Britten Bike slideshow: removing the fairings
A collection of photos showing the deinstallation of the Britten V1000, giving you access to parts of the bike rarely seen.
The Britten V1000 is arguably Aotearoa New Zealand’s most famous motorbike. Hand-built by John Britten and a small crew, everything about the bike is innovative – which resulted in its four world speed records.
The pink fairings have been repainted, and while this was happening we took the opportunity to display the Britten V1000 without its carbon fibre shell.
Here are some behind-the-scenes photos from the removal of the fairings.
Te Papa staff members Charles Blakiston, Phillip Brown, Jake Yokum, and Carolyn McGill move a forklift into place to lift the Britten V1000 off its plinth.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa
Te Papa staff member Phillip Brown attaches the custom-built rig to the forklift to lift the Britten V1000 off its plinth. The rig has attachments that fit through each axel and are bolted in place.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa
Britten team member Craig Roberts works to remove the pink engine cowling from the Britten V1000.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa
The Britten V1000 suspended using a custom-built rig. The rig has attachments that fit through each axel and are bolted in place.
Photograph by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa
Britten team member Craig Roberts assessing the Britten V1000 having removed the engine cowling.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa
Britten team member Craig Roberts working to remove the bodywork from the Britten V1000.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021.
Britten team members Craig Roberts and Bob Brookland work to remove the bodywork from the Britten V1000, while Kaitiaki Taonga Carolyn McGill holds the back end of the bike to stop it swinging. The bike is transported using a custom-built rig, which has attachments that fit through each axel and are bolted in place.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa
Britten team members Craig Roberts and Bob Brookland work to remove the pink fairings from the Britten V1000, while Kaitiaki Taonga Carolyn McGill holds the back end of the bike to stop it swinging. The bike is transported using a custom-built rig, which has attachments that fit through each axel and are bolted in place.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa
Britten team member Bob Brookland removes the front mudguard, while Kaitiaki Taonga Carolyn McGill holds the back end of the bike to stop it swinging.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa
Britten team members Craig Roberts and Bob Brookland work to remove the pink fairings from the Britten V1000. The bike is transported using a custom-built rig, which has attachments that fit through each axel and are bolted in place.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa
The Britten V1000 in the Te Papa workshop with most of its bodywork removed.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa
Britten team members Craig Roberts and Bob Brookland work to remove the rear mudguard from the Britten V1000, having taken off the rear wheel.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa
The Britten V1000 without its bodywork, showing the hand-made blue exhaust system and rear suspension shock absorber.
Photograph by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021.
The engine serial number on Te Papa’s Britten V1000; one of only ten in the world.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 10 August 2021. Te Papa
The Britten V1000 engine.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 10 August 2021. Te Papa
Britten team members Craig Roberts and Bob Brookland, and Te Papa Conservator Nirmala Balram, carry out maintenance on the Britten V1000.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 10 August 2021. Te Papa
Britten team member Craig Roberts carries out maintenance on the Britten V1000, shown without its bodywork.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 10 August 2021. Te Papa
Britten team members Craig Roberts and Bob Brookland use custom-designed wheel retainer tools to align the rear wheel.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 10 August 2021. Te Papa
Britten team members Craig Roberts and Bob Brookland in Te Papa’s Conservation Lab with the Britten V1000.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 10 August 2021. Te Papa
The Britten V1000 without its bodywork.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 11 August 2021. Te Papa
The Britten V1000 without its bodywork.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 11 August 2021. Te Papa
View of the Britten V1000 without its bodywork, showing the radiator under the seat.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 11 August 2021. Te Papa
The Britten V1000 without its bodywork.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 11 August 2021. Te Papa
View of the Britten V1000 without its bodywork, showing the wishbone suspension system.
Photo by Katie Cooper, 11 August 2021. Te Papa