Apologies for getting that wrong about Bill's Manx beign a 570, I was only 12 back then!

I don't really believe that any bike is internally identical to the period, however they dont have to be as long as the fundamental architecture of the engine is eligible which I believe that the Patons are.

It's obvious that the Patons have been developed since Steve first took them to the manx. I remember me and my dad laughing at how they'd got a top quality rider and come over from Italy with all their smart team clothing and their £30,000+ bike isn't even close to being as good as Dave's Weslake which you could easily build for £11,000. I think dad was passed Steve before Glen Helen and the Paton broke down. However they've obviously got it right now and they're very very good, I'm seriously impressed with them.

At the same time we did 105mph with the weslake in 2003, the track is now faster (2mph +), and it doesn't need a pitstop, therefore a replica on a weslake is more than possible and you can build a brand new top spec one for a third of the price of the Paton.