I was saddened to hear of Allan's passing, but as has been said, he had been ill for a long time, and never really got over his massive crash on a works Honda in 1964.
I can't let his passing go without recording my absolute admiration of Allan when I was a youngster. This all started when he was working at our shop in the fifties, (Allan Jefferies Motorcycles). I can still see him now, roaring up our street on his Gold Star,(bobby dodger lights, and front regd no across a racing number plate).
Then after winning the 58 Junior Manx, he actually led John Surtees at the 59 Ulster, and even though he retired in the race, MV's insisted his 7R was measured. It was legal. A long and successful association with Walter Kaaden followed, but did you know that Allan was the first man to lap the TT course on a single from a standing start. This was the 1962 Senior, and he fell off at Braddan on the 2nd lap!. Even today a 100mph lap on a single is only done by a rider who's well on the pace. This was 45 years ago.
Anyway, Allan never won a TT, surely the best rider ever not to win, he was runner up in the 64 Lightweight. However such was his reputation that he was signed up by Honda for the 1965 season. The crash on a 350 four effectively ended his career, and those who knew him will accept that he never really recovered. I am sure others will have stories of Allan that will be worth hearing.
Very sad my friends, but I thought you may like to know a little of him from an original fan.
The funeral is at Cartmel Priory, nr Grange over Sands tomorrow, (Friday 27th) at 2.00pm.