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De Dion trike race re-creation BSA Empire Star A truly bizarre Mercier caterpillar motorcycle!

FEBRUARY 2018

CIRCULATES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

Desert

storm AMC’S OFFROAD JOY OF BADGE ENGINEERING NORTON/ MATCHLESS HYBRID SUCCESS

Black Lightnings

Repatriated patriated from Poland p AMAZING VINCENT STORY

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What’s in a name? I was thinking that when reading about the Norton P11 in this issue (p20), which sports a Matchless badged petrol tank, but as it was a parts bin special when made in its day – Matchless frame, Norton engine and forks – then really either name could be employed. Bryan, owner of this one, happens to prefer Matchless and thus it has the winged M on the petrol tank (we know he’s not prejudiced though as his Norton featured in our December 2017 issue). The Motobi as featured in this issue too (p40) was another marque which later was subjected to badge engineering, with some examples sporting Motobi badges, and others Benelli, in the later days of the flat-singles. Then we’ve a Vincent here too; Vincent (the man, Phillip Conrad Vincent, aka PCV) of course decided to buy a name rather than use his own when he set up his motorcycle making business in the late-1920s, choosing the ‘HRD’ moniker made famous by founder of that company Howard Davies, who took the acronym from his own initials. Then just over 20 years later, PCV abandoned the HRD branding, supposedly as it was causing confusion in America (HRD, H-D, Harley-Davidson) and went to Vincent. What other ones come to mind? Matchless and AJS was the most famous, though AMC was also responsible for the James/Francis-Barnett tie-up too. Exporting to another market and rebranding was another option. Again, Vincent was there, with a prospective tie-up with Indian, a name that was also variously applied to Royal Enfields, ostensibly Italjets (with Royal Enfield or Velocette engines) while there was an even more bizarre badge-engineering tie-up, where Matchless badges were put on the 150cc James, with AMC two-stroke engine, while a 700cc Royal Enfield, badged as an Indian, appears in the same literature too alongside Matchless Apache and Trailblazer. So, it seems Bryan’s choice to sport a Matchless badge on his machine is following a long line! There were other people up to naming oddities, with things rebranded for different markets, for example, and it all adds to the interest and contributes to making the history we’re interested in so rich and varied.

PAGE 18

JAMES ROBINSON Editor

32 Contributors Tim Britton, Rachael Clegg, Jonathan Hill, Roy Poynting, Richard Rosenthal, Martin Squires, Jerry Thurston, Phillip Tooth, Alan Turner, Phil Turner, 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

CONTENTS ISSUE | FEBRUARY 2018 Archive photograph .......................................... 6 News ................................................................... 8 NEC motorcycle show.................................... 12 Letters ............................................................. 14 Subscribe and save ........................................ 18 Norton P11 ...................................................... 20 Mercier caterpillar ......................................... 27 Travel by Ariel................................................. 32 Aermacchi Ala Verde ..................................... 40 BSA Empire Star ............................................. 46 Vic Vaughan profile........................................ 52 De Dion race ................................................... 58 Vincent Black Lightning ................................ 60 Closer look – 1967 motorcycle show ............. 66 Dave Fiddaman interview............................. 72 Men who mattered – Ben Bickell .................. 74 Triumph twin project..................................... 76 Roy Poynting column .................................... 80 Jerry Thurston column................................... 82 Sketchbook travels ......................................... 83 You were asking.............................................. 86

Restoration guide – Motobi motorcycles ..... 90 Technical feature – Early electrics................ 92 Classic components – Amal track carbs ...... 98 Diary..............................................................110 Next month ...................................................112 Classic camera.............................................. 114

POST: The Classic MotorCycle, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6LZ EMAIL: jrobinson@mortons.co.uk

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» Every issue willwill be be sent hothot offoff thethe press andand delivered straight to your house » Every issue sent press delivered straight to your house » You’ll never miss an an action-packed issue or supplement again » You’ll never miss action-packed issue or supplement again THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | FEBRUARY 2018

Coventry wins football final Yorkshire was the setting for this eagerly anticipated showpiece 1927 event.

here were 7000 people at Headingly stadium, Leeds, on March 19, 1927, to watch Coventry and Middlesbrough teams go head-to-head, in a replay of the abandoned (owing to poor weather) ACU Motor Cycle Football Cup Final. The two sides were regarded as the best in the land, with both coming into the final event unbeaten; Coventry had been three up (to nil) in the first game, though in mitigation, the Teessiders had a howling gale blowing directly into their faces that day, so not much store was placed with what had gone before. Perhaps it should have been. From the off, Coventry attacked with vim and vigour, led by caption Jack Montgomery,

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | FEBRUARY 2018

boss of the Coventry-firm of the same name, and of course mounted on one of his firm’s products; a bespoke mount, which used a 350cc ohv JAP engine in a low, lightweight frame, normally used for the 300cc sv model in the range, suitably strengthened for the task in hand. Jack was joined in the team by five accomplices: S Jackson and D Brandish were on 350cc ohv Ajays, RG Elliot a 344cc Grindlay-Peerless (with an ohv JAP engine, one assumes), L Parsons with a 246cc New Imperial (also JAP-powered), and Len Crisp, on a 349cc Humber. It’s Crisp at the centre of our picture, with Parson to the left of shot. Originally, a published caption being of S Jackson, the fork doesn’t look to be AJS/Druid type, while in another picture published with

the event report (The Motor Cycle, March 24, 1927) two riders are clearly on AJSs, complete with AJS-type forks. A process of elimination – and by looking at other pictures – means the man central in our image is Crisp. It would make sense he was Crisp, as Len Crisp was an established and experienced trials rider, in the employ of Humber, who was to later to go and work at (The) BSA, where, among other tasks, he was responsible for assembling the BSA Empire Star (though not the engine; that was Jack Arnott) Wal Handley rode when he lapped at more than 100mph and earned a Brooklands Gold Star, which led to a model name we’ve all heard of… Caption of the Middlesbrough team was

Classic aarchive

JF ‘Frank’ Dixon, brother of well-known TT ace and all-round daredevil Freddie Dixon. In fact, Freddie was on hand and took to fettling his brother’s teammates’ motorcycles – and they needed all the help they could get. It was noted in The Motor Cycle how the Coventry machines were ‘spick and span’ and specially adapted and modified, with rear brake levers either side, for example, while the Boro boys bikes were described (A G Smith’s 250cc Velocette apart) as ‘hard-worked hack-buses’. The Middlesbrough men were: Frank Dixon (captain, 250cc Velocette) then P N Blake, J W Collinson, W Creasor and F Creasor (all 348cc AJS; two of them are in the photograph, though it’s impossible to work out which riders) and Smith, on

his little Velo, but whereas the Ajay boys in the Coventry team had ohv jobs, at least a couple of the Middlesbrough machines were less sprightly side-valves. It took 13 minutes (each half was 30 minutes) for Coventry to open the scoring, and they soon added more – by half-time, the score was four-nil. Jackson was tormentor in chief, though he was aided and abetted by his teammates, while Boro were struggling with machine maladies: Blake had to retire from the field, first with a burnt out clutch, then magneto problems, though he returned for the second half – during which Freddie Dixon had the spanners out and had been tuning the Boro bikes. The Coventry team just sat about… Despite Fred’s fettling, it didn’t get better

for Boro. Coventry were rampant, clocking goal after goal, without reply. Double figures were reached, 11 – but then, Boro scored! Alas, there was to be no miracle comeback. The final whistle went, the cup was presented to Montgomery, then the individual players were awarded gold (Coventry) and silver (Middlesbrough) medals by the Lord Mayor of Coventry, and that was that. Final finished. Incidentally, there’s some motorcycle football clips on the fabulous British Pathé website (britishpathe.com), including a lovely three-minute colour film from 1959. From watching that, it looks like 1920s 350cc AJS ‘Big Ports’ were still the most popular choice of machine, 30 End years later.

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | FEBRUARY 2018

New Events News

News&Events

Bristol show momentum gathers apace

Scores of classics (often not seen elsewhere) and abundant early-season enthusiasm are hallmarks of The Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show, which will be held over February 3/4, 2018, at the Royal Bath and West Showground. See classicbikeshows.com for ticket information or call 01507 529529.

Classic offroad fun The two-day Classic Dirt Bike Show, sponsored by Hagon Shocks, takes place over the weekend of February 17/18, 2018, at Telford International Centre. As 2018 marks Hagon Shocks’ 60th anniversary, to celebrate, the show will feature the largest collection of Hagon competition motorcycles ever assembled. Call 01507 529529 now to reserve your place or visit www. classicmagazines.co.uk/cdbsde

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THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | FEBRUARY 2018

Nobby Clark Well known and respected former GP mechanic Derek ‘Nobby’ Clark passed away at the age of 81, on December 16, 2017, following a long battle with cancer. Originally working with fellow Rhodesian Gary Hocking on the MVs, it was Nobby’s relationship with Mike Hailwood for which he was best known. In later years, US-domiciled Clark worked restoring many of the classic machines he’d looked after in period.

Lightning chance

With just four owners from new, a full history and an ex-Australian Land Speed record to boot, the Vincent Black Lightning offered by Bonhams in Las Vegas on January 25, is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. There are several more Vincents in the sale too, plus a Brough Superior V-twin, MV four and various other exotica. Details bonhams.com

Kempton extravaganza Held beneath one of the huge grandstands, the Southern Classic Off Road Show & Jumble brought the season at Kempton Park racecourse in Surrey to a close in December. The long line of jumble stalls at the show offered projects and pre-Christmas bargains, all eagerly pursued by those who took advantage of the ‘early bird’ admission. Clubs and a sprinkling of trade stands filled much of the space, with a fine mix of machines covering just about every discipline. In recent years, American flat-track racing has served as an inspiration for those with a creative streak looking to build something that looks as if it could be competitive ‘over the pond’. At Kempton, the practice received positive encouragement with a specific class sponsored by the Ace Cafe. This year, the award went to Wayne Holtam for his Harley-Davidson Sportster. Among the one-make clubs were showings from Ariel, Cotton, Greeves and DOT. The Hayes and Southall MCC had some of its bikes and a TV explaining motoball to the curious. The club would dearly like to find opponents for its enthusiastic team. The mud-encrusted bikes that were part of the Golden Valley Classic MCC display demonstrated the club’s off-road interests. BRT Racing, the family effort of Neil Brailsford and son Martin, looked as if it could add considerable presence to any race grid. All the bikes are

NEWS IN BRIEF PIONEER RUN 2018 There are few finer spectacles in old motorcycling than the assembled throng on Brighton seafront, as riders finish the Sunbeam MCC’s Pioneer Run. Head for Madeira Drive on March 18.

CLASSIC BIKE GUIDE WINTER CLASSIC

‘Best in show’ Julian Wigg’s flat-track Gold Star special is in the foreground.

Last minute reminder: The Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic takes place at Newark showground on January 6/7. See classicbikeshows.com for more details.

MECUM SALE There’ll be 1750 motorcycles offered at Mecum’s Vegas sale, on January 23-27, at the South Point Hotel and Casino. Details mecum.com

AJW WEBSITE

BRT Racing and an impressive stable of classic machinery.

superbly prepared and BRT’s Ducati TT2 secured a ‘highly commended’, only capped by their Seeley Suzuki, which took second place in the best in show competition. Another large area was given over to entries by individuals. It was easy to spot the best in show, awarded to the flat-track style Gold Star of Julian Wigg. Julian was a former top grasstrack rider and now a Kempton regular. He had assembled the BSA as a tribute to American race legend Dick ‘Bugsy’ Mann.

A special short-stroke 500cc Gold Star engine was installed in a rigid frame with finishing touches sourced from grass and speedway components, or handmade, such as the oil tank and the exhaust that was so neatly tucked in. Reflecting the variety of the show, the awards went from the pencil-slim 50cc Itom of Jaden Darwell to Andrew Proctor’s ‘highly commended’ sidecar cross Yamaha Wasp outfit. Words and photographs: Alan Turner.

Ex-TCM staff writer and current Stafford chief judge Dennis Frost, has launched a website devoted to AJW motorcycles, dedicated to his late friend Roy Wheaton, a distant relative of AJW founder Albert John ‘Jack’ Wheaton. Take a look at ajwmotorcycles.uk

INDIAN’S ENDURING POPULARITY H&H Classics’ final motorcycle auction of 2017 notched up an 80% sale rate, led by an Indian at the National Motorcycle Museum on December 9. The 1941 Scout made £24,437, including premium.

French sale in February to offer some amazing rarities On Saturday, February 10, Artcurial Motorcars will hold a separate sale featuring an important single-owner collection of fascinating motorcycles. Belonging to a French enthusiast who started collecting in the 1960s, the collection comprises nearly 80 pioneer,

veteran and vintage machines. Many of the bikes pre-date the First World War and they offer a fantastic testimony to the early days of the motorcycle. Based in Thiers, the knifemaking capital of France, old motorcycles often found their way to the region to be dismantled so that the metal

could be melted and recycled to make knives. This collector rescued some rare and unusual motorcycles from this fate and displayed many on walls, like paintings. In addition to early French machines, including Perno, Werner, Lamaudiére, Janoir and Majestic, the collection features

well known names, such as Brough Superior and Norton. The entire collection will be offered at no reserve. For more information, contact Artcurial’s motoring department on +33 1 42 99 2073 or visit their website www.artcurial.com/en/ artcurial-motorcars where more information will appear.

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | FEBRUARY 2018

New Events News

NMM Goldie grab

THE WAY WE WERE IN

FEBRUARY 1918

Top prize in the National Motorcycle Museum’s summer raffle, this 1960 BSA DBD34 Gold Star, has been won by Bart Maatje, from the Netherlands. His ticket was drawn during

the NMM’s event on Saturday, November 4. The next raffle is of a brand-new Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster. Tickets are available at www.thenmm.co.uk

Steve Jones (1952-2017) Steve Jones was well known to all on the autojumble circuit as Steve’s Stainless, selling a vast range of stainless steel fasteners from his stall at events all over the UK. His wife Mand and daughter Tam often accompanied him on an adjoining stand. Ever helpful, Steve must have enabled thousands of people to complete restorations and keep their machines on the road. Sadly, whilst on holiday with Mand, in Goa, he was taken ill and died there of a heart attack. His cremation took place in India, attended by Mand and

company expected parents agreeing to keep their children in the factory’s employ until 21 years of age. Skilled youngsters under 17 would be taught basic report writing, drawing and arithmetic skills, while those over this age would enjoy a technical training. Unskilled minors were to be given the chance to enjoy activities alongside their work, including Swedish drill and gymnastics in a fully equipped gymnasium staffed by a qualified instructor. A staff member was designated to keep a career record for every employee aged under 21 years. Mr Baylay finished his lecture stating welfare movements would soon be compulsory in every factory.

1943 Figures released by the War Office indicated each complete 350cc and above machine now cost the Government

an average of £60-65 for solos and outfits £8085. Recently introduced lightweights were cheaper at £28-30 apiece.

1968 their children Aaron, Lawson, Sophie and Tamaryn. Our thoughts and condolences are extended to Steve’s family. Words: Julie Diplock.

Another winner’s cup for Sam Sam Rhodes clinched the TCM Cup, awarded within the Lansdowne Race series, for ‘clubman’ type machines, picking up his trophy at the Lansdowne dinner on November 18, 2017. Campaigning Graham Austen’s 1954 MSS, Sam was a cut above his class competition, regularly getting about the Manx Nortons and Matchless G50s, on Graham’s pushrod, two-valve single. There’ll be more about the Velo in a future issue.

Welfare at work was becoming a cause for concern, especially regarding the employment of girls and boys in factories. BSA was taking the matter seriously and in a lecture Mr W L Baylay, for the Small Heath giant, outlined their enthusiasm for improving the issue. Mr Baylay said the welfare of minors entering factories was often neglected by parents and employers. He added that the BSA Co ran a scheme aimed at improving the life, training and careers opportunities of boys and girls. The works regarded such schemes as a matter of duty to minors, rather than a commercial or philanthropic undertaking. In return, the

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | FEBRUARY 2018

Due to increasing business commitments Owen Greenwood had sold his controversial Mini Racer, along with its 970 and 1275cc engines, to Bill Copson and Ken Allen, partners of an Ashton-under-Lyme motorcycle business. Greenwood, who enjoyed many victories against conventional motorcycle outfits, admitted he was sorry to part with his Mini although he had not given

up the sport completely, as he was building a ‘kneeler’ outfit with Mini wheels. Allen, passengered by Brian Harrop, would race the Mini alongside his recently acquired 125cc Honda. Copson planned on making his Continental debut soon racing a long-stroke BMW powered outfit, with Frank Higginbottom in the sidecar, and would race the Mini whenever he could, starting at Oulton Park on March 9.

1993 Democratically elected MEPs were expected to vote against demands by unelected bureaucrats to create a European ban on over 100bhp motorcycles when the motion was

brought before the European Parliament in Strasbourg on February 10. The plan had been shown to be based on limited and discredited evidence. Richard Rosenthal.

Book Review “The Rugged Road” Second edition Author: Theresa Wallach Introduction and biographies by: Barry M Jones Published by: Barry M Jones, Unit 2, Rustic Crafts Workshop, Bixley Lane, Beckley, Rye, East Sussex TN3 6TH (First published by Panther Publishing Ltd.) Email: bjrustic@aol.com www.brenelltape.co.uk Softback, 155mm x 235mm, 174 pages, approximately 48 photographs and illustrations ISBN 978-0-9564975-2-9 £14.95 London to Cape Town overland by Panther motorcycle and sidecar, pulling a trailer. No roads, no back up – just straight across the Sahara, through equatorial Africa, and south to the Cape – in 1935, without even a compass! This is quite simply the most amazing motorcycle journey ever told and a revelation for today’s travellers. Theresa Wallach and friend Florence Blenkiron were remarkable women in a maledominated world – Wallach gaining a degree in mechanical engineering and both being successful competition riders, and, together with Beatrice Schilling, were the only women to lap Brooklands at over 100mph. When ‘Blenk’ wanted to visit relations in Cape Town, Theresa suggested they go by road. They spent a year planning the 7500mile expedition, but had great difficulty in obtaining assistance or sponsorship from an industry wary of adverse publicity. Phelon & Moore showed considerable interest in the two ladies however, and agreed to supply them with a carefully prepared 600cc Model 100 Panther, fitted with extra heavy-duty Webb forks, stronger spokes, large section tyres, wider mudguards and a car-sized dynamo.

Watsonian supplied the touring sidecar with tradesman’s trailer; John Edgington, the tent that fitted on top of the trailer and clothing manufacturers their tropical outfits and special helmets. Undeterred by nomads, sand drifts, heat, rain, rivers, breakdowns and politics, Theresa Wallach and Florence Blenkiron completed a journey that might well defeat a modern machine today. From oasis to oasis arguing with the French Foreign Legion for permission to continue – and winning; fashioning a tow hitch for the trailer when it broke in the desert; replacing a broken conrod in Agadez; meeting lions, gorillas and snakes on the road, staying in African villages and meeting an amazing variety of friendly and helpful people on the way, it is also an account of a remarkable adventure by two women who had to overcome all the prejudice and problems of their day, as well as the physically demanding task of riding across the Sahara and the length of Africa. This second edition included several new photographs and provides more details on Theresa’s life after this epic journey. Quite simply, an awesome story and an excellent read. Book reviewed by Jonathan Hill.

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | FEBRUARY 2018

What’s going on…

A quick look at what’s new in the modern motorcycle world, reveals inspiration is drawn heavily from the past. Words and photographs: JAMES ROBINSON

otorcycle Live, this year held from November at the Birmingham NEC, is the modern motorcycle industry’s annual showcase, but it doesn’t take much investigation to find some interesting old machinery, plus plenty of ‘influence’ being brought to bare on modern designs. Girder forks seem to be in vogue among many ‘special builders’ with several modern Triumph and Harley-Davidson engined creations having a type of girder fork. One of the interesting machines to study was Royal Enfield’s new twin, which looks absolutely ‘right,’ compact and properly proportioned. It’ll be interesting to see how it performs, both on the road and in the showroom.

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | FEBRUARY 2018

Norton, Triumph and the resurgent Brough-Superior all had large areas, with full ranges – including some ‘show specials’ – basking under the lights. All the major Japanese firms were there too, plus the likes of Ducati, while HarleyDavidson’s stand highlight (to my eye) was the superb XR750 flat-tracker. The National Motorcycle Museum had brought some nice machines across the road, while a 1950s Triumph twin was being restored by the museum team at the show ‘live’, too. Next to where the NMM was based, there was an area in which prospective new motorcyclists could take an opportunity to sample two wheels, on and off-road, End all encouraging initiatives.