So Rapido chassis with a Hodaka motor in it. I don't believe that the Rapido chassis was required to race. Sounds like someone put together a racer from what they had.

[BritSpeed]

So you have no actual real data to contribute? I wish I could throw something together Daytona worthy?

[thrownchain]

In doing my Google search, info on Steen is pretty limited. All the races listed that he competed in on bikes and driving cars was off road, no mention of road racing. His main business was minibikes and then mini cycles. Not that he might not have built a Daytona worthy bike, I just don't see it using what you have, if you have other info feel free to share it. Just cause it has Steen stickers on it doesn't make it so. On the seat tail is the name of a bike shop, I'd see what you could find out about them.

[thrownchain]

Google gives me a Tom's cycle in Walla Walla, WA, in business since '62, if that's what it says on the tail of the bike, it's a place to start.

[dirtsquirt74]

The business sold a couple of years ago. All new people except the mechanic.

[BritSpeed]

john Steen built it. He did not race it.

[thrownchain]

What proof do you have of that? Pics? Paper trail? Work order? Build sheet? Something? Or going off someone's word? Tons of people selling things that aren't what they say. Don't want to spoil it, but proof goes along way. If I is what you say and can prove it, you've got a nice period piece of history, it not..........if I'm wrong, my apologies.

[Bullfrog]

I'm not sure how quickly it could be made to happen, but Tom of Tom's Cycle in Walla Walla might be contactable . . . and may know something about the machine. He had (has?) quite a stable of restored machines and has been in the industry since the 60's.

Ed

[junker2k]

I grew up in Walla Walla and raced with Tom jr from 1965 till 1970. I sure don't remember any road racer he was a flat tracker and so were most of the guy that ran out of Tom's cycle. They were Honda and Kaw dealers. At that time he would not get caught dead with a Hodaka as I would not have a Honda. Now I own an Honda and he Has a Hodaka. In later years he did have a Yamaha Road racer on the wall. Tom jr sold the shop a few years ago and I think he said he was moving to AZ. He may know something about the bike but I'm very sure he didn't build the bike it was built in the late 60"s. He did have a Honda s90 that ran very fast on the tracks, then he moved to the green streak. He was a very, very good rider.
Jack K

[BritSpeed]

I am not the owner. I am the consignor. The paper trail is there I've been told. I just don't have my hands on it at the moment. I was primarily looking for the kind of help not on google.

I thought the rear seat said Ton Up Cycle Shop? I could be wrong. The owner of this bike pulled it from the rafters of an 85 year old Triumph BSA dealer in Florida. Along with a twin engine Triumph drag bike and BSA single dag bike. There is not only papers, but extra race heads and cylinders and parts that go with it. I know Harry Taylor won on a Hodaka in 1968, I'm fairly certain this is not that bike. I do believe it was in the field though. I'm just trying to prove it. Just trying to prove anything at this point. Good or bad. Makes no difference to me. The search is where it's at!! Again, thanks in advance. I welcome all opinions.

[BritSpeed]

And here is that Triumph

[BritSpeed]

Here they are as they were found.

[BritSpeed]

BSA Single

[Bullfrog]

Well, one thing is known - the bike you are trying to research is absolutely, positively NOT the bike Harry Taylor rode (but you already sort of knew that).

Ed