Old Bike Mart April 2018

Buy, sell and browse at

April 21-22, 2018 Stafford County Showground ST18 0BD

’Normous Newark Autojumble Upcoming dates… Sundays, April 8 & June 3, 2018

Open Saturday 9am - 6pm Sunday 9am - 5pm

newarkautojumble.co.uk

April 2018 £2.10

Advance tickets: £12/U12s: £3 www.staffordclassicbikeshows.com

ISSUE

394

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NEXT ISSUE: MAY 5

Once upon a time, there seemed to be a garage like this in every High Street. Which ones do you remember? In this Mortons Archive photo, taken for Motor Cycle during the National Rally of July 1966, John Hatton and Jeff Jones call at the Banbury control point with their BSA C15 Sportsmen. Photo: Mortons Archive www.mortonsarchive.com

2 NEWS

April 2018

Pete’s Prattle

www.oldbikemart.co.uk email: info@oldbikemart.co.uk

Editor Pete Kelly OBMEditor@mortons.co.uk Staff writer Dave Manning Designer Charlotte Fairman Production editor Pauline Hawkins Picture Desk Paul Fincham, Jonathan Schofield, 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

R

eader Colyn Thomas’s atmospheric recollections of the comings and goings at the petrol pumps at Castle Garage, on the A38 at Trebrown Bridge in Cornwall, and this month’s cover shot of two BSA C15 Sportsman riders at North Bar Garage in Banbury, a control point in the 1966 National Rally, got my memory buds going.

In the early 1960s, after retiring from a lifetime of lorry driving, my late grandfather Bill Walker manned a similar set of pumps beside the Red Lion pub on the A56 in the then quiet village of Preston Brook in Cheshire, and how I remember the dark little

‘shop’ with its racks of dust-covered Esso road maps, tins of grease, fan belts, spark plugs, tyre-pressure charts and so on – and as far as I remember, such places were always referred to as ‘garages’ or petrol pumps, but never filling stations!

The illuminated glass signs on top of the clock-dial pumps came in several shapes and sizes, and often carried now long-forgotten brand names like Lobitos, Cleveland Discol and National Benzole, and it was always service with a smile!

“Shall I give your windscreen a quick clean, sir?” or “I think your back tyre could do with a bit more

wind” were common helpful suggestions, and never for any reward, although often the rider or driver would give a small tip in appreciation. What a far cry from this dehumanising 21st century!

Here in Lincolnshire, and no doubt many other parts of the country, lots of these friendly fuelling points still remain, often with the pumps set on a wide pavement with the filler hoses swinging across. It would be great to receive a few more memories of such establishments (all the better if you happen to have any period photos), or to learn about some of those that exist to this day.

Our Mortons Archive contains many photos of such old-time petrol pumps, and I’ll see if I can put together an archive feature about them for our May issue.

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-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.

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Wartime antics at Crich Tramway Village Those who enjoyed a ride-out to the Crich Tramway Village near Matlock, Derbyshire, over Easter found themselves in a realistic wartime situation with identity card checks, air-raid warnings and the sounds of low-flying aircraft as the museum staged its WWII/1940s Era Weekend.

As vintage trams rumbled by, historic road and military vehicles both static and on the move added to the authentic atmosphere, while visitors had to watch out for the antics of black-market spivs and offduty personnel, especially around the Red Lion public house!

Children could take part in a ‘boot camp’ under the keen gaze of Sgt Major Marmite, so named because they either loved him or hated him, and anyone wearing 1940s or wartime costume benefited from reduced admission prices.

The next big event for motorcyclists at the picturesque Tramway Village will be the Classic Motorcycle Day on Sunday, July 1, organised in conjunction with the Vincent Owners’ Club.

A brand new Old Bike Mart trophy presented on behalf of the editor for the best unrestored motorcycle in original condition on display will be awarded, along with prizes for the best British motorcycle and best international motorcycle decided by a judge, and a best in show award decided by public vote.

Last year’s event attracted more than 300 classic bikes and more than 1500 visitors, and admission prices of £17 for adults, £13 for seniors, £10 for children and £40 for a family ticket covering two adults and up to three children include a free return within 12 months subject to opening dates

In realistic attire, a small group huddles around a radio outside the Red Lion pub at a Crich Tramway Village 1940s Era Weekend.

and excluding WWII events.

For motorcyclists on modern bikes, there will be a reduced entry price of £10.50 for the day.

Registration for the event is via www.tramway.co.uk, and a Facebook page gives regular updates.

Shiny Bike Night at The Plough The Bucks British & Classic Motor Cycle Club will be organising its annual Shiny Bike Night at The Plough, Cadsden, near Princes Risborough, Bucks HP27 0NB from 7.30pm on Wednesday, June 20.

In a lovely country setting, with good food, beer and music, and many prizes in different categories for the bikes on display, it has all the makings of a great evening out – but please note that the event is for bikes only.

For more details, visit www.bbcmcc.freeuk.com, email norbsa02@aol.com or phone Dermot on 07940 492348.

NEWS 3

April 2018

Lansdowne Classic Series celebrates 20th racing season with new image With a bright new logo and a complete update of its www.lansdowneclassicseries. co.uk website, the Lansdowne Classic Series will be celebrating its 20th year of top road racing in style.

The 2018 season will consist of seven Championship rounds with the Classic Racing Motorcycle Club, British Motor Cycle Racing Club, North Glos Racing, Endurance Legends and Classic and Modern Motorsport.

In September, Lansdowne will help in running the Goodwood Revival Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy races, which this year will be for 1950s-spec bikes such as those in the TCM Club class, and there will be a visit to Portimao, Portugal, in October for the Algarve Classic Festival.

The Series will continue with muchappreciated sponsorship from Bonhams Auctioneers, who have been there right from the start; the National Motorcycle Museum (17 years); Avon Tyres and The Classic MotorCycle magazine.

This year’s championship events kick off with the Silverstone BMCRC round

As riders vie for position, this is the close action we’ve come to expect from the Lansdowne Classic Series. Sport-Pics photo.

on April 7/8, followed by Donington Park (Endurance Legends/CRMC) on May 12/13, Snetterton 300 (BMCRC) on May 19/20, Mallory Park (Classic and Modern Motorsport) on June 10, Pembrey (North Glos Racing) on July 7/8 and Donington Park (CMRC Festival) from August 3-5.

The invitation-only Goodwood Revival meeting will take place from September 7-9, followed by the Cadwell Park CRMC Race of the Year on October 6/7, and the season will draw to a close with the non-championship Algarve Classic Festival in Portimao from October 19-21.

Sunbeam MCC’s Rose of the Shires Run reflects 2200-mile Triumph marathon of 107 years ago Back in 1911, Mr Albert E Catt took his 3½ hp Triumph on an endurance ride that totalled 2200 miles in six days, averaging more than 400 miles per day at an average speed of 23mph – and the Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club will be celebrating his amazing achievement in the Rose of the Shires Run that will start and finish at The Navigation pub, Bridge Road, Stoke Bruerne, Towcester NN12 7SY on Sunday, June 10.

The event will be flagged off at 10.30am, and riders will follow a pleasant 50-mile route designed with pre-1930s machines in mind, including roads used for historic sprints and hill climbs. A ‘guest’ class has been arranged to coax local riders into getting their pre-1940s bikes out of their sheds.

The Rose of the Shires will consist of a morning run, a lunch stop (ploughman’s optional) and an afternoon run, and with the Banbury Run taking place the following weekend, some entrants might choose to build a week’s holiday around the events.

Entry forms can be found on http:// sunbeam-mcc.co.uk/events/event/roseof-the-shires-run/ .

Feast your eyes on this little lot, pictured at a previous Rose of the Shires Run.

The pleasant atmosphere generated at the event is evident in this photo.

Lone Rider author Elspeth Beard visits Girder Forkers After reading a review of Elspeth Beard’s book Lone Rider in Old Bike Mart, Brian Sanderson of the Girder Fork & Classic Motorcycle Club persuaded her to give a talk at a club night at Steeton Hall, near Skipton, on March 23.

She happily obliged and 77 members, including more than 30 ‘better halves’, enjoyed the tales of her amazing global adventure on a 1974 BMW R60/6 when she was 23 years old. The bike had already done 45,000 miles, and

she was on her own. Club chairman John Hunter said: “Her epic journey included a few crashes that resulted in broken bones, catching hepatitis, dealing with intense loneliness and battling with officials for visas to go through many countries.

“On her return, no one was interested in her achievement, and her diaries and photographs remained boxed up for nearly 30 years.”

Members raised almost £100 for the club’s three charities.

The Rose of the Shires route is just right for machines like this venerable Ajay.

Mortons Archive talk The Old Bike Mart editorial duo of Pete Kelly and Dave Manning visited members of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s Mid Lincs Section on Wednesday, March 21 to give a talk and slide show about Mortons’ amazing motorcycling archive.

In the spacious function room of The Shires restaurant at Gainsthorpe, near Kirton Lindsey, spontaneous discussions broke out about the old photos of road and competition machines and the colourful magazine covers of special issues of The Motor Cycle and Motor Cycling that were shown on screen.

The presentation was followed by a good questions-and-answers session, and we are grateful to the section members for their warm hospitality.

4 NEWS

April 2018

Star billing at Stafford for top road racer and ex-Honda team boss Neil Tuxworth Racing legend and ‘king-maker’ Neil Tuxworth has been confirmed as the guest of honour at the 38th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show at the Stafford County Showground on Saturday and Sunday, April 21-22.

From his first track outing at Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire aboard a tuned BSA Bantam to victories and podium places in British national and international meetings, he quickly became a racing legend, and it was inevitable that he would be drawn into the challenge of the Isle of Man’s mountain circuit, where he racked up a Manx Grand Prix win, a Formula 2 TT runner-up spot and five third places.

Neil joined the Grands Prix ‘Continental Circus’ whenever he could, scoring world championship points in the UK, Austria and Finland, and during the winter months his desire to race anything with two wheels saw him competing in motocross, sand racing and even ice racing.

In 1986 he came very close to paying the ultimate price for his sport when a huge crash at Aberdare Park had medics and Neil’s family initially fearing for his life. He battled through, only to be told that he might never walk again.

Malc Wheeler, Mortons Media Group associate director and a friend of the Tuxworths, recalled how he witnessed Neil’s fight back to fitness: “Believe me, inside the pleasant, well-mannered man you will see on stage at the show is a true man of steel. After a warning like that, most riders

Looking down on a team manager supreme as Neil poses with a well-prepared Honda CBR racing machine.

During his racing heyday, Neil Tuxworth is seen in determined action at Quarter Bridge on the Isle of Man TT course.

would consider hanging up their leathers, but not Neil! It’s going to be fascinating listening to all his stories at the show, and I’m sure there are some I haven’t heard.”

In later years, Neil became most widely known for managing many of Honda’s racing efforts.

He was the mastermind behind household racing names like Joey Dunlop, John Kocinski and Colin Edwards to name but three, giving Honda multiple world and national championship titles.

Neil’s time on stage will definitely be entertaining, and with so much achieved in all aspects of racing and race management, his stories are sure to captivate.

The Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show at Stafford is the biggest classic bike show in the world. It’s packed with thousands of classic machines, and is the natural home for bike clubs to meet and show off their members’ motorcycles.

It also boasts the largest autojumble in the UK, with hundreds of traders selling everything from bikes to books, and you don’t need to be crazy about motorcycles to enjoy a great day out.

You might have to come both days to see everything, though!

Discounted advance tickets for the show are now on sale, with a

You’ll come across all kinds of legendary racing motorcycles at Stafford, where this photo of an exBarry Sheene Texaco Heron Suzuki contender was taken.

one-day adult pass costing just £12. Tickets will also be available on the gate at £14 each. Under-12 tickets cost £3 in advance or £4 on the day, and parking is free.

A message from show sponsor Carole Nash goes: “After nearly four decades of success, this fantastic show continues to go from strength to strength. It’s an event that Carole Nash is truly proud to support, and it’s great to see it getting bigger, brighter and noisier every year.

“Come over and say hello at stand M68 and pick up a free goodie bag. You’ll also be able to enter our free prize draw to win a fantastic biking prize. Could 2018 be your lucky year?”

Sammy Miller Museum buys historic race bike trio from Northern Ireland The Sammy Miller Museum has been very fortunate to purchase three important racing motorcycles from Jim Lilley in Lisburn, Northern Ireland.

They comprise the ex-works Honda NS500 on which Freddie Spencer won numerous GP races in 1982/3, the Suzuki RG500 Mk IV on which Barry Sheene won two world championships, and an ex-works 1959 MZ 125 GP machine that was raced

by Mike Hailwood.

Back then, the former East Germany led the world in two-stroke design, and the MZ’s creator was the two-stroke genius Walter Kaaden, who worked with Wernher von Braun on the German rocket programme before turning to the development of two-stroke exhaust systems.

Each machine has its own race spares kit, and the exotic trio is now on display in the Racing Gallery at the New Milton museum.

Sam tries the 1959 125cc MZ Grand Prix machine once raced by Mike Hailwood for size, flanked by the ex-works Honda NS500 and Suzuki RG500 Mk IV that were also recently purchased for the Sammy Miller Museum.

April 2018

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6 NEWS

Five Valleys Run The Salisbury Motorcycle & Light Car Club’s 90-mile Five Valleys charity run will start from Salisbury Livestock Market at 11am on Sunday, April 15, with signing-on from 9.30am.

The run, including a lunch stop, is open to all classic bikes, and the entry fees cost £6 for club members, £7 for others in advance or £8 on the day.

Entry forms are available on the club’s website, www.salisburymc&Lccltd .

Lucas K2F magneto body Paul Goff has announced a new Lucas K2F magneto replacement body for British pre-unit twins that, while replicating the K2F mag, can house an electronic ignition system – ideal where a magneto is missing or a rider requires the better performance and easier starting of a modern system.

The Lucas body is designed to accept the Wassell ignition system, but Paul’s unique version can also accept the Pazon and Boyer systems. Machined from solid billet with two sealed bearings, it includes dummy pick-ups and leads through which the wiring is fed out of sight. The body costs £349, and the Pazon ignition plus two coils £159.85. A cheaper version of the mag replacement body is available at £159.85.

Visit www.norbsa02.freeuk.com, call 01494 868218 or contact Paul Goff at 62 Clare Road, Prestwood, Bucks HP16 0NU.

A Pazon ignition system fits snugly within one of the new mag bodies.

April 2018

1938 Comet makes £34,000 as ‘Beast from East’ fails to deter Yorkshire classic bike auction bids Despite the worst snow conditions for many years, all but three of the 50 machines entered for a Classic Motorcycle Auction conducted by Dee Atkinson & Harrison at Yorkshire’s Sledmere House on March 3 duly turned up for sale – and the attendance by hardy northerners was well supplemented by internet bidding from the rest of the United Kingdom and Europe.

Highlight of the sale was a 1938 Series-A HRD Vincent Comet that had been in the

As a sound restoration project, this 1931 Triumph WL went for a bargain £3320.

same family for 60 years, and sold for £34,000 despite having non-original crankcases. Next in line was a Matchless G50 with unknown provenance until the 1980s, when it was campaigned

by Northumbrian Dave Storry until the early 1990s. Unused since, it was sold to a collector for £26,000.

Pre-war motorcycles were also in demand, with a 1938 Velocette MSS realising £8200, a 1932 Blackburneengined Cotton £5750 and a restoration project 1931 Triumph WL £3320.

Of the post-war machines a 1943/45 Ariel W/NG made £5520 and a 1960 Royal Enfield Constellation £5750.

Modern classics included a Kawasaki Z1000 and Suzuki GT250 that were sold for £4025 and £2415 respectively, all prices including a 15% buyers’ premium.

The next such auction will take place on July 7.

Star of the Dee Atkinson & Harrison bike sale at Sledmere House on March 3 was this 1938 Series-A HRD Vincent Comet that went under the auctioneer’s gavel for £34,000.

Smell the Castrol R and drool!

This Matchless G50 racer, last campaigned by Northumbrian Dave Storry, was sold to a collector for £26,000.

Who said vintage motorcycling was too costly to contemplate? At £5750, this beautiful Blackburne-engined 1932 Cotton went for half the price of many modern machines.

‘Wild and frantic’ Ace Cafe CD marks 80 years of North Circular landmark London’s Ace Cafe, which originally opened in 1938, has teamed up with Western Star Records to launch a special double CD album celebrating 80 years of the famous landmark.

The Ace Cafe 1938-2018 album, which will be launched at the cafe at midday on Sunday, April 8, features 46 rock n’ roll tracks with the music focused on bikes and cars, and an enclosed

eight-page, lavishly illustrated booklet that embodies the style and culture of the Ace. Showcasing the enduring spirit that prompted the eventual reopening of the cafe, it features an array of British bands and artists, and the rebellious, wild and frantic tracks well reflect the ton-up days and Rocker era of the 1950s and 60s.

Two of the 23 bands selected for the album, Rusti Steel & The Star Tones and The Bad Detectives, will be playing live at the Ace from midday on April 8, and after launch day, the album will be available from the cafe.

An abiding image of the ton-up days graces the front of the new Ace Cafe album.

April 2018

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8 NEWS

Reaching for the stars with a brand new biking event A bunch of bikers who “loosely form the Dambusters Charity Motorcycle Club” – member’s own quote – is organising a brand new motorcycling event on Sunday, May 13 that “hopes to make a few quid for some great charities”. inSPIRE2018 is a new ‘ride-in’ event at the brilliant new International Bomber Command Centre, Canwick Hill, Lincoln that will be raising cash for the centre itself, the RAF Benevolent Fund and Motorcycle Outreach.

It’s an event for bikers, delivered by bikers, with a unique opportunity to “meet the veterans” and enjoy the amazing new Chadwick Centre and its displays, period music, military vehicles and some historic racing motorcycles.

For all the information and to buy tickets, go to www. inspirelincoln.org.uk .

April 2018

Diamond jubilee year for the BSA Owners’ Club With an active worldwide membership and a nicely produced monthly journal entitled The Star, the BSA Owners’ Club, which can trace its roots to the first organising group in Sheffield in 1958, reaches its 60th anniversary this year.

That first group was quickly followed by branches in Nottingham, Birmingham and Surrey, but even by 1960 there was no effective national cohesion, with eight or nine branches all operating different rules and subscription rates.

A National Committee with limited powers had been set up, but its main task seemed to be keeping each individual BSA club in contact with the rest.

In the cause of unity, the national magazine The Star was first published in January 1961, but it wasn’t until an Extraordinary General Meeting was convened in October 1962 that This superb BSA Rocket 3 drew plenty of attention at last year’s BSA Owners’ Club Open Day.

In the early 1960s the Field Day at the BSA sports ground in Birmingham, with the factory in the background, was an event not to be missed.

overwhelming support finally came for a National BSA Owners’ Club.

Membership quickly grew, and The Star went up in size and scope after this came into effect in January 1963.

Camping weekends and the BSA Rally – the factory-backed Field Day at the BSA Sports Ground in Birmingham – became well-supported and are fondly remembered.

Today the BSA Owners’ Club has a membership of 3500, with some 28 branches throughout the UK and more than 30 International Clubs.

Members from Europe, North America and Hawaii through to

Scottish memorial road run repeated Britain’s only fully operational Lancaster bomber fills the sky with thunder as it passes over the magnificent spire of the International Bomber Command Centre at Canwick Hill, Lincoln in this imaginative inSPIRE2018 poster.

Following last year’s inaugural T Arnott Moffat Memorial Road Run organised by the Inverness & District Motor Cycle Club, there will be another such run around Loch Ness on Sunday, July 22, taking in around 130 miles of predominantly B class roads with a lunch stop at Foyers.

All machines are welcome, and the entry cost of £12 (£15 with a pillion

passenger) includes a meal ticket and souvenir decal.

Entry forms are available by emailing highlandclassic@outlook.com.

Some of the 40 motorcycles that took part in last year’s T Arnott Moffat Memorial Road Run take a rest while their riders enjoy a cuppa inside.

Australia and New Zealand attend the annual International Rally which takes place in South Australia this year, and which will return to Britain in 2019.

The UK Club organises its own Annual Rally with an Open Day at Market Harborough Rugby Football Club over the late May Bank Holiday weekend, the Open Day taking place on Sunday, May 27 this year. The theme will be anything from 1958, including BSAs built and riders born in that year – and if you make a ‘matching pair’, that’s better still!

Details of BSA Owners’ Club membership can be found in ‘Club Call’ on page 62.

April 2018

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10 NEWS

April 2018

Tony Jefferies will be Beezumph’s honoured guest Guest of honour at the Trident & Rocket 3 Owners’ Club’s Beezumph 27 rally on Anglesey on July 13-14 will be TT hero Tony Jefferies, who will give a special talk about his racing career on the Friday evening before presenting the event awards the following day.

Born in 1948, Tony started his stunning TT career in 1969 and achieved two wins, two second places and a third-place finish in five years, but it was his success aboard the iconic triples on the Isle of Man that etched a place in the hearts of triple enthusiasts.

While he successfully rode a range of British and Japanese machines, his place in the affection of the TR3OC was sealed when he won the Formula 750 TT and finished second in the 750 Production TT against the might of other home and oriental factory teams.

In 1972 he occupied the second step on the winners’ rostrum in the F750 TT and remarkably, a year later, he pulled off another 750 Production TT win and a third in the F750 TT riding the Trident threecylinder marvels.

Outside the racing arena Tony, as managing director of Allan Jefferies Motorcycles, added the BMW franchise in 1971, but in 1973 his racing career came to an end after a serious crash at Mallory Park.

In 1995 he opened a solus BMW showroom in Shipley, and in 2010 a new 16,000 sq ft BMW showroom. Tony’s daughter Louise has taken over the day-to-day running of the business, and today Allan Jefferies is BMW’s longest-serving dealer (46 years) and its biggest UK dealer.

In his well-remembered white leathers, TJ always looked in complete harmony with the Triumph Trident racer.

Tony’s outstanding TT career is acknowledged on a Manx Telecom card.

With that smile that can still bring tears of laughter, Tony receives a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Play it again, Sam! Tony does his thing on a fabled Triumph.

Tony’s late, great and fearless son David enjoys a fast lap of Darley Moor on the pillion of a Triumph 1200 Daytona.

CLUB MAGAZINE OF THE MONTH

Leading Link – an inspired title for Greeves fans’ great monthly read Greeves might not have been the biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the UK, but its successful competition machines and brilliant-handling roadsters endeared the Thundersley, Essex marque to thousands of devotees.

Whether in trials, motocross or road racing, Greeves always punched above its weight, and its road machines boasted a quality not always shared by other manufacturers at that end of the market.

Distinguishing features were their unique frames with alloy front beam members, leading link forks and, more often than not, Essex blue paintwork.

In the February 2018 issue of the Greeves Riders’ Association’s newsletter Leading Link, editor John Henry ruminates: “When writing my editorial piece for each issue, I am often minded of an 18th century country parson gazing out of his study window, chewing the end of his quill pen and contemplating his notes for the following Sunday’s sermon…”

(I know exactly where you’re coming from, John, and often feel the same when deciding what next to write for my ‘Prattle’ column – Ed).

Continuing: “I don’t have the handy

prompt offered by the appropriate Sunday’s gospel to focus on,” John comes up with the next best thing as he invites association members to attend the Annual Greeves Gathering and Annual General Meeting – dilemma solved in a really positive way, so well done!

There’s a warm and focused feel to the 44-page newsletter that does the association proud, with plenty of input from members including a short story from John Pattinson about his black 24DF Police Greeves, MRE 16F, which looks really smart after a thorough restoration.

The single-cylinder Villiers engine at its heart gives good bottom-end torque and slogging power and John writes: “It’s the ideal bike for ‘bimbling’, which is all I’m capable of these days.” I hadn’t come across this delightful word before, but I think it means ‘the sound made by a two-stroke exhaust on the overrun’ – please correct me if I’m wrong!

A comment from the chairman Rob Thornton MBE; a great feature about a Greeves TES special by Martin Kemp; a useful piece about the Villiers twostroke numbering system; trials reports and a re-running of Colin Sparrow’s

article, published recently in OBM and contending that the first true trial bike was a Greeves, are all part of a great monthly read.

To join the Greeves Riders’ Association, see our ‘Club Call’ listing on page 62. PK

April 2018

11

12 DIARY DATES

Diary Dates Make a date for these upcoming events in your classic calendar...

MAY 2018 3

LE Velo Lancs & S Lakes, Bolton by Bowland: meet on village car park.

Tel. 01772 782516.

3-5 RIDE Capitals Knievels 2018: Wales – Scotland – England. www.ridecymru.com. info@ridecymru.com 4 JUNE ISSUE OF THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE 5 YOUR OLD BIKE MART WITH YOU TODAY 5-7 Llandudno Transport Festival, May Day Bank Holiday Weekend, Bodafon Fields, Llandudno, Conwy County, North Wales,LL30 3BW. Tel. 01492 517004. www.llantransfest.co.uk 6 Sammy Miller Museum, autojumble. www.sammymiller.co.uk 6 Hoghton Tower Sprint: Hoghton Tower, Hoghton, near Preston, Lancashire, PR5 0SH. www.marshalsnorthwest.co.uk 6 Sunbeam MCC 8th Ixion Cavalcade: Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. Contact Ian Cockshull, ixion@sunbeam-mcc.co.uk 6 Ace Cafe London, Yamaha Bike Day: DT & XS 650 50th.

Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, N Circular Rd, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD. london. acecafe.com 6 Ride 4 Rescue, The Return.

Start venue: Street Bike, Dudley Road, Halesowen, West Midlands, B63 3NS. www. happystaffierescue.org.uk. events@happystaffierescue.org. uk. Tel. 01299 513006.

6-7 Notts Classic Motorcycle & Car Show: Thoresby Park, Ollerton, Notts, NG22 9EP. Tel. 01484 667776. www.classicshows.org 7 MAY ISSUE OF REAL CLASSIC 7 Fleet Lions 35th Annual Classic Bike Rally: The Key Car Park, The Key, Elvetham Heath, Fleet, Hampshire GU51 1HA. Tel. 07850 191820. www. fleetlions.org.uk 7-12 Scottish Six Day Trial. Fort William. www.ssdt.org 11-13 You’ve Been Nabbed: The Royal Cheshire Showground, Flittogate Lane, Tabley, Knutsford, WA16 0HJ. www. nabd.org.uk. office@nabd.org. uk. Tel. 0844 415 4849.

April 2018 11-14 Sunbeam MCC Warwickshire Weekend, Kings Coughton. Contact Jenny Staple 01892 535671.jennybaz. staple@gmail.com 12 Sammy Miller Museum, Despatch Riders Rally, Dorset. www.sammymiller.co.uk 12 Jeff Mountjoy’s Big Ride Out: Paulton Rovers Football Club, Winterfield Road, Bristol, Somerset, BS39 7RF. dkloader3@gmail.com. Tel. 01761 417487.

13 Heage Windmill Classic Bike Meet. www.heagewindmill.org.uk 13 BTSC Surrey Hills, Dorking Halls, Dorking, Surrey. Tel. 01483 272765.

13 Ace Cafe London, BMW Bike Day: Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, N Circular Rd, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD. london. acecafe.com 13 LE Velo Lancs & S Lakes, Foulridge, Nr Colne: Meet by Canal. Tel. 01772 782516.

14-29 Sammy Miller Museum, Christchurch Arts Guild Summer Exhibition www. sammymiller.co.uk 16 JUNE ISSUE OF CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS 17 CLASSIC DIRT BIKE ISSUE 47 18-20 Victory Rally: Huntly Arms Hotel, Charlestown Road, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, AB34 5HS. www.victoryrally.co.uk.

Victoryrally@btinternet.com.

Tel. 07562 442472.

18-20 The REALLY Rally: Elveden Village Hall, Elveden, nr Thetford, Norfolk, IP27 3TJ. reallyrall001@ gmail.com. Tel. 07704 921974.

19 Southern Classic Motorcycle Show & Motorcycle Jumble: Kempton Park, Staines Road East, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex TW16 5AQ www. kemptonparkautojumble.co.uk Tel. 01507 529529.

19 Scorton Auto & Bike Jumble: Scorton, North Yorkshire Events Centre DL10 6EJ. Tel. Bert 07909 904705.

19 Ridethecounty: Oxford Products, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX29 0YA. www.ridethecounty.org.uk. info@ridethecounty.org.uk 19-20 MCN Festival of Motorcycling: Peterborough Arena, Peterborough, PE2 6XE. www.mcnfestival.com.

Mcnfestival@seetickets.com.

Tel. 08712 301108.

20 Classic Motorcycle Show: Coach & Horses, Stevenage Old Town, SG4 8DP. Tel. 07963 609143.

20 Tiddler’s Tootle: VMCC, Tullibardine Distillery, Blackford, Perthshire. PH4 1QG Tel. 01698 854390.

20

Romney Marsh Bikejumble: Marsh Road, Hamstreet, near Ashford, Kent TN26 2JD. www. elk-promotions.co.uk 20 Sunbeam MCC 1st Rose of Torridge, Woolfardisworthy, North Devon. Contact Nevil Barham. Tel. 01237 470514. nevil2@btinternet.com 20 Ace Cafe London, Two-Stoke “Blue Haze” Day: Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, N Circular Rd, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD. london.acecafe.com 20 Herts Auto Show: Stanborough Park, Stanborough Road, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL8 6DQ. www.hertsautoshow.co.uk. neil@hertsautoshow.co.uk. Tel. 01707 376020.

20 Rattlesden Bike Show: Rattlesden Community Pavilion, Birds Green, Rattlesden, Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk, IP30 0RT. ratbbs@ gmail.com. Tel. 07809 145820.

20 Rugby BikeFest: Market Place and High Street, Rugby Town Centre, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 3PT. www. rugbytowncentre.co.uk. info@ ucltd.co.uk.Tel. 01788 890789.

23 VMCC (Essex section) evening run. Tel. Dave Iszard 01621 892206.

24 LE Velo Lancs & S Lakes, Southport: meet car park nr pier. Tel. 01772 782516.

25 Warrington Wheels Youth Motorcycle Competition: Woolston Brook School, Green Lane, Warrington, Cheshire, WA1 4JL. www. bobsbikeclasses.co.uk. bobtowler57@hotmail.co.uk.

Tel. 07949 337508.

25-27 Slurp ‘n’ Burp Rally: The Plough, Lower Arncott, nr Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX25 1NY. www.beerhounds.co.uk. duggy@beerhounds.co.uk. Tel. 07889 341585.

25-28 The Main Event: Santa Pod Raceway, Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough, Northants, NN29 7XA. www. santapod.com. Tel 01234 782828.

26 LE Velo Northampton: The Sun Inn, Kislingbury, NN7 4BB. Tel. 01604 499858.

26 Bideford Bike Show: Bideford Quay, opp Kings Arms, Devon, EX39 2HW. www. bidefordbikeshow.org. info@ bidefordbikeshow.org. Tel. 01237 239265.

26-27 Sunbeam MCC Conyboro Run and Auto Jumble: Chiddingly, Sussex. Contact Rob Pond 01306 628297; 07907 694751. events@ sunbeam-mcc.co.uk

26-28 OVERLORD Military Spectacular: The Lawns, Forest Road, Denmead, Hampshire, PO7 6HH. www. overlordshow.co.uk. Tel. 07768 170445.

26-28 Chipping Steam Fair 2018: Green Lane Showground, Chipping, Lancashire, PR3 2TQ. www.chippingsteamfair.com 27-28 Cheshire Classic Motorcycle & Car Show: Capesthorne Hall, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 9JY Tel. 01484 667776. www.classicshows.org 27 Ace Cafe London, RBLRB Day in aid of the Poppy Appeal. Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, N Circular Rd, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD. london.acecafe.com 27 Pendle Powerfest: Nelson & Colne College, Barrowford, Lancashire, BB9 7YT. www.pendlepowerfest. com. organiser@pendlepowerfest. com. Tel. 07850 075 796.

28 Ace Cafe London, Margate Meltdown Run: Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, N Circular Rd, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD. london. acecafe.com 30 JUNE ISSUE OF CLASSIC BIKE GUIDE 30 VMCC (Essex section) 1st Wrinkly Run: outside 1st Antiques Shop, 2 Maltings Rd, Battlesbridge SS11 7RT. 31-3 Unwanted MCC’s Annual Bike, Trike & Custom Show: The Rockbar, Shobnall Sports & Social Club, Shobnall Road, Burtonon-Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 2BB. www.unwantedmcc.co.uk. unwantedmcc@aol.com. Tel. 07988 521400.

JUNE 2018 1

JULY ISSUE OF THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE 2 YOUR OLD BIKE MART WITH YOU TODAY 2 Sammy Miller Museum, Japanese Bike Day. www.sammymiller.co.uk 2 Classic Motorcycle Show: Halls Green, Weston, Herts, SG4 8DP. Tel: 07963 609143.

2 West Country Autojumble: New Cattle Market, Driffield Road, Cirencester GL7 5QA. Tel. Paul Powell 07831 421455.

2-3 The Classic Car Spectacular Car Show, Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6QN. www. cheshireautopromotions.co.uk Tel: 01507 529529.

2-3 Shetland Classic Motor Show and Tours. Further details at shetlandclassicmotorshow.co.uk 2-3 Coventry Motofest: 15 Queens, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 3DE. www.coventrymotofest.com. lee@ coventrymotofest.com 2-3 Lechlade Collectors Club, 4th Lechlade Annual Vintage Rally & Country Show www.Lechlade Collectors Club 3 LE Velo Lancs & S Lakes, Windermere, west of lake. Tel: 01772 782516.

3 Normous Newark Autojumble: The Showground, Drove Lane, Winthorpe, Newark, Notts NG24 2NY. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk Tel: 01507 529529.

3 The British Two-Stroke Club (Leicester section). The John Lee Memorial Run: The Lady Jane, Coalville, Leics. Tel: Eric Hathaway 01162 750532.

3 Kenley Autojumble: The Portcullis Club, Kenley Airfield, Victor Beamish Avenue, Caterham, Surrey.

CR3 5FX. Tel: 07772 169524 or 07971 823314. www.facebook. com/KenleyAutojumble 3 Ace Cafe London, Mad Sunday in aid of SERV: Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, North Circular Road, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD. london. acecafe.com 4 JUNE ISSUE OF REAL CLASSIC 6 Lincoln Bike Fest: Brayford Waterfront, Lincoln, LN1 1XW. Richard@pennells.co.uk Tel: 07899 994341.

8-10 Lion Rally: Gravelly Bridge Farm, Grazeley Green Road, Grazeley, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 1LG. www. lionrally.com Email: info@lionrally. com

8-10 Touching the Cloth 4 NABD Bike & Trike Rally: Frettenham Village Hall, Church Road, Frettenham, Norfolk, NR12 7NN. touchingthecloth4nabd@live.co.uk Tel: 01692 402740 or 07786 773019.

8-10 The UK Summer Motorhome & Caravan Show (three days) at Kent County Showground, Detling, Maidstone ME14 3JF www. motorhomeandcaravanshows.co.uk Tel: 01507 529529.

9 Daventry Motorcycle Festival: Daventry town centre, Market Square and High Street, Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 4HT. www.daventrybikefest.co.uk Email:info@daventrybikefest.co.uk.

Tel: 07817 312718.

10 The North East Classic Motorcycle & Car Show: Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, Co. Durham, TS21 2EH Tel: 01484 667776. www. classicshows.org 10 Sunbeam MCC Rose of the Shires: Stoke Bruerne, Northants. Tel: Andrew Leslie 07599 291787. ajdleslie@gmail.com 10 Ace Cafe London, Triumph Bike Day: Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, North Circular Road, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD. london.acecafe.com 10 Bikefest: Knockhill Racing Circuit, Fife. www.knockhill.com 14 LE Velo Lancs & S Lakes, Bridge Cafe Wray. Tel: 01772 782516.

15-16 The Old Goats Grumble 4: Sycamore Farm, Heavygate Lane, Shottle, Belper, Derbyshire, DE56 2DS. league.of.zeal.mcc@gmail. com. Tel: 07786 065341.

16-23 Sunbeam MCC 35th Welsh Week, Llanbister. Tel: John Appleton 01296 623048.

16 Scorton Auto & Bike Jumble: Scorton, North Yorkshire Events Centre DL10 6EJ. Tel: Bert 07909 904705.

16-17 The Footman James Bristol Classic Car Show, Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, BA4 6QN www.bristolclassiccarshows. com Tel: 01507 529529.

16-17 SCRMC Ltd Bob McIntyre Memorial Classic Races at East Fortune Raceway. Tel: 01294 833320. Email: agnescadger@tiscali.co.uk 17 57th Jimmie Guthrie Memorial Run: The Green, Denholm, Hawick.

Tel: 01835 830422. www. jimmieguthrie.weebly.com 17 Father’s Day Classic Motorcycle & Car Show: Clumber Park, Worksop, Notts, S80 3AZ. Tel: 01484 667776. www.classicshows.org 17 Ace Cafe London, Polish Bike Day: Ace Corner, North Circular Road, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD. london.acecafe.com 17 Retro Show: Santa Pod Raceway, Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough, Northants, NN29 7XA. www.retroshow.co.uk 20 Yorkshire Rose TOMCC Open Night: The Waverley Pub, Brinsworth Road, Catcliffe, Rotherham S60 5RW. Tel: 01142 620195.

20 VMCC (Essex section) Evening Run from Writtle Green car park. Tel: George Coates 01245 281184.

20 JULY ISSUE OF CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS 21 JULY/AUGUST ISSUE OF CLASSIC RACER 22-23 Wessex Ale & Cider Fest: Roots Garden Centre, Priors Court Road, Hermitage, Berkshire, RG18 9TG. www.wessexaleandcider.webs.com. iancamo@hotmail.com.

Tel: 07763 807915.

22-24 Wildfire Festival: Wiston Lodge, Wiston, Biggar, South Lanarkshire, ML12 6HT. www.wildfirefestival. co.uk. Email: dave@wildfirefestival. co.uk Tel: 07904 644531.

24 LE Velo Lancs & S Lakes, Cockley Beck. Tel: 01772 782516.

24 Romney Marsh Show & Bikejumble: Marsh Road, Hamstreet, near Ashford, Kent TN26 2JD. www.elkpromotions.co.uk 24 Sammy Miller Museum, Bike Life Classics Day. www.sammymiller.co.uk 24 Classic Motorcycles Show: Cottered Village Festival (on A507 road). Tel: 07963 609143.

Please send your diary dates to obmwallplanner.co.uk