The Classic Motorcycle - November 2019 - Preview

LOTS OF F FUN AT THE FAITHFUL WES ST KENT RUN SERVANT A cllassical congregation

Original owner Dot

NOVEMBER 2019

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Number 11, November 2019 £4.30 UK Off-sale date 01/11/2019

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Tiger Cubs

PLUS  RON LANGSTON INTERVIEW  BY ARIEL TO HOLLAND THE 1919 MOTORCYCLE SHOW  UNUSUAL CYKELAID SCOOTER TRIUMPH TWIN REBUILD  COACH PAINTING  NORTON ES2 RESTORATION GUIDE

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What’s your favourite motorcycle of all time? And by what criteria would you judge or base it? Would you go for something that you’re sentimentally attached to – or something you’ve always aspired to and never attained? A dream machine or a dream realised?

As usual in such instances, I think of people I know. We were talking last weekend of a guy, Brian (who taught my brother at engineering college 20-plus years ago), who has had his same Venom since circa 1960 and which he still uses, though it’s now fitted with an electric start, in deference to his advancing years.

He’s tried different, lighter, lower, smaller machines, but, actually, it’s the Venom he feels most comfortable on. As a friend pointed out: “He can practically ride it with his eyes shut.” But is it his dream machine? Well, to have had it nigh on 60 years, then he must rate it pretty highly!

Others commission people to build the machine of their dreams, while others still will build it themselves – I’m thinking of Chelsea who we’ve featured of late (see our November 2018 and June 2019 issues) with her Rickman Metisse Triumph; it’s literally her dream machine, and will always be her favourite.

Me? I don’t really know what my favourite of all time is. The Rex-Acme I’d wanted since I was a boy and was lucky enough to acquire over a decade ago comes close, but – say it quietly – I actually like riding my scruffy Longstroke Sunbeam more, while the bike I’ve always wanted was the ex-Bob Lowe Model 90 Bullnose, so that might get close to being my favourite. But then there’s my dad’s 1928 ohv AJS, an unashamed mongrel of a motorcycle acquired by father for £5 in 1968 or so, which will always hold a special place in my affections.

Thouggh then I go aggaiinstt type and d, as lastt Sund day, take something different for a day out. So after 120 miles on the 1967 D10 Sports (pictured), by the time I’d got home, I’d pretty much decided that everyt ything t else could go and I’m just going to ride Bantams forever. In fact, my enthusiasm is such that several of the others in our office – a mixed cross-section of motorcyclists – have all said: “Well, I’d quite like a Bantam too,” so now we’re on the lookout for a job lot of Bantams! Will they become anyone’s favourite of all time? Well, you never know.

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JAMES ROBINSON Editor

Regular contributors

Tim Britton, Rachael Clegg, Jonathan Hill, Roy Poynting, Richard Rosenthal, Martin Squires, Jerry Thurston, Alan Turner, Phil Turner, Andy Westlake, Steve Wilson.

THE CLASSIC MOTOR CYCLE (USPS:710-470) is published monthly by Mortons Media Group Ltd., PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6LZ UK . USA subscriptions are $63 per year from Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. Periodical Postage is paid at Bancroft, WI and additional entries. Postmaster: Send address changes to THE CLASSIC MOTOR CYCLE, c/o Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. 715-572-4595 chris@classicbikebooks.com

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CONTENTS ISSUE | NOVEMBER 2019 Archive photograph .......................................... 6 News ................................................................... 8 West Kent Run ................................................ 16 Letters ............................................................. 20 Subscribe and save ........................................ 24 MV Agusta 350S ............................................. 26 Ariel Rally in Holland .................................... 34 Cykelaid scooter..............................................41 Triumph Tiger Cubs....................................... 46 DOT Demon trials.......................................... 54 Paton racers .................................................... 60 Closer look – 1919 Olympia Show ................. 66 Ron Langston interview ................................ 72 Men who mattered – Tyrell Smith ................ 74 Triumph unit rebuild..................................... 76 Roy Poynting column .................................... 80 Jerry Thurston column................................... 82 Sketchbook Travels ........................................ 84 You Were Asking............................................. 86

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Restoration guide – prewar Norton ES2....... 90 Technical feature – Coach painting ............. 92 Next month .................................................. 109 Diary..............................................................110 Classic camera.............................................. 114

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Atouring Triumph Intrepid motorcycle tourist Ida Crow and two companions take a European jaunt on their TR5 Trophies.

Words: ADAM REAR Photographs: MOTONS MEDIA ARCHIVE

A

t first glance, the photograph asks more questions than it answers, with a particularly intriguing scene taking place. In the foreground, a 1951 Triumph TR5 Trophy can be seen fitted with some rather dusty and thoroughly used luggage.

The TR5 was based on the Speed Twin, offering riders a trials machine that was designed with road use in mind – it featured a high level two into one exhaust system, allied with good manners on the road. Its name (Trophy) derived from the three ‘specials’ that Triumph built for the Italian International Six Day Trial in 1948, which went on to win three gold medals and the manufacturers team trophy. Marlon Brando’s 6T Triumph Thunderbird in ‘The Wild One’ inspired none other than James Dean, the young man who epitomised the stylish rider look, to purchase a Triumph TR5. The bikes also featured prominently in American ‘Class C’ racing until 1969, with the American export models showcasing some components from the Tiger 100 to make it more suited for the tricky desert terrain, an addition which would have proved useful for the riders in the image.

The photo shows Ida Crow and her friend Pam (with her other friend Phyl taking the photo) at a stopping point, chatting with locals on the road to Sibenik in thenYugoslavia, what is now Croatia. They rode their TR5s through France, Germany and Yugoslavia on their three week adventure.

The latter destination featured a less smooth ride surface for our three adventuring ladies than the comparatively easy riding roads of France and Germany. Ida Crow excellently documented her trip in a superbly written account in 1955, titled ‘Never a dull moment’.

Ida provided readers with fascinating imagery on various parts of their journey, detailing interesting encounters with the locals, a vibrant description of the landscape and a look into how the Triumph Trophy TR5s performed in the various environments they were thrown into.

A perfect example of this comes from the

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THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | NOVEMBER 2019

rapid change in road surface Ida and her TR5 faced when travelling from Ljubljana, now Slovenia, to Rijeka, now Croatia, both of which were part of Yugoslavia at the time: “Up till then the roads had been fairly good, but they deteriorated considerably; the winding track was surfaced with stones of all shapes and sizes. On one side, small pines and scrubby plants forced their way up from the arid grey earth; and on the other side the waves lapped invitingly against the rocky shore.

“Swimming was a welcome diversion from the dusty buffering of the road. In one cove, small, reddish sea-urchins clung thickly to the rocks; I had the misfortune to

tread on one of these living pin cushions!”

The 1951 TR5 Trophy, as the model shown is, featured a new die-cast aluminium alloy close pitch finned cylinder rounded barrel, replacing the previous square generatorderived barrel, which now featured pressed in cast iron liners and bosses for the cylinder head fixing bolts. In addition, and interestingly, a race kit was offered for the TR5 engine which raised the power to 42bhp, putting it on par with the old Grand Prix, a ‘ready to race’ 500cc twin, and marking the TR5 as a true all-rounder. The 1951 TR5 also featured an updated exhaust system, with curved exhaust pipes to accommodate the splayed port cylinder head.

Classic archive

The photo captures the moment scene of Ida and Pam attempting to gather directions from a group of locals. Although there was a clear language barrier, their use of sign language helped them determine where Sibenik was. Ida brilliantly highlights their previous naivety in Yugoslavia when attempting to order food: “Earlier, our phrase book had let us down on the only occasion we had used it: we had wanted some jam one breakfast time; the waitress had looked puzzled and finally brought us apple tart! After that we resorted to mainly German, which seemed to be understood even in the most remote parts of the country.”

Coined by Ida herself, ‘Never a dull moment’ lived up to its name and thoroughly showcased the highs and lows of their three week motorcycle adventure. From the relaxing time spent in Split, to the less fortunate period of illness the trio faced while travelling. A particular favourite moment from the delightfully written account depicts the bright and vivid imagery found in the city of Sarajevo: “As we approached Sarajevo the Turkish influence was apparent. The city is a mixture of ancient and modern, with newly built blocks of flats standing side by side with mosques. The most interesting part is the old town, where we watched the tinkers

fashioning copper trays and saw typical Turkish coffee beakers, with long handles, in which strong, syrupy black coffee is served.”

This photograph perfectly encapsulates the overall exciting and eventful nature of the three ladies on their lengthy adventure in Yugoslavia. It also captures a (rather dusty) classic Triumph machine battling the rough terrain thrown at it.

Adding to the interest of the photograph, a check on the DVLA database shows that the Triumph Trophy, with the registration plate WML 963 and registered in June 1951, is still taxed and presumably in use. If you happen to be the lucky owner of this marvellous End motorcycle, do let us know.

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | NOVEMBER 2019

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Neews Events

New ws&Events

Dunlop’s rare racer at Stafford A beautiful restored Kreidler, owned and raced by Robert Dunlop, is set to be one of the highlights at the upcoming Classic Motorcycle Mechanics show.

The German-built 50cc bike will be proudly displayed alongside thousands of fascinating machines at the event at Staffordshire County Showground from October 19-20.

The Kreidler currently glistens in a striking and beautiful maroon, the colour it was when the late five-time TT winner purchased it. Before racing it, Robert painted the bike green, but it was later restored to its original maroon.

As well as the special Kreidler 50cc, the showground will also be home to excellent club stands, exciting live action including the wall of death, the Bonhams autumn sale (see separate story), classic competition machines and guests from classic eras of motorcycling.

Throughout the weekend, the

event will feature more than 900 traders, dealers and autojumble stands offering a wealth of parts and spares for every project.

This year’s guests of honour are 10-time world sidecar champion Steve Webster, plus the creative engineer and special builder Allen Millyard,

who will both be interviewed by compere Steve Plater.

The 26th Carole Nash International Classic Motorcycle Show takes place on October 19-20. To find out more about the show and for advance tickets visit staffordclassicbikeshows.com

Stafford auction proves timelyy Stand-out lots at October’s Stafford auction look to be projects, with a 680 Brough Superior – sporting some unusual tank-top art – top of the bill.

While a ‘timely’ late addition from one of racing’s icons will

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also cause huge interest at the Bonhams event over the weekend of October 19-20.

Of the machines, a 1949 Series C HRD-badged, Girdraulic fork sporting Vincent Rapide will prompt plenty of interest, while

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | NOVEMBER 2019

two Nortons – a flat-tank Model 18 and an early, bolt-up frame Featherbed frame Manx – will also be much admired and desired. A 1907 V-twin Norton will also be fascinating to study and hold much appeal.

An Ascot-Pullin – another project – appeals, while two 500cc vintage European machines, a 1928 Neander (from Germany) and a 1926 Moto Guzzi (pictured left) look droolworthy as well.

Just as TCM was going to press, it was revealed a special engraved watch, presented to Mike Hailwood by Jack Heuer in 1973, and likely to have been partly in thanks for his role in pulling Clay Regazzoni from his

burning Formula 1 car, would be in the auction. A similar 18K gold Carrera 1158 timepiece sold for around £87,000.

There’s plenty more on offer too (MV 750S anyone?) so have a look at www.bonhams.com or 0207 4477447.

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Neews Events

Win tickets to Motorcycle Live!

That annual feast of everything on two wheels – Motorcycle Live – gets underway soon, and we’ve got tickets which must be won.

The show, at Birmingham’s NEC from November 16-24 offers a huge spectrum of twowheel based entertainment.

There will be the latest new bikes, a classic display (which will include the Royal Ruby we featured last month), 10 free opportunities to ride, non-stop live entertainment, while tickets also give visitors access to see the spectacular live stunt show in the Moto-Cirque Arena.

Advanced tickets are on sale, and motorcycles can park for free. If you order 10 or more adult or senior tickets you can get a 10% discount*.

This year, the show is encouraging riders to bring a non-riding mate – so much so, Motorcycle Live is offering a limited number of free tickets to the show for non-motorcyclists on Thursday, November 21**.

Terms and conditions apply.

For more information, call 0844 581 2345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk *terms and conditions apply.

Call 0800 358 0058 for details.

1000 complimentary tickets are available on a first-comefirst-served basis **One complimentary ticket will be issued per nonmotorcyclist over the age of 16 who is accompanied by a motorcyclist who has purchased a full-price ticket.

When exotic fuels made horses Santa Pod looked back once more with a truly impressive cavalcade of bikes for the annual Dragstalgia earlier this summer.

A decade before the Dragfests brought the sport to this country, George Brown had rescued a written off Vincent to build his ‘Nero’ special.

Successful in sprints and hill climbs, Chris Illman had the bike on loan from the National Motorcycle Museum for the occasion.

Taking a lead from American racers, two engines are obviously better than one. John Hobbs had announced that so-equipped The Hobbit, a perennial crowd favourite, was to be retired after

the meeting. Unfortunately, on the Saturday, the bike sustained cam follower damage to one of its Weslake engines.

Hobbs’ weekend drama was still not over. The following day Olympus, the recreation of his single-engined bike, deposited its jockey on the tarmac and almost collected Chris Illman on Nero in the other lane.

With more gems from straightline history on static display in a marquee, there was so much to savour. It may be 44 years since The Hobbit first appeared, but that final run was still a magnificent 8.43 with a 161mph terminal speed!

Alan Turner.

Nero, George Brown’s 1953 creation. The fairing is starting to show its age, but the team thought it looked more interesting ‘naked’ anyway!

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THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | NOVEMBER 2019

Offer can be redeemed on Thursday, November 21 only.

No cash alternative offered. The free ticket allocation is at the full discretion of show organisers.

In addition, here at TCM we have a pair of tickets to give away too. To stand a chance of winning send your name, address, email and telephone number, by November 6, to TCM Motorcycle Live Competition, Mortons Media

Group, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs. LN9 6JR or enter online at www.classicmotorcycle.co.uk Terms and conditions apply.

The winner will be the first name drawn at random. There are no cash alternatives available.

To view the privacy policy for Mortons Media Group (publisher of TCM) please visit: www.mortonsmediagroup.com/ privacy

Robin Rhind-Tutt 1941-2019 Off-road sport lost one its great innovators when ‘Robbie’ Rhind-Tutt, the man whose Wasp three wheelers monopolised the sidecar motocross world during the 1970s, died on September 12.

After leaving school in 1956, Robbie was an apprentice at the Boscombe Down experimental site and it was here he got his first taste of motorcycle sport through a workmate, future grass track champion Mike Lane.

Mike encouraged Robbie to have a go and although it was obvious he wasn’t going to be a star, his immaculately turned out first machine – home built around a Gold Star frame – soon had fellow competitors asking for replicas.

The first motocross sidecar appeared in the mid-1960s along with the name of Wasp on the petrol tank, this attributed to George Sawyer, by then selling Robbie’s superbly finished frames through his motorcycle shop.

Robbie stopped working at Boscombe Down in 1968 to become a full time manufacturer, initially working on his own and then the following year joined by sidecar

motocross ace Mike Guilford.

Sidecar-cross was becoming popular and, with orders increasing, in 1971 Wasp moved to a bigger premises at South Newton. During the next decade, virtually everyone in the sport was mounted on one of Robbie’s creations and he even found time to have his own 1000cc engine manufactured. A total of around 50 of the twins were built, one of which powered George Greenland to five British enduro championship wins.

Robbie may not have sought personal fame, but the bikes he created are a lasting legacy to his vision, skill and enthusiasm for motorcycling.

Andy Westlake.

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Neews Events NEWS IN BRIEF  DUCATI CONRODS

Lacey Ducati has expanded its range of conrod kits available for Ducati bevel singles to include the Spanish manufactured Samarin kits. These kits provide a quality product at a more affordable price than those currently available.

Marketing of these new kits is being directed towards the road market and they are of equivalent or better quality than the OEM Ducati kits which are no longer available. Currently, the kits are available for Spanish and Italian singles 125/160cc, 175/200cc narrow case, 250/350cc wide case (30mm pin) and Mototrans (Spanish) 250cc narrow case.

All these kits are available from stock and are a direct replacement for the originals, with no modifications necessary. Prices range from £220-270 plus VAT.

RICKMAN OFFROADER

On display at Sammy Miller’s Museum, is this rare 125cc two-stroke. It was manufactured in 1975 in New Milton at the Queensway Estate, only one mile from the museum, by the Rickman brothers Don and Derek.

This model used a Zundapp engine. With only 12 miles from new, Ken Bridges bought it brand new and kept it safe for 38 years.

Ken’s widow Mary sold the bike to the museum trust and it can be seen on display in the ground floor racing hall of the museum.

Morgan racing at Brands Surprisingly, after 85 years in existence, this year, on August 24, marked the Vintage Sports Car Club’s first visit to Brands Hatch. The fourwheelers of all ages, marques and capacities were joined by six Morgan three-wheelers, all at least 90 years old, but patently wearing well.

While not troubling the leaders, they had their own race within a race in the open events. The later handicap races redressed the balance. In the first, James Edwards took the flag in a 1929 1100cc Aero, but he was sharing the drive with Angus Frost, who was out in the next race. In spite of the hurried change-over Angus added a fourth to the day’s tally.

Alan Turner.

Angus Frost shared this 1929 1100cc Super Aero with James Edwards.

Time to win a Triump ph

There’s another stunning first prize in the National Motorycle Museum’s summer 2019 raffle – in the form of another brand new, old stock machine.

This time it’s a 1977 Triumph Trident T160V which has never been run or registered and is showing just nine ‘push’ miles only.

Second prize is a Sealey Retro Style 10-drawer combination

tool chest, with third prizze a hotel break and dinner fo or two at the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse in the Manor Hotel, Meriden.

The draw will take place on Saturday, Octob ber 26 at the NMM’s Museum m Live event.

Tickets cost £2 each an nd can be obtained from 01675 444123 or www.thenmm.co.uk

Donut days Once a year (this season on August 18) the Southend & District Motor Cycle Club organises the Donut grass track at Latchingdon in Essex, referencing the modest oval course and the bonus packets of doughnuts for award winners. The short track is a great leveller, when a good start and racecraft can make up any horsepower deficit.

There are classes for modern bikes as well as youth riders, but older machinery makes up a substantial part of the entry.

First race was for JAP-engined bikes only and Brad Davis on a Hagon-JAP soon had the race under control. He did similar with his remaining outings in

Tim Neal on his older upright Weslake proved very competitive when he was in among the modern bikes.

the Pre-75 350cc class.

BSA’s C15 is often overlooked as a sporting machine, but it could make a very competitive grass bike and no fewer than four of them did battle at Latchingdon with Chris White taking four wins to clinch the 250cc class.

The 350cc classics saw Chris Mackett (Lucky-JAP) trying to

find a way to the front, enabling Brad Davis to take the first leg, but Chris took the following three, with Brian Cornelius (JAP) never far away. One rarity was Robert Barnard’s Ansel Cole-JAP, a rare survivor of efforts to continue keeping the Tottenham single competitive.

Unfortunately, the 500s suffered some attrition. Phil Kynman (Jawa) took two wins, but Brian Cornelius scored more consistently on his JAP to win the class, with fellow JAP campaigner Giles Dismore taking third.

Immediately following the slickly-run 51-race programme, the awards presentation saw plenty of smiling, carbohydrateladen riders.

Alan Turner.

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THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | NOVEMBER 2019

THE WAY WE WERE IN

NOVEMBER 1919

Since the Edwardian days, a handful of engineers had conceived large capacity two-stroke motorcycle engines, though most were stillborn. But Messrs Dunford & Elliott (Sheffield) Ltd – Sheffield steel founders – had developed a 499cc single cylinder, two-stroke engine for an all-new motorcycle, planned to be on display at the Olympia Show.

Drawing on their experience of metallurgy, plus wartime improvements for cooling engines, the maker’s experimental department – 96 Bath Street, Birmingham – was now ready to unveil the firm’s first motorcycle.

Branded the Dunelt, at first it looked conventional, with girder front fork, three-speed countershaft gearbox, clutch and magneto, but then one noticed the unconventional engine design.

Although of quoted bore a stroke of 85 x 88mm to give 499cc, the single’s piston was truncated, to give a trunk displacement of 770cc.

Thus, the engine drew in fuel vapour as if a 770cc single cylinder unit, which on the upward stroke was squeezed into the piston working displacement of 499cc.

Dunelt stated this ‘overcharging’ – which some regarded as a form of supercharging – overcame the effect of burnt exhaust gases remaining in the combustion chamber, making the engine robust and efficient. As a result, the company saw its new machine as the Ford Model T of the motorcycle world. In solo trim, it was capable of cruising at 50-plus mph with 60-plus mph on tap, yet it regularly returned over 70mpg, even when ridden hard.

1944 Staff members of The Motor Cycle reported regularly seeing an older gentleman riding an immaculate BSA side-valve model in London.

The man, who had owned the BSA since new, stopped at bombs sites to seek out stray and displaced cats, which he feeds.

1969 The entire solo entry, bar one, of the Birmingham Club’s British Experts’ Trial, including Sammy Miller (252cc Bultaco), Gordon Farley (250cc Montesa), Rob Edwards (170cc Cotton) and Benny Crawford (250cc Bultaco), were disqualified

for arriving at sections after their official closing time.

The only non-exclusion was Irish rider John Harrison (250cc Bultaco) who, despite losing 100 marks, was declared victorious by clerk of the course Olga Kevelos and her officials.

1994 Workmen clearing the cellars of the former Phelon & Moore factory at Cleckheaton unearthed a huge cache of new old stock spares for veteran and vintage P&Ms. Footnote: A pair of early vintage P&M NOS fork legs

from this cache were used to successfully repair the front fork of your scribe’s 1911 499cc Premier’s short leading link front fork – and another two sets lurk on a workshop shelf ‘just in case!’

Richard Rosenthal.

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | NOVEMBER 2019

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Neews Events

Book Review

A-Z of Italian Motorcycle Manufacturers Author: Greg Pullen Publisher: The Crowood Press Ltd, Ramsbury, Marlborough Wiltshire SN82H E-mail: enquiries@crowood.com www.crowood.com Tel.: 016725232 Hardback, 220 x 285mm (portrait); 175 pages with over 200 photographs and illustrations.

ISBN 978-1-78500-487-2 £35 (UK), $54.95 (US), $65.95 (Canada) Italian motorcycles have a place in history – and in many enthusiasts’ hearts – out of all proportion to the number that have been built. From Moto Guzzi becoming the first non-British marque to win a TT through to Ducati’s achievements in MotoGP, they have also been at the forefront of motorcycle sport, despite being far smaller than at first the British and later the Japanese manufacturers.

If the number of motorcycles built by Italian manufacturers is small, I was surprised to read of the sheer number of Italian motorcycle factories that had existed, past and present. Almost 600 marques were identified in researching this book, and there may have been thousands. Post Second World War, Italy’s demand for cheap transport far exceeded the supply, so new manufacturers (or assemblers), found it easy to set up shop, with so many engines available off the shelf – many of them English – as well as a thriving accessory and component industry. Other manufacturers turn to motorcycle production out of the simple need to protect jobs and wealth creation when the Allies forbade them to continue building military equipment.

Chief among these were former aircraft manufacturers Aermacchi, (MV) Agusta and Piaggio, along with submarine builder Rumi.

A-Z of Italian Motorcycle Manufacturers only deals

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briefly with the grand marques, Ducati and Moto Guzzi, because there have been many dedicated books about them.

Instead, this is the definitive guide to the factories that have been less widely covered or, in most cases, never before in the English language.

Some, such as Bianchi and Garelli, might be familiar, others, remembered for their racing achievements. Aprilia, you may be surprised to learn, as well as achieving many motocross championships became (in 2010), the most successful motorcycle factory in racing history, surpassing fellow Italians MV Agusta with a record 276 grand prix victories. Morbidelli will also be remembered for its fabulous V-eight road machine, and was believed to be working on an updated V12 version!

Where it was possible to establish when and where the factories were active, and at least a little about the motorcycles they built, then there is an entry for them.

An appendix lists the other manufacturers that are less known, making this the most comprehensive reference book of Italian motorcycles available today.

This book is a complete guide to Italian motorcycle manufacturers, and an essential reference for anyone with an interest in these fascinating machines.

Book reviewed by Jonathan Hill.

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | NOVEMBER 2019

Perce Simon reunion 2019 Monday, September 2, saw 150 former mud-pluggers gather at Ibsley village hall for the annual Perce Simon Trial reunion.

Gleaming in the early autumn sunshine was a superb collection of off road bikes from the 1960s, while inside enjoying tea and cake was a line-up which read like a ‘who’s who’ of feet up stars from the golden era. Derek Rickman, George Greenland, Bryan Sharp, Bill Faulkner and Greeves stalwart Mike Jackson, along with several top lady riders including Penny Page and Jill Savage, all exchanged memories from what is regarded as one of the UK’s Master of ceremonies Mike best national trials.

Jackson enjoyed some banter Initiated by the late John with the huge assembly and Jackson and Gwen White in 1994, the reunion attracts former after lunch Penny Page led a walk around tour of the sections stars from far and wide, with formerly used – all reported as former Cotton works rider and ‘going clean’ and none having to British sidecar champion Colin put down for a ‘five.’

Dommett picking up the award Andy Westlake. for farthest travelled to the event.

Tiernan calendar It’s time for the Andy Tiernan Classics Calendar once again.

Mike Harbar (classiclinesartist.com) is the artist once more and has completed six original pieces for the 2020 edition. Proceeds go to the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Unfortunately postage prices for overseas has gone up: United Kingdom – one calendar including second class postage is £10.

Calendar 2020

European Union – calendar including European postage is £15.

Rest of the World – calendar including Overseas postage is £17.

Further details can be found at: www.andybuysbikes.com/ Calendars.

TCX Lady Blend WP in brown These vintage look lace-up ankle boots have a casual style and are made with full grain leather which is waterproof. The ankle, toe and heel has reinforcement and there’s a leather shift pad.

They have an anatomic footbed and the rubber sole is high wearresistant. They were comfortable straight away and I have not had to bed these in whatsoever, though I did notice the laces can start to undo after a bit of travelling, so make sure they are double knotted so they don’t get caught on the foot peg or anywhere.

They cost £164.99 and stockist details are available from www.nevis.uk.com Sarah Drury.

Kevin Wilkinson threads the roads towards the lunch stop on his 1930 750cc Indian Scout.

Ian Ager and his BSA outfit. Another project bought in a very poor state, restoration became a test of staying power.

A priory appointment

The International West Kent Run has found a permanent home at The Friars, Aylesford. This year was as well supported as ever.

Words and photographs: ALAN TURNER

Lunch done with, it’s time for Malcolm Folwell (50, 1936 BSA Empire Star) and Terry Soan on a later ohv BSA single to take to the road once more.

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THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | NOVEMBER 2019

I

t may be months before the International West Kent Run, but every year, January is but a couple of days old before the eponymous Vintage MCC section has received a full quota of entries. Miss it, and there’s a slim second chance with a waiting list for places should someone later withdraw an entry.

This year, the mix of entrants at the event over August 1-5, was much as before, with around 60 riders from overseas and half of that number from the Netherlands. The programme listed some 70 pre-Second World War motorcycles. New friendships or renewing old ones is all part of the strong social element to the run and this contagious spirit pervades the long weekend. For many attendees, it’s an event that’s a highlight of the year.

This was the 35th West Kent, and also marked the 15th year that the event has been based at Aylesford. The buildings forming the village centre have changed little in hundreds of years, forming a narrow main street with the equally ancient village church at the top of the hill. The West Kent adds a few more to the countless travellers that have passed this way. The Friars, the priory on which the run is centred, is just on the outskirts of Aylesford. A few take advantage of the limited number of rooms available at the facility, but most will be found on the generous field provided for

Stephen Best looks to be having a relaxing time on his 998cc 1928 Coventry Eagle Flying 8 V-twin.

ENJOYED THIS PREVIEW? THE BEST ACTION IN TRIALS AND MOTOCROSS

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#48

ISSUE

Forty-eight Autumn 2018

OCTOBER 2018

No. 330 October 2018 £4.30 UK Off-sale date 31/10/2018

MOTO MEMORIES // TECH TALK // MONTESA COTA 200 // BULTACO MATADOR

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HOW THE LEGEEND BEGAN

SUPERMAC’S TRIUMPH DRAYTON

PRINTED IN THE UK

PLUS MOTO MEMORIES TECH TALK MONTESA COTA 200 BULTACO MATADOR AN HOUR WITH: GERRIT WOLSINK

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R 2018 ISSUE 174 OCTOBER

N48 2018 US$15.99 Aus$14.99 NZ$18.99 UK£5.50 UK Off-sale date 15/11/18

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