NEWSLETTER Issue 3, Autumn 2006
Rare Humber for Coventry We’re pleased to report on the acquisition of a rare flat-twin Humber for exhibition in the new Motorcycle Gallery at Coventry Transport Museum. The 4.5 hp model, of 1921 vintage, is one of only a handful known to still exist, and is in fine condition, having been restored some twenty years ago. The type was Humber’s first offering after WWI and has many interesting features, not least the markedly over square engine which measures 75 x 68 mm, for a capacity of 600 cc. Drive is all chain through a three-speed gearbox, and the machine was claimed by Humber to be one of the quietest on the road. They advertised it as suitable for solo or sidecar work, with the benefits of the opposed cylinder layout being even torque, perfect balance, and a complete absence of vibration. A published road test of the time found the presence of a kick start to be a boon, making starting the machine remarkably easy. The tester commented on the extraordinary flexibility of the engine, finding it possible to go from walking pace to over 60 mph in top gear with no protest from the engine or transmission. He was less complimentary about the brakes, though, finding the old fash-
1921 Humber 4.5 hp
ioned stirrup front brake incapable of stopping the machine on a steep incline. The rear brake, thankfully, was found to be well up to the job of stopping the 235 lbs of motorcycle. Cost new in 1921 was £100. The actual machine shows only four owners from new in its log book, one of whom was an official of the Humber Register. Our records show it was bought by the last owner in 1966, and
sometime in the mid nineteen eighties was taken by him to Switzerland when he went to live there. The British Motorcycle Charitable Trust is delighted to have been instrumental in returning this bike to the city in which it was built, and we are sure that it will make a fitting addition to the magnificent new display in the re-vamped Coventry Transport Museum. Go and see it soon!
Festival of 1,000 Bikes
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The VMCC’s Festival of 1,000 Bikes at Mallory Park in July was voted a huge success by spectators and participants alike.
the Ivan Rhodes stable, including the incredible supercharged “Roarer”, thus becoming only the fifth man ever to have ridden this unique machine.
Rare Humber for Coventry
The weekend’s activities consisted of general track sessions on Saturday, followed by a series of “Past Masters” parades on Sunday. The sessions were well over-subscribed as enthusiasts took the opportunity to give their machines a gallop on the chicane-free circuit for as little as £15 a go.
Adding to the interest were grass track and trials events, plus a sprint demonstration on the main straight during the lunch break. A period “Wall of Death” was also in operation, the intrepid riders using Indian vee-twins.
Grant for Manx Museum
Our chairman, John Kidson, took to the track on a selection of Velocettes from
The BMCT road show was set up in the Avenue of Clubs, and we were pleased to see so many of our members enjoying the weekend, including Founder Life
Festival of 1,000 Bikes
Kidson canters KTT
Member Trevor Wellings. Winner of our machine recognition quiz was Corina Norman-Smith of Coventry, who wins a year’s free membership of the BMCT. Corina, a member of the VMCC’s Cotswold Section, rode a 1910 Humber in the track sessions on Saturday.
New Affiliates Haynes Museum BMCT Roadshow Coventry Parade Founders Day BMCT Admin
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Grant to Manx Museum The Trust has stepped in with a grant of £20,000 to help prevent important racing machines being lost to the Isle of man following the closure of Murray’s Motorcycle Museum. At its height the museum at the Bungalow on the TT course was home to a collection of over 120 machines, most of which have now found new homes after being widely advertised in the press and on the Internet. The grant to Manx Heritage has gone towards the purchase of a 1921 Levis, a 1924 ex-Bertie Rowell Sunbeam, and Albert Moule’s 1937 Manx Norton. All of the machines have now gone on display at the Manx Museum in Douglas.
Albert Moule was a travelling marshal at the TT for many years after the end of his racing career
Progress at Haynes While work proceeds on their new Resource Centre, to be partly funded by a grant from BMCT, the new motorcycle display hall at the Haynes International
Motor Museum has been taking shape. To help complete the project, Mike Penn, the Curator, is appealing to our members for the loan of any motorcycling related photographs, especially those showing the motorcycle as transport rather than a recreational vehicle. Street scenes featuring bikes would be particularly welcome. We need to cover all eras from the Pioneers to the Sixties, so if you can help, please contact Andy Bufton at the address below. All photographs will naturally be returned after copying.
BMCT Roadshow Early July saw us out and about for the first time with our big tent and some bikes to bring the name of the BMCT to the public attending the festival of 1,000 Bikes. This is a new departure for us as we strive to make ourselves better known in the world of motorcycling, and we hope to attend many more such events in the future. If members have suggestions for any events in their area that they consider would be worthwhile for us to attend,
please let us know about them by contacting Andy Bufton at the address at the bottom of the page.
BMCT display at Mallory Park
Coventry Parade There was a good turnout for this event, held at Coombe Abbey. Despite the rather inclement weather around fifty entrants were flagged away by the Lord Mayor of Coventry. In our photo below, a competitor takes the start on a very nice Rudge.
_________________ New Affiliates Two new museums to add to the list of those allowing free access to our members are: The Manx Heritage Museum Douglas, Isle of Man The London Motorcycle Museum Greenford, West London
BMCT Administration In order to give a better service to our members and affiliated museums by speeding up processes and freeing up more time for the Trustees to attend to policy matters, the Board have reached an agreement with Andy Bufton of Matchless Management Services to handle the administration and day to day running of the Trust. Andy is already well known to our members as a former trustee and membership secretary of the BMCT, and his contact details can be found below.
VMCC Founder’s Day Rally at Stanford Hall Once again this event was blighted by stormy weather, but the conditions failed to deter many VMCC and other club members from putting on a superb show. There was much rare and interesting British machinery on view (see below), all of it prepared to an exceedingly high standard. Stall holders in the autojumble section were doing a brisk trade, no doubt wishing to sell off their stock before it got too wet! We hope to return next year with our road show.
Royal Ruby
SOS
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For all the latest news and events visit our web site:
Andy Bufton, Matchless Management Services, Holly Cottage, Bishampton, Pershore, Worcestershire WR10 2NH Email: info@bmct.org Mobile: 07754 880116
BMCT Newsletter
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Issue 3, September 2006
www.bmct.org
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