Dave Morris’ TT-winning Chrysalis BMW F650 goes to BMW’s Munich collection
Words Neil Morris. Images courtesy Neil Morris.
Statics by Ian Greene.
Racing images by Nigel Kinrade
The three times Isle of Man TT winning Chrysalis BMW F650 is now part of the BMW Classic collection in Munich. The historic machine has remained with the Chrysalis Racing Team and the Morris family since its initial build back in 1995. But it has now joined the famous German marque’s heritage to take its rightful place in their history.
Back in 1997 rider/tuner David Morris was the first BMW solo rider to score an Isle of Man TT victory on the Chrysalis machine since 1939. He repeated Georg Meier’s Senior TT triumph on the BMW Kompressor by winning the Singles race.
With factory backing from BMW, Morris built the Chrysalis machine at the Chrysalis Racing team base back in Swanwick in Hampshire campaigning the racing single all over the World. He followed up his first TT victory with successive victories in 1998 and 1999.
1998 was particularly significant as it was Honda’s 50th Anniversary year at the TT. Virtually bankrolling the races, the Japanese factory scored wins in every class apart from the Singles.
Morris would beat factory Honda-mounted Jim Moodie in another dominant performance!
Since Michael Dunlop won again for BMW back in 2014, success for the Bavarian Motor Werks has been much more of a staple of the Isle of Man TT ever since. But it remains an elite bunch for now who have enjoyed victory for BMW on the island.
Morris remains in BMW folklore with his three successive wins and his Chrysalis machine will now be admired in the BMW collection for many years into the future…
Painstakingly restored in the North West of England, the Chrysalis single has been rebuilt to mirror its 1997 victory on Mona’s Isle.
It sits resplendent in its original BMW inspired colouring and adorned with Park Lane decals from its BMW GB backed racing heyday.
The machine boomed back into life for the first time in 25 years before it headed out to Bavaria to join the BMW Kompressor in the Classic collection.
Morris’ youngest son, Neil, has headed the project with support from renowned bike builder Peter Bleackley. “It has been a labour of love to restore this bike to its former glory and an emotional rollercoaster certainly,” said Neil. “It’s thrilling to see the bike going to Germany though and a wonderful legacy for my late Father David, who worked so very hard to achieve success on this stunning machine”.
You can learn about the history of the Chrysalis BMW F650 by visiting www.facebook.com/chrysalisracingteam
Thanks from Neil go to Pete & Al, Dawn, Steve C, Dave B, Ratboy, TB, Grant & Kirsten, Blacky, Lee Lavender, Ian Greene, Shaun, Gary Cotterell, Stephan, Mike Bibby, Nick P, Phillip Jones, FW Engineering, DL (& Alan), Caroline, James, Alex (& Lexi). To Mum, Dad and Lee and all the Chrysalis Racing Team, for the inspiration to do it right!
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