Back from the Dead: 1973 Wassell Antelope

1984sc resurrects a circa ’73 Wassell Antelope after 30 years in a basement…

Today, Wassell Limited is a leading supplier of classic British motorcycle parts, but the company’s origin story traces back to one man: Englishman W. E. “Ted” Wassell. Wassell served as a Fleet Air Arms pilot during World War II, where his bold spirit and passion for two wheels were already on display.

“The story goes that he once managed to smuggle a motorcycle onto an aircraft carrier and ride it around the flight deck.” -Classic Trial

In 1946, just after the war, he founded W. E. Wassell Limited — better known simply as “Wassell” — becoming part of the Britain’s burgeoning cottage industry of motorcycle manufacturers, frame builders, and producers of aftermarket parts. His alloy tanks and fenders became a favorite of those building specials and kit bikes.

Wassell soon turned his vision to building complete motorcycles. In 1970, he unveiled a pair of trials models powered by BSA Bantam engines. While BSA showed no interest in supporting the machines, Wassell contracted with Sachs to use their six-speed 125cc engines — a very popular motor in trials, enduro, and motocross — renaming the new bike the Wassell Antelope.

“It was a masterpiece and once again the quality was very evident. The duplex cradle frame was manufactured from the new must have Reynolds 531 tubing, giving maximum strength with flexibility and was an all welded construction. Another nice touch was the use of maintenance free Silent bloc bushes in the swinging arm pivot and a chain oiler.” -Classic Trial

You may know the Antelope as the Mudlark, as off-road legend John Penton ordered about 1000 of the bikes to sell in the States, rebadged as Pentons.

You don’t see too many of these rather rare two-stroke trials machines these days, so we were excited to see this one restored by our friend Jonathan “Nejo” Terzian of Lyon, France’s 1984sc. You may remember Nejo’s personal 1973 Triumph TR5T desert sled we featured earlier this year.

The Tiger: 1973 Triumph TR5T Desert Sled

This Antelope was Nejo’s first project for a special client of his, Jean, from whom he’s also restored Rickmans, Elsinores, and a BMW R80GS Dakar. The bike had been sitting in a basement for nigh on 30 years. The frame was broken, the engine seized, and rust and rot had overwhelmed every nook and cranny.

Nejo did a full restoration of the machine, starting with the broken frame and working through every aspect of the bike.

“From the wheels to the engine, custom seat, re-chromed exhaust, polished all the aluminum parts tank included.”

Kudos to Nejo for bringing this classic trials bike back from the dead, and to Jean for the vision and funding to save such classics. It’s not just a show bike, either. Nejo, who rides an Elsinore himself, says it’s a hoot in the dirt.

“It’s fun — big rear wheel sprocket, very short bike, easy to start because of the small Bing carburetor — English guys were very good building those trials bikes at the time.”

Below is our interview with Nejo about the build, and credit goes to Matias Antoniassi for the photos and very cool print blueprint graphic. Stay tuned for more builds and restorations from this French workshop!

Wassell Antelope: Builder Interview

• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

It’s a Wassell Antelope also Mudlark circa 1973.

• Why was this bike built?

My first official restoration for my first customer Jean 😉

• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

Keep it raw, aluminium, and silver all the way.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

Frame was broken, so we had to reweld the frame. It’s a frame-off restoration, from the wheels to the engine, custom seat, re-chromed exhaust, polished all the aluminum parts tank included.

• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?

Well, it’s an old Sachs engine, very very popular engine.. Most of the Enduro/Regolarita bikes had this engine, like KTM before they start making their own engine. Very reliable engine, used for the army too…it must deliver around 12 HP, very light 90 kilos, small Ceriani forks.

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?

It’s fun — big rear wheel sprocket, very short bike, easy to start because of the small Bing carburetor — English guys were very good building those trials bikes at the time.

• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

We brought it back from the dead…it was sitting in a basement for like 30 years, rotten, rusted, frame broke, engine stuck.

I liked looking for parts for this bike and make an elegant little motorcycle. I love the silver look and how the pictures make it look even better.

• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

Of course! Thanks to you first, thanks to my friend Matias for the photos, thanks to Jean for giving me his trust, and thanks to the people around me…