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April 21-22, 2018 Stafford County Showground ST18 0BD
’Normous Newark Autojumble Upcoming dates… Sundays, April 8 & June 3, 2018
newarkautojumble.co.uk
Open Saturday 9am - 6pm Sunday 9am - 5pm
March 2018 £2.10
Advance tickets: £12/U12s: £3 www.staffordclassicbikeshows.com
ISSUE
393
OLD BIKE MART ’’
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Stooks of corn stand in the field as the rider of a nicely kept BSA, out for a leisurely late-summer run, pauses to look over the gate in early September 1939 and perhaps contemplate the gathering clouds of war. Photo: Mortons Archive www.mortonsarchive.com
2 NEWS
March 2018
Pete’s Prattle
www.oldbikemart.co.uk email: info@oldbikemart.co.uk
Editor Pete Kelly OBMEditor@mortons.co.uk Designer Charlotte Fairman Production editor Pauline Hawkins Picture Desk Paul Fincham, Jonathan Schofield and Angie Sisestean Divisional advertising manager Billy Manning Advertising Matt Hansom mhansom@mortons.co.uk Alan Green agreen@mortons.co.uk
01507 524004 Marketing manager Charlotte Park Circulation manager Steve O’Hara Publisher Tim Hartley
P
ondering about the page plan for our bumper 64-page pre-Stafford Show issue next month got me thinking about just how much motorcycle shows have changed over the years. The first one I ever attended was the Earls Court Motorcycle Show of 1963, when my late motorcycling friend Peter Poole and I took an overnight train from Warrington to arrive in London in the dark early hours of a very cold morning some five hours before the show doors were due to open. Eventually finding a Golden Egg restaurant (remember those?) we spent at least two hours drinking coffee and trying to keep warm
before venturing on to the London Underground system for the first time and eventually finding our way to the nearest station to the exhibition hall. Outside Earls Court, a very long queue was already starting to build up, and after what seemed an eternity stamping our feet the doors opened and the queue slowly moved forward to the entrance. We were in at last, and I particularly remember the Brough Superior Golden Dream that was on show that year. We gathered a mountain of brochures as we walked around admiring all the latest bikes, but by around midday we’d seen everything
and caught an early train back north with lots of exciting reading matter to keep us occupied all the way! There were no huge autojumble sales, no spectacular trials displays, no GP Paddock warm-ups, no hands-on riding opportunities, no six-figure motorcycle auctions or any of the many other aspects of 21st century shows that we have now come to expect. Back then, aged 19 and with my professional life still before me, I never dared dream of ever working on a motorcycling magazine, let alone editing one, and whenever I visit the OBM offices today and see the non-stop frenzied activity
of those who organise some of the biggest and most successful events in Britain, it brings it home to me just how very much things have moved on in the bike show world.
Publishing director Dan Savage Commercial director Nigel Hole General Queries Customer Service Number: 01507 529529 Telephone lines are open: Monday-Friday 8.30am-7pm, 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
‘Rita Revival’ circuit board ends failing electronics at a stroke
Most Lucas Rita ignition units will be 30 years old or more by now, and while they can be repaired, replacing just one component places stress on the others, making it a ‘stop-gap’ solution at best. However Rex’s Speed Shop has just launched a modern electronic circuit board that’s totally compatible with the existing system, with matching wire colours, and is designed to fit inside existing Lucas Rita AB11 cases. Ending the uncertainty of ancient, failing electronics, and with full UK technical support, the simple ‘Rita Revival’ replacement circuit board also gives better protection against accidental reverse polarity and over-volting by the bike’s charging systems. While power-hungry Lucas Rita AB5 units can also be updated to AB11 standard by fitting the new board, the original AB5 cases will require a little modification. For more information and prices, visit sales@rexs-speedshop.com .
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Rex’s ‘Rita Revival’ circuit board fits neatly into the original Lucas cases.
Bob Haines is guest speaker at Stratford Bob Haines, the only man to have worked at three competition departments of British motorcycle factories, will be the guest speaker at the Stratford Upon Avon Motorcycling Club’s Midland Centre and club awards presentation evening on Friday, March 9. His talk will start at 8pm at the Home Guard Club, a newly constructed building just 200 metres past the original one in Tiddington Road, Tiddington, Stratford Upon Avon. Entry is free of charge to all who wish to go along. Although Bob started off at Francis-Barnett and then James, he is better known for the time he spent with Triumph at
Meriden under race boss Doug Hele. “We used to see people like Roy Peplow, Gordon Farley and Scott Ellis all the time, along with ISDT teamsters such as John Giles and Ken Heanes,” he said. After working with the Triumph workers’ co-operative until 1983, he took a job testing Jaguar cars before joining Phillip le Roux’s Norton operation at Lichfield, and this took him to retirement in 2003. “The Rotary Norton was a brilliant bike, and Steve Spray and Trevor Nation got many wins on it,” said Bob. “I’ve got lots of trials tales to tell, particularly about the Scott Trial, and I still go to watch the event every year.”
March 2018
NEWS 3
RTA CHANGES AND ACU CONCERNS SCUPPER 2018 EPPYNT PLANS
Welsh Road Race is postponed until 2019 Because of recent legislative changes to the Road Traffic Act in Wales, the directors of the planned Welsh Road Race at the historic Eppynt circuit in August have been forced to announce that the event has had to be postponed until next year. A date for the 2019 event has already been requested, and will be announced shortly. On January 9, a hearing took place regarding the repeal of the RTA to allow the use of closed public roads for motorsports events, and this came into effect on February 2. The changes mean, though, that there will not now be enough time to obtain to correct permissions for this year’s planned event. “We are working closely with the AutoCycle Union, Crown Properties and Powys County Council to organise the Welsh Road Race, and under the new changes in legislation the deadlines that have been imposed would have made it very difficult to carry out a safe and successful event,” said the managing director of the Welsh Road Race, Derek Smith.
The 5¼-mile Eppynt circuit has fast straights and tricky corners in abundance.
In this road racing time capsule from the Mortons Archive at the Eppynt circuit in the early 1950s, riders get away in the first race of the day.
“The board of directors is absolutely devastated for the supporters, and we have begun steps to contact sponsors and all others concerned with the event.” Paul King, chairman of the ACU Road Race Committee, said: “Following concerns raised with the ACU at the end of last year about the proposed Welsh Road Race in August, members of our committee recently met with the event organisers to understand what was being proposed and what was required for the event to progress. “In order for the ACU Road Race Committee to sanction this event, a list of requirements needed from the organisers was agreed. It would appear that the timetable to achieve the event for 2018 cannot now be met. “Our committee will endeavour to assist the organisers in progressing the event for 2019.”
The passenger on L W Taylor’s Norton outfit makes a fine judgment between maximum lean-out and avoiding contact with the embankment in a 500cc sidecar race at the historic Welsh circuit. Mortons Archive photo.
Pre-production Honda CB750 could steal the show at H&H Classics’ NMM motorcycle sale A pre-production Honda CB750 four, one of only two survivors from the four originally largely handmade in Japan around 1968, was due to come up for sale at the H&H Classics sale at the National Motorcycle Museum on March 4. This particular machine, bearing frame no CB750-2110, reached Britain in 1969 and after being registered by Honda UK was used in the launch of the production CB750 model. It was being restored when its owner, who’d had it in his private collection for the past 35 years, sadly passed away. The gold bike’s first European appearance came at the Brighton Motorcycle Show from April 5-12, 1969, and it also appeared on the cover of
A run through the Durham Dales Starting and finishing near Darlington, Co Durham, Teesside Yesteryear Motor Club’s annual Durham Dales Motorcycle Run of around 100 miles will take place on June 10. Taking in some of the best scenery of the North Pennines and Durham Dales, and with a typical entry of 60 to 70 machines, the run is in two halves, with lunch provided as part of the entry fee. Entries will be open from early March, and while the event is open to all makes and ages of bikes, the emphasis is on those from the classic period. If you’re interested in taking part in this hugely enjoyable event, visit the TYMC website at www.tymc.org.uk, email billytigwell@yahoo.co.uk or contact Tiggy on 07761 937508.
Motorcycle Mechanics in May 1969. Although Honda hadn’t even discussed the idea of a four-cylinder seven-fifty until June 1968 (spurred on by Triumph’s triples, perhaps?) within a mere six months the drum-front-brake test mule was quickly followed by the prototypes. The two ‘missing’ machines from that batch of four suffered sad fates: a green version was never seen again after going to France, and a red one was crushed in the United States about five years ago. Of the two that remain, another one in the US was sold on eBay in 2014 for no less than $148,000, and although a £35,000-£40,000 estimate has been placed on the one coming up under the H&H gavel, who knows?
CGU 7H is the ordinary UK number plate on this historically important machine – one of only two remaining late pre-production Honda CB750s.
Slippery Sam had nothing on this! This amazing picture taken at Laxey, Isle of Man, shows how the ‘runaway tram’ problem on the Snaefell Mountain Railway has finally been solved – and don’t forget you saw it in Old Bike Mart first! While the new trams are claimed to be 50% faster than the originals, TT racers have expressed concerns regarding the level crossing at The Bungalow, one of them declaring: “The tram lines can always make the bike slide in damp conditions, but this new development could make it really slippery!” We’re kidding, of course! The picture was taken to illustrate the fact that a Douglas horse tram will be pulled through Laxey’s delightful station later this year as part of the Manx Electric Railway’s 125th anniversary celebrations.
Motive power doesn’t come more beautiful than this as a horse waits patiently with its Douglas seafront tram at Laxey station. The photo was taken in anticipation of this year’s 125th anniversary of the Manx Electric Railway.
4 NEWS
March 2018
Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show beats winter’s blues once again
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Large crowds, a superb entry of classic bikes, some highly creative club stands and a fascinating Charterhouse auction confirmed the ‘Best in the West’ reputation of the 38th Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show at the Royal Bath & West Showground over the weekend of February 3-4. Members of the region’s motorcycle clubs have long been renowned for their imaginative club stands, but this year it was the Wells Classic Motorcycle Club’s shop-front theme that ensured first prize in the club stand competition, with New Imperial and Gold Star coming second and third respectively. Tony Pashley took home the coveted Best in Show prize with his 1934 Model 95 Sunbeam that was on display at the National Motorcycle Museum until it became a casualty of the devastating blaze there in 2003.
01507 524004
Tony Pashley looks well pleased with the Best in Show Trophy for the 1934 Model 95 Sunbeam that rose from the ashes of the 2003 National Motorcycle Museum fire.
Glittering classics like these made the 38th Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show one to remember.
After being dragged from the ashes it was passed to top restorer John Phyzacklea, who painstakingly rebuilt it to its present condition. Since that amazing restoration, it has been showcased at numerous events and has won several awards including best road racing bike and best pre-war bike. The stand of show sponsor Carole Nash was buzzing all weekend, and event organiser Nick Mowbray reported good feedback from visitors and traders alike.
Another Norton celebration at Ardingly More than 100 years of Norton will be celebrated at the South of England Classic Bike Show & Jumble on Sunday, March 25 at The South of England Showground, Ardingly, West Sussex RH17 6TL. Nortons from all eras from veteran onwards will be featured, and Brooklands Museum will be taking some of its rare pre-war examples including the unique Soane/Jackson Manx and a genuine Pat Driscoll Brooklands racer from the mid-1920s. The ex-Dennis Jenkinson Manx that also has a Brooklands provenance will also be featured. Backing it up will be an interesting talk by the Brooklands team, with a questions-and-answers session in the Stockmans Building. There will be five halls of motorcycles and bike jumble
stands, and hundreds of machines will be on display in a large show, including club stands, for pre-1980 motorcycles. Those arriving by bike should look out for the Royal British Legion Riders’ Branch Helmet Park in The Stockman’s Building. The many bike jumblers will be offering new and used spares, bikes, clothing and accessories for sale, with more pitches outside. Garage clear-out stalls, not for regular traders, are available for just £10 but must be pre-booked. The show will be open from 10am until 2.30pm, with last admissions at 1.30pm, and admission will cost £6 adults and £5 seniors, with under16s free. There will be ample refreshments, and well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome. The South of England Showground is eight miles from
One of the Nortons on display at Ardingly on March 25 will be this 1973 Gus Kuhn Seeley Norton Commando that was ridden by Dave Potter in 1973-4.
M23 junction 10, signposted SOE/Wakehurst Place, and the entrance is through the North Gate, opposite the Gardener’s Arms pub. The nearest stations are Haywards Heath and East Grinstead.
1928 BSA disappears from Essex workshop Glen Grindod has emailed us to say that a 1928 BSA S28 DeLuxe that he was restoring was stolen from his workshop in Fyfield, Essex, at the beginning of January. When he came across the machine in a collection of motorcycles two years ago, it had been taken apart by a previous owner, but everything was there, in totally original condition. The BSA carries frame number 11120 and engine number 19748, and Glen is anxious to recover it and prevent someone buying a stolen machine.
The 500cc BSA S28 was coming along nicely when it was stolen from Glen Grindod’s workshop.
1931 Coventry-Eagle restored at the Sammy Miller Museum This 198cc Coventry-Eagle is the latest restoration to emerge from the workshop at the Sammy Miller Museum. The owner, who collected it in January, has now taken it back to Cornwall, where he intends to ride it. Anyone wishing to see more about the restoration can view a six-minute video clip by searching for the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum on YouTube. The unique Coventry-Eagle frame is unmistakable as Sam proudly shows off the restored 198cc machine.
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Bad news in West Country Increased bureaucracy and the impending development of the council-owned land have been cited by organiser Pete Dear as the reasons for the discontinuation of the Newton Abbot Autojumbles. His other such event at Taunton on August 19 will, however, still go ahead.
Classic bikes at Roxby Heritage Weekend The Fox Inn at Roxby, near Staithes, North Yorkshire TS13 5EB will be the venue for the seventh annual Roxby Heritage Weekend on July 14-15, with classic motorcycles adding to the many other attractions including steam traction engines, tractor-pulling, vintage tractors, classic cars and military vehicles. Trade and craft stalls, fun dog shows and children’s entertainment will also be on the menu, with free camping for exhibitors in fields adjacent to the inn. For more information contact Alison Potter on 07813 333423.
March 2018
Now that’s what we used to call racing! Today it’s hard to imagine 200-mile road races on dodgy road surfaces, with riders clipping straw bales at every corner – but that’s exactly how it was at the Leinster ‘200’ at Wicklow, in the Irish Republic, back in 1957. Sammy Miller MBE was going through some archives last November when he came across a report in Motor Cycling, dated June 20, 1957, about that year’s ‘Leinster’ in which he achieved the fastest lap of the meeting, all classes included, at 88.05mph on a 250cc NSU. Sam said: “I should think it was the only international where a two-fifty could be faster than the three-fifties and five-hundreds - a truly classic event!” It took place just after the 1957 TT in which the late Bob McIntyre had finally pushed his 500cc Gilera four to that first 100mph lap, and the Leinster entry was disastrously depleted by Isle of Man blow-ups and in Irish practising. After winning the 24-lap 250cc race in 2hr 21min 39sec (compared with times over the same
distance in the 350cc race of 2hr 23min 39sec and in the 500cc race of 2hr 26min 4sec) Sammy set his sights on the handicap, and Motor Cycling reported: “Miller and Bob Brown battled around on their NSUs in close company, pushing the 250cc lap record up from its original 83.40mph time and time again, and passing and repassing in a manner that stirred the big crowd. “On the 17th lap Brown made an effort to get away from Miller with a lap of 87.02mph, but Sammy equalled that and then topped it twice, working up to 88.05mph. Brown’s machine slowed perceptibly for a couple of laps, then dropped out on lap 23 with the sparking plug blown out of the head.” Sammy then went hard after Arthur Wheeler (248 Moto Guzzi) and others in front of him on the road to win the race by 32 sec. Sixty-two seconds covered the first four finishers, and as Motor Cycling reported: “It would have been five had Bob Brown’s machine lasted two further laps.” Stirring stuff – and thanks, Sam, for the memories.
Just look at that road surface as Sammy Miller (250 NSU) leads the similarly mounted Bob Brown and another dustbin-faired competitor past the high kerbs and straw bales.
Vincent Owners’ Club and Tramway Village plan second annual Classic Motorcycle Day
Crich might be a long way from Hammersmith, Brentford or Twickenham, but a ride on an open-top tram has a magic of its own as a London United Electric Tramways car rumbles past a row of bikes at last year’s Classic Motorcycle Day.
Following the success of last year’s pioneering event, the Crich Tramway Village-based National Tramway Museum, in conjunction with members of the Vincent Owners’ Club, will be running a second Classic Motorcycle Day at the scenic hilltop venue on Sunday, July 1. A charitable organisation with an army of volunteers, the museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the humble tram, and the Vincent Owners’ Club is the perfect partner in putting on such a show, where old machines can be parked in period settings to bring on a feast of nostalgia. In sunny weather, more than 1500 visitors attended last year’s event, when more than 300 classic motorcycles were on display. With sponsorship from local skip and grab-hire firm Derwent Waste Management, free entry will
be offered to all classic motorcycle exhibitors, and there will be prizes for the best British motorcycle and best international motorcycle decided by a judge, and best in show decided by public vote. Everyone will have full access to the museum, with a shop, cafe and Red Lion pub, and food will be served until 5pm. Unlimited tram rides are also on the menu. Admission costs £17 adults, £13 seniors, £10 children or £40 family ticket (two adults and three children). The prices include free return within 12 months subject to opening dates and Second World War events. For motorcyclists arriving on modern bikes, there will be a reduced entry price of £10.50. Registration for the event is through www.tramway.co.uk, and there is a Facebook page with regular updates.
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March 2018
1940 Indian Chief makes £28,000 at Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show sale With total bids exceeding £300,000, the Charterhouse auction of classic and vintage motorcycles at the 38th Carole Nash Classic MotorCycle Show at the Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, over the weekend of February 3-4 was another great success. Although Charterhouse is based in the West Country, almost 90 machines were entered from all over England, including a trio from France. Just under £28,000 was the winning internet bid from Germany for a beautifully restored 1940 Indian Chief, and other internet bids from America, the Netherlands and Spain resulted in frantic bidding in the packed saleroom. Bikes for sale ranged from a fabulous selection of barn-stored restoration projects to concours show bikes and daily runners. A 1983 Ducati Darmah 900 sold for over £10,000, but a 1967 T120 Triumph Bonneville wasn’t far behind at over £9900. A 1939 Velocette GTP and a 1935 Cotton JAP 25J restoration project each brought almost £8000, and a 1930 Triumph CSD went for just over £6200. Charterhouse is now taking entries for its auction of classic and vintage
This is the gorgeous 1940 Indian Chief that made almost £28,000 at Charterhouse’s classic and vintage motorcycle auction at the 38th Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show at the beginning of February.
Fancy some sidecar racing? David Sykes, who races vintage outfits with British Historic Racing, is organising a ‘have-a-go’ BHR practice day for genuine wannabe sidecar drivers and passengers at Mallory Park on Friday, March 23. They will be able to drive BEARS-spec machines, mainly K-series BMWs, and passengers will be on a variety of outfits. As an incentive, the most promising driver and crew will be loaned an outfit for free for the 2018 BEARS race series with BHR. All drivers and passengers will need one-piece leathers (the odd set might just be available), suitable gloves, boots and lids with a gold sticker. Although the practice day is free, there will be a compulsory insurance charge of £25, and everyone taking part will receive tuition from experienced racers, taking in etiquette, scrutineering and so on. Before being accepted, though, all novice participants will have to persuade David, on 01162 876119, that they really do have an ambition to race sidecars.
motorcycles planned for May 2. For further information about this, or to arrange a home visit, contact Matthew Whitney or Nicola Dimmer on 01935 812277 or email bike images for valuation at bikes@charterhouse-auction.com .
There was even a bit of change left over from £10,000 when this eye-catching 1967 Bonnie went under the gavel at £9900.
Just over £6200 was enough to secure this honest-looking 1930 Triumph CSD – just right for a vintage ride.
What a great restoration project this 1935 Cotton JAP 25J, sold for just under £8000, will make.
Keeping it planted at the Belgian Classic Trophy meeting at Gedinne in August 2016.
BEARS-spec K-series BMW outfits can provide close, exciting sidecar racing at an affordable cost – as those attending the ‘have-a-go’ day at Mallory will discover.
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10 NEWS
March 2018
CLUB MAGAZINE OF THE MONTH
MZ Rider – a great bi-monthly with an input to be proud of The feet-on-the-ground nature of the thriving, active membership of the MZ Riders’ Club is reflected faithfully in its well-put-together bi-monthly magazine MZ Rider, which OBM receives digitally each month. Enjoying its usual high input from members, the latest March-April issue, No 232, is crammed with section reports, accounts of road runs and the many other activities the club enjoys, all put together expertly by its editor, Steve Quirke. Enthusiasm for the simple yet rugged Eastern Bloc machines is evident on every page, and in his regular column, national chairman James Mather comes across as an unassuming ‘Zedder’ who loves mingling with his fellow club members, his closing words this time being: “I will see you in a field or pub somewhere in 2018.” No fewer than 22 sections, including Devon Great Westerners, Eire/Republic of Ireland, Kent Invicta, Yorkshire, North Wales & Cheshire and Tyne & Wear/Northumbria give their contact details and regular meeting places, and the reports suggest lots of camping and road runs. If you own or love MZs, there’s clearly something going on wherever you live, and your bike will be appreciated by fellow club members for its merits rather than its fancy specification. Technical tips, letters and features make MZ Rider an interesting and
useful read, and in the latest issue James Sexton recalls a trip from Croydon to John O’Groats on a £300 MZ ETZ, Dave Eatock tells about his 2009 Dragon Rally adventure on an ETZ 251, Ian Young finds a link between former MZ dealer Wilf Green and Brough Superior, and there’s an informative preview of this year’s Eastern Bloc Bike Weekend from Friday, May 11 to Sunday, May 13. If you wish to join the MZ Riders’ Club, you’ll find the details in ‘Club Call’ on page 54 of this issue.
A timeless scene in Surrey In the rural backwoods of Surrey, a 1950 600cc Ariel VB side-valve stands beside a signpost giving directions to This Way, That Way and Somewhere Else in the
charming hamlet of Blackheath, close to Chilworth and Albury and not too far from Guildford. The photo was taken by Tony Page.
Owen Tyler Chilterns Run The Berkshire Section of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club is organising the Owen Tyler Run centred on the Hurst Air Scouts Building in Hurst Road, Hurst, Berkshire RG10 0DR, on Sunday, May 27. This enjoyable 70-mile run around the Chilterns will include a pub stop for lunch and tea and cakes at the finish, with free entry for pre-1925 motorcycles. A shorter 50-mile option is also available for older machines. The following Saturday is the date for the chairman’s barbecue and ride-in at the same venue, an informal event lasting from 11am until around 4pm. For more details about both events email info@berkshire-vmcc.org.uk, visit www.berkshire-vmcc.org.uk, or call Bill Barnes on 0781 7143733 or Vic Blake on 01189 792703.
Mac Taylor Memorial Scramble The Bath Classic Motor Cycle Club has named this year’s premier event on Sunday, April 22 the Mac Taylor Memorial Scramble in honour of one of the club’s earliest members who died in January. Mac championed the pre’65 scrambles scene and did a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes to get the club’s scrambles events going.
May Day Velo gathering All proceeds from the Kent & Sussex Velocette Club and Men of Kent VMCC’s Velocette Day at Hamstreet Village Hall on May 7 will go to the Air Ambulance. Good refreshments will be available, and a very unusual twinengined KSS turned up last year. It wouldn’t be painted green, by any chance…?
Ripon classic season-opener Mark Woodward’s season-opening 18th Ripon Classic Car & Bike Show and Autojumble will be staged at Ripon Racecourse, just five miles from the A1(M) from 10am until 4pm on Sunday, April 22. Admission will cost just £7 adults and £2.50 children, with free parking.
Big day at Skipton Auction Mart This year’s Big Bike Sunday organised by the Girder Fork & Classic Motorcycle Club will take place at Skipton Auction Mart on June 24, with all money raised going to the club’s chosen charities including Manorlands Hospice and the Yorkshire
Air Ambulance. Last year’s event raised more than £3500 and 100-plus motorcycles covering more than 100 years of manufacture were on show. It welcomes all two and three-wheel vehicles from mopeds to car enginepowered trikes, and opens
to the public at 11am, with a prize presentation at around 4pm. Entry will cost just £3 adults, with accompanied under-16s free. You can call John Hunter (07960 917483) or email j.hunter359@ btinternet.com for more information about the event.
£20,000 target for charity classic ride Alan Coates will be undertaking a charity classic British motorcycle ride to Switzerland in July to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a similar trip he undertook on a twin-cylinder BSA and raise money for The Christie Hospital, Francis House Children’s Hospice, North
West Air Ambulance and SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families’ Association). “All operational costs will be paid for by myself and the team,” said Alan, “and every penny raised will go to the charities.” A similar trip undertaken in 2008 to commemorate
the 40th anniversary of the first raised £4000, but this time the team is hoping to make it £20,000. Donations can be made via https:// uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ Alancoates3 or by emailing him personally at mail@ paulizalcoates.plus.com with offers of support.
Two ACTC trials in May The Association of Classic Trials Clubs is organising two great events for motorcycles and cars in May, the Yorkshire Classic Trial on May 13 and the Durham Dales Classic on May 27. Each will cover 70 or 80 miles of stunning scenery, with 15 to 20 easy observed sections (in cars, they have to be!) so trail bikes are the ideal machines to enter. They’re like a shorter Beamish Trophy Trial without the questions, or a Motor Cycle Club Trial with much less mileage, and provide a good day out for competitors and marshals alike. Both events are simple to enter, and the Durham Dales in particular could do with a few more marshals. To volunteer, ring Bernie Pugh on 07835 407626. More details about these two trials are available by visiting www.ACTC. org.uk or ringing Graham Lampkin on 07989 446131.
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March 2018
Hagon Products extends sponsorship deal after another superb Classic Dirt Bike Show
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s well as moving up another gear in terms of its magnificent displays and attendance, the Classic Dirt Bike Show sponsored by Hagon Shocks at Telford’s International Centre on February 17-18 has renewed its partnership agreement with the leading shock absorber manufacturer for another three years. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Hagon Products and many machines built by the famous firm were on display to celebrate the fact. Thousands of off-road fans descended on the event to meet dirt bike legends and admire the fine array of classic machinery at Europe’s largest event for classic trials, enduro, scrambles and speedway bikes. The halls were filled with some of the finest off-road bikes in the country, taken along by numerous clubs and private restorers, and there were plenty of visitors to appreciate them. Another focus of attention was the world-famous Hagon-JAP drag bike that was also on display. The outside autojumble, concentrating mainly on off-road sport, was busy all weekend, and many visitors went home with smiles on their faces after snapping up those long-awaited spare parts or restoration projects.
Jeff Smith flew to the UK from Canada to sign copies of his £60 official biography, Trials Master, Motocross Maestro, at the Telford show. A book review by Michael Mee will appear in our next issue.
The show’s star guests Gerrit Wolsink, Colin Dommett, Peter Duke and Alf Hagon stirred lots of interest as they spoke on stage with renowned commentator Jack Burnicle, and Jeff Smith MBE also made the transatlantic journey from Canada to sign copies of his new book, Trials Master, Motocross Maestro, at the show. The Best in Show award went to a stunning 1969 420 Jawa motocross machine owned by Bill Henderson, and other weekend winners included a 1967 250 Greeves Anglian that took the prize for the best trials machine, and the Westmorland Motor Club, whose stand was also declared the best in show. Tony Hutchison of Hagon Shocks said of the extended sponsorship deal: “Since becoming the show’s sponsor three years ago – how time flies! – we have enjoyed watching the Classic Dirt Bike Show grow in stature, and have enjoyed working with Mortons Media to help promote this unique event. “This year marks the 60th anniversary of Hagon Products, and we would like to thank all the show exhibitors, traders, special guests and, most importantly, the general public for making the Classic Dirt Bike Show what it has become – an event not to be missed.” Mortons’ events director Nigel Hole echoed Tony’s sentiments by declaring: “We are thrilled to be working with Hagon Shocks for another three years, and are looking forward to developing the show with the help of what is already a successful partnership.”
Event planner Andy Catton said he was delighted by the standard of bikes on display, and thanked the clubs and individual exhibitors who had contributed so much to the weekend’s success. “They produced a fantastic spectacle in the halls, and there were some great gems to be had in the autojumble,” he added. The next event in the Classic Bike Shows calendar is the 38th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show at the Staffordshire County Showground on April 21-22, of which there will be much more in the next issue. For more information and to order tickets, please visit www.classicbikeshows.com/
These members of the Westmorland Motor Club look justifiably proud after taking the prize for the best club stand.
This year’s French Triples Rally will be a gathering to remember Accomplished rally organiser and French Triple aficionado Georges Boisniere has announced that this year’s popular French Triples Rally in Brittany, celebrating 50 years since the birth of Meriden’s three-cylinder Triumph and BSA machines, will take place from September 7-9, writes Tony Page. The rally is a must for any selfrespecting Meriden Triple rider, and a hard core of the faithful attend each year. Last year’s event was in the quaint town of Gennes-sur-Loire near Angers, and the site boasted a castle and ample accommodation, along with a campsite for the sufficiently hardy. The Triples came from near and far, with 27 from the UK and slightly more from France, along with riders from Belgium and Germany, resulting in nearly 70 such machines on site for the three-day programme of eating, drinking and the customary ride-out to an interesting location. Bad weather last year failed to dampen the rallyists’ enthusiasm
Showgoers admire the incredibly colourful machines on display at the Classic Dirt Bike Show sponsored by Hagon Shocks and see what’s on the sales stands in a main hall of the Telford International Centre over the weekend of February 17-18.
because Triple owners are made of sterner stuff, and as we all know, there is no such thing as bad weather – just inappropriate clothing! There again, a large indoor arena with an open-all-hours bar might have helped… Fortunately it was dry for the ride-out and lunch on the banks of the Loire, giving ample opportunity to talk Triples. Special guest was George Pooley, the Trident and Rocket 3 mechanical genius who attended with five of his amazing creations, including a V6 and a Quadrant. With all entry charges, meals and wine included in the rally fee, Meriden Triple riders are invited to set aside the dates of this long weekend nears Angers, which will be unmissable for all those to celebrate the Triples’ golden anniversary year in style! For more details, including cost and this year’s rally location within Brittany, contact (English spoken) club-tridentrocket3france@ orange.fr .
The many accomplishments of Alf Hagon’s 1260cc supercharged Hagon-JAP sprinter included becoming the first motorcycle to exceed 200mph in the UK, achieving a speed of 206.54mph almost 50 years ago on September 9, 1968 – a bit of a far cry from the trials at which Alf was also adept! On the left is Mortons’ Sandra Fisher, with Martin and Alf Hagon standing next to her, and Mortons’ Nick Mowbray is second from the right, with Tony Hutchison of Hagon Shocks.
Every one a winner! The recipients of all this year’s Classic Dirt Bike Show awards line up with their trophies.
Kenilworth scooter ‘basket case’ and mint Vincent Comet at NMM auction Those readers who receive this issue just before the H&H Classic Motorcycle Auction at the National Motorcycle Museum on Sunday, March 4 might like to know that the online auction catalogue can be found at www.handh.co.uk . As well as the rare and historic 750cc Honda four described on the website, the range of lots
includes machines from entirely opposite ends of the spectrum like those illustrated here. The apparently complete c1919/20 ‘basket-case’ 142cc Kenilworth scooter will be coming up as Lot 60, and Lot 126 is a 1951 Vincent Comet Series-C, with matching numbers, that’s had only three owners from new. It
comes with a V5 and original buff-coloured log book, and has been in the hands of its current owner for the past 15 years. After being road-tested at the factory on December 11, 1950, it was dispatched to King’s of Manchester two days later and registered to its first owner on January 3, 1951.
This Kenilworth scooter project dating from the early 1920s (left), and gorgeous 1951 Series-C Vincent Comet illustrate the diversity of lots at H&H’s Classic Motorcycle Auction at the NMM.