​My bike is a 1968 Greeves Ranger with a 250 cc 2-stoke engine. It is the factory street legal model with headlight, speedo, & taillight.  The unique color and distinctive front forks attracted me immediately. It’s a fun ride but geared pretty low for any highway driving.  I found the bike this year and was pleasantly surprised at its condition and how well it runs. The 48-year-old Villiers/Greeves engine runs well and starts in one kick when I am by myself, and 30 kicks when anyone is watching.  The best part of having a vintage machine like this one is riding it. Go find an old bike, fix it, and ride it.
 
Greeves motorcycles began as a manufacturer of 3-wheeled cars for the disabled, Invacar. Motorcycles were produced in Thundersley in Essex from 1953 to 1976.  Bert Greeves was a motorcycle enthusiast who designed the machines and introduced his first units in 1954, one a trials bike, the other a scrambler model, powered by Villiers 200cc two strokes engines. They were easily identified by two unique Greeves features: the leading link front fork and the cast aluminum "down beam".  The bikes were exclusively two-stroke powered, using engines from Villiers and Anzani.  In 1962, Greeves introduced a new Villiers powerplant featuring a Greeves designed cylinder head and barrel. The new cylinder featured revised porting for better power and the familiar Greeves "square barrel" look.
 
In 1958, Greeves traveled to the Europe to compete in the  FIM 250cc motocross class and was shaken to discover that the British were "regarded as rather a second-rate race in sporting spheres".  Greeves redoubled the company's racing efforts and the commitment paid off quickly, with Brian Stonebridge garnering two second place finishes in the championship standings in the ensuing two years. Following the tragic death of Stonebridge, the company hired Dave Bickers as their rider. With a new motorcycle punched out to 246cc, Dave Bickers won the European championship in both 1960 and 1961. Greeves were successful in competition, with wins in the European Motocross Championship, the Manx Grand Prix, the European Trials Championship and the Scottish Six Days Trial, and with Gold medals in the ISDT and ACU 250cc Road Race and Motocross Stars.
 
It was about this time that Greeves motorcycles began to show up in western states desert races. The little silver and blue Hawkstones began to change peoples’ ideas about what kind of hardware was needed to win. Before the Greeves, lightweight bikes were a joke.
For a ten year stretch, from 1959 to 1969, Greeves motorcycles became the ones to beat. These were the first two-strokes to de-thrown the ruling BSA, Matchless, Triumph, four stroke thumpers both in European motocross, and the big four stroke 'desert sleds' in California.
 
Greeves was very successful in the USA and can be credited with helping awaken the off-road biking scene there, and with the invention, as early as the mid-sixties, of the trail bike with their road legal off-roader, the Ranger.
 
(most of the historical facts from the Greeves owners site, http://www.greeves-riders.org.uk/history and http://www.greevesguru.com/history.html )

#GreevesRanger #VintageMotorcycles #MotoStories 
 
Jay Ubelhart

Well-Oiled Wednesday — 5/7/25 — 6:30PM
The Old 5th Ave Tavern
8507 5th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115
If you’re looking for something moto to do Wednesday night — easy parking, outdoor area, good food, good drinks, and great people talking shop and talking shit.
We’ll be meeting here for Well-Oiled Wednesday for now. When Backfire Motorcycle Night happens, that’ll be over at Two Kick.
Well-Oiled Wednesday is just a regular Wednesday when it’s not Backfire Night and you’re looking for a spot to hang with good folks. Now you know where to find us.
Check back often — the location might change, but for now, we’re here.
#backfiremoto #backfiremotobar #fuseboxmoto #seattleevents #old5thave 

EXCITING NEWS!
Backfire Motorcycle Night has a new home for the entire 2025 season — and you’re invited.
Two Kick Coffee
3208 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Kickoff Event: Wednesday, April 16th, 2025
5PM – 9PM
Join us at this great new venue featuring:
Adult beverages on site
Food available
A welcoming, inclusive community
Everyone is welcome — whether you ride or not. Bring your friends and come hang out.
Throughout the season, expect:
• Live music
• Special guests
• Food trucks
• Announcements and updates as things grow
Huge thanks to The Last Call Bar for hosting us last season — we appreciate your support.
Special shout-out to our friend Kevin Uhl of Trash Cat Co. for all the help and support over the years. Much love and best of luck on your next move — we’re cheering you on.
Mark your calendar — we’ll see you April 16th at Two Kick Coffee!
#BackfireMoto #TwoKickCoffee #BackfireMotoBar #FuseboxMoto #TriumphOfSeattle #MotorcycleEventsSeattle #VintageMotorcycles #trashcatco #thejesusandmarychain

🚨 EXCITING NEWS! 🚨
Backfire Motorcycle Night has a new location for the entire 2025 season:
Two Kick Coffee
📍 3208 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
🗓️ Kickoff Event: Wednesday, April 16th, 2025
🕔 5PM to 9PM
Join us at this great new venue featuring:
✔️ Adult beverages on site
✔️ Food available
✔️ A welcoming community
Everyone is welcome — whether you ride or not. Come out, bring friends, and be part of it.
📣 Stay tuned for updates as they come: live bands, special guests, food trucks, and more. This event is constantly evolving and growing throughout the season.
🙏 Huge thanks to The Last Call Bar for hosting us last season — we appreciate your support!
Mark your calendar — see you April 16th!
#BackfireMoto #TwoKickCoffee #BackfireMotoBar #FuseboxMoto #TriumphOfSeattle #MotorcycleEventsSeattle #MotorcycleEventsWA #VintageMotorcycles