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Sport in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific

Britten Bike slideshow: removing the fairings

A collection of photos showing the deinstallation of the Britten V1000, giving you access to parts of the bike rarely seen.

The Britten V1000 is arguably Aotearoa New Zealand’s most famous motorbike. Hand-built by John Britten and a small crew, everything about the bike is innovative – which resulted in its four world speed records.

The pink fairings have been repainted, and while this was happening we took the opportunity to display the Britten V1000 without its carbon fibre shell.

Here are some behind-the-scenes photos from the removal of the fairings.


  • A man driving a forklift towards the Britten Bike display with people preparing for the bike to be lifted

    Te Papa staff members Charles Blakiston, Phillip Brown, Jake Yokum, and Carolyn McGill move a forklift into place to lift the Britten V1000 off its plinth.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa


  • Phillip attaches cables to connect the rig on the bike to the forklift

    Te Papa staff member Phillip Brown attaches the custom-built rig to the forklift to lift the Britten V1000 off its plinth. The rig has attachments that fit through each axel and are bolted in place.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa


  • Craig removes a bright pink piece from the underside of the Britten Bike

    Britten team member Craig Roberts works to remove the pink engine cowling from the Britten V1000.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa


  • A close up of the bike rig

    The Britten V1000 suspended using a custom-built rig. The rig has attachments that fit through each axel and are bolted in place.

    Photograph by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa


  • Craig looks at the Britten Bike engine while the bike is suspended from the forklift

    Britten team member Craig Roberts assessing the Britten V1000 having removed the engine cowling.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa


  • Craig removes more bodywork from the front of the bike, above the front tyre

    Britten team member Craig Roberts working to remove the bodywork from the Britten V1000.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021.


  • The team look on as Craig remove a piece of the bodywork

    Britten team members Craig Roberts and Bob Brookland work to remove the bodywork from the Britten V1000, while Kaitiaki Taonga Carolyn McGill holds the back end of the bike to stop it swinging. The bike is transported using a custom-built rig, which has attachments that fit through each axel and are bolted in place.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa


  • Craig looks at his toolset

    Britten team members Craig Roberts and Bob Brookland work to remove the pink fairings from the Britten V1000, while Kaitiaki Taonga Carolyn McGill holds the back end of the bike to stop it swinging. The bike is transported using a custom-built rig, which has attachments that fit through each axel and are bolted in place.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa


  • Bob removes the front mudguard while Carolyn holds the bike steady

    Britten team member Bob Brookland removes the front mudguard, while Kaitiaki Taonga Carolyn McGill holds the back end of the bike to stop it swinging.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa


  • Bob works on a part of the bike exposed by the removed front mudguard

    Britten team members Craig Roberts and Bob Brookland work to remove the pink fairings from the Britten V1000. The bike is transported using a custom-built rig, which has attachments that fit through each axel and are bolted in place.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa


  • The Britten Bike with its bodywork removed, exposing the engine and parts usually hidden

    The Britten V1000 in the Te Papa workshop with most of its bodywork removed.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa


  • Bob and Craig remove the rear mudguard from the Britten Bike

    Britten team members Craig Roberts and Bob Brookland work to remove the rear mudguard from the Britten V1000, having taken off the rear wheel.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021. Te Papa


  • Close up of the bike’s bright blue exhaust system, an organic-looking system of tubes

    The Britten V1000 without its bodywork, showing the hand-made blue exhaust system and rear suspension shock absorber.

    Photograph by Katie Cooper, 9 August 2021.


  • A close up of the bike, showing the engine serial number, F003

    The engine serial number on Te Papa’s Britten V1000; one of only ten in the world.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 10 August 2021. Te Papa


  • Close up of the Britten Bike engine

    The Britten V1000 engine.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 10 August 2021. Te Papa


  • Nirmala takes a photo of the bike

    Britten team members Craig Roberts and Bob Brookland, and Te Papa Conservator Nirmala Balram, carry out maintenance on the Britten V1000.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 10 August 2021. Te Papa


  • Craig looks at the front of the Britten Bike

    Britten team member Craig Roberts carries out maintenance on the Britten V1000, shown without its bodywork.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 10 August 2021. Te Papa


  • Bob and Craig align the rear wheel of the Britten Bike

    Britten team members Craig Roberts and Bob Brookland use custom-designed wheel retainer tools to align the rear wheel.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 10 August 2021. Te Papa


  • Craig and Bob stand with the Britten Bike in Te Papa’s Conservation Lab

    Britten team members Craig Roberts and Bob Brookland in Te Papa’s Conservation Lab with the Britten V1000.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 10 August 2021. Te Papa


  • The Britten Bike without its bodywork stands ready for transporting

    The Britten V1000 without its bodywork.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 11 August 2021. Te Papa


  • The Britten Bike without its bodywork stands ready for transporting

    The Britten V1000 without its bodywork.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 11 August 2021. Te Papa


  • A look at the body of the Britten Bike from above, displaying the radiator which is usually hidden by the seat

    View of the Britten V1000 without its bodywork, showing the radiator under the seat.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 11 August 2021. Te Papa


  • The Britten Bike without its bodywork stands ready for transporting

    The Britten V1000 without its bodywork.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 11 August 2021. Te Papa


  • Close up view of the front of the Britten Bike showing its suspension system

    View of the Britten V1000 without its bodywork, showing the wishbone suspension system.

    Photo by Katie Cooper, 11 August 2021. Te Papa