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Neews Events THE WAY WE WERE IN
SEPTEMBER 1917
This 700cc parallel twin Velocette was put together many years ago. Colin Peters has managed to rebuild it and complete the cycle parts.
Quarter century not out for Elk Elk Promotions is celebrating 25 years of promoting shows and jumbles around the Romney Marsh area. In recent years, the venue has been settled on a large field just south of the village of Hamstreet. By mid-morning on the most recent occasion (June 25), an impressive area of the grass was covered by lines of visitors’ bikes. Voting slips were given to everyone who was exhibiting in the show, so the results were truly by popular choice. With all the slips returned, counting began and by early afternoon the coveted rosettes started to appear on the chosen. Best 1950s bike went to Vince Gill, who was enjoying the result of a four-year restoration of a Norton ES2. Competition in the 70s class saw history repeat itself as old showroom rivals BSA and Norton went head to head once more, Lightning versus Commando. Both had much to commend them, but Small Heath got the
verdict, thanks to Dave Harding’s Lightning. Colin Peters had a recently completed Velocette parallel twin. The origin of the engine is unclear, but the bought parts were all 1940s and 50s components, so presumably that was when it was done. The result linked two KSS engines side by side and historical research is continuing. Colin decided to complete the job by installing the engine in an MAC frame. It was no surprise that ‘Best Club Stand’ went to the BSA Bantam Club. The organisation successfully promotes interest in BSA’s lightweight, in its many forms, with quite a few examples surrounding the club’s gazebo. Another enjoyable day notched up: the opportunity to secure a bargain, and a location among some great biking roads. It’s a tried and tested formula, good for 25 years so far and certainly still counting. Alan Turner
Following a single-page article published on August 28, featuring Campion and Douglas sidecar outfits fuelled by coal gas, The Motor Cycle staff had studied the practicalities with a Zenith V-twin outfit and the featured Campion. The JAP V-twin-Campion outfit had a 50 cubic foot gas envelope, bearing the legend ‘Campion Coal Gas Motors,’ mounted on framework above a standard Campion 5cwt sidecar chassis. Although some users fixed the gas envelope directly to the chassis, locating it well above allowed the outfit to still carry passengers or commercial goods.
1942
Via the pages of The Motor Cycle, Archie Cooks of Cheltenham had asked as to the existence of a Cykelaid. Reader Private RF Currie*, serving in the Middle East Forces, responded thus. “Mr David Partridge of Tolladine Road, Worcester, has an example in full running order.” He added: “I hope this information is correct as I’ve been out of Blighty
1967
Six times world champion and former Honda team captain Jim Redman had been racing a 250cc air-cooled, twin-cylinder two-stroke
A tap to the bottom of the envelope released gas into a rubber tube linked to the carburettor. Approaches here differed, with some venting gas through a drilling into the carburettor body or via the air intake. Either way, the air slide was always positioned fully open or removed, leaving the remaining slide to control the engine. Leakage from the gas envelope was minimal, although it was advisable (!) not to smoke nearby. A fully charged envelope, from a household supply, proved sufficient for 15 miles of motorcycling with the Campion outfit.
for some time. I believe the nameplate on David Partridge’s Cylaid states it was made by The Sheppee Co of York.**” * Private RF Currie was Bob Currie, later Midlands editor of The Motor Cycle, who wrote the ‘Past Times’ column and founded The Classic MotorCycle ** Bob would much later write the plate stated The Sheppee Motor Co.
Yamaha in South Africa, with wins at the Swartkops circuit, Johannesburg. He was currently importing Yamahas into South Africa.
1992
Dave Harding’s award-winning BSA Lightning was one of the last pre-oil-in-frame models.
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THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | SEPTEMBER 2017
Stunning times were recorded at the inaugural Lyme Sprint (Cheshire) run by the Manchester and High Peak district of the VMCC on September 20. A total of 95 motorcycles posted times on the strip set out on one of the estate’s private roads. Jim Poole (1969 Norton
Commando) clocked FTD of 8.85 seconds. Of the many class victors, John McMahon (Triumph) took the 501750cc class and Henry Body (1929 600cc Douglas) made the journey from Somerset to win the Douglas trophy. Richard Rosenthal.