revtothelimit - motorbike forum

Decades ago I saw a picture of a racer crossing the finish line and winning. At that exact moment his chain failed and was coming off.

I can't tell you much more, possibly it happened in the 1930s, it was a proper black and white photo. I don't know the name of the racer, what make of bike it was nor the name of the circuit. AFAIK it was a real event and not fake drama added to a film.

Anyone know about this? I doubt I'm the only one who's seen the picture.

I seem to remember that photo. Might have been a TT finish line and possibly Agostini/Hailwood era?

I've seen one of a US drag racer crossing the line. He'd wheelied a fair way along the strip. As the front wheel landed, the weave broke the fork lower and the front wheel went it's own way.

Might have been the 1952 TT:

TT 1952

While the Italians continued to dominate the smaller classes, Norton held their considerable challenge at bay in the 1952 Senior and Junior races.

Duke made it four TT wins in succession with yet another start-to-finish victory in the Junior.

Duke was the clear favourite to make it five in the Senior, especially when he led for four laps. Dramatically, he then pulled into the pits and calmly got off his Norton to retire with severe clutch trouble, which left the others to fight it out.

Armstrong was determined to uphold British honour and slowly but surely he pulled away from rival Graham on the MV, his luck holding when the primary chain broke on the Norton as he crossed the finishing line!

The four-lap Lightweight race once again turned into a Guzzi benefit, Fergus Anderson breaking the race record on his way to victory and Bruno Ruffo the lap record.

The Ultra-Lightweight race was increased to three laps and provided Cecil Sandford and the MV Agusta with their first TT victory. He led throughout and achieved the first under 30-minutes 125 circuit when he averaged 76.07mph on his second lap.

From here: https://www.iomtt.com/tt-database/event ... 0%20&era=2

Found it:

cheb wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 3:43 pm Found it:

Yep, thats the one i was thinking of!

cheb wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 3:43 pm Found it:

Wow, he got all the way round with his sidestand down.
Just missed that dogshite on the road as well. Lucky.