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July 2020 £2.20 ISSUE

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Factory test rides were of a different form over half a century ago. Here, Edward Turner leads a Triumph factory 500cc twin test ride in 1958 (one gent appears to be astride a Tiger Cub).

• To find this and thousands more images visit: Mortons Archive www.mortonsarchive.com

2 NEWS

July 2020

Editorial

www.oldbikemart.co.uk email: info@oldbikemart.co.uk Editor Dave Manning OBMEditor@mortons.co.uk Designer Tracey Markham Production editor Pauline Hawkins Group advertising manager Sue Keily Trade Advertising Team Leader (Classic Division) Leon Currie lcurrie@mortons.co.uk | 01507 529529 For Private Enquiries please visit

www.oldbikemart.co.uk

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-5pm and 24hr answerphone 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.

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W

hile the situation may have changed once again by the time you read this piece – given that July 4 is an alleged date for things like pubs opening – and it seems like we are slowly returning to what we may have to accept as being ‘normal’, there are still hangovers from social distancing and other measures taken during the Covid pandemic that will affect us for some time to come.

As you’ll know if you’re the sort of person who reads the News pages first, the Stafford show has now been moved to October, but is still being given the green light, while Ardingley autojumble is set to go ahead in July, albeit with some social distancing measures in place. This is fantastic to hear, but it’s not all good news. Motorcycle Live, the industry’s big shindig held in Birmingham’s NEC in November has been cancelled, as has the huge biennial Intermot show in Cologne, Germany.

While the initial thought may be that although these cancellations are a shame, it only really means that we have to wait a little longer to attend such events, it actually seems that there could be deeper implications.

These events are truly huge events – particularly Intermot, although Motorcycle Live is the largest in the UK, with nigh on 120,000 visitors last year – although they focus majorly on new machinery, with little in the way of classic interest but for a few bikes on stands such as that organised by the National Motorcycle Museum at the NEC. You might think that this means their cancellation would have little or no effect on the classic motorcycle world. Well, I’m not quite so upbeat as to claim that. While the classic element of the major shows is minimal, it is also opening up the world of classic motorcycling to a group of people who are about as distant from classic bikes as anyone who rides a motorcycle can be.

As a (very) broad generalisation, people tend to stick with the social groups that they know and love, and that they’re involved in. As an example, people who ride modern sports bikes tend to go to track days, race meetings and go for rides with other people on sports bikes, and the same goes for trial bike riders, custom bike riders or adventure bike owners. So the likes of Motorcycle Live are vital to bring in fresh blood to the classic

motorcycle scene. Yet the disparate elements of the motorcycle world aren’t really that far apart, a fact that has been proven of late by the fact that several elements have joined together to form the Coalition of Motorcycling Organisations, a group that has been expanding its ranks and now includes the Vintage Motorcycle Club (VMCC), the Trail Riders’ Fellowship (TRF) the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), the British Motorcyclists’ Federation (BMF), IAM RoadSmart, the Auto Cycle Union (ACU), the Triumph Owners’ Motorcycle Club (TOMCC) and Biker Down UK. Aside from co-ordinating the different groups’ lobbying of parliament, the Coalition has also published a set of riding guidelines for motorcyclists with regard to the Covid-19 situation – something that the UK government has so far failed to do. Those guidelines include clear advice on group riding now that lockdown restrictions are relaxing (handy for those wanting to organise club rides), as well as advice allowing motorcyclists to maintain their mental well-being by riding their bikes whenever they can legally and safely, while complying at all times with Government guidelines. The revised guidelines carry advice for Covid-safe incident management, courtesy of James Sanderson, the founder of Biker Down UK. These guidelines will interpret the rapidly changing legislation and guidance and translate it into clear motorcycling-related advice that will benefit all riders in all situations.

The advice given by the coalition will not only help to make motorcycling safer amidst the Covid-19 climate, but also give valuable advice for event organisers, club officials and even informal rides among friends. A full copy of the updated guidance can be found at www.bit.ly/ COVIDRideV2 and please remember that without the various clubs who have formed the coalition, we wouldn’t have this support or political strength that they give us. Support those who support you!

Thanks to the latest announcement from Number 10 (I’m writing this on June 26), museums can open on July 4! Clearly, not every single classic motorcycle museum is going to be opening their doors on that very date, and

there’ll be restrictions as to the number of visitors allowed as well depending on the size of the facilities in question, but at least they’ve been given the go-ahead. And we’ve already heard from the Sammy Miller Museum, which finally gets the chance to show its their new 1000sq ft, two-storey extension, which was finished some time ago and will contain a number of iconic motorcycles that have previously had to be kept in storage due to a lack of available space. Again, I must make the point that we have to support the museums, much like the owners’ clubs etc, all of whom will have had a drastic reduction in income over the past four months or so.

And, bearing that in mind, I’d like to thank all the people who have stood by this title. To you wonderful readers, who have taken out subscriptions and supplied us with myriad fascinating photographs, numerous incredible stories, and bags full of vital feedback and information. And thanks to all the wonderful advertisers who have stood by us during the Covid-19 crisis, many of whom have had enforced staff reductions yet have actually been busier than ever, thanks to lockdown measures allowing classic bike fanatics to have more time to work on their pride and joy, and more time to order parts!

So, with the news that there is some kind of normality returning to our lives, we can now look forward, get our bikes in the finest of fettle, and get back to riding our classics and proving to the world that they’re a wonderful way to travel the length and breadth of our beautiful country, and beyond!

Enjoy the issue, and stay safe.

July 2020

NEWS 3

Long-running speed trials under threat T

he Brighton Speed Trials is considered to be the world’s longest running motorsport event, having first run in July 1905.

However it, along with other motoring events on Madeira Drive (such as the veteran car run), is currently under threat as there are lobbyists who wish to ban all motor vehicles permanently from Madeira Drive.

Fortunately there’s an associated petition which is against such a ban.

The Brighton and Hove Motor Club has been organising and running the Speed Trials since 1932, and its Facebook page initially drew attention to the lobbying for a motor vehicle ban, and also to a campaign that opposes it.

The Speed Trials is a car and bike event, and it’s by invitation of the B&HMC that the VMCC Sprint Section has been running the bikes at Brighton since it was formed in the early 1980s.

The section’s founders have been running the bikes at the event from the very early 1970s – namely Len Cole and Phil

Manzano followed by Paul, Pat and Jayne Standing.

Details of the petition to keep the speed trial viable are at www.brightonandhovemotorclub. co.uk and www.vmccsprint.co.uk and also on the local newspaper website at www.theargus.co.uk/ news/18489634.madeira-drivecar-ban-continue-lockdownsuccess, while several Facebook pages are also following the situation.

Some details can also be found at: www.facebook.com/groups/ brightonandhovemotorclub; www.facebook.com/groups/ brightonspeedtrials and www.facebook.com/vmccsprint So, what about the 2020 Brighton Speed Trials?

Well, the date of Saturday, September 5 has been in the public domain since the 2019 event; however, given the present uncertainty with the Covid-19 pandemic and related restrictions (plus the above closure proposal), at present it’s not possible to know how things will stand in September.

So it is probably best to keep an eye on the relevant club websites and Facebook pages.

Stafford – two in one It’s set to be double the value for showgoers this autumn, as thanks to the impact of Covid-19 two huge bike events are set to combine into one great show.

The Classic MotorCycle-backed April Stafford show was originally postponed until later in the summer, but now following government advice it has been moved again... and the decision made to combine it with its sister event in October.

Organiser Nigel Hole of Mortons Media Group said: “The safety and well-being of everyone is the most important factor and key reason for postponing. The show will now be joining forces with its ‘sister’ event in October, which takes place at the Stafford County Showground on Saturday and Sunday, October 10 and 11.

“All ticket and trade bookings will be honoured for these new dates. However, if you are unable to attend, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.”

The existing October event, which usually has a more modern theme and is backed by sister magazine Classic Motorcycle Mechanics, will now include the best of both events.

TCM editor James Robinson said: “The postponement was the right decision to make.

However, we are very much looking forward to seeing everyone in October.”

For enquiries, contact 01507 529 529 or email customerservices@mortons.co.uk

The sight of classic machinery racing along Madeira Drive should not be lost, according to campaigners.

Chris Illman leaves the line on the mighty 'Thor'.

Idle work saves burnt hands There can be little more frustrating to a biker than a motorcycle with an incorrectly adjusted idle – either too high, creating noise, heat and unwarranted attention, or too low with constant stalling, or blipping of the throttle with that same unwanted attention!

While many classic bikes have an easily adjustable idle, a few aren’t quite so accessible. The Triumph T160 is a case in point, and adjusting the idle setting needs spanners and, ideally, a cold engine if you want to avoid burnt digits. But of course finding the perfect idle really needs a warm powerplant…

... and as fitted.

The extension piece...

Fortunately, there’s an answer for T160 owners, in the form of this component made in a partnership between 3D Motorcycles and Clive Scarfe Systems – a much-needed extension to the idle screw on a T160.

With this fitted, you can now adjust the tick over without the need of a spanner or potentially burning your hands. It takes just minutes to fit without requiring any modifications and can be used with or without the choke lever fitted. Priced at just £88 plus postage and packing, your fingers will thank you for eternity!

More details of the adjuster, and the other products for Triumph and BSA triples, can be found at www.clivescarfesystems.co.uk

4 NEWS

July 2020

Digital Speedometers: We asked an expert...

W

ith the somewhat irregular operation of the standard speedometer on many classic bikes, and the necessity for having very accurate speedos in these days when you can land yourself a hefty fine and points on your licence for just a couple of mph over the posted speed limit, it makes sense to fit a more modern speedo that records an accurate velocity.

However, that doesn’t mean that you have to fit an instrument from a modern bike, or use something that doesn’t fit the classic style of your machine, as there are stylish equivalents available that are as accurate as any production machine’s instruments.

We spoke to Jon Pullara of Digital Speedos and went over some of the most frequently asked questions the hears.

Early versions

If we look back to early motorcycles, the speed was generated by a rotating metal speedometer cable, driven from either a separate gearbox on a wheel or directly from the engine gearbox. To operate an electronic digital speedometer we must first generate a speed signal.

How do we do that?

Nowadays we can generate a speed signal in a number of different ways: Directly to the original mechanical drive attached to the wheel or gearbox via an electrical sender, or via a universal cable drive adapter connected to the top of the original cable.

If no mechanical drive is available or suitable we can supply a separate speed sensor.

This can be either a magnetic type, similar to that used on a bicycle, or a non-magnetic speed sensor that can be triggered by spokes, brake disc bolts or even the slots in the sprocket.

“It only works in straight lines, not around twisty roads.” Again, this is untrue. Multiple satellites ensure the speed is registered no matter what position it is in.

Once we have given the motorcycle a suitable speed signal the gauge is calibrated to your specific configuration. This is a job easily completed by the purchaser of the new gauge, and of course experts such as Jon are always This fully electronic Smiths-style available with technical support if speedometer shows speeds of it’s required. up to 150mph, can be used with What power supply do we need? a gearbox adaptor and cabledrive The vast majority of Jon's or Hall-effect sensors, will fit into products require a 12 volt DC original casings and is £199.99 supply, which can be provided from the motorcycle itself or via a small rechargeable battery. They also have 6 to 12 volt converter units for 6 volt systems. Some scooters and off-road bikes only have an AC power supply. And, if that’s the case, there's an AC/DC converter that will accept an input of between 12 and 30 volts, AC or DC, and will output a smooth 12 volt DC supply. A few of the models of gauge they supply will operate from an internal battery Another Smiths speedometer, this and only require the addition of a time for up to 120mph, with a speed signal input. traditional design, backlighting, What about 'positive earth' a chronometer and resettable motorcycles? In the UK there are trip, and available for positive still many motorcycles which go or negative earth, cable drive, under the title of 'positive earth'. electronic sensor or GPS, all for this should really be described as £249.99. positive frame, as there is in fact no electrical connection to earth We also have the option to on a motorcycle, owing to the produce a speed signal via GPS rubber tyres. The basic concept (global positioning satellites). For this we use a fast 10hz (10 times per of the electrical system is positive and negative. If we think of it as second) motorsport receiver that this – rather than earth – it’s less doesn’t show up any kind of lag confusing: positive connections in speed and has fewer dropouts, to the positive and negative to the unlike satellite navigation systems negative. and smart phones, which use a much slower receiver (typically 1hz ■ More information can be had from Digital Speedos on 01564 or one per second).

775522, email jon@vmaxbitz.com There are a few urban myths or visit the websites at surrounding GPS such as “it does www.vmaxbitz.com and not work up or down hills”. Not www.digital-speedos.co.uk true: We are still moving forwards.

Mick – three decades a Draganfly Proof, if any were ever needed, that there’s a future in looking after things from the past has landed on the OBM doormat from Draganfly Motorcycles in deepest, darkest Norfolk, with an announcement regarding one of the company's staff members…

It starts with this sentence...

“Following your interview, we are pleased to offer you the position of storesman at £150 per week.”

To place that in context, back in the summer of 1990 Draganfly was expanding, having moved from London up to rural Suffolk four years previously, and the firm advertised for a dedicated storesman in the local paper.

They received a hand-written application from Michael Holmes, then just 26 years old, but already quite the motorcycle enthusiast.

“I have had a keen interest in British motorcycles since the age of 15 and over the past 10 years I have rebuilt and restored many, and I now have a small collection.

At the moment I am restoring a BSA B33 and a Series One Land Rover,” he wrote.

After getting his electrical engineering apprenticeship and a City and Guilds qualification, Mick spent some time as a tester and electroform engineer for the MoD.

When he saw Draganfly’s advert he thought he could combine his technical knowledge with his hobby of motorcycle restoration.

“I have been a member of the BSA Owners' Club for the last eight years and I have been the Norfolk branch secretary for the last two years. I am now 26 years of age... and I feel that I would now like to work where I would use my skills and knowledge of motorcycles more," wrote the young Michael.

He was offered the job a week or so later after meeting with brothers Roger and Graham Gwynn. So this July Mick has been with them for three decades.

While he started out as storesman, and there wasn’t a BSA part number he didn’t know, he is now an engineer in the workshop making a lot of Draganfly's inhouse parts. He rides one of his many motorbikes to work every day (unless there is thick snow on the ground), and is only late when he’s had to help fix the Reedham ferry to cross the river Yare that lies between home and Bungay.

Anyone who knows Mick knows he loves military history and he often travels to France for commemorative events in period uniform. He won’t say no to any glass of French red either. He

doesn’t suffer fools easily but loves animals (especially the firm's adopted workshop cat, Hector, who gets sardines from Mick for breakfast) and brings a lot of humour to the shop, as well as the odd afternoon of loud, odd 1960s psychedelic music…

Draganfly staff presented Mick with some of his favourite things – membership to a local vineyard including a big case of wine and cakes, along with a blue plaque to commemorate his old desk where he sat for many years dealing with stock and suppliers.

As the bosses at Draganfly said: "Yep it’s been 30 years, you’re stuck here now Mick!"

6 NEWS

July 2020

Cotton owners going virtual

Up to speed at Oliver's Mount R acing is set to be back on the agenda at Oliver's Mount next month, in the form of the rescheduled Barry Sheene Classic.

Oliver’s Mount Racing, in conjunction with the 243 Road Racing Association, has announced two action-packed three-day weekend events for this year.

The Barry Sheene Classic was due to take place in July, but this has now been rescheduled to August 14 to 16, as a three-day bonanza.

The hugely popular Gold Cup will remain on September 11 to 13 as per the original calendar set out at the start of the season, but now that is also extended to a three-day meeting.

Each meeting will have three thrilling days of road racing action, practice and qualifying on Friday, with two full days of racing on Saturday and Sunday.

Behind the scenes, staff at Oliver’s Mount Racing have worked tirelessly to ensure that road racing continues this season, and now with the full backing of Scarborough Borough Council, plus working in partnership with the ACU and all of the original partners – Suzuki UK, RST, Arai, Bennetts, and Ashcourt’s – they have been able to confirm the new three-day events at the North Yorkshire track.

Director Eddie Roberts added: “I’m delighted to reveal our exciting plans for Oliver’s Mount.

We’ve been forced to delay the calendar, but now to have two meetings is brilliant news.

More time on track on Friday will allow the riders to get back up to speed, and two full days of racing is unprecedented at Oliver’s".

The team is in constant communication with the ACU, plus the local council and will abide by

any government restrictions which may come into effect later in the year.

The safety of supporters, teams and riders will come before anything else.

Further information and details will follow in the coming weeks – so fans are wise to check online – as only a limited number of pre-sold tickets will be available, and there will be further restrictions for riders/entrants and paddock movement/occupancy. However, plans are being made in line with government and ACU guidelines.

Current day/weekend/season tickets will be valid and tickets in limited numbers will be available from the partner Duke Marketing.

If the worst happens and the event does not go ahead, full refunds will be made.

Visit www.oliversmount.com

The regular Annual Rally of the Cotton Owners and Enthusiasts' Club, held in Gloucester, is one of the numerous events that has had to be cancelled this year because of the risks posed

by Covid-19 and the subsequent Governmental guidelines.

As an alternative, the club is organising a ‘Virtual Rally’ on its forum, although this will run for rather longer than the original event, with it being ‘live’ between July 12 and August 14. Go to the club website (www.cottonownersclub.wordpress. com) and click the link to the forum.

Members are invited to send in recent photos of their bikes (sorry, but it’s Cottons only!) to enter the rally. As well as the normal classes (Best Prewar, Best Postwar, Best in Show) there are also a couple of competitions (Best caption, Who is this?) which will replace the Furthest ridden to show award.

The competitions and prizes are for members, although non-members are also welcome to 'attend' by going to the forum. Non-members are also invited to post pictures of Cottons by registering with the forum (free and painless!) but unfortunately won’t be eligible for prizes – although they would be eligible if they join the club.

And remember, in these strained times, clubs are in dire need of your support!

If you have an interest in Cottons, or want to find out more about this interesting and historic marque, head on over and join the fun between July 12 and August 14, all welcome!

8 NEWS

JJuly y 2020 0 0

Gone missing Tragically, even during the lockdown period, light-fingered 'tealeaves' abound in the shady underground world of bike thievery, and we’re still hearing about bikes being stolen…

The two you see here were stolen, along with the Ford Transit van in which they were loaded, ready to be delivered the following day. The van went missing from High Haden Road in Cradley Heath, West Midlands, on May 28, and if any readers happen to have any information about the van (registration NU64 EMJ) or the bikes therein, could they please call Yeomans Motorcycles on 0121 453 8886 with the details.

None of us want to be in the situation of locking the stable door after the (classic) horse has bolted, so we’ll be occasionally looking at the sort of security products that are on the market that may persuade those with dishonourable intentions to look elsewhere.

This month, we cast our gaze upon

the lock that is top of the range in the Oxford Products security catalogue, the impressive Beast.

Weighing in at an astounding 3.6kg for the lock alone (the corresponding chain is a back-breaking 15.5kg), the surface-hardened Beast is nigh enough the same girth as a pint glass, with a 30mm locking pin, while the chain’s links are each 22mm in size and weigh

This pic gives an idea of the size of the Oxford Products’ Beast – it’s easy to see how it got the name!

This Triton should be easily recognisable, even if split into component parts.

the same as a bag of sugar... each.

Given the Beast’s dimensions, there’s no great surprise that it surpasses the Sold Secure Diamond standard. For those who aren’t aware, Sold Secure is the premiere testing and certification house for security products, with its certification giving viability to a product’s claims.

Naturally, a product with the statistics of the Beast won’t be available for the price of a loaf of bread and a pint of milk, but how much do you value your bike’s security? The Beast lock alone is £149, with a 1.5 metre chain £149.99 and a longer two metre costing £214.99.

More details are available from www.oxfordproducts.com or your local Oxford Products dealer.

If you’re offered any cheap single carb Triumph parts, take a closer look, they could be from this bike!

Ardingly brings light to the end of the tunnel While we’re all having to wait a little longer for some of the planned 2020 events (many until next year), it seems that we can finally see an end to the restrictions which we’ve undergone over the last few months.

While there’s still an element of uncertainty about things, the fact that certain events are set to take place gives us plenty to be excited about. There will be changes, of course, and show organisers are endeavouring to make their events as safe as possible for all concerned.

One show that will, all things considered, be taking place is the Ardingly Summer Classic Bike Jumble on July 11 and 12. Initially the show was set to be a single day event, but the plan to extend to two days is part of the changes made. These also include changes to the site plans to deal with one-way traffic

and social distancing, removing the show element (as currently this is not a prescribed activity), accepting cashless payments from visitors and stallholders and providing hand sanitiser / hand-wash stations for all to use (with a really good deal on non-alcohol hand-sanitiser at £1 a pop on the gate).

The extension to two days allows the organisers to manage social distancing far more effectively, and yet there’s no additional cost to prebooked traders to stall for both days!

However, the entry cost has had to increase to £7 per person, mostly thanks to the considerable amount spent on H&S and PPE, as well as additional marshals, although the entry price had been on hold for some time before that.

More information can be found at www.elk-promotions.co.uk

Make your own movie, and win Lockdown and social distancing has been both a pain, and a boon over the last few months, giving many of us extra time to spend with our loved ones (human and motorcycle) and to also gain new knowledge and talents.

Many folk have learnt how to use social media and messaging services to keep in touch with friends and family, and a new incentive by insurance provider Footman James looks like it’ll extend the use of modern technology further.

As a specialist classic vehicle insurance provider, Footman James is encouraging classic vehicle owners to star in their latest exciting video project by asking them to send in a short video answering the question: What’s your classic, and why it is a classic to you?

By doing so, each entrant has a chance to win £250 towards a classic vehicle insurance policy!

All of the entries will be collated together for an exciting video project Footman James will be displaying on its website, social media pages and at future events, and as the company also covers classic cars as well as motorcycles, it’s up to you to ensure that the bikes get adequate billing in the video! And of course, the video need not be just about complete, up-andrunning classics, but also those in midrestoration or rebuild too.

To enter the competition and to read their tips on creating the perfect video, visit the website at www.footmanjames. co.uk/classic-hub

Bonanza binned Despite the fact that motorcycle sport is starting to make a comeback after the moves necessary to curb the spread of Covid-19 (or the moves to stop public insurrection, whichever suits your level of paranoia and wearing of foil hats), there are still many events that are being cancelled.

The list includes the British Bike Bonanza in Gloucestershire, a pre-’64 scramble that will be known to many OBM readers, and which was due to take place on July 28. The Bonanza was not only classic motocross, but also has a sizable autojumble, and overnight camping too, all cancelled for this year.

We can only hope that the BBB will be back with a vengeance in 2021…

July 2020

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July 2020

Sales and advice at your ďŹ ngertips The trad ders you see bellow are open for busiiness and d read dy to hellp you!!

Check out their website or give them a call to discuss your needs.