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In this edition, your BMCT man in France, concentrate on the British exhibits in these Mike Ricketts, is back looking at the reports but this is a fabulous collection of French Museum scene. In this case machines, with some rare examples from other European manufacturers. Of particular note - and justification for a visit in its own right - is the top floor collection of rare bikes built by the famous French Nougier Brothers. The other remarkable thing about this Museum is that it is owned and operated by the City of Marseille and hence the entry fee at the time of my visit was just under 3 Euros. From a practical point of The AJS K28 is amongst other British bikes view, the Museum is easily reached by public transport but has rather limited specifically the superb "Musée de la Moto parking. de Marseille". The Museum is located in a restored mill, opened in 1989 and houses The Museum is at: 250 machines, with 1200 sqare metres of 18 Traverse Saint-Paul, 13013 Marseille, display area spread across 4 floors in a France. Tel: +33 (0)4 91 02 29 55 chronological sequence. The Museum displays bikes from all over The website has a long winded address the world and offers a lot of British but can also be found by typing: interest. Their Inventory includes tinyurl.com/gtffkp3 examples from AJS, Triumph, BSA, Norton into your web browser’s address bar. and Scott. For obvious reasons I always
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This BSA Sloper S27 dates from 1929
This BSA M20 sits with other WW2 exhibits
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The Brooklands Motorcycle Show on Sunday 3rd July was the first major, new motorcycle event at Brooklands for four years. The theme of the Show was, “Then and Now”, with pre-War racing machines lined up with 2016 road models on Test Hill.
For a first-time event, the Show was a success with 2,500 visitors and 674 bikes ridden in (and that did not include the exhibition machines). Nine dealers and motorcycle companies took stands and reported a lot of interest. If there was a downside to the Show, it was those manufacturers and dealers who committed and then did not follow through and turn up. Guest celebrity rider, Steve Parrish rode a variety of bikes on Test Hill, including the first public show appearance of the
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immaculate Earle Cotton JAP restored by members of the Brooklands Motorcycle Team (below right). Long- time Brooklands supporter, Sheelagh Neal made fullblooded ascents on her Triumph “Thunderbird” racing sidecar outfit and even persuaded Steve Parrish to occupy the “chair” for one run. Several members of the Motorcycle Team rode bikes from the Museum collection and many of our regular “outside” riders brought their racers to add to the happy noise. During the lunch break, Steve was interviewed by John Bottomley and joined in informal questions, answers and conversation with visitors. Among the wonderful array of Club bikes, there were the usual huge, glittering Harleys and, for a change, some 2016 Indians in stunning colour schemes. Surrey Triumph Owners and Surrey Norton Owners had large contingents. The Brough Superior Owners Club brought over a dozen machines and Eric Patterson maintained the “Then and Now” theme with his 2016 Brough. He also brought his two Bonneville Record breakers. Carl Wadkin-Snaith brought his own beautifully engineered re-creation of a Brooklands Outer Circuit racer which he had built from scratch, the only proprietary
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parts being the piston and crankshaft. It was due for its first ever engine run, but the Brooklands gremlins prevented that… another time, Carl! A historic bike it may not be, but it represents the same mechanical enthusiasm that motivated so many of the original Brooklands riders. A lot of interesting bikes, a lot of interested visitors, a lot of exciting noise and a sunny day… the ingredients all came together nicely and the Brooklands Motorcycle Show proved that it could become an annual event. - Michael Sands, Brooklands Volunteer