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This photo dates from 1932 and shows The Covered Wagon, one of a fleet of Motorcycle Delivery ‘vans’ operated by the Liverpool branch of Daily Bread Ltd. Photo: Mortons Archive www.mortonsarchive.com
2 NEWS
September 2018
Pete’s Prattle
www.oldbikemart.co.uk email: info@oldbikemart.co.uk
Editor Pete Kelly OBMEditor@mortons.co.uk Staff writer Dave Manning Designers Charlotte Fairman, Tracey Markham Production editor Pauline Hawkins Picture Desk Paul Fincham and Jonathan Schofield Divisional advertising manager Billy Manning Advertising Kieron Deekens kdeekens@mortons.co.uk Alan Green agreen@mortons.co.uk
01507 524004 Marketing manager Charlotte Park Circulation manager Steve O’Hara Publisher Tim Hartley Publishing director Dan Savage Commercial director Nigel Hole General queries Customer Service number: 01507 529529 Telephone lines are open: Monday-Friday 8.30am-6pm, Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm and 24hr ansaphone Archive enquiries Jane Skayman jskayman@mortons.co.uk 01507 529423 Founder Ken Hallworth OLD BIKE MART (ISSN:1756-9494) is published monthly by Mortons Media Group Ltd, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6LZ UK. USA subscriptions are $48 per year from Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 City Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. Periodical Postage is paid at Bancroft, WI and additional entries. Postmaster: Send address changes to OLD BIKE MART, c/o Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 City Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. 715-572-4595 chris@classicbikebooks.com PUBLISHED BY
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ince May this year, events at the office have meant me editing a second Mortons publication, on a subject quite unrelated to motorcycling, in addition to Old Bike Mart, and the time has now come for me to concentrate solely on the former. So after the best part of four-anda-half years, it’s time to hand over the reins of OBM to my worthy successor, Dave Manning, whose name will have become familiar to you in the last few issues, and the change couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment, because the next issue will be the 400th. How amazing, then, that in midAugust I should receive out of the blue an email from reader Sadie Parsons, who’d come across a first edition of OBM while clearing out
her late father-in-law’s house and said that, if I’d like it, she’d post it on. When it duly arrived, I could see that it was a facsimile (given away with an issue of a much later OBM quite a few years ago now) of the late Ken Hallworth’s very first issue of Old Bike Mart dated July 1985. It consisted of just four black and white pages, and was distributed free. Before Ken’s sad passing, I asked him several times if I could visit him to learn what setting up OBM had entailed, but the great vintage motorcycle enthusiast and bikejumbler was so modest that he always declined. Now at last, by reading every word of issue No 1, I could see with absolute clarity his mindset of 33 years ago, and it became immediately apparent that he’d had
his finger squarely on the pulse of the vintage and bikejumbling world of that time. What a visionary he was! To share this all with you, I’ve made the birth of OBM into a twopage feature on pages 32-33 headed ‘Old Bike Mart: how it all began’ and I hope you enjoy reading it. Editing OBM has been a rare privilege through good times and bad, including the most traumatic event in my life, the passing of my dear wife Liz in September 2016. Of the many titles I’ve edited during a career spanning almost six decades, I don’t think I’ve ever felt quite so close to the readers as I have here at OBM, but happily it will not be a total farewell. Just as Dave has helped me through these last extremely busy four months, I shall be helping him
What’s your hidden pleasure? Thanks to our recent reader survey giving us a little insight into the lives of you, dearest reader, we’ve decided to give you a little prompt into letting us know about a bike that, otherwise, you may not want to shout about when among the classic bike cognoscenti. We’re not just talking about the unfinished project that you’re too embarrassed to admit to – although we’ll always want to hear about those – as we want to hear about all of your cherished two-wheelers. Whether it’s the brand new Triumph that you
treated yourself to for a special birthday, the cheap Chinese commuter that gets you to work and back, the gnarly little Japanese trail bike that does an occasional weekend green lane, the classic scooter that provides light relief from your Triton, or the modern Royal Enfield that gives reliable access to classic events. Whatever it is, we want to see the bikes that provide a reliable (or not) foil to your true classic machine. The survey revealed that a very large number of you ride modern machinery as well as classics, and it seems that
as the years pass, there is not only a greater demand for an everyday ride to back up that classic bike that gets used for Sunday Best, but also an everexpanding range of brand new machinery that is classically styled, fun to ride and, perhaps most importantly, desirable for those of us who don’t want a whiz-bang technogadget with more electronics than Elon Musk’s laptop… As ever, you can contact us at OBMEditor@mortons.co.uk or by post to Old Bike Mart, Mortons Media, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 6JR.
by writing a few features and (for some reason I still don’t understand) a continuing ‘Prattle’ column somewhere on the inside pages. Best wishes to each and every one of you, and long may the spirit of Old Bike Mart continue!
Kickback custom show joins Prescott Bike Festival in ‘19 Two of the UK’s most popular motorcycle festivals – the Prescott Bike Festival and the Kickback National Custom Show & Championships – are to join forces in one mega-festival on June 15-16 next year. This means that, as well as Prescott’s exciting features such as ‘Running the Hill’ and more than 100 ‘Paddock Specials’, visitors will also be able to see the breathtaking street customs, modified classics and DIY builds by the brightest and best custom builders in Britain as more than 80 finalists take part in the National Championships in a huge marquee. There are no corporate mega-budgets here – just the products of the wild imaginations of craftsmen with dirty fingernails!
NEWS 3
September 2018
Make tracks to dirt bike extravaganzas This year’s four-day International Dirt Bike Show at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire from November 1-4, held in partnership with oil and lubricant giant Motul, will provide trials action, mini-bike racing, quad bikes and moto football as well as showcasing the very latest off-road machines. Organiser Mortons Media Group plans to build on last year’s sell-out show with more action than ever before, so keep an eye on the dirtbikeshow.co.uk website for more information. Advance tickets can be bought online via the website or by calling 01507 529529, with prices starting at £8. If would like to learn more about booking a stand visit the Dirt Bike Show website or call the organising team on 01507 529430. Another great event for off-road fans and motorcyclists in general will be the Classic Dirt Bike Show sponsored by Hagon Shocks at the Telford International Centre over the weekend of February 16-17 next year.
There you’ll find classic dirt bike machinery galore, spare parts and accessories, riding kit and bike projects if you’re up for a challenge. Clubs stands and private entries will pack the venue, and the outdoor autojumble starting at 9am will be
A tasty Y amaha tak es pride of place on a Motu l display.
S helves, laden with off- road goodies, will be a featu re of both the u pcoming fou r- day S toneleigh Park and week end Telford events.
Bu sy scenes lik e this will be in store at nex t year’s Classic Dirt Bike S how sponsored by H agon S hock s at the Telford I nternational Centre over the week end of F ebru ary 16 - 17 .
overflowing with bargains just waiting for you to get your hands on them. At the exclusive three-course dinner being served on the Saturday evening, you’ll be able to wine and dine in the company of offroad legends for just £33, and the stars will relate their experiences between each course. If you’d like to join them, check www.classicbikeshows.com for more information coming soon. Advance ticket prices for the February event will cost £12 adult one day, £15 adult one day with early autojumble entry, £24 adult two days, £27 adult two days with early Saturday autojumble entry, and under-12s are admitted free. On-the-gate prices will be £14 adult one day and £18 adult one day with early autojumble entry. For details of all Mortons Media Group’s upcoming events, visit mortonsevents.co.uk
Sammy and Freddie wow the crowds at 10th Anniversary Brackley Festival You just can’t keep an old racer down – and Sammy Miller couldn’t resist giving his 500cc Gilera four and 1954 BMW Rennsport an outing on the High Street circuit at the 10th Anniversary Brackley Festival of Motorcycling over the weekend of August 11-12. Another legendary rider giving similar demonstrations was Freddie Spencer, who forsook his usual Hondas to ride an MV. The Brackley Festival, which is a significant fundraiser for local and regional causes, has become one of the premier motorcycling events in the country, with a unique blend of static and live bikes and exciting bike-related attractions. The Ace Cafe returned to the event this year to sponsor the cafe racer competition.
Whether it’s the howl of the G illie or the roar of the Bee- E m, it’s all the same to S am.
S ammy Miller shows some neat, stylish riding aboard the 5 0 0 cc G ilera fou r.
Saxilby Bikers raise £700 for air ambulance despite wind and rain
S ax ilby Bik ers’ fu ndraising day organisers Cliff N ewell and R oy J ewison are seen with su perbik e gu est Lee J ack son, who presented the best bik e award and drew the winning raffle tick et.
Although gusty winds and heavy showers kept many would-be visitors away, the Saxilby Bikers’ fundraising event on Sunday, July 29 still went ahead and raised more than £700 for the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance. Best bike on the day was a 1972 MV Agusta 350B whose owner, Richard Hagues, received his trophy from superbike racer Lee Jackson, who also drew the winning raffle ticket for the main prize, a HarleyDavidson Experience day that was won by Dennis Shepherd. The club thanks everyone who turned up, and looks forward to next year’s event. R I G H T: I t’s a thu mbs- u p from Lee J ack son as he presents R ichard with his award.
This tasty 197 2 MV Agu sta 35 0 B won R ichard H agu es the best bik e award.
4 NEWS
West Country Autojumble Sat 22nd Sept WEST COUNTRY AUTOJUMBLE, NEW CATTLE MARKET, DRIFFIELD ROAD, CIRENCESTER GL7 5QA Opening times 9 - 1
Contact Paul Powell
07831421455
September 2018
It’s all happening at Romney Marsh Classic Bikejumble The Romney Marsh Classic Bikejumble, Spares Auction and Ride-In Show will take place at Hamstreet, near Ashford, Kent on Sunday, September 16. Cheap garage clear-out stalls are available at £10 for a 6x5-metre pitch, which includes admission to the event for two, so why not team up with a mate and move all that unwanted clutter? Pitches must be pre-booked, though. If you wish to sell a bike, you can enter it in the BikeMart by simply paying your entry fee and putting it on display, and the popular sales auction will begin at noon, with sales lots accepted between 10 and 11am. There will be no fee to enter lots, but upon the sale a 10% fee will apply to vendors and buyers (5% over £100). All sales will be cash only on the day, and the expected lots include a quantity of motorcycle wheels, tools, British bike autojumble items, enamel signs and petrol cans. If you wish to show off your bike, you can ride in, pay the normal entry fee and park in the designated Ride-In Show area. There will be two spot prizes of £25
E minently restorable bik es lik e this 25 0 cc BS A will k eep proj ect hopes alive in the R omney Marsh Classic Bik ej u mble.
for the best classic (pre-1980) and best post-classic, and prizes will be awarded at 1pm. Visitors will find stalls and seating in the large marquee, where motorcycle adventurer Gordon May will be selling his range of books including three Overland titles describing his journeys in India by 1953 Royal
A H onda CB7 5 0 F , with a S u z u k i behind, come u nder scru tiny from R omney Marsh visitors with an eye for a bargain.
Enfield, Egypt by 1952 1235cc BSA Bantam and, his most recent, Vietnam by 1941 Matchless. Also in the marquee, local author Jim Taylor will be promoting his new book, Years of the Horse, which has been described as “a true-life memoir dedicated to every young greaser who grew up in the 1970s and 80s”. Triumph Tiger Cub specialists Adrian and Derek of Greystone Enterprises will be selling a range of new and used spares for Triumph Tiger Cubs from 1954 until 1968 and Terriers from 1953 until 1956. The venue at Marsh Road, Hamstreet, near Ashford, Kent TN26 2JD is on the A2070 six miles from junction 10 of the M20, and a 15-minute walk away from Ham Street railway station (for train times visit www.traveline.info). Gates open at 10am, and admission will cost £5 adults and £4 for 65s and over, with accompanied children under 16 being admitted free (last admissions 1.30pm).
Absolutely fabulous! Ladies’ Day at the Sammy Miller Museum In conjunction with Ali Scott of Together We Ride, the Sammy Miller Museum put on a Ladies’ Day on Saturday, July 14, when 35 lady riders turned up on some wonderful motorcycles for a great day out in the sunshine. A raffle raised £107 for breast cancer research, and money is still being donated to the charity by visitors to the museum, which is keen on encouraging women riders who are new to motorcycling,
returning to the pastime or just seeking a good day out. Trade stands included The Gear Box from Poole, selling motorcycling clothing and accessories; Rich’s Tent, providing Pimm’s and chilled non-alcoholic orange juice, which went down a treat on such a hot day; IAM RoadSmart Advanced Rider Training Solent, with Anne Thomas and her team talking to those thinking about advanced riding; LadyBiker
clothing from Felixstowe, Suffolk, who took along their tent, complete with changing area, for the visitors to try on new leathers and Rag-It/Bull-It clothing who were customising denim. Sharon Luke from Bournemouth Kawasaki took along two road-legal bikes for lady licence-holders to try, and great music from the Rhapsody Choir from New Milton provided ideal accompaniment to the cream teas.
Thirty- fi ve fabu lou s bik ers brou ght a breath of fresh air to the S ammy Miller Mu seu m when a Ladies’ Day in aid of breast cancer research took place on a bak ing hot S atu rday in J u ly.
September 2018
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Dapper and distinguished? Join the DGR! Riders of classic and vintage motorcycles will be encouraged to dress in a suitably dapper manner when the Rotary Club of Hull organises the region’s first Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride on Sunday, September 30. The ride will begin at The Tileworks, Barton upon Humber, at 10.30am, and finish in Hull’s Victoria Square. Part of the Movember Foundation, the DGR annual fundraising rides support charities for men living with prostate cancer and mental health issues. The DGR originated in Australia in 2012 and has caught on quickly with motorcyclists across the globe. This year, DGR groups in more than 80 nations will be taking part. Classic, vintage, veteran, future classic, bobber and cafe racer bikes are all welcome at the Hull event. The wearing of tweed, cravats and other such handsome attire is actively encouraged. Distinguished ladies are equally welcome to ride – but no cads or rotters, please! Registration for the Humberside event is free, and riders can sign up to ride at www.gentlemansride.com. Sponsorship enquiries are also welcome via the website.
September 2018
Kent circuit revives historic Lord of Lydden and Sidecar Burn-Up event One of Lydden Hill’s most historic events will return to the Kent race circuit after a break of nine years over the weekend of October 20-21. The first race for the ‘Lord of Lydden’ Trophy, in 1966, was won by Charlie Sanby on a Manx Norton, and in later years six-times British Superbike champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne and Isle of Man TT rider Steve Mercer added their names to the list of trophy winners. Lydden Hill is steeped in motorsport history, and the ‘Lord of Lydden’ was always one of the biggest events on the schedule, attracting top-level riders and thousands of fans from around the country. The grid for this year’s big race will be formed from the fastest 32 qualifiers from the Supertwins and Open categories, and alongside the ‘Lord of Lydden’ and Junior ‘Lord of Lydden’ races, other solo classes will include Yamaha Past Masters, MZs and scooters. Sidecar enthusiasts will also be well catered for with F1 and F2 sidecar races and a ‘Sidecar Burn-Up’ formed from the fastest 20 qualifiers. Previous winners of the ‘Burn-Up’ Trophy have included World Sidecar Champions Tim and Tristan Reeves. Interested riders are invited to register at www.lyddenhill.co.uk/ events/lord-of-Lydden, and apart from the track action, the organisers are arranging classic and vintage bike displays along with exhibits from bike clubs and dealerships. There will also be a Trade Village and Food Court, children’s
entertainment and evening entertainment with a band and bar. “We’ve been working hard over the last nine years to bring this historic event back to Lydden Hill,” said Pat Doran, “and we’re all very excited to confirm that this fabulous event, with so much history, has been confirmed for October. “The ‘Lord of Lydden’ used to attract the country’s top riders, and we’re very much hoping to have some of the sport’s biggest and best names back again, whether competing or as guests of honour.” FAB Racing will be running three races for its Mini GP 50cc and 70cc bikes, together with a display in gazebos sponsored by BSB, and there will be guest appearances by Bradley Ray and Darren Dixon, with Steve Parrish, Charley Boorman, Jake Dixon and Henry Cole invited. Former ‘Lords’ and ‘Sidecar Burn-Up’ winners will be visiting and parading, and there will be a display of previous winners’ bikes and trophies in the hospitality area. There will also be autograph sessions and a tribute to former ‘Lord of Lydden’, the late Tony Harris, by his family. The organisers are appealing to all former ‘Lords’ and ‘Burn-Up’ winners to contact them, and setting up a photo-shoot and press release on October 13 for former winners at the circuit. The revival is being organised by the Lydden Hill Motorsport Club, an MSA-registered club and ACU-affiliated promoter that was formed in 2008.
Tim Bourne, who was crowned ‘Lord of Lydden’ four times, sweeps into a right-hander in close company with another rider.
The late Tony Harris became ‘Lord of Lydden’ in 1983, and his family will be giving a tribute at October’s revival meeting.
September 2018
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Furness club’s free classic show The Furness British Motorcycle Club’s free-admission annual Classic Motorcycle, Scooter and Car Show will take place from 10am until 4pm at Hawcoat Park Sports & Social Club, Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, on Sunday, September 9. Food and drink will be available, and the bar will be open.
Mid Wales Classic Bike Show details The annual Mid Wales Classic Bike Show, which donates funds to local charities such as the St John Ambulance and Wales Air Ambulance, will take place in Pant-y-Dwr, near Rhayader, Powys, on Sunday, October 7. The roads and courses in Mid Wales have long been an attraction to motorcyclists, and the vital cover that both of the charitable organisations give to the area are always much appreciated. The hall where the event takes place will open at 10am, with hot food, drinks and the always well-received homemade cakes available. In previous years the event has attracted a varied and ever-growing entry, and road bikes of all shapes and vintages, including trials machines, along with scramblers and a few race bikes, will be on display. The organisers also welcome people selling parts, complete bikes or other autojumble items. Entries ahead of time are preferred, but will be accepted on the day. For more information call Roger on 01597 870241 or 07968 849748 (rogeremason@msn.com) or see Facebook at Mid Wales Classic Bikes.
September 2018
Powerlite There are some motorcycles that have never been especially easy to kickstart and, while many owners are in the older age bracket, there are also a fair few youngsters coming on to the scene who have never had to use a leg to start a high compression 500cc single before, and just don’t have the knack or the knowledge. So, rather than risk the pain of a shin-cracking kickback, why not use a Powerstart? While the company mostly focuses on products for four-wheelers – having had more than 40 years’ experience in manufacturing and supplying rotating electrics for the motor industry – Powerlite is well equipped to produce a specialised bike starter with dual driven rollers that is suitable not just for classic bikes but also for track day machinery and motocrossers too. And, as those scenarios don’t always have a convenient mains power supply, the Powerlite starter is battery powered thanks to an Odyssey Extreme PC950 battery which delivers 950 potent cranking amps through a 2kW starter motor, which can be operated by one person as it
comes with both a footswitch that the rider can operate while sitting on the machine, or (easier still) it includes a wireless ‘key fob’ electric start too. Each unit comes complete with a quality intelligent charger for the battery, easily plugged into the side of the unit. There’s little surprise that the Powerstart is a firm favourite with riders and teams in such prestigious events as the Goodwood Revival and Classic TT, given its practicality and ease of use. Aside from the Powerstart, Powerlite also has a full remanufacturing facility offering the rebuild of alternators, dynamos and starter motors of any type and age for cars and bikes. More details about this, and the starter, can be found at www.powerlite-units.com
Small capacity auction
New ideas, classic cover
There’s something of a misunderstanding in that classic bikes sold at auction are all exquisite, history-laden machines of a rarity and expense that only those with the fattest wallets can consider. While the upper echelon certainly includes bikes of a value that overshadows the national debt of many Third World countries, the simple truth is that most auctions also cover bikes of a more accessible nature. Many auctions, as well as a significant number of autojumbles, are now seeing an influx of smaller-engined machinery, including a number of French models, as you may have noticed from a couple of posts on our Facebook page. And, given that there seems to be more and more mopeds and small capacity machines built on Continental Europe heading our way of late, allied to the fact that they seem to be selling rather quickly too, we can be fairly confident that this financially accessible element of the classic scene is set to expand further. The list of bikes set for the September 22 Peter Crichton auction includes numerous small capacity machines, and while there is British machinery such as Cyclemasters, BSA Dandies and Raleighs, there will also be a selection of French fancies including Motobecanes and Mobylettes, a 1950 Magnat Debon and a 125cc Terrot EDLS, and a pair of German bikes – a Hercules and a Victoria. More information can be found at www.petercrichton.co.uk
Motorcycle insurance that caters specifically for classic machinery is nothing new, but the new policies from motorcycle insurance specialist Bennetts are slightly different to the norm. The policies available can cover up to 16 (common) modifications, and those changes can actually be made after the policy has been taken out, without any need to declare them to Bennetts. And, for any further modifications outside of the 16 that are covered (which are listed at www.bennetts.co.uk/ customer/help-advice/modifications/standard) there will be no administration fee in amending the policy. The new range of classic policies will offer the option of agreed value and, should the nightmare scenario occur, you can also take the retention option to buy back your damaged machine and to recover any parts. For those of us who have grown very attached to our bikes, this is near-essential! In addition, the policies also contain show and events cover. Bennetts has also recognised that many of us like bikes of all types, and not just classics. With this in mind, the insurer can offer multi-bike policies in which one owner can cover up to four bikes of any type. Aside from a potential financial saving, this gives a great saving in paperwork too… For more information on Bennetts classic bike insurance, visit www.bennetts.co.uk/motorbike-insurance/classic-bikes
September 2018
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September 2018
Brooklands team joins in the fun at French Grand Prix Retro rally Martin Gegg visits a captivating event in the Loire Valley town of Puy Notre-Dame
T
he 22nd Grand Prix Retro Le Puy Notre-Dame, showcasing pre-war vehicles, took place over the weekend of July 21-22, and UK participants included the Brooklands Museum Motorcycle Team, who sponsored the transport of museum motorcycles to the idyllic town of Puy Notre-Dame, nestled among the vineyards and sunflower fields of the Loire Valley. I decided to go along after hearing about this delightful excuse to tear around the roads of the little French village, where apparently the locals don’t worry about noise until late into the evening and are quite happy to have the village roads closed for two-and-a-half days. The proof of this statement is the fact that this event has now been running for 22 years. On the Friday evening, the village hosted a street party for participants, and next day the entrants with road-registered machines took part in a 30km tour of the wine region with a stop for lunch. One of my compatriots, VMCC Abingdon marque specialist Bill Whiteley, emulated the racers of the past by riding his 300cc 1930 Abingdon King Dick both on track and back to his base 13km along the road. Just two weeks before, the little AKD had been just another static exhibit at The London Motorcycle Museum. The track action got under way at 6pm with batches of cars and bikes taking to the streets during the evening. The first bike run was led out by veteran UK Sprint aficionado John Young, showing the French crowd a few sparks on turn one. His Tri-JAP special, based on a Tiger 70 Frame with a 500cc JAP Speedway engine, reached the first corner in the blink of an eye before accelerating down to the chicane before the hairpin, which was now splattered with oil from the cyclecars and tri-cars. He was followed closely by Brooklands Motorcycle Team member Michael Digby on his 1935 250cc Triumph L2/1.
In the gathering gloom, this was what the motorcycle paddock at Le Puy Notre-Dame looked like.
The second Saturday runs took place at dusk, and it was quite an experience to see pre-1939 bikes with LED lights roaring along the bale-lined streets while spectators drank beer and sampled the local wine. The French seem to know instinctively how to relax, and were not troubled by noise tests and paperwork. You pay your fee, get a number and a sticker and you’re off! I was registered as having a sidecar – but no matter, the correct sticker was issued and all I had to do was turn up at the correct time. My runs were on my 1937 250cc AJS Model 22, an ex-show bike previously owned from new by Keith Brown, a founder member of the AJS/Matchless Owners’ Club. As the pace truck pulled off, I got off the line first, but was soon caught by bigger machines at the first chicane. The most challenging part of the track is turn three, where the road narrows to no more than an alleyway followed by a 30-degree hairpin with cobbles and an overhanging bush on the racing line for good measure. How the cars get around this turn is a mystery! John Young’s Sunday session was slightly more challenging as the race bike batch was sent out before all the 1920s-30s mopeds had returned from their session, and things got quite exciting as John came around the first corner!
A Stylson (left) is seen with a group of Monet-Goyons.
The racers treated them as mobile chicanes for three laps before being called in, and on track at the time was Brooklands’ Karen Anderson on the museum’s 1936 Rudge Special.
Karen said: “We got out on track and were suddenly faced by loads of other slower bikes on the circuit, but we were able to get back out after the course was cleared.”
Bill Whiteley on his AKD (left), is seen with Ian Dabney (OK Supreme, rear) and Fred Wade (right) on a re-creation of the bike that Wal Handley used to gain a coveted Brooklands Gold Star in 1937 for lapping the Brooklands track at over 100mph. This success gave BSA the idea of marketing the successor of the M23 Empire Star as the M24 Gold Star.
From left: John Young (Tri JAP special), Eric Wade (Brooklands Rudge Special) and Michael Digby (white helmet) on a Triumph L2/1, await the start of the dusk run.
Jim Anderson (left) sits astride the 1926 348cc Rex Acme/Blackburne that was ridden by David Whitworth in pre-war races at Donington and Brooklands. In his hands, the bike made a name for itself as a giant-killer, and after the war it was ridden by the late ‘Titch’ Allen in a number of events and sprints, including achieving a standing quarter in 18.01 seconds in 1972. Ian Dabney said the French were particularly impressed with the age of the machine, but Jim revealed that the relatively small tank and thirsty Blackburne engine led to him running out of fuel on the second run. On the right is Ian Dabney on a 1938 Brooklands 350cc OK Supreme/JAP that was restored from a pile of bits by a member of the Motorcycle Team at Brooklands Museum. The unusual blue colour is correct for racing OK Supremes.
A Norton is captured in the dappled sunlight at Le Puy Notre-Dame.
September 2018
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September 2018
Surprises keep coming at Czech Veteranfest D David Myers visits a superb motorcycle line-up at a vintage event near Brno, and is surprised by the number and quality of machines on show.
S cooters, former E astern Bloc- style, mak e a colou rfu l line- u p.
uring a recent visit to the Czech Republic (more correctly ‘Czechia’ now) I went to the ‘Slavkov Veteranfest’ in South Moravia, near the second city of Brno, and was amazed by the variety and standard of the machines on show. The surprises just kept coming as I admired the 200 to 300 entries. The first rider I spoke to had a superb 1932 ohc Ariel Square Four, and his friend arrived on a pre-war Sunbeam. The conversations were enthusiastic, and there were many
spectacular Jawas and CZs of types that I’d never seen before – and they looked really well engineered. The show was for cars and bikes, but it was clear that the Czechs no longer bring out their ‘original, as ridden’ bikes as much as they once did, but rather demonstrate ‘original, as sold new’ with great and justified pride. There were some super sidecar outfits, some with factory-made trailers, and many interesting mopeds and scooters too, and I’m sure they will interest readers.
V ery BMW- lik e in both colou r combination and frame design, this is the CZ 25 0 S port in all its glory.
A spotless 1932 overhead- camshaft Ariel S q u are F ou r arrives at the ‘S lavk ov V eteranfest’.
J u st look at that beau tifu l engine, and think what the British motorcycle indu stry was capable of 8 6 years ago!
This pre- war S u nbeam and its prou d owner arrived with the rider of the S q u are F ou r – bu t look at those small cars behind it!
This long- strok e single is called a BD – and very nice it look s too.
This fi ne- look ing girder- fork Ardie was j u st one of many machines the writer had never seen before.
With its 5 0 0 cc overhead- camshaft engine and large front brak e, this J awa look s a very respectable machine.
Pride literally shines from this N orton, with its sweeping megaphone ex hau st, polished chrome and alloy and metallic green paint fi nish.
This Cz ech- registered 1936 N orton was one of the machines whose owner was prou d to fly the flag for Britain.
While many of u s might associate CZ s with cheap- and- cheerfu l two- strok es, j u st look at the lovely girder- fork two- fi fty at the bottom. The nex t bik e in line is a 194 7 O gar.
H ands u p who can identify this one?