Old Bike Mart December 2014

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On trade plates and overtaking an AEC Mammoth Major lorry, a 1948 Ambassador is taken for a test outing. The story of the Ascot motorcycle manufacturer is told on pages 12-13. By the way, Happy Christmas to all our readers.

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2 NEWS

December 2014

Pete’s Prattle www.oldbikemart.co.uk email: info@oldbikemart.co.uk

Editor Pete Kelly OBMEditor@mortons.co.uk Publisher Dan Savage Group production editor Tim Hartley Designer Tracey Barton Divisional advertising sales manager David England dengland@mortons.co.uk Advertising Ricky Nichols rnichols@mortons.co.uk Tania Shaw tshaw@mortons.co.uk 01507 524004 Marketing manager Charlotte Park Circulation manager Steve O’Hara Production manager Craig Lamb Publishing director Dan Savage Commercial director Nigel Hole Associate director Malcolm Wheeler Finance director Kathryn Pinder General Queries 01507 529529 (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.

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Two-stroke motorcycles feature quite strongly this month, with articles about Ambassador, MZ and Excelsior. No doubt some readers will consider such machines to be crude, smoky and unreliable, but on the other hand many more will have fond memories of the ‘strokers’ they rode years ago.

Although the only two-stroke in my garage today is a 1961 NSU Quickly, as a motorcycling beginner in that very same year it was a Villiers-engined Norman Nippy that provided the initial elation of controlling my very first powered machine.

The list of two-strokes that followed included an Excelsior Universal, DKR Defiant, Ariel

Arrow, Suzuki Sovereign Sport (which even had an Avon fairing!) and BSA Bantam. For some reason, the only one out of all of them that never suffered from whiskered spark plugs was the 50cc Suzuki, and an 80cc version that I bought around six years later was just the same.

When the motorcycle restoration boom began in earnest, the comparatively glamorous fourstrokes that many of us could never afford were always top of the pile, while countless ride-towork two-strokes remained hidden in sheds and garages all over the country.

While I’m certain that few Vincents, Bonnevilles, Goldies, Thruxtons and their ilk remain

Boxing Day opening ■ The Lakeland Motor Museum, located at the southern tip of Lake Windermere, is organising a Classic Drive and Ride-In on Boxing Day for anyone fancying a break from the turkey and mince pies.

The event will take place from 11am to 3pm, and all classic vehicles, including motorcycles, are invited to take part. They will also receive half-price admission vouchers to the museum itself, which normally costs £8 adults and £5 children.

Calendar treat for Norton fans ■ Costing £10 (EU £12.80) including VAT and postage, the Norton Owners’ Club’s 2015 Calendar comprises 12 big colour images of gorgeous Nortons both old and not-so-old. It can be ordered online at www.nortonownersclub.org or from NOC Calendars, 2 River Drove, School Lane, Stoke Ferry, King’s Lynn PE33 9QL.

undiscovered, how many of the cheap and cheerful two-strokes that so many of us grew up with are still hiding in dark corners?

Until the Japanese came along and (with the exception of Scott, of course) completely rewrote the two-stroke story, the everlasting virtues of our home-spun strokers were their cheapness and simplicity – qualities that should surely render them attractive restoration projects.

After all, variety is the spice of life – and isn’t it nice to sometimes see, among the long lines of alltoo-familiar British four-stroke classics, an immaculate Norman B4 Sports, Francis-Barnett Cruiser, Excelsior Talisman Twin, James Sports Captain,

Ambassador Electra, Greeves Essex Twin or Royal Enfield Prince?

Finally, a Happy Christmas to each and every one of you from the Old Bike Mart gang – and let’s raise a collective toast to motorcyclists everywhere!

Newark Winter Classic starts the new year in style Three-times British Superbike Champion John Reynolds will be sharing stories from his brilliant career with Steve Plater at the Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic, taking place at the Newark Showground on January 3-4.

With hundreds of stunning display machines on show from private entrants and some of the region’s top bike clubs, and the popular Scooter Hall showcasing the best classic scooters in the UK, a visit to the show will be a great way of shaking off the winter blues as you look forward to a brand new motorcycling year.

The Winter Classic will also feature trade stands and autojumble stalls throughout the

Winter Classic guest John Reynolds.

venue’s halls, offering all manner of parts, pieces, tools and accessories.

With adult tickets starting at just £7 and under-12s admitted free, the post-Christmas bank balance needn’t take a beating either.

More details, including ticket-buying options, can be found at the www.classicbikeshows.com website.

NEWS 3

December 2014

Telford bike show set to be a classic C

lassic Bike Shows has gone into overdrive, to ensure that the spectacular Putoline Classic Dirt Bike Show at the Telford International Centre on February 21-22, formerly known as ‘Wrighty’s Show’, is the biggest and best there’s ever been.

With much valued input from previous organiser Alan Wright, the team has come up with a bevy of star guests and new attractions in addition to the stunning display machines, club exhibits, trade and autojumble stands that regular showgoers have come to expect.

The 40th anniversary of Martin Lampkin being crowned world trials champion and Vic Allan becoming British 250/500 MX champion, will be marked by both men being in attendance and sharing stories from their glittering careers.

The Manx decade will be remembered too, with the passing of 50 years since the first Manx ISDT and 40 since the last.

By courtesy of the National Motorcycle Museum, a display of racing Nortons through the ages will form part of a special exhibit, showcasing the marque’s rich Island history.

Rich history

Vic Allan rode this 350cc Tri-Greeves in the 1999 Scottish Pre-65 Trial.

Another new attraction will be the Classic Racer Paddock, where a Classic TT-winning works Paton and the world’s fastest Royal Enfield, by courtesy of the Flitwick Motorcycles Team Linsdell, will bellow in anger. Future TT star Ollie Linsdell and his father Steve, a TT rostrum man himself, will both be at the show to chat with visitors.

An ex-John McGuinness 2000 TT Vimto Honda SP1 and a 1996 Terry Rymer Old Spice Ducati 955, both part of Mike West’s collection, are also set to appear.

Vic Allan, Mick Grant and Bill Brown, who

Mick Grant whistles a 748cc JP Norton through Whitegates in the 1973 F750TT.

all have an endless supply of tales to tell, will be guest speakers at the Saturday evening dinner at the nearby Holiday Inn. Vic was the only man ever to have won both 250 and 500cc British Motocross titles in the same year, and the fast-talking canny Scot will tell how it happened, on his brace of Bultacos in 1975.

Yorkshireman Mick Grant needs no introduction to trials or road racing enthusiasts, and still competes successfully in the ‘feet-up’ game, having forsaken his beloved Ariel for a lightweight BSA.

Memorable year

1975 was a memorable year for Mick, too, for he took the second of his seven TT wins and infamously broke Mike Hailwood’s enduring outright lap record in doing so.

Apart from his Kawasaki years, ‘Granty’ also won TTs for Honda and Suzuki, and will no doubt tell the tale of his ill-fated Honda Japan NR500 crash at Silverstone.

Wulfsport’s Bill Brown will set the evening rolling with a few warm-up tales .

All of last year’s guests are being contacted, but if you have not previously attended, the three-course meal plus entertainment costs £28 (contact Richard Graham at rgraham@mortons.co.uk).

The show will be open from 10am until 4.30pm over the weekend of February 21-22, and advance one-day adult tickets will cost £11, or on the day £13, with under-12s admitted free.

Advance tickets are available by calling 01507 529529.

Mick Grant is seen on his old trials Ariel with John Lee at the 1986 Scottish Pre-65 Trial.

John Surtees wins RAC’s Motoring Book of Year award John Surtees’ brilliant book My Incredible Life on Two and Four Wheels, written by John and coauthor Mike Nicks and published by the recently established Evro Publishing, took the Royal Automobile Club’s Motoring Book of the Year award in London on Wednesday, October 29.

Club chairman Tom Purves, who presented the trophy, said: “This book is exactly the kind of title we want to recognise. It is a fascinating story, entertaining and personable, with wonderful pictures.”

Six judges from the world of autosport publishing, each provided a list of the 10 best titles

they had read during the previous 12 months, and My Incredible Life on Two and Four Wheels beat all the other contenders.

Royalties from the sales of the book go to the Henry Surtees Foundation that was set up to honour the memory of John’s son Henry, who was killed in a freak accident at Brands Hatch in 2009.

With forewords by Valentino Rossi and Sebastian Vettel, the largeformat, 304-page hardback book (ISBN 978-0-9928209-2-3) costs £50, and includes Surtees’ signature when bought from the publisher at www.evropublishing.com

Holding the trophy and a copy of his book, a delighted John Surtees stands with Royal Automobile Club chairman Tom Purves, who made the presentation on October 29.

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8 NEWS

December 2014

£18,000 Norton Commando cafe racer is top prize in new raffle

A

fter the successful National Motorcycle Museum’s 30th anniversary draw to win a £40,000 Vincent Rapide, a new winter raffle has been announced.

This fabulous Norton Commando cafe racer is top prize in the National Motorcycle Museum’s winter raffle.

Top prize will be a new 961cc Norton Commando cafe racer, including special paintwork and high-specification factory extras, worth £18,000, and the runner-up will receive a 1958 250cc BSA C12 that has been fully restored in the museum’s workshop.

A luxury classic weekend break for two people will go to the third ticket to be drawn at the International Classic MotorCycle Show at Stafford on Sunday, April 26, 2015.

Museum director James Hewing said: “In keeping with the museum’s founder, the late W R (Roy) Richards’ love of British engineering, we are proud to have purchased the brand new Norton Commando as top prize in our winter raffle.”

As well as being distributed with subscription copies of the specialist classic motorcycling press, tickets can also be obtained from the museum on 01675 444123 (email shop@thenmm.co.uk) or online at www.thenmmshop.co.uk

Easy-to-follow wiring loom kit from Paul Goff Paul Goff has launched a simple wiring kit for alternator-equipped bikes that’s suitable for six or 12-volt systems using a regulator/rectifier such as the A Reg One. It can also be used when converting a 6v bike to 12v using the original alternator.

The kit comes with an easy-tofollow circuit diagram and all connectors, sleeving and cable ties required. It uses the British

Standard wiring colours so it can be matched against the bike’s original diagram, although it’s a lot simpler.

A fuse and holder are included, along with a reel of selfamalgamatingtapetotidyupthejob.

The wiring kit is available from Paul Goff, 62 Clare Road, Prestwood, Bucks HP16 0NU (01494 868218; norbsa02@aol.com) at £39.95 plus £4.95 p&p. The A Reg One rectifier costs £36.95.

TT legend John McGuinness with the ABUS Norton rotary White Charger which he’ll be riding in next year’s Classic TT parade lap.

Honouring the Norton name

During next year’s Classic TT event, no fewer than 18 original factory rotary Nortons, including Steve Hislop’s 1992 TT race-winning ABUS-sponsored machine, several of the JPS-liveried machines and the Duckhamssponsored bikes from the latter part of the rotary era, will feature in a paddock display from Friday, August 28, until Tuesday, September 1, presented by Bennetts.

From Rem Fowler’s inaugural 1907 TT-winning bike to Cameron Donald’s fastest Norton lap ever last year, the marque has been linked to the Isle of Man from the very beginning of the famous road races.

Entitled Norton, the Rotary Years, and sponsored by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, the Classic TT parade lap on Monday, August 31, will tell the story of the rotary Norton during the 1980s and 90s, where possible featuring original bike and rider combinations with the likes of Trevor Nation, Ian Simpson and Steve Cull. John McGuinness, one of the late Steve Hislop’s biggest fans, will ride the 1992 ABUS in the parade.

The cultural focus for next year’s Classic TT meeting will be centred around the late 1950s and early 60s rocker years, with music, fashion and other activities that were the backdrop of an era when the Norton brand was achieving great success away from racing.

A Cafe Race Concours D’elegance will add to the paddock activity with the Ace Cafe bringing the golden era back to life behind the grandstand.

The 2015 Classic TT includes two race days, on Saturday, August 29 and Monday, August 31, and the paddock carnival on Friday, August 28. It’s all part of the Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling running from August 22 until September 4 and includes the Manx Grand Prix, Classic and Two-Day Trials competitions and the Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s Rally and Festival at Jurby.

December 2014

NEWS 9

Putting the HJH Motorcycles story straight Old Bike Mart has been contacted by Mr John Victor, who owned a 1954 HJH rigid trials bike until three years ago, and is featured on a very useful link about the Welsh-built machines connected to the Bridgend and District British Motorcycle Club.

The short article about the site in our September issue stated erroneously that Mr Victor still owns the bike.

The site also explains how the HJH business failed when its founder, Harry J Hulsman, ran into trouble for unpaid purchase tax. In court, a friend rallied round and paid up on Harry’s behalf when he was found guilty and fined £175.

Andrew Bremner who wrote a feature about his own HJH Sports Dragon sends his apologies for any inaccuracies in his article.

Another Thunderbird to savour

After reading about Derek Moore’s 1952 export-model Triumph 6T Thunderbird in our September issue, Terry Parsons sent us some pictures of a similar model that has just been restored.

His grandfather bought it brand new, then his dad rode it, and Terry, who’s now 56, still treasures this beautiful machine which will become the subject of ‘It’s My Bike’ in our February issue.

30

December 2014

SPARES

FOR MOST MODELS D1 - A75

AUTOCYCLE ENG. www.auto-cycle.co.uk

Kingsley St., Netherton, Dudley, West Midlands DY2 0PZ

Tel: 01384 253030 Fax: 01384 240401

31

December 2014

-MACHINES FOR SALE-

Velocette Valiant basketcase, 85% complete, includes all the important cycle and most engine parts.

No registration documentation, £650. Tel. 01202 6 8 3 7 0 1 .

E m a i l : brian.merrifield@sky.com for pics OB530575C

Triumph Terrier, 1955, 149cc Single, c/w V5 document, matching numbers with dating certificate, original bike, not messed with, would make good winter project, £1995. Tel. 07798 853502 or 01752 815443. Email: jwestern1971@gmail.com for pics. OB531453C

Triumph Tiger 110, 1956, older restoration, very original, all matching numbers, magneto and gearbox overhauled, colour shell blue sheen, runs well, space needed, £7250. Tel. 01903 743732; 07989 246605.

Sussex. OB531448C Triumph Tiger Cub T20, 1959, ready to ride away, all paintwork recently done, new tyres, lovely clean condition, bargain for £2550.

Tel. 02392 383493. Hants.

OB531185C

Triumph Tiger Cub, 1957, 199cc, single, colour silver and blue, repatriated from America, comes with V5 documents, matching nos, dating certificate, would make a good winter project, £1800. Tel. 07798 853502 or 01752 815443.

Cornwall. OB531462C

Bultaco Sherpa 250 trials, 1966, 4 speed Radial head model, £2250. Bultaco Sherpa 250, model 49, £895. Photos available on request. Tel. 07779 722767 or 01269 268796 for details on both bikes. OB530571C

-BALANCING-

Velocette, 1939, GTP 250cc, rigid/girders, complete restoration to mint condition, all original numbers V5C buff log book, three owners history file, £4250. Tel. 01743 891889 or 07887 917466. OB530695C

1913 Veteran Triumph 550cc, good condition and working order, hub clutch, genuine saddle, Truimph/Brooks original reg number, Pioneer certificate, owned for over 30 years, £12,500. Tel. 0191 Email: 2845724. patricia.welch@tesco.net

280 C15 Trials, all aluminium engine, aluminium C15 barrel, slimline aluminium tank, high compression piston, oil in frame, Norton road holder folks with Montessa internals, very competitive bike, ready to trial, £3950 ono. Tel. 07805 408997.

OB530565C

Frazer Honda TL, 1980, 250cc, Trials, V5, MoT, £1900; 1955 Royal Enfield 500cc Woodsman, alloy engine with USA engine no.

JS13736, frame 13736, £3000; Bantam Rigid trials, 1951, frame D124428D7, engine 175cc, £1200.

Tel. 01622-741581; 07891964033. Kent. OB530643C

Yamaha XS 1.1 Midnight Special, 1983, first registration 07.06.1983, matching numbers, 54,108 miles, MoT, no tax, £1750.

For further info tel. Don 077200 56110.

Wirral, Cheshire.

OB530382C

Yamaha XT500, 1977, 9,500 miles, good condition and original, new Pirelli MT43, £3250. Tel. 01709 559516.

S Yorks.

OB530645C

BassetDown Balancing

D yna m ic B a la ncing S ervices

CL ASSIC M O TO R CYCL E E X PE R TS Est. 197 2

Un it9j, Low esd on W orks, La m bou rn e, W ood la n d s, BerkshireRG177RY T el 01488670246 Em a il: in fo@ ba s s etd ow n ba la n cin g .co.u k w w w .ba ssetd o w nba la nc ing.c o .uk

-BLAST CLEANING-

Greeves 24 TES 250cc, electronic ignition, MP forks, alloy tank and steel tank, original Dunlop chrome rims, frame powder coated, excellent condition, unregistered, ready to ride, £3200 ono. Tel. 07519 670280. Essex, Suffolk border.

OB530460C

Greeves Scottish, 1959, 197cc, in standard trim, no docs but clear engine and frame number, good condition, £1950 ono. Tel. 01484 532684. W Yorks. OB531432C

FAST TURNAROUND

OB531401C

BLAST CLEANING

Triumph Tiger TR6 RV, 1972, easy starter, all receipts, full rebuild, immaculate condition, stunning bike, £4500 ono; p/x taken. Also 2 Goldie silencers, brand new, £100 bargain, p&p at cost. Tel. 07443 642408. W Yorks. OB530378C

OB530577C

-BLAST CLEANING-

Grasstrack bike, B25S engine, new unleaded valve, seats, new valves, guides, new chain, some Methanol, not used for some time, £750. Tel. 07977 870644; 01639 849549. Swansea. OB531211C

Yamaha XVS650 Dragstar wanted. Anything considered.

We collect. Details please to: Chris, The Value Bike Centre.

01953-857881 (T), www.valuebikecentre.net

Triumph Trophy TR6 1956, 650cc with single trailer and a few special engine tools, £7500 for details. Tel. 01202 882422. Dorset.

-BEARINGS-

OB531226C

OB530576C

1967, 1968, Triumph TR6, engine, new tank, seat rims, twin leader front brake, £4250; Yamaha XT500, 1977, good condition and original, 9,500 miles, £3250. Tel. 559516.

S Yorks.

01709

obmservices guide

Yaqi, reg 2010, race replica, MLG 4700, very quick, 125cc bike, "learner legal", MoT May 15, £300. Tel. 01642 644567.

Teesside. OB531183C

Honda Twin Shock trials, totally rebuilt, extensive £1600 parts spend, unused, mint condition, 190cc, 4-stroke, £2495; not cheap but quality never is! 30 years experience with Honda's rider/repairer. For details tel.

0743 4040520. Manchester.

OB530641C

Vapour, Bead, Grit & Shot Blasting Specialists. Est 1964.

Aggressive and non-aggressive surface finishing

R.D. COX & SON

306 Old Whitley Wood Lane, Shinfield, Reading RG2 8QD

0118 975 0289

-EMERGING CLASSICSHonda CB 750 K2, 1979, dry stored for years, needs recommissioning, V5C, on Sorn, bargain £800. Tel. 07922 185110.

E Sussex. OB530530C

Suzuki GS 1000/750 or similar machine wanted, will travel. Tel. 07549 610357. Sunderland.

OB531492C

1982 Montesa 200 Cota trials bike, twin shock, very good mechanical and cosmetic order, new clutch, chain, sprockets, good tyres, ready to trial, like Nigel Birkett's Two British Championship winning bike in 1980, £1595. Tel. 01724-720146.

OB531126C

Trials bike wanted Royal Enfield/ BSA/AJS or similar machine, anything considered. Tel. 0191 5481039; 07710 462667.

Sunderland. OB531491C

Triumph TRW 500 Twin, 1960, ex RAF, restored to vgc, easy to start, light in weight, needs nothing but comes c/w spare engine, £4950. Tel. 01702 521847. Essex. OB530388C

Triumph Twenty-One, 1959, nice original appearance, Sorned, £3000; AJS 250cc lightweight project, V5C, 1966 reg, £650; Honda CX500 engine lump, £75.

Tel. Matt 01476 401243.

Grantham, Lincs. OB530646C

Velocette MSS, 1954, excellent condition, owned 20 years with very low mileage, recent overhaul reconditioned magneto, +020 rebore, new oil pump and battery, now too heavy for me, £6250. Tel. 01666 824363.

Wiltshire.

Yamaha RD 500, 1985, matching numbers, 16,654 miles, MoT, first registered 17.05.1985, £10,000. Tel. Don 077200 56110.

Wirral. OB530369C

Velocette Valiant, 1957, green, in good condition, full engine rebuild all documented, needs a new battery and not used for the past year hence sale, offers around £3250. Tel. 07468 469982.

OB530591C

Yamaha Virago 535cc, for sale, blue, no MoT, top box, new mirrors, good condition, rides well, never had problem going through MoT, Y reg, £795 ono. Tel. 07980 068819.

N Devon. OB531413C

OB531007C

-OFF ROAD COMP-

OB530649C

Velocette Valiant flat twin, 200cc, 1958, all original, runs and rides but needs some tlc, all paperwork present and included, £1800 ovno. For information or to arrange a v i e w i n g e m a i l : cjsampsonb12@gmail.com Tel. 07986 916807. Kent. OB531439C

Triumph Club engine side points, excellent condition. BSA B25 engine, excellent condition. Tel. 01513 362175. South Wirral.

BSA 250cc C15 grass bike, unknown frame, alloy rims, tank, new rear tyre, chain, battery, ignition, runs well, distributor model engine, £800 ono. Tel. 01787 210865; 07792 124250. Suffolk. OB530701C BSA ZB32 Gold Star trials bike, registered for road, exempt of road tax, rigid frame, teleforks, alloy tank, central oil tank, alloy rims, ideal for pre 65 trials, excellent condition, £5000. Tel. 01553 828838; 07957 210268.

OB530566C

Bultaco Sherpa 1979, mint show or ride, completely rebuilt with all new important bits. You will not be disappointed! Offers in region of £1800, sale due to old age. Tel. Mike 07775 910462. Email: mikepumford@aol.com OB530984C Clubman trials shocks, £67 pair inc VAT. Tel. NJB Shocks 01206 768392, mob. 07788 715163. (T). www.njbshocks.co.uk or email: norman@njbshocks.co.uk NJ506871C

For sale: Triumph Rickman Metisse 650 - Registered as 1968 (built brand new in 2013).

Derek and Don Rickmans signature present on the tank, £8500 ono. Tel. 07759 194131.

Oxon. OB531253C Wanted Competition, Dot Sun frame/rolling chassis/complete bike/parts, Tom Kerrigan, 12 Summerhill North St Lukes, Cork, Eire. Calling to UK bi-monthly. Tel. 00 35321 4501573. Cork City, Ireland. OB531434C Yamaha TY250 Twinshock Trials, 1979, V5, needs recommissioning, £650 ono. Tel. 01291 672257; 07557 682950.

Usk, Monmouthshire. OB531165C

-ROAD RACINGDucati 450 race bike 4LS Grimeca race, camshaft HC piston ported valves twin plug head, new Avons, new exhaust Marzocchi forks, £6250. Tel. 01709 559516.

South Yorkshire. OB530573C

Ducati wide case racer, disc front, Gibson pipe. For photo or more info email: AMCV43@hotmail.com Tel. 07759 836638. N Ireland. OB531198C

Call 01507 524004 to advertise -BRAKES-

46 CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS

December 2014

Christmas is coming…

In the season of peace on earth (if only!) and goodwill to all men and women, Mick Payne brings a selection of useful gift ideas for those with a love of sidecar outfits.

F

rom just £4 to £6195, there’s something out there that will make the perfect gift for your friends this Christmas. Top of the tree are motorcycle clothing and safety equipment, which space precludes here, but of particular benefit to winter sidecar riders are motocross hand guards. Until you’ve ridden with these on your bike, you don’t know how snug hands can be in winter weather.

An older bike might not have the power to spare for heated grips, but these help enormously. They are available from any off-road specialist, and prices vary.

A careful trawl through OBM’s advertisements will turn up lots more riding gear ideas to suit all pockets.

I’ve brought together a few ideas that will appeal to sidecar enthusiasts in particular, and it also gives me an opportunity to wish all readers a merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Just one look at the evocative picture on the front page of Geoff Brazendale’s The Sidecar – A History, will sell it to many three-wheel fans. Inside is an extensive record of the sidecar in all its guises, but copies are becoming so sought-after that they’re being offered on the internet at £65 plus. The good news is that Geoff still has the last 100 or so of the softback versions left at £29.95 inc p&p (rest of Europe £5 extra), but when those are gone, there’ll be no more. Send cheques only to Geoff Brazendale at 1 Stainton Road, Etterby, Carlisle CA3 9QT.

Mr Watson’s Bit on the Side T-shirt, features a charming photo from a period advertisement, but when OBM rang to check, only large sizes remained. These are available from The Watsonian Motorcycle and Sidecar Company, Unit 70, Northwick Business Centre, Blockley, Moreton-in-Marsh, Glos GL56 9RF (01386 700907) for just £12.95.

If you’re looking for useful stocking fillers, LED sidelight bulbs from Paul Goff (aka ‘Goffy’) really help the charging systems of older machines, especially when burdened with the extra lights of a sidecar. They’re available in 12 or 6-volt guises for just £4 by visiting www.norbsa02.freeuk.com

F2 Motorcycles’ lovely Jawa Retro and Swift sidecar is a real nod to the past, and if there’s a better machine for that Boxing Day run, I’ve yet to see it. The lot is available from £6195, and I’m sure David could build one in the muted colours of a pre-Coke Santa! Contact details are F2 Motorcycles Ltd, 290 Leverington Common, Wisbech, Cambs PE13 5JG (01945 410165). Opening hours are 2pm to 5pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays.

An appraisal of the Jawa will follow next month.

IT’S MY BIKE 47

December 2014

My BSA Starfire is for keeps Pete Kelly revisits Mark Ward at Clay Cross, Derbyshire, to learn about his very first restoration of 16 years ago – a concours-winning BSA Starfire.

W

hen Mark Ward first took home a pile of bits that almost comprised a 250cc BSA Starfire back in 1998, his dad Peter said: “What the dickens have you bought?”

Five years later, after finally managing to find the many missing parts – including a complete clutch assembly – and with the engine expertly built up by lifelong bike enthusiast Peter, the smart two-fifty took the Best Classic award at Stafford.

Recalling how it all began, Mark said: “I was looking through a local free ad paper when I came across an advertisement for the BSA. When I asked dad what it was, he said: “You don’t want one of those!”

Despite this, Mark went to look at it in Nottingham with an uncle and brought it back. Its previous lady owner had stripped it down, so consequently it was in quite a few pieces, and in a terribly rusty condition.

Rummaging about

“Before I bought it, I wasn’t massively interested in bikes,” said Mark, “but I’d been to quite a few bike jumbles with my dad and brother Kevin, and used to laugh at people rummaging about in boxes of rust and scrap.

BELOW: Showing off its clean, sporty lines, Mark Ward’s 250cc BSA Starfire has been restored to perfection.

After getting the BSA and establishing what was there and what wasn’t, I started doing the same thing myself.”

He found a parts manual and a Haynes workshop manual, and started writing down the missing parts and their numbers. Bit by bit things started to come together, but the big breakthrough came,

Mark and his dad Peter show off the Starfire and Mark’s 1954 Norton ES2 outside the Restoration Supplies premises in Clay Cross, Derbyshire.

when, armed with a long list of items he still needed, he visited a Stafford Show and found on one of the stands a box of parts labelled ‘B25’.

“It was full of what looked like new old stock, carefully wrapped in greasy paper,” said Mark, “so I asked the lady in charge what she wanted for the lot. When she said £70, I almost snapped her hand off.”

Everything he needed was there, and at last the project could come together. Mark had the wheels re-chromed and fitted with new spokes, new shock absorbers went on, a new seat was bought, the frame was carefully prepared for repainting and a friend sprayed the tank and side panels in the pleasant metallic blue that Mark preferred over the original red.

Bobby dazzler

Before its previous lady owner stripped it down and lost many parts, SED 852H looked like this.

RIGHT: This was the extent to which rust had eaten into the Starfire before the restoration got under way in the late 1990s.

BELOW: The transformation is almost complete…

With constant references to parts diagrams the rebuild continued.

A new wiring harness was fitted, the mudguards were re-chromed, and the sporty little Beeza started to look a real Bobby dazzler.

Meanwhile, dad had been painstakingly rebuilding the engine. A kick-start quadrant problem was quickly sorted, and with new piston rings, gaskets, bushes, bearings and a painstakingly careful reassembly, it was fitted to the frame.

“One day I was in the house as dad tinkered about in the garage when I heard a sudden roar,” Mark went on. “I legged it into the garage and he had a really big beam on his face. He never told me he was going to fire it up.”

With the bike looking a million dollars, Mark started to show it at a few local events, and it was soon picking up trophies – but taking it to Stafford was a different proposition altogether.

“We’d done many Stafford shows as spectators,” he said, “but this time we had the Starfire

The 250cc BSA engine is a handsome lump, and looks even better with Mark’s metal polishing prowess.

on display. We walked around the show all day long, making frequent checks on the bike, and during one of these, on the Sunday afternoon, there was a card on the seat that read ‘Best Classic Winner, 2003’. That really was the icing on the cake.”

After that, the BSA became a frequent show exhibit, and was judged best postwar bike at the Newark Winter Classic a couple of years ago.

It has also taken part in several track parades at the Festival of 1000 Bikes at Mallory Park, and on one of these occasions, as Mark came off the track, the great Jim Redman said: “Nice bike you’ve got there!”

“Much as I enjoyed the rides, it’s not built for thrashing around a racetrack, and I’ve had broken gaskets and, once, a slight oil leak from the front of the cylinder head.”

His dad rode Mark’s BSA A7, with Mark on the Starfire, when they visited the Centenary TT with the BSA Owners’ Club.

“People sometimes come up and ask how much it’s worth, but I always tell them that to me it’s priceless. If I ever had to sell up, it would be the very last one to go because it’s the pride and joy,” said Mark.

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