Photo ou archives : archives FMD
6713
OEC-TEMPLE-JAP
1000cc Supercharged Record-Breaker - 1930
First past 150 mph
The war of records between Great Britain and Germany was at its height in 1930, and the most keenly-contested record of all was the two-way flying kilometer.
Supercharged Monsters
]oe Wright defended the British colors with his OEC-Temple-Jap against Ernst Henne's 750 BMW. Both machines were supercharged.
Amazing Record
Wright launched the battle in France, averaging 134.5 mph at Arpajon – Henne responded by recording 137.7 mph at Ingolstadt. Wright then took his OEC to Ireland and was timed at 150.7 mph. It was the first time any bike had exceeded the "ton and a half," and the record stood for two years. Claude Temple, who prepared Wright's record-breaker, was a skilled rider with many records on OEC products. Temple had been the first to cover 100 miles in an hour, at Montlhéry in 1925, and first past 120 mph, at Arpajon in 1926. Temple had then obtained backing from OEC and J.A. Prestwich, makers of JAP engines, to build two machines for Wright. The 996cc JAP engines had reinforced crankcases and chain-driven Powerplus superchargers. Since OEC was backing the operation, Wright's top bike had an OEC frame, with its odd duplex steering. But the drive key sheared on his first run, and he actually took the record on his reserve machine, which had a Zenith frame with girder forks. OEC insisted on displaying Wright's top machine on their stand at the London Show as the successful record-breaker – a deception that was quickly unmasked.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 996cc (80x99mm) air-cooled V-twin four-stroke
Power Rating: 84 hp @ 6000 rpm
Valves: overhead
Fuel System: Powerplus supercharger; carburetor running on alcohol
Transmission: Sturmey-Archer 3-speed, chain final drive
Suspension: OEC duplex forks (front); rigid (rear)
Brakes: drum (rear)
Wheels: 3.50x21 inch (front & rear)
Weight: 434 lb
Maximum Speed: 151 mph
Joe Wright on his OEC-Temple-JAP on the banked oval track at Montlhéry. The sketch (inset) shows the full fairing intended for his machine.