Back Street Heroes - August 2018

ISSUE 412 AUG 2018

£4.20

UK OFFSALE DATE: 02/08/18

editor:

NIK SAMSON

nik@backstreetheroes.com 07884 052003 staff writer:

DAVE MANNING

dave@backstreetheroes.com

Pic by Alex

design:

GARETH WILLIAMS publisher:

TIM HARTLEY

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freelance contributors: SIMON EVERETT, LIN JEFFORD, STEVE LOMAX, LEMBIT OPIK, BEN GRAHAM, IAN MUTCH, TYSON SHELLEY, FAZERDAZE, IAN SHIPLEY, LOUISE LIMB, GARRY STUART, MR BRIDGES, SELINA LAVENDER, RICK HULSE editorial address:

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There are a couple of internet memes, bike-related ones, floating around Facebook at the moment that aren’t the usual vacuous shite that seems to populate most of the Web these days, I don’t know if you’ve seen them?

twenties experimenting, as I think a lot of folk do, and the occasional puff very infrequently since), drugs have The first one is, I think, an five main characteristics; they excellent and brilliantly simple work on the pleasure centres idea; teach your kids to count of your brain to make you motorbikes when you’re out feel good, they’re a danger to in the car with them, and your health, they take all your when they grow up and start money, they make you boring driving they’ll automatically to non-users, and you suffer look out for bikes. Such a withdrawal symptoms without simple idea, isn’t it, but them. Does that sound familiar? one that could save lives Motorcycles, when you’re riding in the future. them, activate a portion of the brain associated with making you The other is equally feel good – they make your brain straightforward, but might release dopamine, the chemical not be quite so black neurotransmitter associated with and white, and that’s the pleasure. Motorcycles also are a one that says something along danger to your health – although the lines of ‘get your kids into motorbikes at an you could argue that it’s not actually bikes, early enough age and they’ll never have the money it’s badly driven cars, much in the same way to get into drugs’, and this got me thinking – are as American shagwits insist that guns don’t kill motorcycles a drug in themselves? Let’s examine people, rappers do… sorry, sorry, people do – that the evidence… much we know, says the man typing this with metal Let’s get one thing straight first, shall we? When I plates in his wrists and shoulder and so many scars say ‘drugs’, I mean recreational drugs (no, not ones that people stop me in the street, stare and say you take behind the bike sheds on the playing fields, ‘no, just browsing’ when I ask if I can help them. although…), drugs that have no medical value – not Motorcycles also take all your money, I don’t have medicinal drugs like the ones wot us older bikers to tell you lot that, do I? They’re forever going take every day, often so many as we age that I’m wrong or you want to change something or you surprised we don’t rattle when we walk. No, what see a new lid or jacket or whatever you want and…

I’m talking about is the ones that, when ingested Motorcycles also make you boring to non-riders – in whatever form one does it, have a psychoactive how many times have you watched a potential new effect, an intoxicating effect if you like. Strangely, girlfriend’s eyes glaze over as you and your mates the most commonly taken psychoactive drugs are sit in the pub talking about them? And, finally, being completely legal despite the fact they’ve been without a motorcycle for an extended period of time proven time and time again to have a detrimental often has a detrimental effect on one’s happiness – effect on health – the exact same reason that nonhow many times have you heard people who’re either legal psychoactive drugs are banned. Tobacco, recovering from an accident or who’ve had to sell the most regularly used, is responsible for nearly their bike for financial reasons say ‘I can’t wait to get six million deaths a year, according to the US back on a bike, I really miss it’? Isn’t that a withdrawal CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention… symptom? Sounds like it to me… shouldn’t that be CDCP?), including deaths So, yes, I reckon bikes are drugs, and I also reckon from secondary smoking (breathing in other I’m a total addict. I have eight of them damn things; people’s smoke); and alcohol, the next regularly they give me a huge amount of pleasure when I ride used, is responsible for 2.5 million deaths a year them, they’re responsible for bits of me almost looking according to the NCADD (National Council on like Deadpool, they’ve definitely taken all my money (I Alcoholism and Drug Dependence), the world’s dread to think how much I’ve spent on bikes over the leading authority on the subject, and causes years, and I’ve always managed to keep a bike on the illness in millions more. Illegal drugs (including road even when I’ve had to resort to raiding the back the baddies like heroin and cocaine), according of bakeries ‘cos I’ve no money for food… not for a few to the UN in 2013, were used by 230 million years now, thankfully), I really have to try not to talk people worldwide, and about 200,000 people about them to people who don’t ride for fear of their died from them in 2012. Hmm, strange how brains melting and dribbling out of their ears, and, as the really killer drugs are legal then, isn’t it? anyone who knows me well will confirm, I turn into an Anyone would think there was money (profits irritable bastard when I can’t go for a ride on one… well, and taxes and the like) to be made off them, more of an irritable bastard anyway. wouldn’t they?

Anyway, I’ve digressed, we were talking about motorcycles and their possible classification as recreational drugs, weren’t we? Now, in my limited experience (late teens/early

Mind you, they say that admitting you have an addiction is the first step towards getting a cure, don’t they? Naa, where would be the fun in that? Anyone lend me £50 for a new set o’ spark plugs? Oh go on, please…

NIK

Distribution by Marketforce UK Ltd, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HU. Tel: 0203 787 9001. Printed by William Gibbons and Sons, Wolverhampton.

ISSN: 02679841. BSH is copyright to Mortons Media Ltd 2018 and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

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62 (ALMOST) A ROADTEST

6 OPENFACED

THE NEW ENFIELD PEGASUS

ALL THAT’S NEW AND HAPPENING IN THE CUSTOM BIKE WORLD

8 PRODUCTS

LOADS OF GOOD STUFF FOR YOU TO SPEND YOUR HARD-EARNED ON

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58 CENTRE-SPREAD

LOUISE LIMB’S LATEST ARTISTIC OFFERING

78 INDIAN LONGTERMER

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80 KATANA PROJECT

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DESTINY CYCLES’ IRONHEAD VIC N’ LIN GO A BIT HIPSTER…

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AUGUST 2018

88 MR BRIDGES’ MOTORCYCLE DIARIES

THE GURU IMPARTS MORE OF HIS KNOWLEDGE OF MECHANICS

102 READERS’ LIVES

YOUR PICTURES AND OUR SILLY CAPTIONS... YEAH, SORRY ABOUT THAT

106 SMALLS

92 MAG NEWS

SELL YOUR BIKE HERE FOR FREE!

94 EVENTS

THE MUSINGS OF ONE OF THE MOST ELOQUENT THINKERS IN BIKERDOM!

OUR REGULAR COLUMN BY THE MAG CHAIRNONGENDERSPECIFICPERSON

114 RICK HULSE

YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO THE BEST RALLIES, SHOWS AND PARTIES

100 2018 BSH CUSTOM BIKE CHAMPS

THE WINNERS FROM THE FARMYARD PARTY REVEALED!

26 32 34

CX CAFE RACER

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ONE OF THE BEST THERE IS!

MAG DEMO

THOUSANDS OF RIDERS OUT ON THE STREETS OF LONDON!

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AN EXCELLENT FIRST BUILD, INSPIRED BY THIS ’ERE MAGAZINE

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STONE CIRCLE SHOW

AND SOME MOTORBIKES TOO, NOT JUST CHUFFIN’ BIG ROCKS

FAT-WHEELED SPORTSTER

BOBBER WITH A BOOTY

RAT & SURVIVAL

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RAT SIDECAR

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APPARENTLY THE BIGGEST RAT BIKE EVENT IN THE WORLD!

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AUGUST 2018

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TRIUMPH CUSTOM COMPETITION WINNER Triumph Motorcycles UK has announced its official Custom Competition winner. With more than 500 votes from the public across Triumph’s Facebook and Twitter channels, Mark Drury’s highly modified 1984 Triumph T110 took first place, just ahead of runner-up Mark Brown’s impressive Thruxton R. And you’ll be able to see a full feature on the bike here in BSH at some point in the very near future so keep an eye out for it – it’s gorgeous!

Krazy Horse Customs London would like to invite you along to their monthly Park It In The Market bike nights at Greenwich Market, Greenwich Church Street, London SE10 9HZ. All customs and classics, hot rods and classic cars are welcome, and there’s food and entertainment every night too.

The event is held on the last Thursday of the month, and you can get more info from www. krazyhorse. co.uk c

WIN A CX SCRAMBLER! The Ribbon of Black Motorcycle Rally Club has built a CX500 scrambler that’s being raffled off on 26th August at the Hornsea Biker Event at Hall Garth Park in Hornsea in Yorkshire to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Prostate Cancer and Armed Forces Bikers.

The bike will be displayed

at various events in Yorkshire over the summer, including Motorcycle Social in Leeds at the end of July, where you’ll be able to buy tickets, but you can also get them online at www. hornseabikerevent.org.uk or on Twitter (@hornseabiker) or Facebook (Hornsea Biker Event).

Good luck!

HOW F**KIN’ MUCH?!?

Motorcycle history was made by H&H Classics Motorcycle Museum recently when two iconic bikes were sold for new world record prices.

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John Lennon’s 1969 Honda Z50A ‘Monkeybike’ made £57,500, and a pre-production Honda CB750 reached £161,000. John used the bike as a fun way of getting around his Tittenhurst Park estate in Surrey, where he lived from 1969 to 1971, and prior to the sale H&H Classics estimated that the bike would sell for £30,000-plus.

The CB750 is a very special motorcycle which collectors worldwide were clamouring for; a ‘late’ preproduction model, it’s one of only four built, and only two are known to still exist.

It was handmade in Japan in 1968, came

over to the UK in 1969, was registered by Honda UK and was used by them in the UK launch of the then new CB750 model, but every single part is different from a production model.

Wow!

Three years ago Albie Espinola quit his job to fulfil his dream of becoming an artist. And judging from the work we’ve seen from him, he’s doing a pretty damn good job of it.

He’s always enjoyed doing portraits and adding in motorcycles gives his work a personality all its own, and makes his paintings an exploration of the biker culture.

His art is about the relationship of people and their bikes, depicting themes of freedom, love and strength, and he’s been touted as a modern-day Dave Mann – rare praise indeed.

To see more of his work, check out his Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – just search for Albie Espinola.

The National Motorcycle Museum is pleased to announce the details of its summer raffle in which you can win an incredible, ‘nut and bolt’ restored 1969 Royal Enfield Interceptor Series II 750 with a value of over £12,000!

Second prize is a 1948 James ML125, a very nice example of this postwar lightweight, and third prize is a luxury hotel break and dinner for two at the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse in the Manor Hotel, Meriden.

The draw will take place on Saturday 27th October at the National Motorcycle Museum LIVE event, and tickets cost £2 each from the museum on 01675 444123 or online at www. thenmm.co.uk

Hellrazer – Ashlea Smith, Joshua Crampton, Kiara Leigh and Olivia Livewire – are a team of four multi-skilled fire performers who set out to wow and amaze their audiences with every performance.

Though suitable for family events, their shows aren’t for the faint-hearted, and you can certainly expect to feel the heat as you watch them breathe fire into the air like human dragons, angle-grind over each other, and even set fire to one another’s heads, all carefully choreographed to a suitable soundtrack.

If you’d like to book them for your event (they performed at BMAD and the Download Festival recently), you can find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – just search for Hellrazer.

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SHARPENAIR AIRBRUSH REPAIR KITS Everyone who has an airbrush bends a needle at some point, usually at the worst possible moment, with no spare needle at the ready. These SharpenAir kits will restore even badly bent needles, getting you back to painting and meeting those deadlines.

They work with all airbrush brands (except Paasche and DeVilbiss Dagr, although they do have one to fit them too), and allow you to straighten your damaged needle efficiently and with precision each and every time while

maintaining its factory angle.

They come with diamond-grit coated sharpening stones and polishing pads, and cost just £49 from The Airbrush Company on 01903 767800 or www.airbrushes.com

These Pallas ladies’ boots are tough as nails, rigger-styled, urban boots made from oil distressed leather with density inserts on the shins and ankle, heel and toe reinforcement, a hard shank, grippy soles and a waterproof Hipora lining.

They also look the part, and are really comfortable too.

They come in sizes 36-41 (3-7), and in black or brown, have a two-year warranty, and cost a rather bargain £109.99 from anywhere that stocks the Spada range or www. spadaclothing. co.uk

Tough, versatile and massive, the new Moto Fizz Camping Seat Bag can carry everything needed for a weekend under the stars without having to resort to multiple bags.

It measures just 35 x 62 x 35cm, but expands to 82cm wide,

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The Heroine H oine R Racer is the ultim mate Hedon lid. It’s made with ith a composite fibreglass/carbon shell, and has a racing flat visor, a wide field of vision, an anti-fog double lens, ventilation to keep your head cool, their proven Hed

Armor lining with 360degree cushion padding and Merlin antibacterial fabric, natural calf leather trim and lining, and anodised brass hardware and fittings.

There are ‘normal’ and bubble visors available, and these come in a choice of clear, amber, coffee haze, deep smoke, red smoke or sunset.

Available in a huge range of colours, you can get one from anywhere that stocks the Hedon range or www.hedon. com

SPADA HUM MMA JACK KET

This rather fun nky urban camo jacket iss made from high-den nsity cotton canvass, and has a waterpro oof and breathablle membrane, a removable the ermal quilted lining, four-piece arm mour (shoulders and d elbows), a bacck pocket for a back b protector, a buttondown storm flap and rain channel, large cargo po ockets on the front and rear, Velcro cuffs and a built-in hood too too.

It comes in S to XXL, has a t wo-year warranty, tw t and d costs t

£179 99 from anywhere that £179.99 stocks the Spada range or www.spadaclothing.co.uk d l thi k

and there are D-rings, elastic bungee cords and pull-down straps on the outside for securing extra items. The main section’s accessed through zipped flaps at each end, making packing and unloading quick and easy, and compression straps keep contents from shifting during riding. The highquality coated nylon outer shell (and a rain cover, stored in a dedicated wet compartment when not

in use) keeps everything well protected from the elements. There’s also a removable belt pack, handy for carrying things like loose change, documents and other essentials, an insulated water bottle holster and a shoulder strap for off the bike too.

The Moto Fizz Camping Seat Bag retails at £159, and is exclusive to www.nippynormans.com in the UK.

These very cool, and very retro, scrambler boots are made from full grain Technomicro Microfibre that’s very strong and resilient, and are lined wiith Raintex soft mesh h to keep the water outt.

There are five vinta age-

The renowned Kovix range of motorcycle security products are now available in the UK, offering a wide choice of antitheft devices to suit all situations, from a mini disc lock costing just £19.99 to an alarmed chain lock at £124.99.

The range covers all the popular styles of bike lock (disc locks, chain locks and U-locks), many with built-in alarms – piercing 120db sirens that’re louder than a chainsaw or rock concert and have automatic re-sets. They also produce a range of practical accessories, including 1.5m cables with adapters that attach to their disc locks (£34.99), disc lock holders (so they can be carried while riding, £12.99), and disc lock reminders

(£4.99). All Kovix locks come with numbered keys, which can be replaced by most keycutters using a unique code, without needing to copy the original.

For more information contact The Key Collection on 0117 971 9200 or visit www.thekey co ollection.co.uk llection co uk

style metal buckles, quilted panels, and very strong rubber soles, and they look e exactly the sort off thing that Steve M McQueen’d be wearring while desert ra acing or wheeliein ng down a California a beach.

They co ome in all the usual ssizes, and cost £229.9 99 from anywhere that keeps the Sidi range or www w.sidiselect. cco.uk

Inspired by motocross, these very grippy footboards deliver the grip to prove it. They have tapered perimeter edges to optimise lean angles, are precisionmachined from aircraft grade 6061 T6 billet aluminium, and are light and strong.

Sold in pairs, with all the necessary adjustable mounting hardware, they come in a choice of natural aluminium, black or gold, and are available from anywhere that stocks the Zodiac range or www.zodiac.nl

PERFORMANCE MACHINE VINTAGE AIR CLEANERS

This new vintage air cleaner housing was stylistically designed for a timeless look with smooth, machinecut shapes that promote a nostalgic feeling. The drag-race inspired induction opening allows it to breathe properly and there’re built-in breathers too.

Available in a range of colours, they fit 1991 to present XL Sportsters, 1993 to 1999 Evolution Big Twins, 1999 to 2017 Twin Cams, 2008 to 2015 Touring and Trike, 2016/2017 Softails & Dynas, 2017 to present Milwaukee Eights, and 2015 to present Indian Chief, Chieftain, Roadmaster and Springfield from anywhere that stocks the Zodiac range or www.zodiac.nl

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It’s happened to us all (well, apart from modern Harley owners); you flick your indicator on and then you forget to turn it off again, and it flashes and flashes and flashes. I’ve had a few near misses because of this, and I’m sure you have too.

Well, tthat’s over now – the Smart Turn System (STS S) will automatically cancel your indicators affter every manoeuvre.

It can be retrofitted to a huge number of bikes, and installation is simple and can be done even by inexperienced persons in a few minutes. Instructions are included, and instruction videos can also be found online too.

The STS costs just £85 and is available at all Parts Europe/Drag Specialties dealers – check out the dealer search at www. partseurope.eu p for your closest stockist.

Need to agree or even disagree with something you’ve seen in the mag? Heard a bloody awful joke you think we should groan at? Email nik@ backstreetheroes. com or send it snailmail to the address in the front (somewhere) of the mag!

Dear BSH, I’ve been reading BSH for many years, and a seasoned rallygoer from the original Rock & Blues to Farmyard preflooding, and all the smaller ones in between. There’s one common theme that hasn’t changed over 27 years of attending various events – the music!

It’s still the same old shite that bands played years ago, and it seems to be that a rally isn’t complete until ‘Highway To Hell’ etc. has been played. Surely when trying to promote the biker lifestyle to the next and younger generation, we should be choosing bands that play the younger generation’s style of music. I’m not saying let’s all hire Justin Bieber lookalikes, but there are plenty of bands out there to choose from, and not all of us want to hear screaming middle-aged men attempting to relive their youth.

JONESY My own feelings exactly – been putting on bands that play ‘younger’ music at the R&S for years. There are bands who play modern covers (Nuclear Minogue, El Bronson, Last Call, De-Railed etc.), and they’re really bloody good – organisers just need to book them! N.

Dear BSH,

Forgive me if I have missed a previous issue explaining the rules. I noticed that in your May issue there is a write-up about a beautiful Triumph Scrambler (Eastern Promise), and I also noticed, as I am sure many of your other devoted readers did, that in this article’s photos of the aforementioned beautiful Triumph your art editor has put random pieces of other motorcycles dropped approximately in the general area where you would expect to find them.

Is this a competition to win some of your most excellent merchandise where we, the readers, have to let you know on what page and of what bike the offending misplaced parts that don’t belong are off? If it isn’t could it possibly be considered that such a competition could be run or, if this is not an option, please ask him to refrain from defacing the fine works of art that are the motorcycles we all love reading about.

JOHN HAMER We’ve already slapped him, don’t worry… N.

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Dear BSH,

Firstly note that I love this magazine and how it’s keeping the custom scene alive.

I’m 28, and have a few bikes of my own and all are custom in some way or other.

The other week I sat down with my brew and was having a gander at one of your magazines, which had an article about the best 125s out there. Now I get to my point; 125s are ace – I have a full licence, and I still pootle about on a 125 after downsizing from a bigger bike. It suits my needs, and they’re pretty damn cool – they come in all shapes and sizes, and the possibilities are endless with them, however you fill the pages with bikes that’re new and shiny and, to be honest, pretty grim.

I insist you do the same article again and throw in the mix some second-hand gems and show the next generations of wee bikers that you can’t buy cool, it’s in your blood, in your shed and in the meat left on your angle grinder discs. For a custom magazine to endorse new bikes I feel kind of a loss of faith in the fact you’re almost encouraging the up-and-comers to buy new and keep them standard.

Cafe racers are the trend for 125s like the Honda CB and such, but we need to show the youth that cool doesn’t come in one shape. The customs shown in your magazines are chopped, bobbed and slammed, not retro-cool – don’t follow this trend, encourage them to buy busted up Marauders and Shadow 125s and teach them that you don’t just bob Harleys.

Show them that even as learners and newbies they can do all the things you see in the centrefolds, make them pose their semi-naked women astride their fantastically custom 125 beasts.

I bought my first bike for £60 when I was a kid, and sank my heart and soul into it and had the perfect little bike for me – it was loud and proud and, for lack of a better word, spunky. In the process of destruction and rebuild, we give them a soul almost or maybe impart a little of our own upon it. You never forget these bikes, and you would never get the same with a new shiny ‘custom’ out of the shop; you encourage the loss of soul from the process and encourage kids to gain debt on something they may never want more from. Show us what a tame mechanic and a groovy old 125 can do, fill their minds and hearts with a need to fettle and tinker.

TOM CAMPBELL We did that before the new bikes articles in a couple of big features on custom 125s – shame you missed them. That’s what led on to the new bikes stuff. We also, and have done for months now, run pics of readers’ custom 125s in Readers Lives.

We are, as far as I know, the only magazine that does this on a regular basis. N.

DEAR BSH, Thought you might like to see some pics of biker life in China. I took a trip over at Easter and was struck by the similarities to the biker lifestyle here in the UK. As in the UK, bikers are seen as second-class road users, but in a city with a 32 million population, the survival instincts of these guys are something to aspire to.

You don’t see many large-capacity bikes over there – 300cc seems to be optimum, mainly because of the crippling price of imported larger bikes and sky-high insurance. There were some really cool wheels, though, including a very funky Union flag-painted scoot, a whole raft of small cc cruisers, trying to look like bigger bikes, and even a cruiser named a Benda! I’m sure we all know someone who just needs that in their life...

Just like any town in the UK, bikers gather on street corners and cafes, small kids look on, impatient to grow up and get wheels of their own.

It was life-affirming to know that my lifestyle choices are recognised and embraced, even in a communist country like China. Oh and outside the big cities, there are stunning, empty roads that just go on forever.

TREVOR DOWLING The best letter each issue will now receive a free T-shirt from those lovely people, Laura and Mark, at Fat Maggot T-Shirts (www.fatmaggot.com) – get all your rally shirts etc. from them, they’re triffic!

WORDS: LIN JEFFORD PICS: NIK

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BASED ON CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAD AT THE STUDIO ON THE DAY THESE PICS WERE TAKEN, I SUSPECT I’M GOING TO KILL NIK FOR THE HEADLINE HE’S PUT ON THIS ARTICLE… AND I HAVEN’T EVEN SEEN IT YET.

W

e’d had this rolling chassis, based on a ’98 Sportster, hanging around for quite some time now; the frame’d been hardtailed and then put to one side. We hadn’t exactly forgotten about it, but we never seemed to have a definite plan for it either.

Fast forward seven years (!), and a trip to Newark autojumble unearthed a rather nice Ironhead motor missing its transmission. It’s always a gamble when you buy a second-hand engine, but this one was very pleasing aesthetically so I decided to buy it. The missing ’box

wasn’t a problem as Vic was going to ‘Shortster’ it – in other words, chop it off anyway and fit a Big Twin gearbox behind it. The trouble was, the more we looked at it, the more it seemed a shame to butcher it when it was in such good condition. It’s not often you find an old engine without fins missing, and with no other obvious defects.

So we decided to keep it whole and the project started. First job was stripping the motor to see if the inside AUGUST 2018

15

was as good as the outside. I didn’t hold my breath, it’s always a risk when buying an engine so old, but we were happy to find no damage at all – just a bit of expected wear, so the refurb began with rebuilding the crank, and putting in a new pinion shaft, new bearings, and new barrels (but that’s another story... ), pistons and rings. The crankcases were bead-blasted, thoroughly washed out and lacquered, and the cylinder heads were refurbed, the rocker covers polished, and the outer casings were powdercoated to complete the look. Finally, all the other bushings and bearings were replaced while it was in a stripped-down state – it’s always easier and cheaper to do now than find out later you should’ve…

I was lucky that we happened to have a four-speed Evo’ Sportster transmission that was in good condition and, with a bit of shimming, fitted in well. The motor is a very late Ironhead, and the tranny was out of a very early Evo style Sporty and, as with most Harleys, there’s quite a crossover period, and this meant that a modern starter motor could be used which always makes life a little easier.

Vic made me the cylindrical oil tank, also powdercoated, which sits snugly under the

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seat, and fabricated a seat base to follow the lines of the frame. The base was then dispatched to Les and Sandie at Saddlecraft in South Shields to be covered and stitched with a design to match the paint.

The forks were stripped and rebuilt too, the lower legs were shaved and polished (and fitted with new dust seals), and the yokes

had the top one polished and the lower powdercoated.

The next job was the wheels, which Vic re-spoked and rebuilt with all new bearings.

I wanted to build a bike that was the ‘in’ style, and also that was easy to ride and maintain as, ultimately, it will be for sale, so with that in mind I chose a Wasp axed (narrowed)-style fuel tank, and narrowed Clubman ’bars to give that bobber look.

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DESTINY CYCLES ARE BASED UP IN THE WILDS OF THE NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS AND ANSWER THE PHONE THAT RINGS WHEN YOU DIAL 07979 648689.

SEE THE MANY, MANY GORGEOUS BIKES THEY’VE BUILT ON THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW. DESTINYCYCLES. CO.UK

ENGINE: Harley-Davidson Ironhead Sportster 1000, stripped/rebuilt, new barrels/pistons/rings, rebuilt crank/new bearings/pinion shaft, polished rocker covers, Keihin carb with Moon-style air-filter, crankcases bead-blasted/lacquered, outer casings powdercoated, four-speed H-D Evo Sportster gearbox, one-off polished stainless 2 into 2 exhaust FRAME: 1998 Harley-Davidson Sportster, hardtailed, powdercoated, stock mid-mount controls/foot-rests FRONT END: Continental tyre 3.25x19” tyre, 19x2.15” powdercoated rim, polished hub, chrome spokes, stainless disc, H-D caliper, H-D Sportster forks (lower legs shaved/polished)/yokes (top polished, powdercoated bottom), narrowed Clubman ’bars, Kustom Tech Grimeca controls, stainless push-buttons, Biltwell recoil grips, MMB mini multi-function speedo REAR END: One-off integral powdercoated mudguard struts/

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sissy-bar/rack, Continental MT90 x 16” tyre,16x3” powdercoated rim, chrome hub/spokes, stainless disc, stock H-D caliper BODYWORK: Wasp axed-style chopper tank, one-off seat base covered in ‘oil slick’ stitched design

by Saddlecraft Seating to match paintwork, one-off cylindrical oil tank, one-off battery on tray with polished billet strap, short rear mudguard ELECTRICS: One-off loom by Destiny Cycles, Electronika control box, 4.5” smooth black headlamp PAINT: Blue/black ‘oil slick’ design

by Lin, painted by Dave Dickinson at DDK Airbrushing POLISHING: Destiny Cycles ENGINEERING: Destiny Cycles THANKS TO: “Vic for his patience & talent; Dave & Claire at DDK Custom Airbrushing (01262 490022 or www.ddickinsonairbrushing. com); Guy at Ryedale Blast & Steam Clean (07899 802024); & Les & Sandie at Saddlecraft Seating (0191 455 6262 or www.saddlecraft. co.uk)…”

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A mini MMB combined speedo fits between the ’bars nicely, and does all you need.

The hand controls are Kustom Tech Grimeca, and small stainless pushbuttons fit in nicely.

A smooth black 4.5inch headlamp was chosen to complete the front end. Vic made the combined rear mudguard struts with rack and sissy-bar, and they too were powdercoated.

Next came the paint. Our usual painter, Dave Dickinson (no, not the orange gentleman off the telly) of DDK Airbrushing, gave me a strange look when I told him what I wanted – a kind of oil slick-look – but absolutely nailed it and now admits it looks better than he thought it would.

Vic then put it all back together, and that was that!

I am really pleased with the way it’s turned out, and am looking forward to giving it a few shakedown rides before putting it on the market. Well, maybe...

(Editor’s note: Anyone actually wishing to purchase this motorcycle had better bring along a very large pry-bar to get it away from Lin, okay, as she rarely sells anything!)

THE BIKE SHED LONDON IS THE BIKE SHED LONDON’S BIG EVENT AT TOBACCO DOCK IN WAPPING, AND SHOULDN’T BE CONFUSED WITH THE BIKE SHED LONDON WHICH IS IN SHOREDITCH. GOT THAT? GOOD…

WORDS: NIK

PICS: DAVE MANNING

LONDON

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018 was BSH’s BSH s second visit to t what is the biggest hipster biker event on the calendar (although the organisers of Wheels & Waves in Biarritz might want to argue about that…), and do you know what? Just like last year, we really enjoyed it.

The event, you see, is, by far, the biggest custom bike event in the UK, with more than 230 one-off customs displayed in the very posh environs of the Tobacco Dock shopping centre (amazing place – all old brick, cast iron girders and glass), and a host of the best new-skool custom builders from Britain and Europe showing off their skills and wares. Getting that many high-class customs in one place is no small feat, and you really have to hand it to Dutch, Vikki, Ross and all the Bike Shed crew who do it and run and manage the event so expertly. I’m sure that, to

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use that old duck on water metaphor, they’re paddling like hell underneath, but the whole event just looked and went smoothly on top and that, to all of us who didn’t get to see the frantic paddling, is all that’s important, isn’t it?

For our stand this year we had two bikes on display; the newly-finished GSX600 project bike that Mr Bridges has been building in the magazine, and Destiny Cycles’ beautiful Rose Tattoo Sportster that they’d very kindly brought all the way down from the wilds of North Yorkshire especially.

And, as one of the rules of the event is that there are no tacky vinyl banners anywhere, we thought laterally and got Andy at Vintage Metal Sign (www. vintagemetalsign.co.uk) to

knock us up some very cool 3ft x 2ft metal versions of select BSH covers, and very striking they looked too – we had a fair few people asking if they could buy them so they must’ve looked pretty damn good, mustn’t they?

Friday night at the Bike Shed is preview/VIP night, and isn’t open to the general public unless you buy one of the £30 tickets (which also gets you in Saturday and Sunday too). Some 2000 people did, and they got to see the bikes and the stands in relative peace and quiet, before the crowds flocked in on Saturday morning. It was a good time to see everything (or so I’m told, I was on stand duties), to be able to squat down and AUGUST 2018

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examine engineering details or check out the flow or the line without being shoved or bumped as you are at other big indoor shows, and the fact that the whisky cocktail bar just across from our stand was free too helped develop a very mellow vibe.

In fact that’s probably the best way to describe the whole event – mellow. It’s a very non-commercial thing (although there is, of course, a lot of stuff to buy – from gloves to helmets to jackets, shirts, tees and much, much more) and everyone picks up on this. There’s a lot of standing around, talking, laughing and smiling. The queues at the bars and the food stands are long, but go down quickly and no one gets stressy.

The toilets are clean and don’t smell like a Clacton kebab house. There are deckchairs (yep, real deck-chairs) to loll about

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on outside, a policed multi-storey car park to park your bike in safely, and the food vendors don’t just offer dog-burgers and soggy chips (me and Vic practically lived on the excellent burritos from one of the stands and I’m told the premium burgers on one of the others were very good too).

And for anyone into custom bikes (which, if you’re not, why are you reading this?), it’s a dream come true. Yeah, okay, so there aren’t many chops, and there are a fair few ‘cafe racers’ that’d get sniggered at in the real world, but there are so many cool bikes there that you do actually struggle to see them all the two days the event’s on. I won’t, of course, be able to mention all the ones that are worth a mention, but I shall do me best. Fastec Racing had three or four on their stand worth an ogle, a couple of which were more streetfighter than cafe racer; Sinroja had the two Enfields from the last issue and also the new BMW they’ve done for TW Steel; TW Steel themselves had the fairly incredible fully (and I mean fully!) faired ‘Spitfire’ with its handmade alloy bodywork; P&D Customs had their utterly gorgeous little Triumph that blends new and old-skool influences together beautifully; the Sultans of Sprint drag bikes display was worth

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a half-hour of anyone’s time; Aled Corps’ Norton had a crowd round it as usual; the Racefit Katana on the Icon stand was sublime (although I was a little unsure about their not remotely finished Zeds in another hall); David Rogers’ Carter Harrisbuilt Attitude was the bollocks; Marcel’s BSA was glorious; Michael’s CX in the same hall as us was one of the best I’ve seen; Honda had a stonking CBX750 that, again, was more streetfighter than cafe racer (are streetfighters going to be the next resurgence?

I’d say there’s a good chance looking at the bikes there); and… and… and… As I said, I was there for

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three days (okay, two-and-a-half) and I’m not convinced I saw everything.

It was also interesting to see that, compared with last year, there were a lot more folk who looked like ‘normal’ bikers, and slightly less hipster-types. I’ve heard a whisper that the true hipsters have moved on from customs to Eighties sports bikes, and I must admit I don’t have too much of a problem with that as it means that the people who were there were genuinely into their bikes. Yeah, okay, so there was a little too much beard oil for me, and a few too many cravats, but at the end of the day it’s about bikes, custom bikes, isn’t it? And the Bike Shed London is very definitely about that!

Cheers to Dutch, Vikki and the crew for letting us have a stand there, Vic and Lin from Destiny Cycles for bringing along Rosie to grace our stand, and Dave for doing lots of driving – lots and lots of driving!

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MA X S T E V E LO WORDS: ETT ON EVER PICS: SIM

X AND VE LOMA VON. E T S ’S E MY NAM EXMOUTH IN DE UND I’M FROM N BIKES FOR ARO NTLY E E I’VE RIDD NOW, AND CURR BOUGHT I S R 35 YE A 99 WHICH 8 I T A C U OWN A D T I’VE U IN 2013, B N OW BUILD MY O T D E T N A E ALWAYS W TO MAKE IT A TRU D .

N IECE BIKE A MASTERP

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I REALLY WANTED THE CHALLENGE OF BUILDING AN ORIGINAL STYLE CAFE RACER

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wo years ago I’d researched parts for cafe racers, and looked at a few already built bikes, but realised they were far too expensive to buy already done (and that kinda defeated the point of building one myself). I really wanted the challenge (and it definitely was a challenge!) of building an original style cafe racer. So, having gained this inspiration, I started to look through websites to find a CX500 to act as a donor bike, and managed to find one for £850 which I thought was very reasonable for my purposes. This is where my adventure began.

Within a week of it being delivered I had it all stripped, and new monoshock linkages and a

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new seat subframe made and welded in. After five weeks I purchased a Yamaha R1 front end including blue spot brakes, and I had a headstock shaft machined to take the R1 yokes. This gave me a rolling chassis, but one that wasn’t ideal – the front wheel was wider than the rear!

After more internet research for ideas to achieve a wider rear wheel, I drew a blank until I contacted Cafe Racer Kits (www.caferacerkits. co.uk) on the Isle of Wight who machined me some hub discs to adapt the stock CX hub to fit an early VF750 wheel rim. That allowed me to fit an 150/18 tyre, but it’s such a tight fit that you have to unbolt the driveshaft to get the back wheel out.

The next stage of the build was to totally baremetal the complete engine so that I could etch

prime and paint it in two-pack satin black.

It was a massive task, but well worth it in the end as the result’s fantastic. This was then wrapped up, and put to one side.

As a dry build is certainly the only way to a successful build that’s what I decided to do so the huge task began.

Firstly, I had to hand-fabricate the front and rear mudguards from marine grade 4mm aluminium with stainless support brackets, then the rearset back-plates were all fabricated from 4mm stainless steel. All the linkages were made from stainless with aluminium link rods (and a whole load of man hours) and, after three attempts at angles and lengths of rods, I

managed to achieve successful gear-changing. The swingarm had to be strengthened because of the angle of the rear shock mechanism.

As everything was going so well, it gave me the inspiration to see the project through at a high standard – I’m aware that many of these projects get abandoned or sold as unfinished and, I think, the key is to do each stage of the build with time, effort and professionalism as this will stimulate you to continue… or it did for me anyway.

So now I had a dry-built chassis with the suspension in place, and the rearsets up and together, and I was really excited. The next step was to start on the bodywork, starting with the fuel tank. The stock tank was AUGUST 2018

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I BELIEVE THE RESULT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF

adapted a little at the back to fit the seat frame properly, and lifted two inches at the rear so that it lays straight and flat on the frame.

The next stage was to fabricate the rear seat cowl from stainless steel, which was relatively easy, and really successful, with a sheet steel folder. The seat was then custom-made to blend in with the tank, but when it was fitted it looked out of place. My work colleague came up with a plan to sort it – make some sidepanel infills so that all of the bodywork’d flow and fit nicely together. This worked so well, and I was really pleased. Lastly, I made an aircraft-style fuel filler cap, which looks awesome.

After completing the dry build it was time to strip the bike completely, and send

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ENGINE: 1981 Honda CX500, re-jetted carbs, K&N air-filters, one-off stainless exhaust with oversize GP end can FRAME: 1981 Honda CX500, one-off seat subframe, modified for monoshock, oneoff stainless rearsets FRONT END: Bridgestone Battlax 120/17 tyre, 2002 Yamaha R1 wheel/ brakes/USD forks/ yokes/’bars/ master-cylinder, one-off steering stem, Goodridge brake lines, Honda CX500 controls/ switchgear, aftermarket grips with billet ends

hub, stock drum brake, one-off stainless torque arm, Bridgestone Battlax 150/50/18 tyre BODYWORK: Oneoff alloy front ’guard, modified/chromed stock tank, one-off seat, one-off stainless tailpiece, one-off battery & electrics boxes ELECTRICS: Modified stock wiring loom, chrome aftermarket headlight, aftermarket tail-light CHROMING: Bodywork etc. by Doug Taylor Metal Finishing POWDERCOATING: Frame/ wheels/swingarm/ stand/all brackets/ battery box etc. by 1st Choice Finishes

the frame/swingarm/engine brackets/wheels etc. to the powdercoaters, 1st Choice Finishes in Exeter REAR END: Modified (www.1stchoicefinishes.co.uk). The tank went to strengthened stock Doug Taylor Metal Finishing (www.dougtaylor.co.uk) swingarm, Yamaha to be chromed, and then, three weeks later, all the R1 shock, Honda ENGINEERING: Owner VFR750 rim, one-off components were returned, and the true fun began reassembling the bike.

After many hours of rebuilding the bike it was time for the finishing touches. To complete the build, braided brake hoses, anodised levers, an aftermarket expansion tank and a myriad more other nice parts were fitted, and I believe the result speaks for itself.

Luckily, it went straight through the MoT with no advisories, which was a result. As well as this I managed to insure it at a competitive price so now was the time to road-test it. Initially I had some problems with carburation, but after a good tune-up the bike now rides, and handles, fantastically – totally awesome cornering and, with R1 front brakes, you can stop well! Since it’s been on the road, I’ve had a lot of fun riding it with my biker friends, all on retro bikes.

To conclude this journey of my first bike build, would I build another bike?

Oh yes, definitely – next year, more than likely, I will build a flat-tracker.

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BLIMEY, IT WAS HOT. NOT EVEN IN SUBSAHARAN AFRICA HAD MY HARLEY OVERHEATED, BUT IT DID ON LONDON’S VICTORIA EMBANKMENT THANKS TO TRAFFIC POLICIES THAT’VE SQUEEZED MOST OF US INTO THREE-QUARTERS OF THE ORIGINAL ROAD WIDTH AND MADE FILTERING ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.

WORDS: THE MUTCH PICS: LEMBIT OPIK, BEN GRAHAM AND IAN MUTCH

be quite honest, this is total bollocks. As someone who has been on more demos in 40 years than I can count I’ve often defended their usefulness and applauded the efforts of those who take the responsibility of organising them. In this case that is Tim Fawthrop, our London rep, who has regenerated MAG in the metropolis.

This said, and with thanks to the 900-plus riders who turned up and struggled around the course of the ride, we are looking at doing more stunts that attract media attention without the risks and work of big demos. This

T

he beast started again, eventually, and with Lembit Opik flailing about with a camera on the pillion, I endured two more hours of stop/start/fade/splutter/ stagger/cut out/wobble riding from Smith Square near Parliament to a park somewhere near Tower Bridge. In between came a circuit of Trafalgar Square with a gazillion tourists waving and taking pictures of us before we finally pitched up for the speech making.

MAG doesn’t have that many big street demos these days as so much of our direct political work is just that; direct contact with politicians and civil servants in which we put the rider’s case. It was where we always wanted to be years ago when most bikers saw ‘action’ as being riding around the streets of the capital making noise. A lot of bikers reckon if MAG is not doing stuff like this then we’re not really an action group but, to

is a discussion by the MAG national committee at the moment, but MAG must continually evolve (though I doubt we will ever abandon the traditional demo as a tactic at times).

The object of the day was to communicate to London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan the anger that exists in the biker world over his plan to charge us £12.50 a day to ride in London if our bikes are pre-2007. This is the same charge as for cars and applies to all of London inside the North and South Circular roads. One of the ironies of this plan is that a 2008 Rolls-Royce can come into London and pay no emission charge, but a 1980 Honda 90 will attract the full £12.50. This is like crime in a multi-storey car park – wrong on so many levels.

Well, the fat lady ain’t sung yet, if I may say that these days? MAG is engaged in vigorous lobbying to get Mr Khan to climb down, and we do have support from people inside the system. We could do with a bit more though so the more of us who want to write or email him or get on to your MPs to bring this subject up with the Mayor, or Transport for London, the better!

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WORDS:

T YS O N S H E LLE Y

ET T O N EVER PICS: SIM

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TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO, SAT AT HOME, BORED, FED UP WITH NOT HAVING A BIKE – COULDN’T AFFORD TO BUY A NICE SHINY NEW ONE, SO I THOUGHT I’D BUY A CHEAP, BEAT-UP BIKE, AND BUILD ONE!

I

found an old pre-unit Triumph T-Bird 650 that’d already been chopped, but was in need of a little love and attention, and so I started with a bike that had all its major components, and started chopping, changing and removing bits here and there. I had an idea in my head of what I wanted it to look like – an old-

school traffic slicer with a new-school edge; narrow handlebars, small rear mudguard, a tight, compact bike with a medium stretch, and springer forks. I had no idea what I was doing, but knew what I wanted to make…

When I started takings things off I had to put them back on, just in case I

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forgot where they went and ended up with a pile of bits. My first mission was the rear ’guard as its original one was a really small thing that didn’t fit at all. I got another offered up, and started working it to make it fit in the frame a little tighter. I only had basic tools so it was done by hammering it over a block of wood with a regular claw hammer, and using a pair of mole grips to roll the edges in. I got it fitting all nice and sitting straight, and decided to cut it to make it shorter to give a rougher, handmade look, and that finished it off a treat.

The next thing was the ’pipes. I knew if I could get the ’pipes and the rear mudguard right, I’d be able to see a hint of what I was trying to achieve. They were beyond my meagre engineering skills though, so I reached out for someone who could make them for me. I spoke to a chap called Steve who works at an exhaust company, and together we made these ’pipes. He’s done an awesome job – all bent from just one tube. He’s a top bloke too!

While the bike was still together I needed to make a seat for it; something small and compact, like the bike. I went down the local metalwork shop, M&A Engineering, to see Mike, and

picked up a sheet of steel, took it home and started cutting and bending. It actually took me three attempts to get right before I was happy with it. I’m not a fan of deep, padded seats so I decided to make mine the thinnest, and most uncomfortable, it could possibly be!

There’s a whole half-inch of padding between me and the steel but, funnily enough, you do tend to forget about it when you’re out riding… well, until you hit a bump!

Before stripping the bike for paint I thought I might as well take it for a little blast (on a private road of course) to make sure all was well. It wasn’t… I got about 100 metres and the automatic retard blew itself to pieces. I pushed the Triumph back to the garage and on to the ramp and, as I don’t know that much about old engines like this, called in the family mechanic, my old man, Steve, who knows way more about these things than I do, and together we sorted

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...DOING THIS WITH MY OLD MAN WILL STAY WITH ME FOREVER

it out between us (with some swearing in the process!).

We also dealt with all the standard issues you get with an old bike that’s been stood for a while; blocked carbs (yes, carbs, someone’d put a twin carb head on it at some point), the fuel tap leaking and the motor wet-sumping, all annoying, but nothing serious.

So, with the bike all dry-built and running smoothly, the process of stripping it down for

paint with my dad began, and it’s something I’ll treasure forever – like most of us, we don’t really spend enough time with our parents as we get older, and doing this with my old man will stay with me forever.

I stripped back the paint using a grinder with a sanding disc – a job that I don’t recommend one bit unless you really like the taste of paint – to the bare metal to see what I had to work with. As I was doing so I realised I wanted to blend the petrol tank into the frame, Seventies-style, to keep a nice, smooth flow to the bike. I wasn’t up to doing that, or the paint though, so after talking to a few people who recommended Joeby’s Airbrush Art in Wells, I contacted them and spoke to Steve, the main man, about what I wanted and how it could be done. I AUGUST 2018

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THE BIKE WAS GOING TO BE THE TRANSPORT FOR MY WEDDING SO THAT MEANT THAT IT HAD TO BE EXTRA GOOD ...

drove it up to Joeby’s in the back of the van, and had a drink and a chat, discussed some ideas, left it with him and grabbed a KFC on the way back. Happy days!

He set about moulding the tank and frame so that they look effortlessly joined, and then laid down the green ‘n’ brown with gold flake, hidden black pinstripes and more visible gold pinstripes. It looks amazing!

While waiting for the paint to come back it was a perfect opportunity for me to polish the carbs, and tidy the engine and various other parts too.

It was at this point I decided that the bike was going to be the transport for my wedding so that meant that it had to be extra good. A couple of

ENGINE: Triumph Thunderbird 650, twin carb head, mesh bell-mouths, one-off exhausts FRAME: Triumph Thunderbird 650, hardtailed, moulded, stock foot-rest/ controls FRONT END: Unknown 22” drum wheel, unknown springers, shortened drag ’bars, old British-style controls, aftermarket grips REAR END: One-off sissybar by owner, 17” drum brake wheel BODYWORK: Moulded teardrop tank, one-off seat, modified old mudguard, Metalworks oil tank, one-off battery box/electrics box, aftermarket number-plate ELECTRICS: One-off loom by Steve (dad), Bates headlight, eBay tail-light PAINT: Green/brown with gold flake, hidden black pinstripes & gold pinstripes

by Joeby’s Airbrush Art (01749 677498 or www. joebysairbrushart.co.uk) POLISHING: Owner ENGINEERING: Bike built by owner, steering head collar/cutting/drilling by M&A Engineering, exhausts

by Steve THANKS TO: “Me father, Steve, for massive help with the bike mechanics (I’d still be working it all out without his help); Steve for an ace job on the exhausts; the wife for her patience (the old excuse ‘I’ll just be five mins’ must’ve worn thin come the end); my two boys; Joeby’s Airbrush Art for a great job; & Mike at M&A Engineering...”

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months later I picked it all back up and, once home, started the long job of assembly. Everything went smoothly, and I did it all very gently, taking my time and making sure I didn’t scratch or chip anything. I managed to get it all put back together, with help from my dad, and it looked perfect, and was done in plenty of time for the wedding as well.

I’m really pleased with the finished bike, and I have to say that this mag, BSH, is what inspired me to build my own bike, so I guess cheers to you guys.

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EVEN ON A SUNNY AND BUSY SPRING DAY, THERE’S STILL SOMETHING SPIRITUAL, ALMOST ETHEREAL, ABOUT THE PREHISTORIC MONUMENTS ERECTED ON THE ROLLING GRASSLANDS OF WILTSHIRE. OKAY, SO THEY’RE BEST SEEN EARLY ON MISTY AUTUMN MORNINGS WITH NOBODY ELSE ABOUT TO GET THE FULL EFFECT OF THEIR OTHERWORLDLINESS, BUT EVEN WHEN THE SUN’S BLAZING DOWN FROM THE SKIES AND THE HUM OF TRAFFIC ON THE A4361 THAT RUNS THROUGH THE VILLAGE IS LOUD ENOUGH TO BE HEARD EVEN ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE STONES, IT’S STILL A PLACE WHERE IT’S DIFFICULT TO COMPREHEND EXACTLY WHAT IT IS YOU’RE LOOKING AT.

WORDS & PICS: NIK

J

ust outside the village, on the road that runs up from the A4, is the Avebury Sports & Social Club, and this was the venue for the first Stone Circle Custom & Classic Bike Show. Despite being a very laid-back affair, it’d been well thought through; the organisers had invited along the legendary Allen Millyard, he of the many-cylinder Kawasakis and the monstrous five litre vee-twin Flying Millyard, Dave Solomon from the Butchered Classics group on Facebook and his gorgeous Zeds and Spondons, the local NSA (National Sprint

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Association) with their drag (well, sprint) bikes, and a couple of trade stands including a display of glorious Harley customs from Rolling Art Motorcycles. There was a single solitary burger stand with a queue longer than the Great Wall of China, an equal length queue for the bar in the club, and two very nice ladies selling coffee and water from a small stand who were inundated, but happy, as were those who, on that first Bank Holiday in May, were able to get a cold drink without queueing for so long their body hair went grey.

Wandering the show area and the spacious bike park outside, there was plenty for the petrol-head to ogle at. The Rolling Art H-Ds, and the very cool little Ram Racer they built too, were sublime, and Dave Tarner’s turbo Bandit-engined Z900 and Mr Solomon’s turbo Spondon just sex on wheels. James Rogers’ Triumph, which won one of the BSH Championship awards at the NEC last year, was basking in the sunlight, alongside his new-skool cafe racer Honda, and a couple of very nice Triumph chops and a neat little orange twin-cylinder GS chop held up our end of the custom

scene too. The Wiltshire branch of the BSA Owners’ Club turned up en masse and (probably) leaked oil all over the tarmac, and some guy I’d’ve liked to have a word with brought along his Moto Martin street-legal endurance racer – sex on a stick!

I pottered around for an hour or so, talking to a few folk I knew, but eventually the heat and queues for sustenance defeated me and I had to head off to find a drink that wouldn’t take a century to arrive.

Besides which, I had a Z900 RS cafe racer waiting for me in the bike park… yes, I know, I’m weak-willed.

HAVING BUILT ALL SORTS OF BIKES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, FOR MYSELF, FROM CAFE RACERS TO BOBBERS TO SCRAMBLERS TO CHOPPERS ETC., I WAS A LITTLE APPREHENSIVE WHEN I WAS APPROACHED BY MY DAUGHTER’S BOSS, AARON, ABOUT BUILDING ONE FOR HIM.

WORDS: W ILL WEBB

ET T O N EVER PICS: SIM

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H

e’s the owner of our local village pub/ restaurant, the Buck Inn in Pontlliw, near Swansea, and he’d seen a couple of my bikes so he asked me if I’d be interested in building him a bike. He’s from Trinidad in the Caribbean, and his brother is the leader of the local bike club out there, and they all ride custom bikes. I was a bit apprehensive about building a bike for someone other than myself as I’ve always built what I like, and so only had to please myself, not someone else. After showing me several photographs of bikes he liked (they were all pretty much of Big Twin Harleys), I showed him a picture of a fat wheel Sportster that I’d previously done, and we settled on a Sportster as a base model.

In fairness to Aaron he wanted it to be different from anybody else’s, and pretty much gave me free rein – his only requests were that he wanted it fat, low and loud, he wanted flames and metal-flake paint, and he wanted lots of chrome.

I found a nice, low mileage 1200 Sportster, which was perfect as a donor bike. First job was to strip it back to the bare frame and fabricate the extra-wide hardtail, which was going to have to be wide enough to take a 240 rear tyre. I wanted to stretch the bike so I made the hardtail sit as far back as I could, but still looking in proportion without leaving big gaps.

I sourced a new Harley Breakout wheel, and my good mate and co-conspirator Insane Tim made the relevant spacers for the sprocket to fit as the bike was going to be converted from belt-drive

I ENJOYED DOING THIS BUILD, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A LOT OF WORK INVOLVED...

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to chain to give us a little bit extra clearance. The front sprocket was a bit of a nightmare, resulting in several drawings, plans and mock-ups, but Tim pulled it out of the bag as this thing had to be off-set from standard by about 2.5 inches to tie in with the rear sprocket.

The front end I wanted to stretch out slightly so I sourced a set of five-degree-rake yokes, but these were for 41mm forks and ours were 39mm so, again, Tim adapted various bits to make it all fit. I wanted to keep the standard speedo’ as it’s all linked into the immobiliser and the electrics, but the risers were at

completely the wrong angle to fit on the now raked yokes, so I machined them down, altering the angle that they sat at, and I think they suit it well.

I soon had the stance for the bike looking as I wanted. It’s probably 2ft longer than a standard Sportster so the stock tank looked a little lost, so I sourced a larger than standard King Sportster which would blend

in well with the now larger than standard frame and rear wheel. The oil tank is custom made to fit the bike, and Tim machined some alloy billet ends to finish it off. Any unnecessary brackets and mounting lugs were removed from the frame, and I repainted it in gloss black.

Now I had a rolling chassis, and my plan for the paint scheme was going to be black and chrome. I started building it back up with as much chrome as I could fit on it, as this is what Aaron’d requested. I bought a chrome Hypercharger airfilter, chrome handlebars and grips, chrome switch surrounds, and chrome engine covers, and I added some chrome Harley skull details, a chrome fuel cap, a chrome choke lever, and a chrome headlight with a skeleton clinging on. The exhausts are modified Screamin’ Eagles reworked to fit around the new wide wheel.

My attention then turned to the paint scheme.

Aaron was favouring purple sparkly flames so it had to be different as a one-off, but a bit more subtle for my liking. Originally my plan was to do black metal-flake with silver flames, and I did the tank and ’guards in a black base coat with silver flames, and then bought black ’flake on line (which was quite expensive!) to add to the clear coat. What a nightmare! It was like trying to make sandpaper shiny! After several coats of clear, and several days of sanding and polishing, I thought “bollocks”. It wasn’t bling enough even for me, so AUGUST 2018

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ENGINE: 2004 Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster, Hypercharger air-filter, Screamin’ Eagle exhaust FRAME: One-off hardtail frame, 12” stretch, one-off forwards FRONT END: Avon Cobra 19” tyre, 19” H-D Ironhead wheel/ disc/caliper, 2004 H-D Sportster forks/master-cylinder/clocks, one-off 5-degree raked yokes, aftermarket drag ’bars, chrome switchgear covers, one-off clock surround, Custom Chrome flamed grips

definitely wouldn’t be for Aaron. The problem with buying online is that you don’t really know what you’re buying, and I was a bit loath to do it again, but then I had a brainwave – I visited the local hobby shop, and ended up buying several pots of different colour glitter so that I could make up my own, more blingy colours. A little experimentation and I was more than pleased with the result – the new colour was 80% gold, and the rest red, green, silver, blue etc. Mind you, I did stand there for about 10 minutes with the spray gun in my hand, debating whether I should or shouldn’t because, if this didn’t come out right, I’d be back to another day of sanding it all off. In the end I thought “F**k it” and pulled the trigger.

The black and silver paint scheme turned

REAR END: One-off stainless mudguard struts, 8.5” H-D Breakout wheel/disc/caliper, chrome rear sprocket, Avon Cobra 240 tyre BODYWORK: Modified standard H-D front mudguard, modified King Sportster tank, one-off seat/rear mudguard/ oil tank/battery box, chrome side-mounted ’plate ELECTRICS: Modified stock loom, chrome custom skull headlight, LED tail-light/ indicators

bronze before my eyes – not what I’d expected at all. I stood there another 10 minutes just looking at what’d happened. I called my daughter out to give her opinion – she liked it and, after I’d looked at it again, I realised it looked really good.

At last it was shimmering in the sun with all the different colours glistening, exactly as I’d wanted – subtle, but bling.

Just what I was after.

I made the seat as small and narrow as I could to emphasise the fat back wheel, and give the bike an hourglass silhouette from behind. It’s mounted on two adjustable mountain bike shock absorbers, and it’s surprisingly comfortable.

I enjoyed doing this build, even though there was a lot of work involved in making a 240 tyre fit a hardtail Sportster, as well as lots of other fiddly bits which took a lot of head-scratching to get them, and it, looking good. I must

PAINT: Custom metal-flake/ pearl by Will POLISHING: Will ENGINEERING: Will & Insane Tim THANKS TO: “Aaron who commissioned the bike & gave me a free rein to do what I wanted; & my old buddy Insane Tim for his invaluable advice & help…”

admit I was very nervous revealing it to Aaron just in case it wasn’t what he was expecting, but he was really pleased with it, and it always attracts lots of attention wherever he takes it.

And as I was so impressed with my newfound glitter painting skills, I did him a matching helmet in the same paint scheme as the bike – he was so pleased I ended up with a complimentary meal in the Buck!

And he’s already talking about having another one built next year!

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SO WHOSE BRIGHT IDEA WAS IT TO GIVE A BUNCH OF RATBIKERS AXES, THROWING KNIVES AND BOWS ‘N’ ARROWS AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO LOB/FIRE THEM AT THINGS? OH YEAH, ERR… MINE ACTUALLY…SORRY.

WORDS: NIK

PICS: FD

N

ow in its third yea year at the Ogri Clubhouse on Kemble airfield, the Rat & Survival, the world’s largest gathering of weird, matt black motorcycles, turned 21 this year. It’s changed somewhat from a collection of manky Super Dreams in a Derbyshire car park to… well, a collection of manky Jap Fours in a field in Gloucestershire really, but the basics of the event are pretty much the same (open space, beer, bonfire, a probably far too obsessive interest in Mad Max films), and the folk who come aren’t your ‘normal’ bikers – no, they’re far too silly.

The weekend didn’t start well – the Ogri Clubhouse actually flooded due to a prolonged rain storm of almost Biblical proportions, and Ogri members and meself, Sandi Suncream and her hubby Nik spent quite a long time indeed sweeping water through the

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building and into a drain in the floor.

Thankfully, by the time the sun rose on Friday morning, the rain was but a memory and the unbelievably welldrained site, amazingly, had nary a puddle anywhere. In fact, the sun beat down all weekend long and so Ms Suncream was able to get her kicks rubbing cooling balms into lots and lots of hairy men.

By the evening, the field’d filled up quite nicely, and by the time the first band of the weekend, the excellent Last Call, came on most people were marinating nicely (something helped quite a lot, I suspect, by the fact that the bar was selling a Black Rat cider with a specific gravity of nearly 7%).

The crowd for the band’s first set was a little sparse as the blazing bonfire was, as always, a focal point, but by the time they’d had a wee break and come back on again the place was buzzing, and the lads, all young guys in their twenties, played their hearts out and had the place bouncing. Top work, chaps, thanks for coming!

Saturday morning was then a fairly subdued affair, not helped by Spike from Victory Catering’s frighteningly

out-of-key Abba renditions. By the time the gentleman whose axes, knives and arrows we were to send flying’d arrived and set up though, people were starting to feel a little better. A few visiting Belgians went off to find the source of the Thames and piss in it (I didn’t think the toilets were that bad, meself), and the rest of us lazed around in the sunshine, attempted very half-heartedly to push barrels up and down the field with motorbikes, and then gathered for the traditional Saturday afternoon custom show.

I don’t know if you know, but the show at the R&S is predominantly for matt blackers, but we do have one trophy for shinies too; Worst Rat. This year it was awarded to Phypers who, thankfully, refrained from wearing his mankini (unlike last year) when he came to collect the award for his Harley – always a good thing.

Best Decorated went to Andy from the Tigers’ Thundercat (apt that, isn’t it?), Best Oddity to The Melv’s feet-forward… umm, scooter thing, Best Zombie (three-wheeler) to Paul and his glorious-sounding ‘Toxic’ V8, Best Ratfighter to Pam’s Gixer, Best Engineering to VJ’s hybrid GSX/XS1100, Best Little ’Un to Hairy Ben’s GS500, Best Rat to Liz’s GPZ500, Best Survival

to Chris from Edinburgh’s… err, big trailie thing, and Best in Show to Tim’s insane rust’fighter FireBlade. Special mention also must go to Stuart the Agitator’s wonderfully scruffy ‘SteamSka’ GS500-engined chop, and Tom Tuohy’s five-wheeled quike.

Saturday night’s band, Manic XL, was a kind of blend of East Anglian rally stalwarts Manic Blackout and up-andcomers De-Railed, and again after a slowish start had the place packed and moshing. Their gimp (don’t ask) Ding made one of his legendary appearances amongst the smoke, bashing a beer barrel with a golf club (I told you not to ask), and there were almost boos from the crowd when they finally had to go off. I’ve heard a whisper that the Ogri have booked them for their 40th

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anniversary Summer Rally, so keep an eye out for them then!

Somehow on Saturday night I became a member of an Archers (off Radio 4)-themed bike club (Sons of Ambridge MCM) and was elected Road Lieutenant Commander, and had a number of very long-winded conversations about a variety of subjects, none of which made much sense. Chris from Rataplan did fire-breathing, a lady in very small shorts whirled around fire-poi, and at the height of the evening I believe the bar was serving a pint about every 35 seconds – not all of them to me.

Special mention must go to whoever it was in the Ogri who came up with the concept of the burnout caravan – a caravan with the back cut off to do burnouts in. Inspired! Special mention also must go to Slut Tony who got a little overexcited and performed a far-too-long, flat-on-the-limiter doozie that had smoke pouring out of every window and the skylight in the roof too, but blew his ZZR’s gearbox in a fairly large way. Thank heavens for recovery insurance, eh?

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WE’VE ALL DONE IT, HAVEN’T WE? WANDERED AROUND A RALLY SITE AND FOUND A LITTLE GEM THAT PUTS A SMILE ON YOUR FACE, SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU CALL OVER TO YOUR MATES, SOMETHING THAT YOU TALK ABOUT LATER IN THE BEER TENT…

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WORDS & PICS: IAN SHIPLEY

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I

was at the Druids Rally here in Ireland last year when, over on the far side of one of the fields, I saw a rat – not any ol’ rat, but a bloody big rat… with a sidecar. It belonged to a guy named Dawid Zolynski, and started life as a 1985 Honda VT500.

It was originally bought for his wife, Karolina, who fancied having her own bike. Unfortunately when she first rode it, she took a nasty fall that resulted in her breaking her knee, and having to have various screws and plates implanted into her leg. This, as you can probably guess, brought about a swift end to her biking ambitions. Rather than sell the bike though, the decision was taken to use it as a project. As their son wanted to tag along to events, a chopper was out of the question, so thoughts turned to a sidecar combination, but not just any ol’ sidecar – no, a full-on, post-apocalyptic rat that’d not look out of place in any of the Mad Max films.

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TO GET THIS EFFECT, FIRST DRINK MANY CANS OF BEER THEN...

Dawid set to and his first job of many was to make a set of springers for the front end. They’re made from solid bar and weigh a friggin’ ton (well, nearly). He also made the ’bars and risers, and removed, for reasons that aren’t entirely clear, the front brakes in their entirety… no, I’m not sure why either, but hey ho. I s’pose you could argue that you’re not going to be able to get front brake pads once the end of the world has

occurred? The clocks have also been removed, but the switchgear retained and modified to also operate the skull at the rear with its illuminated eyes, and LEDs running around the rear sidecar fins. The actual rear light is an old miner’s oil lamp held on by a skeletal hand fabricated out of rebar, while the front one has been, shall we say, aged? I’ll tell you how in a moment…

At the back, the shocks’ve been binned and a set of new chain struts-cum-sissy-bar made, converting it to a hardtail (brave on Ireland’s notoriously pot-holed roads).

An old rear mudguard, of sorts, has been pressed into service, along with a very funky Badass Creations handtooled leather seat (with the legend ‘Yes I’m a welder… no, I won’t weld your bike for free’) that ties in with the skeletal theme that the bike’s been given. You hadn’t noticed? Really? What are you? Blind?

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ENGINE: 1985 Honda VT500, uprated carbs, home-made wrapped exhausts, home-made radiator cover FRAME: 1985 Honda VT500, home-made forwards, homemade sidecar chassis FRONT END: Stock 18” wheel, home-made solid bar springers, home-made ’bars, modified original controls/ switchgear, home-made mirror, aftermarket grips REAR END: Stock swingarm/16” wheel/brake/ driveshaft, home-made sissybar/mudguard struts BODYWORK: Modified custom tank, Badass Creations leather seat, modified unknown rear mudguard, home-made side-panels, unknown leather bags, home-made sidecar with lawnmower seat & H-D backrest

When it came to the sidecar, it was a simple case ELECTRICS: Modified stock of finding two large oil drums and welding them loom, ‘aged’ custom headlight, together. Okay, so it was slightly more involved than home-made rear light/sidethat – Dawid had to make the chassis to take the body car light, home-made LED indicators/running lights he was going to create, and then modify the drums to PAINT: No, rust give enough room for his son to sit inside them. For ENGINEERING: Owner comfort a lawnmower seat on a couple of springs was THANKS TO: “My wonderful fitted, and an unknown, but possibly Harley, backrest too. Once the seat’d been sorted out, he then set about wife Karolina for her patience & allowing me the indulgence giving the chair its suitably ‘rat’ decorations – the to spend so much time in the garage...” fins and the propeller at the rear, the skull bursting through the front cowl, the machine gun and bullet feed, and the circular saw blade in the wheel hub. Similarly cool is the modified custom tank with its obvious and very to-the-point fuel gauge; no one can misunderstand when it simply says ‘5 litres’ or ‘F**K!’, can they?

Finally, I did say I’d tell you how he achieved the ‘aged’ look, didn’t I? To get this effect, first drink many cans of beer then, with the metal out in the garden, go out and pee on it. Drink more beer, repeat, then leave to stand for around 12 hours (outside, of course) – it’ll look like it’s been outside for years. Okay, so your neighbours’ll think you’ve finally (finally?) lost the plot (or that you’re finally

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admitting to being the animal they always thought you were), but it’ll be worth it. You’ll have amazingly rustylooking parts, and you’ll also get a good laugh into the process – next time you’re at a show and people’re running their hands over the rusted metalwork, you can tell them how it was achieved, and enjoy the looks of horror as they frantically remove their hands from said metal and wipe them on their jeans. As Dawid says “the look on their faces when they hear the truth is priceless…”

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60 BRONTE STEAM

I’M SURE YOU KNOW THIS ALREADY, BUT ROYAL ENFIELD, THE WORLD’S OLDEST MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURER, HAS A LONG, LONG HISTORY OF WORKING WITH THE BRITISH ARMED FORCES.

st Their mo ry artime e w (v s u te o la m e fa ack in th adie was 0s, the E creation y n a late!) 180 p m borne o ir C a g e n th ri r tu fo Manufac n e e k th ta in who’d troops Limited, orld ossais c W E d d n n a co e d S Townsen ‘Flying launched over the War; the usiness, b le ly c p y p c a pedalacts to su Flea’ was on contr the w , to nd 6 a s 8 t 8 c 1 rm a in firea comp parts for o-stroke ed tw sh , li le b b a a precision st p -e ca g n lo ar, s action in t’ en of this w that saw ry at cc to governm 5 c 2 a 1 F s st battles the e te rm a g A th n re ll d ri g a e u e m m D u R oy a l S some of th Arnhem. , and ass d x n s se a ld , le y e 1 a d fi 0 id 19 D-D Royal En Enfield, M Royal Enfield. In including sands of of u e o tr e s, a th e le f m c o a th y every brand n war, tens to motorc to almost n, proper rsified in shipped -Dav idso re y s the only e e a they dive rl w w a a H le F s, re lly e n fo e io fu th b it t ss u n e rs b u ed succ duce m two yea conflict, be dropp ed to pro pers, cles to o y u o n e rc tr ti cl to n y ra o o a rc c p m and moto nt and es with ore equipme nemy lin d still rdered m artillery behind e Wars, an rtment o d a rl p o e D W s r e a th rc o W o b F e g d th n e and duri n Arm 0. the Known the India than 4,00 supplies resilient, sent day. re p e th s ugh and ld to to e was , s fi , e le n e p E ik tl l b ti a im l S w ith ness, Roy its officia d e e c se g u n g t-line ra to ru n F , as a fro WD/RE for their troops in tensively x rld e o h British le asset it d b W e a w y st lu d lo ir a e F dep serv e. An inv al ring the in ri u e d ch p a m ly formed Im m w iu combat ed to the of the ne and Belg li rs p p ie d by ld su so te were s droppe to the eli War, and ent, it wa Army. im le or g d n e ra R ia c l ss te e u u e R Parach tective st ro on p d a n a in gliders, parachute a assault rs o H 62 AUGUST 2018 in carried

B

WORDS: N IK

IELD YAL ENF PICS: RO

the ground, it was used for reconnaissance, communications and carrying soldiers into battle. It proved itself in September 1944’s Operation Market Garden, the largest airborne operation in history; a daring Allied attempt to shorten the war by entering Germany from Holland over a series of captured bridges, it culminated in the Battle of Arnhem where besieged and outnumbered paratroopers held out against German tank divisions for seven days in an incredible show of grit and determination. Beset with problems including broken radio sets, commanders relied on the Flea to carry messages – its strength and go-anywhere handling made it almost unstoppable; confronted with a fence or a ditch, the rider could simply dismount and lift the bike over.

The Flying Flea played a different, but just as vital, role on D-Day, the largest amphibious AUGUST 2018

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start, pedals and headlight bezel to complete the period look. There’s also a range of accessories, and an array of merchandise ranging from shirts, T-shirts and caps, to lapel pins, bags and helmets, all adorned with official military insignia and the Pegasus emblem.

The rest of the bike is the usual Classic 500; longstroke single-cylinder engine with a heavy flywheel to keep it thumping along smoothly at low revs, styled on the original ’50s Bullets,

invasion in history – as the Allies fought to establish a beachhead in Normandy, Northern France, in preparation for the invasion of German-occupied Western Europe, hundreds of Flying Fleas and James ML motorcycles streamed from landing craft on to the beaches. The ramp would touch down and out would come the motorcycles; they were used as a means of rounding up troops and getting them forward, and also accompanying troops much as a convoy escort rider would have done. D-Day’s commanding officers later praised the lightweight motorcycles and their riders, known as ‘beachmasters’, for their part in the landings’ success.

For 2018, Royal Enfield have launched a new variant of their Classic 500, the Pegasus, named after the official Parachute Regiment maroon and blue insignia, and produced in official association with them – a homage to the legendary war stories and to the resilience and pedigree of the brand, inspired by their ‘Made Like a Gun’ legacy. Only 1,000 bikes will be produced, of which 190 will be available in the UK, and each will bear the Pegasus emblem on the fuel tank, along with an individual stencilled serial number. The ‘Made Like a Gun’ decal on the battery box is another reminder of the machine’s heritage, and the markings on the Pegasus, like the yellow stripe on the engine, are based on a genuine Second World War Flying Flea used by the 250th (Airborne) Light Company, now in Royal Enfield’s official collection at the company’s UK Technology Centre.

The new bikes will be painted in the wartime colours of Service Brown and Olive Drab Green, and each comes with

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THE ROYAL ENFIELD CLASSIC 500 PEGASUS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO BE BOOKED ONLINE FROM JULY AND WILL BE PRICED AT £4,999 ON THE ROAD. GET MORE INFO FROM YOUR LOCAL ROYAL ENFIELD DEALER OR WWW.ROYALENFIELD.COM BUT BE QUICK, THERE ARE ONLY 190!

a bespoke set of military-style canvas panniers bearing the Pegasus logo, brown handlebar grips, a leather strap with brass buckles across the air filter, and blacked-out silencers, rims, kick-

that sounds and feels like an old engine too.

Power output is about 27bhp – it’ll cruise at a steady 75mph on motorways, and Enfield claim 80mpg (although gentle riders’ll be able to get that figure up even higher). There’s a single disc front brake that’s perfectly usable on this bike, and a drum rear which is adequate too, and the suspension is surprisingly good – the bumpy roads around Duxford, where the launch was, were dealt with a lot more smoothly than I expected them to be. If you’ve not ridden an Enfield, then it can take a moment to get your head around the fact that, despite its modernday trappings like the fuel-injection and the electric start, it’s not really a modern bike, but once you’ve done that and you relax into it, the Classic 500 Pegasus is a very pleasant thing to ride. You have to pick your roads, natch, but as long as you stay off dual carriageways and motorways, riding the Pegasus never fails to put a smile on your face.

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IT’S GOOD TO DREAM, AND WHILE DREAMS OF CREATING YOUR PERFECT CUSTOM BIKE CAN SOMETIMES BE RUDELY INTERRUPTED

BY TRIP HAZARDS OF NIGHTMARISH PROPORTIONS, OCCASIONALLY THOSE DREAMS DO COME TRUE… WORDS: DA VE MANNIN G PI C

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S: G

Y ARR

AR T S TU

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or man and Loui e Hartley of Deat h Gr ip Custom Cy cles in M iddlesbrou gh had a dream… well, two dreams ac tually. One wa s to have their ow n father-and-son custom bike bu siness, somet hi ng they’ve already accomplished, and the second was to build th e bike that Norm an’d wanted to build back in th e Sevent ies; na mely a SoCal st yle Pa nhead-powere d chop, and maybe even take it Statesid e.

He’d never been able to get hold of a Pan motor back then , and so this pa rt icular dream remaine d unfulfilled…

About three year s ago, they kick ed Death Grip Custom Cycles into life, and No rman’s long-term plan for a radica lly chopped Panh ead started.

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THE PLAN HAD BEEN FOR A BIKE THAT WOULDN’T HAVE LOOKED OUT OF PLACE ON THE WEST COAST OVER 40 YEARS AGO...

Shortly after they’d purchased a standard ’53 frame and complete motor, they had a conversation with their good friend Tom Paterson, of Deathcat Parts Co, and decided to enter the yet-unbuilt bike in Show Class magazine’s People’s Champ competition, the climax of which is a party held the night before the Born Free Show in southern California, during which visitors get to vote for their favourite bike in the People’s Champ display.

The winner gets to be shown with the invited builders’ bikes in the main Born Free show!

Now, for those of you who’ve not heard of Born Free, it’s a very popular chopper-focused custom bike show that’s been running for a decade and is held in June, and a large number of invited, high profile, professional builders from around the world display their bikes, alongside the ride-in show for those with a ‘grass pass’. It’s one of those shows that truly displays the deep desire that so many people have for proper choppers, and if you’re a

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true chopper freak, there are worse places to base your annual holiday around; more details can be found at www. bornfreeshow.com So, the initial plan for Norman and Louie was to pour heart and soul into the Panhead build, and show it at the Show Class mag’s readership, with the hope of being accepted into the People’s Champ invitational.

The 1953 engine was stripped, and rebuilt with a set of Delkron crankcases, a crank from Jims in California, standard heads and barrels, an Andrews cam and an S&S carb, bolted to a RevTech four-speed gearbox with a Shovelhead clutch and BDL belt drive.

This combo was then bolted into the ’53 wishbone frame which’d been given an

additional six degrees of rake and three extra inches of length, before having the twisted sections added (by welding on round tube and profiling it to the twisted shape), and the peanut petrol tank solidly mounted and moulded into the frame top tube.

Further moulding came to enclose the rider’s seat base, while a flowing king ‘n’ queen-style seat was created that’d match the statuesque sissy-bar and also have a hump that’d have the dual purpose of holding the pillion in place, but also give somewhere to tuck away the battery and assorted electrical gubbins.

As you can see from that tall sissy-bar, the Hartleys wanted to continue the twisted theme throughout the bike, from the frame downtubes to every single piece of bar used in the mudguard struts and sissy-bar/seat support having that heavy twist applied. Note how uniform the twisting is, and then consider how much thought, perseverance and commitment it took to get the end result…

Staying on that subject, the D&D forks that’ve been used have twisted legs and, while the forks are period aftermarket parts, the Invader-style front wheel (again with more twists in the form of the spokes) was made in-house at Death Grip. In fact, from here on, just about everything was made by the duo; they were really pushing themselves to ensure the bike was bespoke,

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DEATH GRIP CUSTOM CYCLES ARE BASED IN MIDDLESBROUGH, AND ANSWER THE PHONES THAT RING WHEN YOU DIAL 07487 642212 OR 07929 856247.

CHECK THEM OUT ON FACEBOOK OR AT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW. DEATHGRIPCUSTOMCYCLES.CO.UK

ENGINE: 1953 Harley-Davidson Panhead, Jims crank, Delkron cases, stock heads/barrels, Andrews cam, S&S Super B carb, Shovelhead clutch, BDL primary drive, RevTech 4-speed ratchet-top gearbox with stock top & shifter barrel, points ignition, one-off exhausts, solid oil lines FRAME: Modified 1953 wishbone frame, 6-degree rake, 3” stretch, twisted sections added, tank welded on/moulded into seat enclosure, one-off foot-rests & controls FRONT END: Avon Speedmaster MkII tyre, one-off twistedspoke Invader-style wheel, D&D forks, one-off handlebars, Biltwell grips

BODYWORK: Moulded peanut petrol tank, one-off king & queen seat, one-off horseshoe oil tank, one-off ribbed rear ’guard ELECTRICS: Oneoff hidden loom, old rectangular headlights, Land Rover tail-light, battery in seat ENGINEERING: Bike built & all engineering by Death Grip Custom Cycles PAINT: Matt Earl at Paint By Matt POLISHING/ PLATING: Agbrigg Chrome Platers, Leeds (07815 419885) THANKS TO: “Candy; Janet; Rory; Kyle; Sean at Agbrigg; Matt Earl; Mike the Engineer; Tim & Justin at Show Class; Cris Hench in LA; & everyone in the UK chopper scene for their support in us getting to Born Free – we appreciate everything everyone did beyond words...”

and the list of one-off parts is extensive – the handlebars, footrests and controls, the solid oil REAR END: One-off lines on the engine, the ribbed twisted sissy-bar, star hub mechanical drum mudguard, the exhausts, the wheel, Avon Safety horseshoe oil tank, and so much Mileage MkII tyre more. Oh, and rather than having the twin exhaust pipes running shotgun style to the rear, they’re set so that they splay apart towards the rear, conversely converging toward the front, and actually pointing to the centre of the crank!

From the very start, the plan had been for a bike that wouldn’t have looked out of place on the West Coast over 40 years ago, with a psychedelic Seventies kind of vibe, and the plan to have a crushed velvet seat cover, in purple, was decided very early on in the build process. The multi-hued purple paint not only has an appropriately heavy amount of ’flake incorporated, but Matt Earl of Paint By Matt also added a fair level of detail with the panels on the fuel and oil

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tanks, headstock and mudguard, plus all the accenting on the moulding on frame and fuel tank.

The paint and stance perfectly fit the Seventies ‘proppa choppa’ persona, as do the narrow profile, super-skinny ’bars, and the fact that there’s no front brake, just the rear drum.

Now, while this most certainly wouldn’t be ideal for the daily commute in urban traffic, you have to remember that this bike wasn’t built for that – it was built to be a Californian dream which, indeed, it was – despite quite a lot of lastminute spannering the night before the show after air-freighting the bike to the States, the Death Grip Panhead made it to Born Free, and was one of just six bikes chosen to be displayed as part of the Show Class magazine’s People’s Champ competition.

Second dream achieved!

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EVERY RALLY HAS SOMETHING THAT DISTINGUISHES IT FROM EVERY OTHER, SOMETHING THAT MAKES IT UNIQUE. AT THE FARMYARD PARTY, YORKSHIRE MAG’S BIGGEST BUNFEST, FOR ME ANYWAY, IT’S THE SMELL OF WOODSMOKE DRIFTING ACROSS THE HILL.

WORDS: NIK PICS: NIK & RICHARD GLYNN

Y’

see, while lots of rallies have bonfires of an evening, there are very few these days that allow individual rallygoers to have their own fires by their own tents and, call me old-fashioned, but I like that. Yes, I’m aware there are potential health and safety (those dreaded words) issues of mixing open fires, flammable materials (tents, in other words) and alcohol, but fires, camp fires, and gathering around them with a few likeminded souls is something that goes right back to prehistory, back to the days before civilisation, when we were nomadic huntergatherers. And throughout the whole gamut of history, folk’ve sat around camp fires at the end of a long day, to sit and talk, tell tall tales,

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reminisce about the past, speculate about the future – just as we do these days on the rare occasions that we get to do this. For me that’s the thing that makes the Farmyard different.

The haul up to Helmsley from Suffolk is a long one, 187 miles to be precise, and by the time me and the Future Bike’d bounced up the cracked concrete drive that runs up from The Big

Hoose to the site proper, I was glad to be there.

Over in the Riders’ Rights marquee a punk band, Strangeways, followed by rally classic covers maestros Angel Fire, was giving it what for, and on the main stage in the Big Top Avit were first up, followed by Replays. By the time I’d met up with a few mates, got me tent up, and made me way across to where the entertainment was, the rather wonderful Haxan were, rightfully, headlining on the Riders’ Rights stage, getting the place bouncing, and over in the Big Top an Abba tribute band, Planet Abba, were headlining. Yes, you did read that right, an Abba tribute band. They went down a storm too – the place was filled with thousands of happy bikers singing along at the top of their voices. Similarly, in the

Blues Bar the headliners were Atlantic 45, who played a full-on disco set and filled the place with their Seventies boogie anthems. Funny, isn’t it, how us bikers are s’posed to listen to heavy metal, yet thousands of you lot are more than happy to dance your thermal socks off to Abba, Boney M and the rest?

While the weather on Friday was blissfully warm and dry, perfect for sitting round camp fires (cheers to the Defunct for letting me gate-crash theirs late on), the forecast for Saturday was a little pants. It was okay during the morning, but as custom bike owners started to bring their machines over for the BSH-sponsored custom show, the clouds gathered, the wind got up and soon little spots of rain started to fall. Actual big rain

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held off for a couple more hours, but then, yep, the heavens opened and, by ’eck, did it come down. Okay, so most people on site didn’t really even notice as they were in the Big Top howling themselves incontinent at the Smacked Arse Comedy Show. As usual, I didn’t get to see the whole thing, but I did see the first four comics; the excellent Will Hutchby, the very funny Tom Short, Scarlet SoHandsome (who I thought was funny, but didn’t go down as well as perhaps he could’ve done), and the really, really good Rob Mulholland. Compere Rick Hulse spent quite a lot of time taking the piss out of a lady who had a small dog in a pram who, very foolishly, sat herself in the front row – never a great idea – and entertained everyone with his tales of hedgehog-related derring-do.

And despite the weather, a fair number of people brought their bikes down to the show.

I don’t know how many there were precisely, but in excess of 40 I suspect. After even just a quick walk around, I knew it was going to be a nightmare to judge and it was. There were 12 trophies on offer, including the five for the BSH Champs and the one kindly sponsored by the Rock & Bike Fest, and working out which ones were going to get what was bloody difficult. Me and a gentleman from

MAG walked round and round and round and round, diving into handy stalls when the rain hit, and eventually picked 11 very worthy winners (the R&BF folk’d already picked theirs). The MAG trophies went to Tracy’s spiky trike, Mick Seward’s 350 Cotton, Simon Daniels’ V-Max, Chrissie Hutchinson’s Dnepr, Sowy’s S&S, and John Hackett’s Yamaha, and Best in Show went to Martyn Bratby’s twin-engined Sunbeam ‘Fourbeam’, while the R&BF award went to Alastair McIntyre’s massive slammed and stretched Yamaha chopper. The winners of the BSH awards you can see in the Championships ad towards the back of the magazine. Thankfully, by the time the trophies were given out the clouds and the rain’d done one, and bright sunlight not only bathed the righteous, but lasted all that evening too – very welcome after the torrential rain, I can tell you.

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Strangely, there weren’t quite so many folk in fancy dress on Saturday night this year, which was odd because the Farmyard’s always been a hotbed of Saturday night dressing-up. That didn’t dent the enthusiasm of the party-goers though, and in the Big Top rally favourites Fugitive kicked off the evening with a biker rock bang, and were followed by Gallus Cooper, probably the country’s leading Alice Cooper tribute band. Me and a couple of folk (well, actually more than a couple o’ folk – the place was packed!), though, were over in the Riders’ Rights marquee listening to the ever-entertaining Exhibit A who rounded off a cracking night of top-class music.

Of course, just because the two main stages finish before midnight, that doesn’t mean the party does and, judging by the number of folk piling into Crustie’s Bar after the bands’d finished, there were a fair few who weren’t ready to go to bed like good little boys and girls. I have to include myself in their numbers because by the time I ambled, only slightly unsteadily, back to my canvas dwelling it was closer to 7am than it was 6. Oops…

So that was the Farmyard 2018 – another excellent event put on by Yorkshire MAG. Their next one is the Yorkshire Pudding at the beginning of August – check out www.mapevents. co.uk for more info.

PART 1

HAVING RIDDEN THE SCOUT BOBBER BACK FROM THE POLARIS HQ IN COLESHILL – REQUIRING TWO ARSE-RELIEF STOPS ON THE WAY – I WAS ACTUALLY REALLY KEEN TO GET SOME MORE MILES UNDER THE KENDA TYRES TO FIND OUT IF THE NUMB BUM SYNDROME COULD BE EXTENDED FURTHER THAN 50 MILES...

The ‘hero blobs’ are no more – RIP hero blobs

Living the high life, with lunch on the road… literally, on the road

maybe because Indian knew that they’d be ground into oblivion by abrasive tarmac (or maybe because they have aftermarket ones for sale). Showering those behind with sparks and rubber dust is entertaining though, even at low speeds!

As the miles have increased, the level of mechanical sympathy has decreased, and revs have risen. And, oh boy, does this 1133cc engine rev! While it’ll happily pull the taller gears in town traffic, and get to out-of-town speed limits without seeing the far side of 3,000rpm, it’s when you let it pull away through 4,500rpm that things get lively with the airbox roaring away (unlike the sewing machine buzz of lower revs). It’ll pull up to, and past, 8,000rpm, and it pulls hard, and it’d be all too easy to get yourself into a lot of trouble on twisty roads if you don’t keep the restrictive ground clearance at the front of your mind. Fortunately, the brakes are rather more efficient than other North American products, although the single front caliper does need the help of the rear if you really need to scrub off some speed in a rush. You can actually chuck it around with some exuberance, remembering to keep that ground clearance in mind as, if you’re already scraping a peg, and hit a mid-corner bump, something hard is going to touch down…

While the first tankful lasted just over The front mudguard…

140 miles (the errm, doesn’t – guard bike’s very against mud, that is first tankful!),

WORDS & PICS: DAVE MANNING And other bits’ve hit the deck too…

nd the answer to that is… no. I have found, though, that while the foot-pegs and bucket seat do confine you to pretty much a single riding position, they can be tweaked a touch and that does help, but the very best way of preventing posterior pain is to ensure all your journeys are made on twisting roads.

Now, as much fun as tortuously twisty tarmac is, it does bring something else to light; the first impressions over the first few days were that ground clearance is as you’d expect, and that while the ‘hero blobs’ on the ends of the foot-pegs ground out quickly, they do give you plenty of warning before more rigid items hit the deck. Officially, the lean angle matches the rake, at 29 degrees, although this lean

A

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Hanging with the cool kids

angle figure is kind of irrelevant as it depends on load and whether you hit a bump but, either way, it could do with being increased. As it happens, it does look as though the ’pegs could be moved inboards a touch, certainly an inch on the left, although on the right there’s a clearance issue with the exhaust header.

Mentioning the ’pegs, they’re not springloaded, and feel a little cheap and tacky,

with an easy throttle hand, further fuel loads lasted between 120 and 140 miles, with the worst seeing the fuel light flash on after just 103 miles. That may sound a bit rubbish if you want to clock up big miles, but it does balance neatly with the requisite bum stop every 50 miles or so.

Next issue: Bungeeing stuff on, and the first service…

WHEELS AS I MIGHT’VE SAID BEFORE (STOP YAWNING) I’M NOT REALLY OF THE EASY RIDER GENERATION. NO, I’M MORE THE MAD MAX GENERATION, AND THE FAST CUSTOM BIKES OF THE EIGHTIES THAT WERE KNOWN AS ‘SPECIALS’ AND WENT ON TO BECOME STREETFIGHTERS. ABOVE: Jack Shit’s Katana, where it all started all those years ago…

in the chopper world, there were a few bikes from that time that achieved almost legendary status; Steve Burns’ Monster, the ‘Harry The Bastard’ Harris, the Kawasaki Z1R-TC, but almost anything that ran a trick frame (Harris, Spondon, Moto Martin) or a turbocharger (a real, big, scary,

AS

hairy-chested draw-through, not one of today’s user-friendly blow-throughs), or in the truly mental cases both, were the ones that stopped people dead in their tracks and elicited awe.

In 1983 an artist named Andy Sparrow drew a series of cartoon/comic strips that were so far removed from Paul Sample’s Ogri that they may as well’ve been from another world.

It was picked up by Bike magazine

RIGHT: …and mine, as it was when I bought it

and published, and it completely blew away a whole generation of bikers for whom Easy Rider, and Ogri, had little relevance.

Bloodrunners was the story of a group of London despatch riders who rode insane turbocharged machines with hub-centre-steering instead of forks and massively wide wheels, and featured violence, wheelies, parties, naughty ladies, drugs, and police-baiting and, as I read somewhere recently, captured the zeitgeist of the underground London motorcycle scene as he saw it, all translated into a city of tomorrow that’s equal parts Blade Runner and Akira.

Yeah, okay, so that it is a wee bit pretentiously written, I grant you, but it does sum up Bloodrunners quite well actually.

The hero(es) of the series was a guy called Lom and his sentient bike, Hoover (so called ’cos it makes everything else suck) but, a little like the way the more rebellious of us identified with Lee Marvin, rather than Marlon Brando, in The Wild One and Dennis Hopper, rather than Peter Fonda, in Easy Rider, the standout character in

PART 1

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POINTY HAT WIZARD FABRICATIONS ARE BASED IN TILBURY IN ESSEX, AND THEIR PHONE NUMBER IS 01375 844367 OR YOU CAN CONTACT THEM ONLINE AT WWW. PHWFABRICATIONS. COM

One of Mr Taylor’s exquisite wheels – unbelievable machining, don’t you agree?

Bloodrunners for a lot of us was Jack Shit; a Suzuki Katana-riding, possibly alien, psychopath who, in the best Judge Dread tradition, you never saw without his very Simpsonstyle helmet on (assuming it was a helmet and not his head…). He was the anti-hero, the bad boy (which considering Lom wasn’t a goodygoody is saying something) of the series, and his bike was just sex itself with its monstrous wheels, singlesided swingarms, huge engine and minimal subframe. From the moment I, as a young idiot of about 19, saw it I wanted it and I vowed that, one day, I’d have it.

Okay, ‘vowed’ is perhaps too strong a word, ‘day-dreamed’ is probably a better term. You see, no one had, and to the best of my knowledge still hasn’t, built a bike like this. Yes, there’ve been hubcentre-steered bikes (the steering pivot points are inside the hub of the wheel, rather than above the wheel in the headstock as in the traditional AUGUST 2018

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BELOW: Mocking up what it’ll look like with the wheels in

they made the fatal mistake of saying ‘we can build that’.

Really? Game on!

It’s taken me since then to find a suitable Katana base vehicle, but I finally got a non-running, but complete, one from a guy in Stockport for a very bargain price (it was in his cellar in an old converted shop – we had to carry it up a flight of stairs after moving the furniture to reveal the trapdoor!), and Steve Taylor of Taylormade

Looking back, I can’t believe I was unaware just what an influence Bloodrunners had on me!

layout, and there’s a swingarm at the front instead of forks), like the famous ELF Honda GP bike, the Bimota Tesi, the Yamaha GTS1000 and, in 1920, the Ner-A-Car, but none of them were single-sided, and none had singlesiders at the front AND the back. The legendary chassis designer Tony Foale did work out a way of doing a singlesided HCS system, but the fact that the swingarm needed to be of a particularly large and not very aesthetically pleasing design to allow the wheel to turn right meant that his systems, while they worked perfectly well, svelte and sexy they were not.

It was this problem – the fact that I wanted a bike that looked as though it was a Bloodrunners bike come to life – meant that my dream never really came to fruition because I couldn’t find

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anyone who was able to make a front end that looked (and worked!) as I wanted it to. Back in the late Nineties, I thought I’d found someone, but it was soon obvious that, while a capable engineer, he just couldn’t get his head around the aesthetics and, after a fairly disastrous attempt, the plan went back on hold.

Then six or seven years ago I was talking to Paul and Luke at Pointy Hat Wizard Fabrications, the extremely clever gentlemen who built my GPZ900 trike and my single-sided Bandit, and

Wheels very kindly did me a set of his finest monstrous billet split-rim wheels and tyres (300x17”!) with amazingly intricately cut UXB logo centres. That was it – I had the basics. After first buying an engine (which I then had to sell in a skint period) in 1997, the Bloodrunners Katana project was on!

Next issue: The supercharger… oh, sorry, didn’t I mention the supercharger?

Huge thanks to Steve at Taylormade Wheels (01597 860692 or www.taylormade-wheels.co.uk), and Alan at Earls Performance Products (01327 858221 or www.earls.co.uk) for all their help with this project!

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FIG.1

STAINLESS BRAKE HOSES’VE BEEN A STAPLE OF THE CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE SCENE FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW, AND THE THING IS THEY’RE REUSABLE.

U

nlike in the ’80s when braided hose was still something of a novelty (unless you worked on aircraft), these days it’s relatively common to find some nasty old ones floating around for some reason or another. The particular nasty old ones I was working with were unemployed due to a change in the handlebar department, coupled with a dislike for the way the rear one was routed.

Rather than outright replacement I decided to rebuild them.

I ordered up some new hose, a couple of banjos, a double banjo bolt, 10 olives and 20 copper washers. I wasn’t going to need that many olives and washers, but I was low on stock and they’re relatively cheap.

The clutch hose had crimped-on ends, and I debated recycling it as a rear brake hose by cutting it down and using a reusable fitting on the cut end, but the zinc-plated crimped-on banjo looked pretty manky, and the hose was around £7 a metre, I seem to recall, so I used new instead.

Before I ordered the bits, I stripped the old hoses down.

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FIG.2 The ideal way to remove the Goodridge banjos is to use a mandrel through the eye of the banjo to avoid damaging the mating faces (Fig.1). The mandrel I used was a piece of 10mm stainless bar that I cut from the length I use for making engine mounting studs. With the mandrel through the eye of the banjo, I used a 7/16” AF spanner to undo the nut.

The heads on the fittings are almost invariably inch-sized and even aftermarket 10mm threaded

FIG.3

FIG.4

what I was going to reuse and ordered what I needed to make it all work, I began remaking the hoses.

Starting with the front brake hose, I attached one of the old banjos to the master-cylinder with one of the old banjo bolts, threaded the nut on to the hose and started thinking about routing it (Fig.3). What I usually do is push the hose on to the banjo, and slip the nut up there too, while I work out where it’s going and how long it needs to be, but there’s no reason you couldn’t fit an olive and do the banjo up properly. I’m afraid of commitment so I don’t... probably explains why I’m single.

With the banjo bolted on to the caliper and the hose routed, it’s easy to gauge where the hose needs cutting. I wrap a piece of

FIG.3

banjo bolts quite often need a 9/16” AF spanner for a proper fit. Using the right-sized tools helps to keep the fittings from looking battered, and makes doing them up properly easier, but make a note of how much thread, if any, is showing on the body of the banjo.

With the banjo removed, hold the hose firmly in the vice without crushing it and hit the nut along the hose with a soft-faced hammer to expose the olive (Fig.2). The tail of the banjo goes up inside the Teflon inner tube, while the olive sits over the Teflon tube and under the stainless braid, the nut has a conical seat in it and, as it’s done up on to the banjo, the conical seat squeezes the olive up tight and seals the Teflon hose to the banjo, while the braiding trapped between the olive and the nut is what stops the hose from blowing off under pressure.

Olives are a bit of a bone of contention; they’re not reusable, and if you prise one off the end of the Teflon hose you definitely shouldn’t reuse it, but opinion seems divided on whether it’s okay to reassemble the hose without changing the olive. I personally don’t like fitting a new olive without lopping off the hose to make a fresh end. Olives are literally pennies to buy, and it is the brakes, so unless there’s a pressing reason such as being stranded in the Sahara after an air crash and you’re trying to build a plane out of the wreckage to fly to safety, then you should trim the hose and use a new olive.

FIG.5 After I stripped all the reusable olives off the old hoses to remove the nuts, I polished the banjos up and then washed them off with brake cleaner to get rid of the abrasive polish. Aluminium hose ends on brake lines are an MoT failure so you might as well throw them out, unless you’re building a racing motorcycle. Having sorted through all the old bits and decided

masking tape around the hose and then mark where the cut is going by using a pen on the tape. To actually cut the hose you can use a good quality pair of side cutters that don’t have any notches in the jaws, or a hacksaw with a fine tooth blade, in either case making sure the cut is square. The tape also serves to keep the end of the braiding from fraying.

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#2 FIG.7

FIG.6 For the main hose it’s important to make sure the forks are fully extended so that it doesn’t go tight at any point. Once the hose is trimmed to length and the tape removed, then the end of the hose can be reshaped by gently squeezing it with a pair of pliers. I’ve found that a metal scriber is not only a good tool for flaring the braiding out to accept the olive, but also good for lining the olive up with the Teflon inner. The braiding has to be spread out so that every single one of the strands will sit outside the olive by sliding the point of the scribe between the hose and the braid to a depth of about ¼” (6mm), and easing the braid away from the hose (Fig.4).

With the braiding flared, the olive can be slipped on to the scriber, and then the scriber inserted into the hose to help align the olive (Fig.5).

FIG.8 The olive needs a few light taps to ensure that it’s seated, and then have a look and make sure that the Teflon inner is fully home in the olive. The ‘tail’ of the banjo can then be inserted into the hose, and the tube nut tightened by holding the nut with a spanner and rotating the banjo with the mandrel (Fig.6) with reference to how much thread was exposed when the fittings were

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dismantled. For new fittings, check with the supplier. Fitting the top banjo isn’t that tricky, but the one at the bottom needs to sit happily on the mating face of the caliper if the hose is going to ‘sit’ nicely. With the Goodridge-style banjos the only way you can really make this work is by paying careful attention to how much you tighten the banjos, which involves a certain amount of fitting, tweaking and refitting as you have around a turn-and-ahalf of thread to play with. I bought the extra hose and banjos we needed from Speedflow (01934 864310), and they supply swivel banjos (Fig.7). The difference is that the male thread on the banjo is a separate component and turns on the tail of the banjo so you can tighten them without rotating either the hose or the banjo (Fig.8). This makes getting the rotation you need to make the hose sit right dead easy. With all the hoses made, the banjo bolts fitted with new copper washers and tightened then the system can be bled and checked for leaks.

FIG.1

IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE IMPRESSION THAT MOST PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BUILD A MOTORCYCLE, BUT HAVEN’T YET GOT AROUND TO IT, HAVE OF MOTORCYCLE BUILDING IS THAT IT’S ALL A BIT GLAMOROUS. IN FACT 98% OF IT IS MAKING BRACKETS. ven if you start with a pile of steel tube and make the frame from scratch, it’s still 98% making brackets. If on the other hand what you’re doing is mostly taking stuff off and bolting other stuff on, if what you’re bolting on is ‘universal’ (i.e. it universally fails to fit anything) in nature, then 98% of the work involved is

E

making brackets (Fig.1).

Very few people actually like making brackets and, judging by the artistic merits of more than a few that I’ve come across in my time, quite a lot of people actively hate making brackets and express their anger through the medium of bracket design.

Another job that people seem to actively dislike is wiring. I personally quite like wiring as it isn’t very strenuous, and I can do a lot of it sitting down. One of the ways to make wiring easier is having brackets for all the electrical gubbins so, almost inevitably, every time I’m wiring something there are brackets to make.

This brings me to the FJ we’ve been buggering about with. You might recall that we’d made a seat for it? We’d also moved the mudguard, which meant the battery carrier wouldn’t fit, and the electrics were a bit suspect too, and there was a lot of cable ties involved. Way back in

FIG.2 the distant past, I recall a Triumph chopper that you had to take the back wheel out of to get the seat off to get at the battery. Since it didn’t have any fuses either, fairly inevitably it caught fire as there wasn’t any way of getting at the battery in a hurry to disconnect it. The lesson there is that fuses are good, and being able to get at the battery in a hurry is desirable too. Bearing that in mind I made the battery box from some 16 gauge (1.5mm) sheet steel by cutting out two rectangular pieces; one to form the back and bottom of the box, and the other to form the remaining three sides. I put a small step in the back of the box about two-thirds of the way up, which let me drill holes for the relay/fuse holders to bolt straight to the box without the bolt

VOL. III, PART VIII

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FIG.3

FIG.5

FIG.6

FIG.4

heads chafing the battery, and hole-sawed the bottom in a couple of places to allow water to escape (Fig.2). Another small 16-gauge bracket gave me somewhere to mount the

starter solenoid, and I welded a short piece of 2mm x 3mm strap with the ends bent down to the left side of the box to mount the igniter box for the ignition, and Paul cut out eight vaguely similar brackets by hand with the idea of mounting the box to the frame with them. After we threw those away he made eight identical ones, and everyone was much happier.

I bent four of the brackets into ‘L’ shapes to weld to the box, and then we bolted the other four to the ‘L’ brackets so that the box could be positioned in the frame, and the brackets that were going to be welded to the frame could be marked and trimmed off to suit after making AUGUST 2018

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sure that the battery wasn’t going to meet the seat base (Fig.3).

With the brackets bolted back to the box, Paul held it all in position while I welded the brackets to the frame (Fig.4). After the box was removed yet again I started making the front bracket for the seat. I made that from 1/8” (3mm) steel because Paul is a fat git.

The bracket was fairly straightforward; a trapezoid with the long edge bent through 90 degrees. With a cardboard template taped in place, I offered the seat up and marked the folded-over edge either side of the tongue on the front of the seat base (Fig.5).

I cut the steel oversize so that the lip was easier to bend, and then cut the lip down once it was bent and notched it

for the tongue.

With the bracket offered up, the lip obscured the mounting bolts for the battery box so it had to be tapered off towards the ends to allow clearance to get the bolts for the battery box in (Fig.6). With the tongue riveted to the seat base and the bracket welded to the frame, the seat tongue slots into the bracket – there’s one bolt at the rear holding it all down and nothing moves around. It turned out that there wasn’t a

FIG.7

FIG.8

FIG.9 bracket for the rear master-cylinder reservoir so I made one from some 1” x 1/8” (25mm x 3mm) strap steel by bending another ‘L’ shape to bolt to the back of the battery box and mount the reservoir beside it (Fig.7), which meant spacing the side panels out. Since the panels had already been painted I cut some short lengths of 6mm threaded bar, added a couple of nuts as spacers (Fig.8), and re-drilled and tapped the frontmost mounting holes in the frame (Fig.9), and attached the panels with some stainless steel M6 acorn nuts. The flasher relay didn’t get a bracket, but it did get stuck to the box with double-sided sticky tape.

While that might seem like a lot of fiddling around, there was certainly more effort put into it than the original setup; it all looks reasonably tidy (Fig.10), the seat isn’t flopping around, and everything you might want to get at is accessible with hout ripping i i your hands to shreds on chunks of metal that t were chopped out with a cutting disc. So, maybe it is worth putting a little more effort into brackets?

FIG.10

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H BIKING SEEMS A MUC AFFAIR THESE DAYS ED AT IC PL O. MORE COM LE OF DECADES AG THAN IT DID A COUPST NOSTALGIA – MAYBE PERHAPS THAT’S JU EN A DEGREE OF HASSLE WITH THERE’S ALWAYS BE OF RIDING. THE MOTORCYCLE THE BUSINESS SELINA LAVENDER, R, AI CH ’S UP O GR N ACTIO GR AVATION, AND REPORTS ON THE AG S PROGRESS, WHICH HA SY BU R HE BEEN KEEPING D AN , KS EE OVER RECENT W LP HE TO U APPEALS TO YO T DEFEND YOUR RIGH TO RIDE.

Being in charge of a big riders’ rights group has its ups and downs, and these often happen within hours of each other. That’s been the kind of month I’ve had – partly because, with so much going on, in politics it’s bound to be a mixed bag of good and bad things.

On the positive side, at last there’s been a response from the Secretary of State regarding the proposed new Thames crossing. It’s called the Silvertown Tunnel, and it’s caused a lot of controversy. In the end Chris Grayling, who heads up the Department for Transport, has given the go-ahead to the scheme. The part that really mattered to us was whether motorbikes would essentially be punished with a charge for using the tunnel, which was the proposal that Transport for London came up with. It’s a dumb idea because riders actually reduce congestion and pollution, and also because, socially speaking, the average motorcycle commuter is less wealthy than other commuters – many use motorbikes because they can’t afford the alternatives (public transport tends to be much more expensive than a typical 125).

During the public inquiry, we put many, many hours of work in across almost a year, and we’ve been making the case since then as well. The Government’s eventual response runs to nearly 30 pages and, importantly, it includes mention of MAG by name, and recognises our concerns over user charging. We consider this to be cautiously optimistic news; it means there’s still scope for gaining the exemption that makes obvious common sense in terms of responsible and consistent transport policy.

On the down side, these campaigns are very time-hungry. The hours taken, and delays experienced, in relation to this project are typical of what we see when dealing with Government. And the strange inability of Transport for London to see the contradictions in its own position by promoting some vehicles that increase congestion (like electric cars), while discouraging other forms of transport that reduce it (like motorbikes), is just exasperating.

While there’s a fine line between pushing your point for motorcycles not to be overlooked and becoming a pain in the proverbial, we’ll continue to monitor the Silvertown Tunnel and voice our concerns as a riders’ rights organisation to get the best deal we can. If there’s anything you can do to help, we’ll let you know. At present, this is a kind of negotiation, and we’re just getting on with submitting our arguments in a powerful way.

✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱ Do keep us informed of anything you see relating to Clean Air Zones (CAZ). We need to build as comprehensive a picture as we can. It’s not easy, but we do have a great web researcher in George Legg – a volunteer who’s faithfully trawling the ’net and doing a huge amount for riders everywhere – but the more eyes we have keeping watch, the less likely we are to miss opportunities to engage and promote the motorcycle as a solution to the perceived problem. Volunteers are what make this organisation great.

They’re the backbone of MAG, and ensure we get maximum value from our small team of paid staff.

✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱ Back to another hassle now; as daylight hours and the temperature increase so does anti-social behaviour, particularly that featuring

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the use of mopeds and motorcycles. Meetings and promises of action are all well and good.

Also, we know the police are stretched.

However, words are cheap and we need to see action. A number of forces across the country are tackling the problem, and we call on them to share best practice. As an addition to that, the reporting of such events that suggest that the hooligans are bikers increasingly frustrates us.

Whether you term yourself as a biker, a motorcyclist or any other category of road user, it’s clear that there’s a fundamental unfairness in blaming ‘bikers’ for all this, just as it would be wrong to blame all car drivers for yobs on four wheels. Those out with the sole purpose of creating mayhem are not representative of riders in general, so for the media to portray them as such is damaging.

We’ll challenge this whenever we’re made aware of such claims.

If you hear about anything being said in the press or on radio, make contact – phone them and put them right. Odds on you’ll get on the show.

✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱ In London, we continue our efforts to get the Mayor, Sadiq Khan, to take notice of riders. The next Mayoral elections for London are in May 2020, so that’s potentially how long this particular Mayor has to leave his mark on the capital. Get involved by signing up to one of the Facebook pages, such as MAG Greater London Region, or if you don’t do social media, attend a local meeting. Tim Fawthrop, the regional rep, and his team hold meetings on Mondays. The meetings often move around the city to various venues, so there’s a very good chance that you’ll be able to attend a local one.

✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱ It’s also the time of year when every city, town and village likes to host an event. These tend to reach a peak over summer, and are increasingly aiming to appeal to a wide cross-section of riders. A great example is the Brum Demo in, well, Brum. Come along on Saturday, 7th July; we meet at The Old Hare & Hounds on Lickey Road in Rednal (B45 8UU) at 10am and depart at 11am.

✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱ And do visit a MAG stand whenever you see one and engage with the volunteers there. Help the people that help you – sign up to be a member for a year for £27. We can never have too many members.

Yes, we are already representing you if you ride, but we would be delighted to have you feeding in to how we do that, and the best way to protect your rights is by joining up.

Ride free SELINA LAVENDER

Chair, Motorcycle Action Group (MAG)

CONTACT MAG AT CENTRALOFFICE@MAGUK.ORG OR CALL 01926 844 064 TO JOIN YOU CAN CONTACT CENTRAL OFFICE, VISIT OUR WEBSITE (WWW.MAG UK.ORG – CLICK ON ‘JOIN MAG’) OR SIGN UP AT A LOCAL MEETING OR MAG STAND.

FIND MEETINGS CLOSE TO YOU OR EVENTS, BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE / FACEBOOK PAGES.

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS HERE FOR FREE AND GET THEM SEEN BY EVERYONE IN BIKERDOM! EMAIL THE INFO TO NIK@BACKSTREETHEROES.COM

EVENTS JULY 5-8th July: Unwanted MCC’s Cock Out Rally at The Rockbar, Shobnall Sports & Social Club, Shobnall Road, Burton upon Trent, Staffs.

Tickets £15. More info from 07988 521400 or 07761 931226 or www.unwantedmcc.co.uk 6-8th July: TEAM (The End And More) MCC’s Wildcat Rally at John O’Groats. Tickets £25.

More info from Facebook.

6-8th July: Carry On At The Camp at Wood Lane, Ramsey, near Huntingdon, Cambs. More info from www.activeshows.co.uk 6-8th July: Wycombe MAG’s Chinnor Bike Dayz at Lower Icknield Way, Princes Risborough, Bucks. More info from Facebook.

6-8th July: Rogue Jesters MCC’s Just Jesterin’ Rally at Knypersely Cricket Club, Tunstall Road, Knypersely, Staffs. Tickets £12. More info from 07941 333247 or Facebook.

6-8th July: Future MCC’s Rally & Bike Show at the South Wingfield Social Club, High Road, Alfreton, Derbys.

Tickets £12.50. More info from Facebook.

6-8th July: Piss Edds MCC’s Pickled Liver Custom Show at Castle Cary Rugby Club, Brook House Field, Castle Cary, Somerset. Tickets £12, Sat day £4. More info from 07872 316950 or Facebook.

6-8th July: 3 Amigos’ Summer Show at the Speculation Inn, Hundleton, Pembrokeshire.

Tickets £15 camping or £10 days.

More info from 07515 631554 or 07501 063074.

6-8th July: Taliesin Brotherhood’s Rally in the Valley at the Llanrwst Rugby Club, Clwb Rygbi Nant Conwy, Pant Y Carw, Trefriw, Llanrwst, Conwy. Tickets £15. More info from Facebook.

6-8th July: AMOC Independence

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Party at the Toat Cafe, A29, Stane Street, Pulborough, W. Sussex. Free entry/camping.

More info from Facebook.

7th July: Gravesend MCC’s Bike Show at the Railway Inn, Sole Street, Meopham, Kent. More info from www. gravesendmcc.com 7th July: MAG’s Brum Demo from the Old Hare & Hounds, Rednal at 10am. More info from www.mag-uk.org 7th July: Tiger MCC Kilmarnock’s Ride-In Bike Show & Rock Night at Kilmarnock Rugby Club, Queens Drive, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Free entry to bike show, £5 evening. More info from Facebook.

7-8th July: VMCC Festival of 1000 Bikes at Mallory Park, Leics. More info from 01283 540557 or www.vmcc.net 7-8th July: Llandovery Motorbike Weekend at The Mart, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire.

More info from www.llandovery motorbikeweekend.co.uk 7-8th July: Suzuki Weekend at Ryka’s Café, Old London Rd, Box Hill, Mickleham, Dorking, Surrey.

More info from www.rykas.co.uk 8th July: Indian & Victory Day at the Ace Cafe, London. More info from www.london.acecafe.com 8th July: Horns & Helmets Bike Show at Heaver Trading Estate, New Ash Green, Sevenoaks, Kent. More info from Facebook.

8th July: MK Bike Show at Stadium MK, Stadium Way East, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, Beds.

Free entry. More info from 07735 053289 or www. mkbikeshow.co.uk 8th July: Rebels Ride In Motorcycle Social at Grosvenor Casino Reading South, Rose Kiln Lane, Reading, Berks. More info from Facebook.

12-15th July: Rock & Bike Fest at Carnfield Hall, South Normanton, Derbys. More info from www.rockandbikefest.co.uk

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13-15th July: TWATS (Trikers With A Tender Soul)’s Zombie Rally at the Breighton Ferry, Breighton, Selby, Yorks. More info from 07766 308668 or anthonypartridge700@gmail.com 13-15th July: Bullfrog Bash at Sleaford Rugby Club, Sleaford, Lincs. More info from Facebook.

13-15th July: Furness MAG’s Dead End Rally at Dalton United FC, Beckside Road, Dalton in Furness, Lancs.

More info from 07583 001181 or Facebook.

13-15th July: Dragstalgia at Santa Pod, Beds. More info from www.dragstalgia.co.uk 13-15th July: Tomintoul Motorcycle Gathering at Tomintoul, Moray, Scotland. More info from www.tomintoulmotor cyclegathering.com

13-15th July: Southern Comfort V-Max Rally at Sidlesham FC, Selsey Road, Sidlesham, near Chichester, West Sussex. Tickets £5 days or £10 nights. More info from Facebook.

13-15th July: Household Division Motorcycle Club’s Festival of the Household at The Three Horseshoes, Mole Hill Green, Takeley, Essex.

Tickets £10 days, £15 weekend.

More info from www.household divisionmotorcycleclub.com 13-15th July: Team Sober’s Pissed as a Newt Rally at Newlands Road, Cloughton, Scarborough, Yorks. More info from 07919 846164 or www. teamsobermcc.co.uk 14th July: NCC Mercia’s Car & Bike Show at Alcester Rugby Club, Birmingham Road, Alcester, Worcs. Tickets £2.

More info from 07971 022607.

14th July: Satans Slaves MC Plymouth’s Custom Bike & Car Show at The Staddiscombe, Staddiscombe Road, Plymstock, Plymouth, Devon. Tickets £4.

More info from Facebook.

14th July: Die Hards MCC’s Mendips to Minehead RideOut from the George Inn, Gurney Slade to the Hobby Horse Inn, Minehead at 10.30am.

All welcome, no motorways involved. Entry by donation.

More info from charleydiehards@ gmail.com 14th July: Kent Fire Bike Expo at Kent & Medway Road Safety Experience, Marconi Way, Rochester, Kent. Free entry.

More info from Facebook.

14th July: Greater London MAG’s Motorcycles Matter Demo Ride. More info from www.greater-london.mag-uk.org or Facebook.

14-15th July: Ton-Up Day at Jack’s Hill Cafe, near Towcester, Northants. More info from www. jackshillcafe.co.uk 14-15th July: AFB 500/1000 Challenge Ride at Croft WMCI, Hurworth Road, Darlington.

Tickets £15. More info from www.armedforcesbikers.co.uk 14-15th July: Assembly Chopper Show at House of Vans, Arches, Station Approach Rd, Lambeth, London. More info from www. assemblymotorcycleshow.com 15th July: ’70s Bike Day at the Ace Cafe, London. More info from www.london.acecafe.com 15th July: Summer Classic Bike Show & Bikejumble at Ardingly, W. Sussex. More info from www. elkpromotions.co.uk 15th July: European EBR Motorcycle Day at the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull, Birmingham. More info from www.ukbuellgroup.co.uk or www.ukbeg.com 15th July: Parson Drove Custom & Classic Car, Bike & Trike Show at Parson Drove Playing Field, Parson Drove, Wisbech, Cambs. More info from www. customcarbikeandtrikeshow.co.uk 15th July: Thetford & District MCC’s Motorcycle Show at Thetford Rugby Club, A134 Mundford Road, near Thetford, Norfolk. More info from Facebook.

15th July: Wirral H-D Riders & JMA Motorcycles’ Open Day at Unit D, 23 Bassendale Road, Croft Business Park, Bromborough, Birkenhead, Wirral. More info from 0151 334 3233 or Facebook.

15th July: The Bike Show at the Kingfisher, Hawthorne Drive,

Park, Morpeth, Northumberland.

Tickets £3 day. More info from 07889 699673 or Facebook.

21st July: Wirral TOMCC’s Bike Show with camping at Caldy Rugby Club, Telegraph Road, West Kirby, Cheshire. Tickets £1 show or £5 camping. More info from wirraltomcc@gmail.com or Facebook.

21st July: Mobile Chaos MCC’s Charity Run & Party Night at The Saddle Inn, Sidegreaves Lane, Lea Town, Preston, Lancs. Tickets £5. More info from www.mobilechaosmcc. co.uk or Facebook.

Ipswich, Suffolk. Tickets £3.

More info from 07954 996492 or Facebook.

15th July: Custom Bike Show at Woodcombe Sports & Social Club, Church Road, Sittingbourne, Kent. Entry by donation. More info from 07958 229306 or Facebook.

18-25th July: Lincolnshire Bike Week at a variety of sites in Lincolnshire. More info from www.lincolnshirebikeweek.co.uk 19-22nd July: MC Faro’s Concentracion at Airport Road, Faro, Portugal. More info from www.motoclubefaro.com 20-22nd July: All Arms Veterans MCC’s Not Forgotten Rally at Bradford on Avon Rugby Club, Ashley Lane, Winsley, Bradford on Avon, Wilts. More info from www.aavmcc.co.uk 20-22nd July: Twas The LARC Before Xmas at the Rockbar, Shobnall Sports & Social Club, Shobnall Rd, Burton upon Trent, Staffs. Tickets £12. More info from Facebook.

20-22nd July: Oxleathers MCC’s Bulls Up Rally at the Stoke Rugby Club, Hartwell Lane, Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs. Tickets £17. More info from 07787 133280 or oxleathersmcc@ hotmail.co.uk PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE!

20-22nd July: Hinckley Triumph Owners’ Club’s Northern Weekender at Squire’s Cafe Bar, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Yorks. More info from www.htoc.co.uk 20-22nd July: H-D Club Somerset’s Rally at the Barbarians’ Rugby Club, Ellicombe Road, Minehead, Somerset. Tickets £20. More info from 01278 662707 or www. hdcsomerset.co.uk

21st July: Shiteshags’ Ooh Shag Hunt Treasure Hunt & Rock Night at the Blackhall Mill Social Club, Chopwell Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne. More info from www.shiteshags.co.uk or Facebook.

21st July: NCC Sussex’s Innit to Winnit Custom Show at the Bull’s Head, Boreham Street, Herstmonceux, E. Sussex. More info from Facebook.

20-22nd July: Back 2 Basics Bikers’ Bash at the Old Station Cafe, Snaith, Yorks. Tickets £15.

More info from back2basics@ dr.com or Facebook.

21st July: Drifters MCC’s Anniversary Party at the New Furnace Inn, Halifax Road, Bradford, W. Yorks. Free entry.

More info from Facebook.

20-22nd July: 4Fs MCC’s Summer Party at Trimley Sports & Social Club, High Road, Trimley St Martin, Felixstowe, Suffolk.

More info from Facebook.

22nd July: Bike Day at the Ace Cafe, London. More info from www.london.acecafe.com

20-22nd July: Split Links MCC’s Pistondisorganised Rally at The Sun Inn, Town Street, North Wheatley, Retford, Notts.

Tickets £17. More info from 07971 184034 or 07971 415754.

21st July: Kempton Park Motorcycle Autojumbles Kempton Park, Staines Road East, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex. More info from www. kemptonparkautojumble.co.uk 21st July: Newcastle Chopper Club’s Custom & Classic Bike & Car Show at the Oak Inn, Causey

mrsknobhead.fubar@yahoo.com 27-29th July: Cumbria Custom Show. More info from Facebook.

27-29th July: Dangermouse Rally Club’s Don’t Give a Flying F@#k Rally at Rose Hill, Peppard Road, Reading, Berks. Tickets £15. More info from www. dmrallyclub.co.uk 27-29th July: MAG South East’s MAGfest Down South at the Plough Inn, Plumpton Green, Lewes, Sussex. Tickets £25.

More info from 07445 761440 or Facebook.

27-29th July: Druids MCC’s Farmyard Bash at Martinstown House, Co Kildare, Ireland.

Tickets 20 Euro. More info from 00353 861 909201 or Facebook.

27-29th July: West London Harley Riders’ Burning Budgie Rally at Beaconsfield Town FC, Windsor Road, Beaconsfield, Bucks. More info from 07733 357339 or www. westlondonharleyriders.co.uk 27-29th July: Aberdare MCC’s Sheep Alley Rally at Rhigos RFC, Rhigos, Aberdare. Tickets £18. More info from Facebook.

27-29th July: Custom Bike Show at Shillington Sports & Social Club, Greenfields, Shillington, near Hitchin, Herts. Free entry.

More info from 01462 711795.

22nd July: Parkeston MCC’s Ride Against Cancer Motorcycle Run from Revved Up, Walton-on-the-Naze at 10am. Tickets £5 per bike. More info from 07837 868860 or Facebook. Marcus 07984 717032 22nd July: Rockin’ in Kent Rockers Revival at Central Park Stadium, Sittingbourne, Kent.

Tickets £12.50 prebook (until 21st July) or £15 on door. More info from 01795 475547.

22nd July: Churchill Arms Classic Car & Bike Meet at the Churchill Arms, Daggons Road, Alderholt, Hants. More info from www.churchillpub.co.uk 22nd July: Bikers Against Cancer Run & Bike Show at Revved Up, Walton-on-theNaze, Essex at 11am. More info from Facebook.

26-29th July: Rock & Blues Old School Weekender at the Pentrich Showground, Pentrich, Derbys. More info from www. therockandblues.com 27-29th July: FUBAR MCC’s Fecked Up Again Rally at Marstons Social Club, Shobnall Road, Burton upon Trent, Staffs. Tickets £18. More info from 07455 471781 or

27-29th July: Halfway Heroes MCC’s Leathered in Lincoln Rally at Sleaford Rugby Club, Sleaford Rd, Ruskington, Sleaford, Lincs. Tickets £25.

More info from 07807 201017 or www.halfway-heroes.co.uk 28th July: Roaring Meg Custom & Classic Bike Show in Derry City Walls, Northern Ireland.

Tickets £5. More info from 07803 088984 or 028 7126 2812 or Facebook.

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RICK NICHOLS

TEL: 01507 529357 OR EMAIL: RNICHOLS@MORTONS.CO.UK

EVENTS

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£5. More info from flotsomjetsom2@sky.com or Facebook.

4th Aug: Forsaken Guardians MCC’s Charity Pub Darts Ride from K&S Motors, Westbury Industrial Estate, Station Rd, Westbury, Wilts at 11am. Tickets £10. More info from Facebook.

4th Aug: Rebel Brotherhood’s Custom Show at the Nag’s Head, Warren Hill Road, Coalville, Leics. Tickets £5. More info from Facebook.

4th Aug: Stentorian’s Bike Show at the Kings Arms, St James Street, Okehampton, Devon.

More info from Facebook.

28th July: Calne Bike Meet at Calne Town Centre, Wilts. More info from www.calnebikemeet.com 28th July: Backfire/Whitby Steampunk Festival’s Mechanical Mayhem Car & Bike Show at Whitby Pavilion, West Cliff, Whitby, Yorks. Free entry. More info from 07718 420630 or Facebook.

28-29th July: Motorcycle Social at Canal Mills, Leeds. More info from www.motorcyclesocial.co.uk

3-5th Aug: BATS MCC’s In The Belfry Rally at South Wingfield Social Club, South Wingfield, Alfreton, Derbys. Tickets £9.

More info from 07790 184163 or Facebook.

3-5th Aug: Black Shuck MCC’s Scratchin’ At The Door Rally at Hadleigh Rugby Club, Layham Road, Hadleigh, Ipswich, Suffolk.

More info from Facebook.

5th Aug: ’Normous Newark Autojumble at the Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. More info from www. newarkautojumble.co.uk

AUGUST 3-5th Aug: Drunken Monkey Rock Festival at Uptonupon-Severn, Worcs. Tickets £45 weekend or £20 single day. More info from www. drunkenmonkeyrockfest.co.uk

3-5th Aug: The Hook Up Chopper Show at Great House Farm, Llansoy, Usk, South Wales.

More info from www.the-hookup.co.uk

3-5th Aug: Eye of Ra MCC’s One in the Eye Rally at Hafodyrynys Rugby Club, Crumlin, Newport, Gwent, S. Wales. Tickets £15. More info from 07964 977137 or www. eyeoframcc.com

3-5th Aug: White Tigers MCC’s All Night Pussy Rally at Bristol Barbarians RUFC, Norton Lane, Bristol. Tickets £12. More info from Facebook.

3-5th Aug: English Rose Sisterhood’s Party with the Roses at the Hook and Hatchet, Church Rd, Hucking, Maidstone, Kent. Tickets

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4-5th Aug: Yamaha Weekend at Ryka’s Café, Old London Rd, Box Hill, Mickleham, Dorking, Surrey.

More info from www.rykas.co.uk

5th Aug: Suzuki Sunday at the Ace Cafe, London. More info from www.london.acecafe.com

29th July: World’s Largest Female Bike Meet at Lynn’s Raven Cafe, Prees Heath, Whitchurch, Shrops. More info from Facebook.

3-5th Aug: Yorkshire MAG’s Yorkshire Pudding Rally. More info from www.mapevents.co.uk

4-5th Aug: Festival of Wheels at Trinity Park, Ipswich, Suffolk. More info from www. motorshowevents.com

5th Aug: Barrel Bikers MCC’s Custom Show at the Cruik Barn, Milton Keynes. More info from www.barrelbikers.co.uk

29th July: Sports Bike Sunday Special at the Ace Cafe, London.

More info from www.london. acecafe.com

2-5th Aug: Bridge Rat MCC’s Rat Pack Rally at Heath Rugby Club, Stainland Rd, Greetland, Halifax. Tickets £18 prebook or £20 on gate. More info from 07599 514178 or www. bridgerats.com

4-5th Aug: Llangollen Motorcycle Festival/ LlanBikeFest at the Royal International Pavilion, Abbey Road, Llangollen. Tickets £10 prebook or £12 on gate. More info from 07960 693398 or www. llanbikefest.co.uk

5th Aug: Associated Sheppey Bikers’ Big B Charity Fund Raiser at Layzells Tavern Club, The Broadway, Minster on Sea, Sheerness, Kent. Tickets £5.

More info from Facebook, 9-12th Aug: Yorkshire Rock & Bike Show at Squires Cafe Bar,

Newthorpe, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Yorks. Tickets £25 prebook or £30 on gate. More info from www. yorkshirerocknbikeshow.co.uk 10-12th Aug: Oddballs MCC’s Oddballs Rally at Abingdon Rugby Club, Lambrick Way, Abingdon, Oxon. Tickets £20. More info from oddballs.rally@aol.com 10-12th Aug: Purbeck Rally. More info from www. purbeckrally.com 10-12th Aug: BOB RC’s BOB Party at Kenley RAFA, Portcullis House, Kenley Aerodrome, Kenley, Surrey. Tickets £15 prebook or £17 on gate. More info from Facebook.

10-12th Aug: VOSA Rejects’ Rally at Walton Sports & Social Club, Shay Lane, Wakefield, W. Yorks. Tickets £15 prebook or £20 on gate. More info from Facebook.

10-12th Aug: Fairly Wide Engined (FWE) MCC’s Fairly Well Endowed Rally at Crow Edge Community Centre, A616 Sheffield Road, Crow Edge, Holmfirth, Yorks. Tickets £12.50 prebook or £15 on gate. More info from 07980 870031 or klamb@talktalk.net 10-12th Aug: Funder in the Fens at the Barn Craft Village, A1101/A17 junction, Long Sutton, Lincs. Tickets £10. More info from 07800 539424 or Facebook.

11th Aug: Nailers MCC’s Custom Show at the Nags Head, High Pavement, Belper, Derbys. Tickets £3.

More info from 07773 481208 or Facebook.

12th Aug: Brackley Festival of Motorcycling in Brackley, Northants. More info from www. brackleyfestivalofmotorcycling. co.uk 12th Aug: VMCC & Classic Bike Day at the Ace Cafe, London. More info from www.london.acecafe.com 12th Aug: Classics in the Park at Raby Castle, near Staindrop,

County Durham. Tickets £7.50 adults, £2.50 children. More info from 016974 51882 or www. markwoodwardclassicevents.com

tagspeedmotorcycleshow.co.uk 25-26th Aug: Great Northern Car & Bike Fest at the Tanfield Railway, Old Marley Hill, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear.

Tickets £20 prebook or £30 on gate, days £10 prebook or £15 on gate. More info from 07427 662467 or Facebook.

17-19th Aug: Silsden Sewer Rats’ Bike & Trike Rally at Keighley RUFC, Skipton Rd, Utley, Yorks. Tickets £13 prebook or £18 on gate. More info from sewerrats@hotmail.co.uk or Facebook.

17-19th Aug: Worcester Rally & Custom Show at the Coney Green Showground, Coney Green Farm, Ribbesford Road, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcs.

Tickets £10 prebook. More info from 07743 135858.

17-19th Aug: Greedy Pigs MCC’s Another Piggin’ Rally at Stoke Rugby Club, Hartwell Lane, Baralston, Staffs. Tickets £12 prebook or £15 on gate.

More info from 07952 325843 or www.greedypigsmcc.co.uk 17-19th Aug: The Trip Out at Debach Airfield, Sandy Lane, Clopton, Woodbridge, Suffolk.

More info from Facebook.

17-19th Aug: Gothic Bikers’ Rise from the Ashes Rally at the Three Lions, Netherfield Lane, Mansfield, Notts. More info from hilljoanne2009@live.co.uk or Facebook.

17-19th Aug: Renegade MC’s Redskin Rally at Frog Farm, Susan’s Lane, Upchurch, Kent.

Tickets £12.50 prebook or £15 on gate. More info from 07872 346707 or skully@renegademc.com 17-19th Aug: Radar’s Big Horn Rally at Hilcote Country Club, Hilcote Lane, Alfreton, Derbys.

Tickets £12 prebook or £15 on gate.

More info from 07852 122404.

17-19th Aug: Jacobite MCC’s Rebellion Rally at Nairn, Scotland. Tickets £20 prebook or £25 on gate. More info from 07727 239350 or Facebook.

17-19th Aug: Silsden Sewer Rats’ Bike & Trike Rally at Keighley RUFC, Skipton Rd, Utley, Yorks. Tickets £13 prebook or £18 on gate, 150 limit. More info from sewerrats@hotmail. co.uk or Facebook.

18th Aug: Bristol Bike Show at St Nicholas Market, Corn Street, Bristol. Free entry. More info from 07906 877325 or Facebook.

18th Aug: Tigers MCC’s Summer Party at the Eternit Sports & Social Club, Whaddon Road, Meldreth, Cambs. Free entry. More info from www. tigermcc.org.uk or Facebook.

18th Aug: Northants Custom & Classic Bike Show at the Bell Inn, High Street, Little

25-28th Aug: Avernus MCC’s Underworld Rally at Hamilton House Farm, Tarnacre Lane, St Michaels-on-Wyre, Lancs.

Tickets £20. More info from www.avernusmcc.co.uk Addington, Kettering, Northants.

More info from Facebook.

18th Aug: Royal British Legion Industries’ Village Mayhem at the Royal British Legion Village, Aylesford, Kent. More info from Facebook.

18th Aug: 81 Wessex MC’s Poker Run from Reading HarleyDavidson, Wokingham Road, Reading, Berks at 11am. Tickets £10. More info from Facebook.

18-19th Aug: Suffolk Motor Show at Eriswell Hall Barns, Eriswell, Suffolk. More info from Facebook.

18-19th Aug: Notts Custom Show at Newark Rugby Club, Kelham Road, Newark, Notts.

Tickets £5. More info from 07852 172850 or Facebook.

19th Aug: Kenley Autojumble at The Portcullis Club, Kenley Airfield, Caterham, Surrey. More info from Facebook.

19th Aug: UK Monster Truck Nationals at Santa Pod, Beds. Prebook tickets only. More info from www. monstertrucknationals.co.uk 19th Aug: Ladies Day at the Ace Cafe, London. More info from www.london.acecafe.com 24-26th Aug: Tees Riders MCC’s Rusty Nuts Rally at Tunstall Riding Centre, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough.

Tickets £15 prebook or £20 on gate. More info from 01642 647568 or www.teesriders.com 24-26th Aug: Ogri MCC’s 40th Ogri Rally at the Clubhouse, Kemble Airfield, near Cirencester, Gloucs. Tickets £26.

More info from www.ogrimcc.org 24-26th Aug: Wolfpack MCC’s Yeknod Rally at Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary, Old Didcot Road, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, Wallingford, Oxon. Tickets £12 prebook or £15 on gate. More info from 07713 481138 or Facebook.

24-26th Aug: Boothill MCC’s Tombstone Rally at the Harbour Inn, Annalong, Norn Iron. Tickets £12 including badge. More info from Boothill.mcc@yahoo.com 24-27th Aug: Thunder in the Glens at Aviemore, Scotland.

More info from Facebook.

24-27th Aug: Hinckley Triumph Owners’ Club’s Region 1 Weekender at The Plough, Lower Beeding, Horsham, West Sussex.

More info from www.htoc.co.uk 24-27th Aug: No Bull Just Beer & Bikes from Penmaenau Farm, Builth Wells. Tickets £20 prebook or £25 on gate. More info from 07500 850663 or www. nobullbeerandbikes.co.uk 24-27th Aug: Brothers Over The Hill MCC’s Dwent & Did It Rally at the Square & Compass, Darley Dale, Derbys. More info from 07462 587962 or judymdennis@aol.com 24-27th Aug: Nedwood Music Festival at Turnpost Farm, Wymeswold, Loughborough, Leics. Free entry for custom bikes/scooters/trikes (contact organiser to prebook). More info from www.nedwood.co.uk or Facebook.

25-26th Aug: TAG Speed Motorcycle Show at Lockwood Park, Huddersfield, W Yorks. More from www.

26th Aug: Harley Day with Warr’s at the Ace Cafe, London.

More info from www.london. acecafe.com 26th Aug: Two Wheels Only MCC’s Bike Show at the Lamb, Willaston, Cheshire. More info from 07849 837498 or Facebook.

27th Aug: Kent Chrome & Cruisers Vehicle Show & Autojumble at the Abbey School, Faversham, Kent. Tickets £5. More info from 07903 339466 or maggsian@hotmail. com 27th Aug: Harley-Davidson Heaven at Revved Up, Waltonon-the-Naze, Essex. More info from Facebook.

27th Aug: Fenman Classic Bike Show at Wimbotsham, Downham Market, Norfolk.

More info from www. fenmanclassic.co.uk 31st Aug-2nd Sept: Kustom Kulture Blastoff at the Lincoln County Showground, A15, Lincoln.

More info from Facebook.

31st Aug-2nd Sept: Carole Nash Netley Marsh Eurojumble at Meadowmead Farm, Ringwood Rd, Netley Marsh, Hants. More info from www. classicbikeshows.com 31st Aug-2nd Sept: Salutation MCC’s Wakinyan Rally at Birch Coppice Social Welfare Club, Watling Street, Dordon, near Tamworth, Staffs. Tickets £15 prebook or £20 on gate. More info from 07966 540962 or www. salutationmcc.com 31st Aug-2nd Sept: Stormin’ The Castle at Witton Castle, Witton-le-Wear, Co Durham.

More info from www. storminthecastle.co.uk 31st Aug-2nd Sept: Twisted Iron – The Happening at Mill Lane, Chalgrove. Oxon. More info from www.twistediron. co.uk/the-happening 31st Aug-2nd Sept: Wozwolf NRC’s Wozwolf Rally at a dedicated site near Matlock, AUGUST 2018

97 7

RICK NICHOLS

TEL: 01507 529357 OR EMAIL: RNICHOLS@MORTONS.CO.UK

EVENTS Derbys. Tickets £20 prebook only.

More info from www.wozwolf.co.uk 31st Aug-2nd Sept: HAMC Kent’s Family Yard Party at Angel Farm, Off Ropers Lane, Hoo, Kent. More info from www. hellsangelsmckent.com g

SEPTEMBER 1st Sept: Wheelie Clean at Ryka’s Café, Old London Rd, Box Hill, Mickleham, Dorking, Surrey.

More info from www.rykas.co.uk 1-2nd Sept: CMCC’s Harp Rally at the Star Inn, Valleymount, Co Wicklow, Eire. More info from Facebook.

1-2nd Sept: Wheels in the Field at Belton Lane, Great Gonerby, Grantham, Lincs. More info from 07496 491757.

2nd Sept: VJMC Bike Day at the Ace Cafe, London. More info from www.london.acecafe.com 2nd Sept: West Yorks Bone Yard Bike & Scooter Show at Overland Park, Gildersome, Leeds, W. Yorks. Tickets £3. More info from Facebook.

2nd Sept: Dawlish Bike & Trike Show at The Lawn, Dawlish, Devon. Tickets £3. More info from Facebook.

6-9th Sept: European Finals at Santa Pod, Beds. More info from www.santapod.com 7th Sept: Ace Cafe Reunion Weekend & Continental Run Ride-In & Party at 6pm at the Ace Cafe, London. More info from www.london.acecafe.com 7-9th Sept: Dangermouse Rally Club’s Dangermouse Rally at the Wedgwood Sports Ground, Wedgwood Road, Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs. Tickets £15 prebook or £18 on gate.

More info from 07735 958566 or www.dmrallyclub.co.uk 7-9th Sept: Robbers Dogs’ Growler Rally at Manor Farm, Newtown Lane, Gatesheath, Tattenhall, Cheshire.

Tickets £10 prebook (first 50 free rally badge). More info from 07961 047093 or Facebook.

7-9th Sept: Tiger MCC’s Soggy Moggy Rally at Wood Green Animal Shelter, Godmanchester, near Huntingdon, Cambs. Tickets £20. More info from www.

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tigermcc.org.uk or Facebook.

8th Sept: Ace Cafe Reunion Weekend Party & London RideOut at the Ace Cafe, London.

More info fromwww.london. acecafe.com 8th Sept: Race The Waves at Bridlington Beach, Bridlington, Yorks. More info from 07718 420630 or Facebook.

8-9th Sept: Oily Rag Co’s Festival of Bikes at Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, Cheltenham, Gloucs. More info from www.thecustomshow.com 9th Sept: Brighton Burn Up at 10am from at the Ace Cafe, London. More info fromwww. london.acecafe.com 9th Sept: Dover Transport Museum’s Motorcycle Raffle Draw at the Dover Transport Museum, Willingdon Road, Whitfield, Dover, Kent. More info from 01304 822409 or www. dovertransportmuseum.org.uk 9th Sept: NCC Beds’ Chops & Props at the Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden Aerodrome, Biggleswade, Beds.

Free entry. More info from Facebook.

13-16th Sept: Rejects Brotherhood’s Drink, Drop & Doss Rally at a site near Elham, Kent. More info from www. rejectsbrotherhood.co.uk 14-16th Sept: Motorbike Women South Rally at the Lower Lode Inn, Forthampton, Gloucs. Tickets £25 prebook, women only. More info from www.motorbikewomen.com 14-16th Sept: Jesters MCC’s Cum n’ Dribble int’ Ribble at Whittingham & Goosnargh Social Club, Whittingham, Preston, Lancs.

Tickets £12 prebook or £15 on gate. More info from 07971 530190 or www.jestersmcc.org.uk 14-16th Sept: Hybrids Rally Part Deux at Colsterworth Sports Club, Old Post Lane, Colsterworth, Grantham, Lincs. Tickets £20 prebook or £25 on gate. More info from 07535 962116 or Facebook.

14-16th Sept: Leeds Custom & Classic Bike Show at the New Inn, Eccup, Leeds. Tickets £20

prebook or £25 on gate or £10 Sat only prebook or £15 on gate.

More info from Facebook.

14-16th Sept: Free Riders MC’s Party at the Free Riders Little Saloon, Hoornstraat 45, Moerkerke, 8340 St. Rita, Belgium. More info from www. freeridersmc.be or Facebook.

14-16th Sept: Ribcrackers MCC’s Return To The Sun Rally at the Old Station Cafe, Pontefract Road, Snaith, Yorks.

Tickets £12 prebook or £15 on gate. More info from 07738 266211 or Facebook.

15th Sept: Royal Oak Rejects RC’s Trike & Bike Show at the Dudley Arms, A449, Wolverhampton Road, Himley, Dudley, West Mids.

Tickets £1. More info from lornata@ hotmail.com 15th Sept: Kempton Park Motorcycle Autojumbles Kempton Park, Staines Road East, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex. More info from www. kemptonparkautojumble.co.uk 15-16th Sept: Hot Rod Drags at Santa Pod, Beds. More info from www.santapod.com 16th Sept: Blue-Haze Day & Fantic & Fizzy Frenzy & 2-Strokes at the Ace Cafe, London. More info from www. london.acecafe.com 16th Sept: Romney Marsh Classic Bikejumble & RideIn Show at Hamstreet, near Ashford, Kent. More info from www.elkpromotions.co.uk 16th Sept: Portsmouth MAG’s Bike, Trike & Scooter Show at Port Solent Marina, Port Solent, Portsmouth, Hants. More info from Facebook.

16th Sept: Zero Motorcycles Day at Ryka’s Café, Old London Rd, Box Hill, Mickleham, Dorking, Surrey. More info from www. rykas.co.uk 21-23rd Sept: Cernunnos MCC’s Mabon Rally. Tickets £10 prebook. More info from www. cernunnos-mcc.org/mabon-rally 21-23rd Sept: Apocalypticus Road to Ruin. More info from www.apocalypticus.com 21-23rd Sept: Dubs of Anarchy VW & Bike Show at Ashdown Farm, Badsey Road, Evesham, Worcs. Tickets £25 prebook or £30 on gate. More info from www.dubsofanarchy.co.uk 21-23rd Sept: Dambusters MCC’s Grasslanding Rally at

Golcar Cricket Club, Swallow Lane, Golcar, Huddersfield, W. Yorks. Tickets £15 prebook or £18 on gate. More info from 07899 996561 or 07775 885591 or stevechoudury58@hotmail.co.uk 21-23rd Sept: Yer Tiz Rally at Newton St Cyres Recreational Ground, Station Road, Newton St Cyres, Devon. Tickets £15 prebook or £20 on gate. More info from 07790 277340 or www. yertizbikerally.co.uk 21-23rd Sept: Doggs Bollocks MCC’s Doggs Weekend at Stoke Green Cricket Club, Stoke Green, Stoke Poges, Bucks.

Tickets £15. More info from Facebook.

22nd Sept: Herts Bikers’ Charity Evening at Arlesey Social Club, High Street, Arlesey, Beds. Tickets £4 prebook. More info from 07543 524146 or Facebook.

23rd Sept: Bike Day at the Ace Cafe, London. More info from www.london.acecafe.com 23rd Sept: ’Normous Newark Autojumble at the Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. More info from www. newarkautojumble.co.uk 23rd Sept: Churchill Arms Autumn Bike Jumble at the Churchill Arms, Daggons Road, Alderholt, Hants. More info from www.churchillpub.co.uk 28-30th Sept: Oddballs MCC’s Summer Balls Up at Sleap, Harmer Hill, near Wem, Shrops.

Tickets £12 prebook or £15 on gate. More info from www. oddballsmcc.com or Facebook.

28-30th Sept: Mobile Chaos MCC’s Kamikaze Cave Run at the Silver Sapling Campsite, Park Road, Silverdale, Lancs. Tickets £18 prebook or £22 on gate.

More info from 07908 426606 or www.mobilechaosmcc.co.uk 28-30th Sept: MAG AGC at Borth Community Hall, High Street, Borth, Ceredigion, Wales.

More info from 07773 718444 or Facebook.

28-30th Sept: Trike Riders UK’s Bugs, Bikes & Trikes at the Old Station Cafe, Pontefract Road, Snaith, Yorks. Tickets £10. More info from Facebook.

30th Sept: 59 Club Day & BSA Bantam Meet at the Ace Cafe, London. More info from www. london.acecafe.com 30th Sept: Huddersfield Auto/Retro Jumble at the Old

Oxford. Tickets £18 prebook or £20 on gate. More info from 01865 433429 after 6pm or www.caldariummcc.co.uk 27th Oct: Flame & Thunder Show at Santa Pod, Beds. More info from www.santapod.com 27th Oct: Whitby Goths & Gasoline Custom Show at West Cliff Primary School, Church Square, Whitby, Yorks. Free entry. More info from www. whitbykustom.com

Market Building, Brook Street, Huddersfield, W. Yorks. More info from 01773 819154 or www. phoenixfairs.jimdo.com 30th Sept: Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride from various sites around the country. More info from www.gentlemansride.com 30th Sept: Sand & Motorcycles at Pages Park, Billington Road, Leighton Buzzard, Beds. Free entry. y More info from Facebook.

OCTOBER 5-7th h Oct: BITM’s Bumtoberfest at Essex Outdoors, Rewshall Lane, East Mersea, near Colchester, Essex.

Tickets £20 prebook or £25 on gate. More info from www. buminthemud.co.uk 5-7th Oct: Six Town Chopper Show at China Halls, Old Spode Works, Kingsway, Stoke-onTrent, Staffs. More info from www.sixtownchoppershow.co.uk 5-7th Oct: Rally in the Woods at Candlestone Camp Site, Merthyr Mawr, Bridgend, Wales. Tickets £18 prebook or £20 on gate.

More info from 07500 904032 or www.rallyinthewoods.com 6-7th Oct: National Finals at Santa Pod, Beds. More info from www.santapod.com 7th Oct: Kenley Autojumble at The Portcullis Club, Kenley Airfield, Caterham, Surrey. More info from Facebook.

7th Oct: End of Summer Scooter ‘n’ Mod Special at the Ace Cafe, London. More info from www.london.acecafe.com 7th Oct: Copdock Motorcycle Show at Trinity Park, Ipswich, Suffolk. More info from www. copdock-cmc.co.uk 7th Oct: Triumph Day at Revved Up, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex.

More info from Facebook.

12-14th Oct: Excalibur MCC’s Get Stoned With The Sword Rally at Farmey Field, Sutton

Lane (opposite Old Talbot pub), Hilton, Derbys. Tickets £16 prebook or £20 on gate.

More info from 07976 830552 or Facebook.

13-14th Oct: Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show at the Stafford County Showground, Stafford, Staffs.

Tickets: 01507 529529 or www. staffordclassicbikeshows.com Trade inquiries: 01507 529430 or exhibitions@mortons.co.uk 14th Oct: Brit Vs (Vincent & Velocette) & Classic Bike Day at the Ace Cafe, London. More info from www.london.acecafe.com 14th Oct: HDRCGB Region 27 Suffolk Harley Autojumble/ Swap Meet at Woolpit Village Hall & Recreation Ground, Mill Lane, Woolpit, Suffolk. Pitches from £25. More info from 07514 742052 or Suffolk@hdrcgb.org.uk 14th Oct: Brightona at Madeira Drive, Brighton. More info from www.brightona.co.uk 20th Oct: Kempton Park Motorcycle Autojumble at Kempton Park, Staines Road East, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex.

More info from 01507 529430 or exhibitions@mortons.co.uk 21st Oct: Straightliners bike only RWYB at Santa Pod, Beds.

More info from 01484 718164 or www.straightlinersonline.co.uk 21st Oct: Red Oktober Eastern Bloc Vehicle Day at the Ace Cafe, London. More info from www.london.acecafe.com 21st Oct: London MAG AGM & Meet at 5pm at the Ace Cafe, London. More info from www. london.acecafe.com 21st Oct: ’Normous Newark Autojumble at the Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. More info from www. newarkautojumble.co.uk 26-28th Oct: Caldarium MCC’s Coming of Age HexRated Rally at the Millennium Hall, Horton-cum-Studley,

28th Oct: Rat, Brat, Bobbers, Choppers & Rat Rods at the Ace Cafe, London. More info from www.london.acecafe.com 28th Oct: Huddersfield Auto/ Retro Jumble at the Old Market Building, Brook Street, Huddersfield, Yorks. More info from 01773 819154 or www. phoenixfairs.jimdo.com 28th Oct: South of England Classic Motorcycle Show & Bikejumble at Ardingly, W. Sussex. More info from www. elkpromotions.co.uk p

NOVEMBER 1-4th Nov: International Dirt Bike Show at the NAEC, Stoneleigh, Warks. More info from www.dirtbikeshow.co.uk 3rd Nov: Firework Frenzy at Santa Pod, Beds. More info from www.santapod.com 4th Nov: Ton Up Day at the Ace Cafe, London. More info fromwww.london.acecafe.com 11th Nov: Poppy Day Parade & Service & Military Vehicle Meet at the Ace Cafe, London.

More info from www.london. acecafe.com 11th Nov: Bike/Trike/Scooter Remembrance Service at Newhaven Fort, Newhaven, East Sussex. More info from Facebook.

25th Nov: Mud Pluggers Day at the Ace Cafe, London. More info from www.london.acecafe.com 25th Nov: Huddersfield Auto/ Retro Jumble at the Old Market Building, Brook Street, Huddersfield, W. Yorks. More info from 01773 819154 or www. phoenixfairs.jimdo.com

DECEMBER 1 D 1st Dec: S Southern h Classic Cl i Off Road & Racing Show & Motorcycle Jumble at Kempton Park, Staines Road East, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex.

More info from 01507 529430 or exhibitions@mortons.co.uk 2nd Dec: Bike Day & Ace Cafe Club Day Xmas Meet at the Ace Cafe, London. More info from www.london.acecafe.com 9th Dec: Bike Day at the Ace Cafe, London. More info from www.london.acecafe.com 9th Dec: Paws ‘n’ Claws Pet Food Run at 11am at the Ace Cafe, London. More info from www.london.acecafe.com 9th Dec: ’Normous Newark Autojumbles at the Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. More info from www. newarkautojumble.co.uk 9th Dec: Cambridge Toy Run from La Pergola, Harston, Cambs. More info from Facebook.

16th Dec: Bike Day at the Ace Cafe, London. More info from www.london.acecafe.com 16th Dec: Xmas Toy Run at 10am at the Ace Cafe, London.

More info from www.london. acecafe.com 16th Dec: Xmas Carol Service at 7pm at the Ace Cafe, London.

More info from www.london. acecafe.com

18th Nov: Ariel OC Founders Day & Classic Bike Day at the Ace Cafe, London.

More info from www. london. acecafe.com 18th Nov: ’Normous Newark Autojumble at Newark Showground, Newark, Notts.

More info from www.newarkautojumble. co.uk AUGUST AUGUST 2018 2018

99 99 9

Adam Fletcher’s GT750 hardtail

atby’s Martyn Br ined twin-eng Sunbeam ’ ‘Fourbeam

Albert Riddel’s irds’ ‘Thunderb d ir Thunderb

Simon ’s Humphrey XS650 100

AUGUST 2018

The first tw been held, th o rounds of the BSH C ustom Bike C e firs hamp at the begin t at the very excellent B ning of May, MAD Paignto ionship have th n Bike Fest e se co nd Farmyard Par ty, and the fi at Yorkshire MAG’s reno ival wne rs t ten winners You saw the ’ve been pic d BMAD winn ked! ers last issue, an d at th e Farmyard th trophies wen e These will al t to the bike l go forward s shown here in . be able to vo to the main competition winners of th te on later in the year, where they’ll , which you will e remaining rounds. By th be joined by round will’ve e tim the bee London (it w n held at the NCC’s Dia e you read this, the thir d mond Day at as 30 th June) th , so your last chance to en e Ace Cafe, ter will be at THE ROCK : &

Dave von Baron’s tyle Swedish-so S&S Ev

BLUES at Pentrich in Derbyshire (2 CUSTOM SHOW w w w.theroc kandblues.c 6 -29th July) – see om for more THIS LAST RO info.

UND WILL H AVE,

AS ALL THE OTHERS’VE, BEST FIVE CATEG ORIES: B EST CHOPPER SCRAMBLER NEW SKOO , ETC.) L BEST CUSTO M CUSTOM (CAFE BEST PAINT RACER, STRE ET BEST EN GINEERING

One bike from each of these categories w the winner of ill be picked that class at th as the year go in at round. The to a two-issu e thingy for yo winners from and then the u lot to vote five on, go on to be th winners of that, as chosen e stars of the by you, will BSH Custom at Motorcycl Xtreme stand e Live at the November) w NEC in Birmin here there w gham (17-25th ill be a presen tation and aw ards and prizes an To enter your ’ that. bike, simply co me along to and put it in the Rock & B the custom sh lues ow there – it’ s as simple as All the rules of that! the hosting ev ents apply – check out thei r various websi tes for details .

PICS: RIC HARD

GLYNN

Good luck!

APRIL 2017

101

LEFT: Glyn Phillips runs the Black River Machine Co in Neath, Wales, and has built this very nice Sporty bobber.

Check out his work on Facebook at blackrivermachineco

ABOVE: “Our

Jack aboard his mum’s bike in Blackpool!” Pic by J Lloyd.

Simon Gray built this very nice XS750 cafe racer to go alongside his equally modified CB400.

ABOVE: Angela on Jak’s customised Night Train chop at the Manchester Bike show on the HOG stand.

RIGHT: This is Mark Singleton’s great-uncle on the earliest pic of a bike in his family – anyone know what the bike is?

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AUGUST 2018

SEND PICS OF YOUR BIKE, YOUR LADY, YOUR BLOKE (BUT NOT YOUR DINNER, THIS ISN’T FACEBOOK) TO NIK@BACK STREETHEROES.COM

BELOW: Jon’s JD-themed Sporty has had loads of work including a seat from the States, spoked back wheel, Attitude Customs ’bars, and much, much more too!

BELOW: Ciro’s fat-wheeled trick-framed streetfighter, built by Izax MCs in Alfreton – trick as hell!

ABOVE: This is Paul Doe’s Triumph Legend chopped into a scrambler; Daytona motor, Bonneville seat, scrambler back end. Nice!

LEFT:

Darren Desmond’s XVS1100, bought by him after a break from biking and attacked with the grinder – cool bike, Daz!

RIGHT:

Chloe Thomas on her dad’s GSX-R 1000 K3 – she has an RS50 Aprilia of her own too!

AUGUST 2018

103

ABOVE: Gerrit Boelhouwer’s 20-year living room project bike got new ’pipes for Christmas! Pic by FD. LEFT: K Allen sent this pic of his good lady.

“As the film quote from Dead in Five Heartbeats said, ‘The better the old lady, the better the MC member’ – she makes me what I am.”

RIGHT: Mark Taylor’s recently made a jockey-shift for this chopped Chinese 125 hardtail – cool!

ABOVE: Gaynor at Billing on a 1976 Gitaine Champion Veloce – Dave J remembers being 16 and seeing one of these in the window of Taylors M/Cs in Chippenham and dreaming…

RIGHT: The three amigos, from the left: Dave ‘Goldwing’ Johnson, Steve ‘Blayz’ Blay, and Paul ‘Paulski’ George, circa late 1970s in Eccles, Lancashire.

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AUGUST 2018

SEND PICS TO NIK@ BACKSTREETHEROES.COM

Nick Simms’ Virago XV750 is named ‘Viagra’, and he’s spent many hours getting to this stage, including a single carb conversion using a manifold from a guy in the US – he’s finally got the jetting just right so it produces some real low end grunt and pulls like a train!

BELOW: Amanda in sunny Ireland a few years ago at the Druids’ Rally in its original location outside O’Brien’s Bar.

BELOW: Amazing chops at Burapa Bike Week, Pattaya.

Pic by Steve Rowe.

Claude from the Black Forest in south Germany built this Harley cafe racer back in 1991, and has been riding the arse off it ever since!

Hayley’s got her new bike, built by dad Rev from Bournemouth.

Lucky girl!

AUGUST 2018

105

SELL YOUR BIKE FOR

FREE WITH BSH  UPLOAD YOUR ADS TO WWW.BACKSTREETHEROES.COM/ADS

AND THEY’LL APPEAR BOTH IN THE MAG AND ON OUR WEBSITE

HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLH POLICE SPECIAL: 1983, 80” (1340cc), Shovelhead, completely restored by American Iron, lots spent, 22k miles, powdercoated frame, freshly painted gloss black, polished rockers, S&S Super E carb, oil temp gauge, chrome slash-cut ’pipes, chrome Electra-Glide front end, new chrome shocks, chrome headlight cowl, Le Pera Bare Bones solo seat, Barnett cables, Goodridge braided hoses & stainless/chrome fittings, Avon Gangster whitewalls, serviced/MoT’d £9,500 ono. Tel 07850 044433.

BMW K1100LT: 7k miles, no MoT, been stored for 12 months, runs well, only done 200 miles since last MoT, comes with all bags, good cruiser, space needed £750 ono. Tel 07514 064583 (St Helens).

H-D SPORTSTER FLAT-TRACKER: 1200, complete rebuild as tracker, mods as photos, plus many engine mods, fast, just run in after professional rebuild, custom paint by Pageant Paint £14,995 ono. Tel 07989 382306 (Cambs).

TRIUMPH TR6 BOBBER: 1970, engine fitted with 750 Morgo barrels/ pistons, rebored, new guides/seats/ valves, rebuilt crank, all professionally done including electrics, lots of oneoff parts, featured in April 2018 BSH £6,750 ono. Tel 07761 923584 or 01590 671813 (Hants).

KAWASAKI VN900 TRIKE: As-new custom trike, 2,600 miles on clock, built in 2009 £9,500 ono. Tel 07398 065611 or 07852 773596.

HONDA TWO FIFTY CHOP: Not a Honda 250CB, akin to the Honda Rebel/Hornet 250, sold in USA as Night Hawk, AJS EOS frame, too many handmade custom parts to list, Highway Hawk exhaust, windowed engine casings, Briggs & Stratton air-filter, brass foot-pegs, still listed as 125cc £3,000 ovno or swap older mini digger/compact tractor or other building related stuff. Email sat_ring@ hotmail.com

YAMAHA 1100 TRIKE: SORN, USD forks, slab yokes, one-off frame, fatbob tanks, fat rear wheels, coollooking trike, realistic offers. Tel 07783 512381.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON TWIN CAM CUSTOM: 1999 Twin Cam, lowered back/front, Pro’ build by Krazy Horse, 477 miles since, total miles 19,995, Progressive shocks, +3 deg rake kit, 18” rear/19” front Morad wheels with stainless spokes, Billet brakes, Beringer levers, one-off rear ’guard/ tank (speedo inset), La Pera seat, S&S carb/filter, Vance & Hines ’pipes, side-mount ’plate £8,999 ono. Tel 07989 382306 (Cambs).

HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROCKER C: 2008, Vivid Black, two previous owners, lots of custom work by Shaw’s using lots of quality parts including five-spoke mirror wheels, chrome everything, chopped rear ’guard, mini-ape ’bars, full Stage One kit, V&H big radius pipes, Kuryakyn curved side-mount plate, stunning example of a Rocker C £13,750 ono. Email k99riley@aol.com (Notts).

TRIUMPH BOBBER: Triumph T100, black, 2014, built by P&D Custom, cover/spread in BSH, hardtail frame, one-off exhaust, single seat, new 16” back wheel, dummy oil tank for electrics/battery plus lots more, paint by Keith Baker, MoT’d, only 3,000 miles since new £6,999 ono.

Tel 07960 943462 (W. Sussex)

www.zodiac.nl

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AUGUST 2018

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AUGUST 2018

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WAY BACK IN 1992, SHORTLY AFTER BECOMING DISABLED IN A HIT-AND-RUN ACCIDENT, I WAS ASKED TO CONSIDER TAKING ON THE POST OF CHAIRMAN FOR THE RELATIVELY NEW REGISTERED CHARITY, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR BIKERS WITH A DISABILITY.

I

agreed to take on the post for one year, on condition that the association became constitutionally obliged to remain a voluntary organisation with no paid officials, and that it would be run on democratic principles. I clearly remember saying: “I can only commit to one year to help the NABD get better established, then I’ll have to start thinking about finding a new career…”

I’d tried to return to my previous career as an electrical engineering contractor, but there were just too many aspects of the work I could no longer do efficiently, and it quickly became evident that many of the companies I had previously relied on for regular work were not too sanguine with the idea of having a cripple working on their machinery.

Those early years of the NABD were an uphill battle and, as time went by, the regular attempted infiltration of people who would’ve corrupted the NABD into their own personal gravy train (as has happened with so many charities) made it very difficult to step down from the post of chairman. Not that there was ever a long queue of people banging on the door wanting to take on a voluntary job that, in those formative years, regularly involved working 60-plus hours per week! I think it was probably 15 years before I first thought back to that “I’ll give it a year” conversation and wondered, “What the hell happened there?”

Now here I am 26 years on and I still can’t quite put my finger on the moment when a temporary commitment turned into a life-long vocation. Thankfully my ‘new career’ proved to have several quite flexible aspects; as a writer, stand-up comedian and expert witness on disabilities for the high courts, so I have been able to earn a living while maintaining my voluntary commitment to the NABD. The fact is, that, despite the hard work, the anguish, the heartbreak and all of the other trials and tribulations engendered by my involvement in the NABD, there’s also been a great deal of joy and satisfaction in knowing that

114

AUGUST 2018

more than 11,000 people with disabilities have been able to enjoy the freedom and independence of motorcycling due to the help provided by the NABD. And the NABD has also blessed me with the friendship and/or mutual respect of far more good-hearted people than anybody could reasonably hope for in normal circumstances.

So, have I become any wiser over the 26 years since I agreed to donate a year of my life to something I believe in?

Well, just over 18 months ago I brought in two autumn juvenile hedgehogs from my garden. Though the main breeding season for hedgehogs is in the spring, they will often have a second brood in the autumn if food is plentiful throughout the summer. Unfortunately, this all too often means that the autumn juveniles this produces don’t have time before winter to lay on enough fat reserves, without which they will simply not survive hibernation.

I’d already brought in and weighed two autumn juveniles earlier that week and, as they weighed significantly less than the 600g they require in late November, I’d taken them to the local ‘mad hedgehog lady’ to be looked after. She took them in, despite already being inundated with more than 100 hedgehogs to care for, and I made a donation towards their food and care.

Knowing that wild British hedgehogs had been steadily (and drastically) declining in numbers over the past 30 or more years, due to loss of habitat, increased traffic fatalities, secondary poisoning from slug pellets and many other reasons (not least being the huge amount of ugly solid fences being erected around gardens by thoughtless people), I’d already built a couple of feeding stations in my back garden, where water and dry hedgehog food is available every night.

When the next two underweight hedgehogs turned up in my garden two nights later, I began thinking about the morality of adding even more to the

burden that the 80-plus-year-old ‘mad hedgehog lady’ already had to contend with, so I had a chat about it with my lovely girlfriend Mandy. We decided to look after them ourselves throughout the winter. After all, how difficult could it be?

I also began to write a diary of our experiences with our two winter houseguests and publish it on my Facebook page under the title ‘The Hedgehog Chronicles’. These chronicles soon amassed a large following and, I’m very pleased to say, they’ve been very well received.

I recall a comment made on one Hedgehog Chronicle update by a lady who asked: “Is this the start of a new hedgehog rescue centre in Manchester?”

My reply was: “Sod off! I have enough to do with my NABD work!”

So here we are 18 months later and we (that is, Mandy and I) have now cared for 22 sick, injured or underweight hedgehogs (of which 18 have survived to be returned to the wild in good health).

We have a further nine in our care at the moment, including five unweened hoglets that require hand-feeding every three hours (we even had to take them with us to the Farmyard Party in Yorkshire to continue their feeding schedule).

We’ve also very nearly finished kitting out a ‘hedgehog hospital’ that we built in my back garden while it was snowing in January, so we’ll soon have the facilities to care for up to 25 hedgehogs at any given time, and we’ve enjoyed a huge amount of support in this hedgehog hospital project – the vast majority of that support has come from bikers.

So, have I learned my lesson when it comes to being cautious about leaping into things I believe in? The answer has to be: “Clearly not!” When it comes to knowing where to look for the best friends anybody could wish for though, I will always look to bikers!

SE RICK HUL