Harris Magnum One. Breaking Bad…

Dealing in motorcycles and breaking bikes for parts can be hard sometimes. Every now and then I get something I really want to keep, and this Harris Magnum One is a perfect example. I’ve only ever had one other Magnum over the years, which was a CB900F-powered example. Despite the fact it was dripping in race-famous brands like Dymag and AP, I had no second thoughts about breaking it for parts. Ironically CMM borrowed it for a road test, and by the time the mag came out it had been hung, drawn and slaughtered.

That was back in 2003 – ten years later and another Magnum has entered the Rescogs garage. And this one won’t be leaving in bits. It’s an original Magnum One, and adding to the rarity is the fact it was built in-house by Harris at their Hertford factory. Less than a quarter of all Magnum Ones, Twos and Fours were assembled by the same hands that fabricated them.

It’s all period correct, still using the gawky bodywork which was replaced by Target Design items on the Magnum Two. Incidentally, Target also designed the distinctive look of the Suzuki Katana 1000 and 1100s. Every component on this bike is what it rolled out into the Hertford sunshine wearing when it was registered in 1982. That includes the AP brakes, and the Astralites – in my opinion, the poor man’s Dymags. Having said that, if it had been graced with magnesium Dymag wheels they’d need a good check over after 30 years, whereas the Comstar-looking Astralites needed nothing more than a wipe with an oily rag. Power comes from a Suzuki GS1000 motor, and the sturdy 8-valve air-cooled engine seems to be standard except for an oil cooler.

It’s amazingly how dramatically the Harris Magnum One shrinks when the fairing is removed. It only takes a few seconds thanks to the Dzus fasteners, and I stand back and fall in love with the Magnum all over again. The crisscross of the red Reynolds tubing reminds me of a simpler time before alloy frames were the norm. I was surprised to catch up with Lester Harris at the Stafford Show last year and find out he was unaware of the resurgence in interest for his 1980s chassis kits. Turns out they’re in demand for classic racing around the world, proving there’s nothing new under the sun.

Amazingly this bike has survived 30 years with the original owner. Now it’s sat in my garage, and I’d love to keep it, but that doesn’t pay the bills. So it’s up for sale, but unlike the Harris Honda, this one isn’t being chopped and broken up. Instead, and like an employee at Battersea Dogs Home, I’m vetting any potential owner to try and make sure this old girl goes to a good home.

Sadly this is proving unlikely at the moment. The only people to call so far are Europeans who want to race it. They don’t share my sentiment and at least a couple have admitted they want to rip out the GS1000 motor to replace it with a GSX1100 lump, including all the modifications that requires. I think that would be a real shame, and the thought of the bodywork ending up in a dump somewhere in Holland also leaves me cold. I know I always say it’s only metal, but sometimes even I have some feelings – so let me know if you want to protect a GS-powered Harris Magnum One for just £6995!