BMCT News 43

Issue 43

August 2019

N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B R I T I S H M O TO R C Y C L E C H AR I TA B L E T R U S T

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FROM THE CHAIRMAN - IAN WALDEN O.B.E. At last year’s Annual General Meeting of the BMCT I announced my intention to stand down after six years as your Chairman. A new incumbent will be in post by the time your next newsletter comes out, so I’m taking this opportunity to say goodbye, although I will remain on the BMCT’s Board of Trustees.

You may be aware that there have been changes at Coventry Transport Museum. They re-introduced admission charges from 1st July, and simultaneously withdrew the free entry concession previously enjoyed by BMCT members. I’m currently working with the museum administration to reinstate this, but we have to advise that for the time being your BMCT card will not allow free entry to the museum.

In recent months it has been good to see two stalwart BMCT members rewarded for their contributions to the historic motorcycle movement. You will see reports elsewhere in this newsletter, so congratulations to Mike Jackson and Sammy Miller MBE!

WANTED! Dennis Norton of The Norton Collection Museum in Bromsgrove has acquired this early sidecar body of wicker construction, and is keen to locate an appropriate sidecar chassis to enable him to attach the chair to one of the locally made Banshee motorcycles he has at the museum.

If any reader has, or knows the whereabouts of a suitable chassis, Dennis would like to hear from you. He can be contacted at the museum on 01527 870616 or through the Editor, details on page 8.

This interesting photo (below left) was given to us by one of the volunteers at the Norton Collection Museum, and appears to show a batch of Leaders being prepared for despatch from the Ariel factory in Selly Oak. In the background is Ariel’s Commer transporter (appropriately a two-stroke), the front of which is shown in detail below right.

Front cover: Chris Chant’s HRD takes a breather. Chris writes: “First ride today dodging rain clouds for 35 miles, the dear old girl started first kick after the winter layoff, looking forward to Banbury Run again this year. She’s a 1926 HRD Super 90, JAP KOR engine ('27) fitted with a 'Morgan' updraft cylinder head. On a reasonable road she's very happy cruising 50mph+ and sips fuel too. Sadly, my poor old back gets beaten up on our back roads. It’s a great bike and has been my hobby for 40+ years. By that I mean I started with a frame and then collected parts, it then took about five years to solve the jigsaw puzzle and to make the missing parts.”

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From Robin Spalding, former owner of the British Scooter Collection Since selling all my two-wheelers I have purchased two classic cars including a 1957 Austin A35 – I had one in my early 20s. This one is very modified with Mini Cooper head, twin SUs, servo brakes & Sprite front discs plus many more mods to stay with the flow.

Therefore I was interested in the article in BMCT News #42 that mentioned Joe Ehrlich’s engine and the prototype A20 I’m a member of the A35 club and have a copy of the excellent book by Barney Sharratt. I think you know I’ve collected diecast models all my life so when I saw the A20 I got my friend and model maker to make me one from a A35 white metal kit plus some resin mods. I also have a rare

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model of the Austin A30 prototype convertible that initially used the 500cc two stroke engine, it was then used in the A20 but unfortunately gave poor performance and fuel efficiency. And I guess it was a little noisy and smelly not what one expected from a Dependable Austin.

Thought you’d like to see a pic of my A35 and the two models just for interest.

The Grampian Museum looks good, well done. A little too far for a Sunday trip in the A35. However, we are off in a weeks time to the Annual rally in Dorset and later 10 days in Jersey – should suit the car with a speed limit on the Island of 40mph!

Best wishes, Robin

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR MIKE JACKSON We’re delighted to report that at the Stafford Classic MotorCycle Show BMCT trustee Mike Jackson was presented with the Frank Farrington award for outstanding service to the historic motorcycle movement.

Mike has enjoyed a long and varied career in the motorcycle industry, and has competed in trials and motocross events at the highest level in UK, Europe and USA. He began racing in 1954, riding on Francis Barnett, James, Greeves and AJS, winning numerous events. During this time he worked in sales for Greeves and later AJS. When he was appointed General Sales Manager for Norton Villiers Corp in 1970, he moved to the US, and raced an AJS Stormer in West Coast Desert events. He enjoyed some top placings in the prestigious Barstow To Vegas Hare & Hounds and the Elsinore Grand Prix.

Mike's career with Norton Villiers continued - he became Sales Director for the European concern - before becoming Marketing Director for Norton Villiers Triumph Ltd between 1974 and 1981. In 1981 he became the owner of Andover Norton International Ltd and ten years later co-owner of BSA Group. He has served on the National Motor Museum Advisory Council, and writes on a freelance basis for various British and American motorcycle publications as well as acting as consultant to several companies including Bonhams. Mike is also President of the Norton Owners’ Club.

Our photos show Mike on Les Archer’s 1966 European MX Championship-winning Norton, and in a similar pose on the CheneyGreeves with fellow BMCT member Chris Oliver.

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Our Man in France Visits the Musée Pierre Certain Pierre grew up during the uncertainty of the War years, but he completed his studies and gained his Brevet at the Celles-sur-Belle College in 1948. He went to work as a mechanic at the Garage Renaud on Avenue des Limoges in Celles-sur-Belle until he retired in August 1992 after 44 years’ service.

The Garage Renaud (below) was a family owned business and was a Renault Agent until

Celles-sur-Belle is famous for its magnificent and historic Abbaye Royale. To the front there are terraces and gardens open to the public and, on the far left of the photo above, there are some white doors on the former garages or stables. The main wooden doors open to reveal a double-glazed entrance to the buildings which have been renovated by the Mairie (local authority). This is the principal display area of the Museum, where circa 45 bikes from the Pierre Certain collection have been displayed, and it includes some rare and unusual machines. This part of the Museum is open from early May until mid-October, and for other school holidays (except Christmas).

The exact days of opening vary through the season but, as is common in France, the peak opening period is in July and August. A small admission charge applies.

The second part of the Museum (the Reserve) is in another garage/barn about 10 minutes walking distance away. This houses more of the Pierre Certain collection plus machines collected by M. Lopex, including an impressive array of Solex bikes and accessories.

Access to this is by group booking only and, as far as I am aware, this is because another volunteer is required to open and supervise the display.

Finally, the Association have a third premises which I don't think is open to the public, and this is where the workshop and a collection of restored bikes are housed. There are also a lot of old, unrestored bikes here that will form the basis of parts supply for other projects.

As interesting as the Museum is, there is a remarkable but almost hidden background story to the man who was both its biggest donor (over 200 motorcycles), and the reason that the Museum was created in his name Pierre Certain.

The story begins with Pierre’s father Félicien Certain, who was born in February 1905 in Montigné (79, Deux-Sèvres). He was a carpenter by trade, and completed his military service in the French Navy between 1924 and 1926. He was subsequently recalled to wartime Service in 1939 and served with the 157e Régiment d’Artillerie de Position.

Following the surrender of the French armed forces he walked home to Verrines-sousCelles where he was instrumental in the creation of a local Resistance group, and was active with them from August 1940 until July 1944. Félicien returned to active service when he joined the 114e Régiment d'Infanterie on the date on which it had been reformed on 1st

October 1944. Félicien was discharged on 16 July 1945, his war over.

Before the war, Félicien had bought a brandnew René Gillet motorcycle. The bike was subsequently requisitioned for the war effort, but it had created an interest in Pierre and the love of motorcycles had been installed. After the war, Félicien acquired an Indian Powerplus sidecar outfit that he used locally.

Ironically, Félicien was killed in a motorcycle accident. Pierre inherited the Indian outfit from his father.

Pierre and his twin sister Pierrette were born on 2nd August 1932 in Verrines-sous-Celles.

1993 but after the retirement of Pierre and Monsieur Renaud (they retired at the same time); the management of the business passed to Mme Renaud. The garage business has now moved to new premises at Celles-sur-Belle.

During his 44-year career at Garage Renaud, Pierre completed National Service in 1953, serving with 3e Régiment d'Artillerie de Marine and 2e Division Blindée. He was subsequently recalled to service with 57e Régiment d'Infanterie who were garrisoned at La Rochelle, and he saw active service in Algeria between 1958 and 1959.

Pierre spent his working day as a car mechanic, but his real passion was for the motorcycles he collected. Many collectors restrict themselves to a brand or a country of origin, but Pierre had no such self-imposed handicaps – he just loved motorcycles. The first bike in the collection was a Terrot 75cc that came from the Grandfather of Monsieur Renaud. His collection was eclectic, and his bikes came from many different countries although he had a passion for British motorcycles, particularly the BSA brand. In addition to the bikes themselves, Pierre had an encyclopaedic knowledge of motorcycles and he assembled an enviable collection of spare parts and engines, some of which can be seen below.

Pierre soon faced the dilemma that befalls many collectors namely an inability to stop collecting, even when running out of space!

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This problem was delayed by the addition of a purpose-built garage of 20 metres in length with extra storage below, built in his back garden. The collection continued to grow and, as a result, Pierre reached a point where he was having to disassemble new acquisitions, just to be able to store them.

The photo below shows the storage area. The bike at the front righthand side is a 1935 BSA

J12 which is displayed (right) in unrestored, original condition in the second part of the collection in Celles-sur-Belle (note the Empire Star alongside).

His collection includes rare machines and it is difficult to choose just one but a favourite of mine is the DS (Debladis & Sigrand) G162 500cc of 1923 (below). Debladis & Sigrand are the DS in the French DS Malterre brand.

Pierre was much more than just a collector though. He travelled extensively throughout Europe on his bikes and there are few countries in Western Europe and the former Communist states that he hadn’t visited. He

also competed in trials, and attended rallies and bike gatherings whenever he could.

Through his travels, Pierre had friends in many countries, and this tied in nicely with his other passion – philately. Pierre had an extensive stamp collection, including a separate album for any stamps that included motorcycles. His correspondence with these far-flung friends brought him new stamps for his collection. Pierre was friends with Robert Sexe, the famous French motorcycle journalist and adventurer who is rumoured to be the inspiration behind Hergé’s Tintin. The 1914 BSA Model K in the Museum (right) had been used by Robert in Germany. Robert and Pierre travelled together to various events and rallies, including the famous Elephant Rally, held annually in the Bavarian Forest in Germany.

Pierre Certain passed away in 2016, having donated his collection to the town of Cellessur-Belle some years before. With the passing of Pierre, the motorcycling world lost a fount of knowledge and experience. The various memorial plaques on his grave record the esteem in which he was held.

The address of the museum is:

Musée Pierre Certain 12 Rue des Halles, 79370 Celles-sur-Belle, France www.musee-motos-cellessurbelle.fr - Mike Ricketts

“TALES OF TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES” by Hughie Hancox Veloce Publishing have reprinted this excellent book by the late Hughie Hancox as part of their “Classic Reprint” series, so if you missed it first time around, now’s your chance.

Hughie started work at the Triumph Engineering Company in 1954 and, apart from a short break for National Service (spent largely as a member of the famed “White Helmets” Royal Signals display team, stayed with them until the factory closed in 1974. In his time with Triumph, Hughie worked in the Experimental, Service, Production Road Test, Toolroom, Final Assembly and Service Repair departments. After leaving Triumph he became a respected restorer of Triumph motorcycles, international Concours d’Elegance judge, and Chairman of the Triumph Owners’ Motor Cycle Club (TOMCC). Given this level of experience, there are few people better qualified to give an account of what life was like at the sharp end of the factory. Anecdotes abound in this 144 page volume, and there are some particularly amusing ones about the antics the factory testers like Percy Tait got up to.

Throughout the book Hughie gives insights about how Triumphs were developed, and the dodges used on the shop floor to get round the shortcomings of certain models. Sadly, Hughie passed away aged 73 in 2011, but we’re lucky he committed his memories to print before his demise. It’s a well written, entertaining and informative read.

“Tales of Triumph Motorcycles & the Meriden Factory” is available at £19.99 from the publishers Veloce Books through their website www.veloce.co.uk, or from online retailers.

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The replica Roarer made by Dan Smith, the Canadian who made the AJS V4 we featured in BMCT News 42. Ivan Rhodes gave valuable technical advice on this project.

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ANOTHER HONOUR FOR SAMMY MILLER Many congratulations to Sammy Miller MBE on being recognised for a lifetime’s contribution to the world of motorcycle sport and preservation. Sammy’s career has spanned seventy years since he built his first bike as a Belfast schoolboy in 1948.

The award, from the Transport Trust, was presented to Sammy by HRH Prince Michael of Kent in a ceremony at the Brooklands Museum.

NEW ACQUISITION FOR BMCT We’re pleased to report that the BMCT has acquired a 1960 250cc Villiers-engined Norman B3 Sports for long term loan to the Dover Transport Museum. The bike has been on display at the museum for some time, and when it came up for sale we were happy to step in to ensure that it remained as an important part of the Norman exhibition at the museum.

The Norman factory was located in nearby Ashford until the company was bought

by Raleigh and production moved to Nottingham. The display at Dover replicates a Norman motorcycle dealer’s premises with an example of every model produced at the Ashford factory.

John Punnett, a previous owner and restorer of this bike, finished second in the 250 class of the Thruxton 500 Mile race on a similar Norman in 1959, beaten only by an OHC NSU Max.

We welcome the following new members and supporters of the Charity: Ian Barr Ian Acott Anthony Townsend Mary Reeve Leslie Stairs Christopher Mills Christopher Wright Christopher Clark Steven Moxham Debbie Moxham John Rudland Jenny Woodley Andy Grant Niki Naisbit Harry Wettenschwiler Cordula Wettenschwiler Peter Allen Sandra Bartrop Roger Carvill James Timlin Stephen Fox Barbara Anson Simon Lilley Jane Lilley John Wirdnam Jyne Wirdnam Mark Dent Andrew Gore Lloyd Gore Verity Trutwein Timothy Zerf Ian Whiffen John Elliott Sue Hudson Matthew Bass Timothy Freeman Paul Maton Rex Watkins Kevin Viney Derek Camber Jennifer Camber Stephanie Simmonds Matt Simmonds Philip Newcombe Darrell Goddard David Goddard David Biggs Nigel Knowles Andrew Hutchings Alan Entwistle Graham Lowe Paul Fitzgerald Norman Curle Maria Curle Alexander Garvey Peter Scally Lesley Scally Nuala Minty Andrew Ashman David Shaw Paul Smith Tim Swanborough Robert Snowden Janet Snowden Andy Bennett Graham Leake John Savill Philip Cowden Roseline Cowden Robert Gould Caroline Gould Pamela Freeman Alexander Wallace David Marchant Jamie Wills Adam Heritage Anya Williams John Lee Tina Burden Edward Smith David Carlton Donna Goater Anthony Caton Rick Burden Charlie Harris Michael Comber Julie Smith Freda Croasdell Charles Esdale

Anthony Vice Mark Rumble Robin Ball Tom Maher Matt Nineham Phil Shillito Trevor Veale Jackie Rosier Alan Clark Janet Elcock Clark Reg Pengelly Colin Cox Philip Tanner Phillip Mead David Mead Deolinda Renaut John Kent Allan Cameron Martin Granger Graham Jones Lee Choat Richard Bygrave Symon Winder Gary Smith Andrew Miller Elizabeth Hill Trevor Furlong Lee Johnson Rae Sewell Roy Cook Stan Mitchell Richard McMackin Margaret Hill Peter Hill Neil Champ Dan Martin Tina Smith Douglas Jowle Colin Kiln Jessica Paternoster Kyle O'Keeffe Paul Metcalfe Carl Wood Emma Ansell Lewis Richardson Stephanie Evans Martin Munday Colin Setterfield Paul Davies Tania Davies Christine Hooton Shane Cole Wynn Hagon Colin Gwilliam David Peach Duncan Moss Anthony Best Veronica Best Peter Williams Stephanie Emmett Martin Foot Brenda Foot Michael Peglar Colin Day Paul Thomson Michael Thompson Stephen Tanner Paul Rose Anthea ButlerRamsbottom Robert Packer Phillip Lyon Shaun Quinlan Michael Ault Belinda Hamilton George Layton Keith Frampton Philip Hannam Lee Jeffs Cheryl Jeffs Geoff Bowen Jane Bowen Chris Jones Barbara Spencer Ross Spencer Colin Watkins Peter Pesterfield Gillian Pesterfield

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T HE BR I T I S H MOTOR CYCL E C HA RI TABL E TRUS T Registered in England No. 01445196 Registered Charity No. 509420 Registered Office: Holly Cottage Main Street Bishampton Pershore WR10 2NH United Kingdom Life President Trevor F. Wellings

The British Motorcycle Charitable Trust (BMCT) was originally formed in 1979 to facilitate the building of the National Motorcycle Museum at Bickenhill, near Solihull in the West Midlands.

Since 1995, however, the BMCT has been an entirely separate organisation, a grant-making Charity dedicated to the promotion of British motor cycle engineering heritage through a network of affiliated transport museums throughout the country.

Our affiliated museums are: Black Country Living Museum, Dudley British Motor Museum, Gaydon Brooklands Museum, Weybridge * Coventry Transport Museum Dover Transport Museum Gloucester Life Museum Haynes International Motor Museum Jet Age Museum, Gloucester

Trustees: Ian Walden OBE (Chairman) Peter Wellings Paul Barnes John Handley Mike Jackson Nick Jeffery John Kidson Mike Penn

Associate Membership is open to all, and allows free entry to all the museums in our affiliation scheme. Our funding comes from membership fees, bequests, donations, and income from our investments. Please direct any enquiries to the secretary, at the Registered Office address on the left.

London Motorcycle Museum Manx Museum, Isle of Man National Motor Museum, Beaulieu Sammy Miller Museum, New Milton Stroud Museum in the Park The Tank Museum, Bovington The Norton Collection Museum, Bromsgrove

www.bmct.org

Secretary & Editor Andy Bufton Mob: 07754 880116 Email: editor@bmct.org

Grampian Transport Museum, Aberdeen

* See announcement on page 2

D AT E S F O R Y O U R D I A R Y Beaulieu International Autojumble 7th - 8th September National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst SO42 7ZN The Carole Nash Eurojumble 6th -7th September Netley Marsh, Cadnam, Hants. SO40 7GY Ace CafĂŠ Reunion Weekend 6th -8th September Ace Corner, North Circular Road, London NW10 7UD Borders Classic Bike Show 8th September Lacon Childe School, Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire DY14 8PE Tiger Day at The Tank Museum 14th September Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset BH20 6JG Your Diary Dates are brought to you by John and Irene Roberts of Southbourne near Bournemouth. Before retiring to the South Coast, John worked at the Norton factory in Bracebridge Street in Birmingham, and he and Irene have been BMCT members since 2004.

Kempton Park Autojumble 14th September Kempton Park Racecourse, Middlesex TW16 5AQ Romney Marsh Autojumble 15th September Hamstreet, Ashford, Kent TN26 2JD Haynes Bikers’ Breakfast Ride - In 15th September Haynes International Motor Museum . Sparkford BA22 7LH

Published by Matchless Management Services, Holly Cottage, Main Street, Bishampton, Pershore WR10 2NH