1968 Jamathi 50 racer

There’s something strangely compelling about small-capacity vintage racing motorcycles. They’re stripped to the bone, minimalist and elegant, with not a component or gram out of place. It’s a triumph of function over form, yet the resulting form is invariably pleasing to the eye. This rare Jamathi from Holland is a perfect example: it was ridden by the late Paul Lodewijkx to victory in the 1968 50cc Dutch TT held at Assen. Lodewijkx was the first Dutchman to win his home GP, and he finished the ’68 season in second place behind the Suzuki works rider Hans-Georg Anscheidt. The man fettling the Jamathi in the picture is Geert Keen, who has owned this bike since 1974. After racing the bike for several years, Geert’s throttled back a little, and now rides it with the Classic Motorcycle Demo Team. [Thanks to Klaas Tjassens. Image © Gert De Weerd.]