The Classic Motorcycle - January 2020 - Preview

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Veteran V-twin

CIRCULATES THROUGHOUT OUT THE WORLD

JANUARY 2020

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Travels with my Triumph 1950s COMMONWEALTH TO OURIN ING TALE LES

PLUS TRIUMPH TWIN REBUILD  BSA ROUND TANK STAFFORD SHOW 1960 GP SEASONJAMES SUPERLUX  GREEVES RIDERS’ ASSOCIATION  CONRODS EXAMINED

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The other evening I was rewatching the BBC’s excellent comedy series ‘Detectorists,’ about a group of metal detectorists (never detectors, that’s what they use!) and within the show they talked about the nature of hobbyists and collectors, and the manner in which people become ‘collectors.’ And more to the point, why do they adopt the hobbies that they do?

Sometimes the only thing people have in common can quite often be an interest the same thing, whether that be classic motorcycles or metal detectors. But then that’s when our hobbies diversify, in that we split into what is, frankly, a staggering amount of sub-sections.

People are divided by marque in the form of owners’ clubs, or by era perhaps, or by whatever their particular favourite branch of motorcycling may be – so, for example, the VMCC has a touring section as well as its sporting divisions, too. Within those sporting sub-groups there is, again, a dizzying array of off-shoots – so road racing, grasstrack, speedway, motocross, trials, all have their enthusiasts and all are catered for.

But how and why do people end up with a particular interest? For some, it is rekindling a lost (youthful) love perhaps, for others it’s a way of life they’ve never left, then for some the reasons are more obscure – perhaps dad (or grandad) had a particular motorcycle, for example, or (one which is surprisingly common, apparently) owing to their own surname. I remember someone from the Scott OC telling me years ago that there are lots of members of the club/owners of the (mainly) Yorkshire made two-strokes who have the same name as their motorcycle. Not necessarily a direct family tie, but the fact that they had the surname, found out about the marque and that piqued their interest.

In a somewhat similar vein, on our news pages we’ve a little story about a book written by German-based Australian Paul Guthrie, about his namesake, Jimmie Guthrie, They’re not directly related, or even indirectly proven to be, but it was the name which sparked Paul’s interest in the subject.

So the reasons we are ‘into’ something are wide and varied – just like the machines we are interested in are such a mixed variety bag too. But the fact that we are united by an interest in a similar theme, means we do have something in common, and so opens up a world of possibilities. This came to mind even more as I put together this month’s letters pages, with correspondence from America, Spain, Germany, Ireland and Scotland among the number. It’s an international hobby.

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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, Andy Westlake, Steve Wilson.

Contributors this issue Mike Lewis, Phillip Tooth.

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 | JANUARY 2020 Archive photograph .......................................... 6 News ................................................................... 8 Letters ............................................................. 16 Stafford show .................................................. 18 Subscribe and save ........................................ 22 Ariel Cyclone................................................... 24 Godet Motorcycles visit ................................. 32 Contrast V-twin .............................................. 37 James Superlux............................................... 42 Panther Model 100 ......................................... 46 Commonwealth Tour – part two .................. 52 2019 index ....................................................... 58 Closer look – 1960 GP season: part two........ 60 Colin Sparrow (Greeves RA) interview ........ 66 Triumph unit twin rebuild ............................ 68 Men who mattered – Fred Rist...................... 72 Roy Poynting column .................................... 74 Sketchbook Travels ........................................ 78 You Were Asking............................................. 80 Jerry Thurston column................................... 83

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Restoration guide – BSA Round Tank .......... 84 Technical feature – Conrods ......................... 86 Classic components – AZA engines.............. 92 Next month .................................................. 103 Diary............................................................. 104 Classic camera............................................. 106 POST: The Classic MotorCycle, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6LZ EMAIL: jrobinson@mortons.co.uk

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Rod Coleman (1926-2019)

The talented Kiwi who was the 1954 Junior TT winner, as well as a successful businessman and motorcycle restorer, recently died in his local Whanganui Hospital, New Zealand, aged 93.

Image: MORTONS ARCHIVE

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ew Zealander Roderick (Rod) William Coleman, who died on August 8, 2019, started racing as a teenager. In 1949 his father Percy, who was a racing star in the family’s native country as well as a motorcycle trader, helped his son secure passage to Europe, the goal being that the young man would set the road racing world alight on his Isle of Man TT debut.

Unfortunately, it didn’t quite go like that initially, as Rod crashed his AJS 7R in practice and broke his jaw, which was set – wrongly. But young Coleman knew it wasn’t right; he’d gone to medical school in 1946 but after a couple of years quit having decided it wasn’t what he wanted to do. Still, his medical training paid off, as he reset his jaw and taped himself up. For a month he ‘ate’ through a straw, and while his TT debut was delayed, he was able to race in the Dutch TT and Belgian GP. Though he’d not set the scene ablaze (he wasn’t classified in either 1949 Belgian GPs and seemingly crashed in the 350cc Dutch) his performances on the British mainland had caught the eye of Jock West, AMC competition chief, who was to ‘keep an eye’ on the prematurely balding aspiring racer, who looked more like the young doctor he was initially set to become, than someone on the motorcycle racing path down which he was now headed.

After a good season at home in 1950, he came back to Europe in 1951 and purchased two brand-new machines – for the 500cc class, a Featherbed Manx Norton and in the 350cc category, an AJS 7R. Setting out on the continental circus trail, with a disparate band of fellow commonwealth starts (among them Ray Amm) and a rag tag army of Brits, the travelling band would go from race to race, searching for prize money and plaudits. Coleman travelled in an aged Midlands-made Guy van, a not uncommon vehicle among the travelling/racing community.

Coleman (and Amm) soon established themselves as the pick of the privateer bunch – Coleman was eighth in the Junior TT, on debut, and claimed various continental wins, and earned a one-off works ride for AJS at the Ulster GP. On the 500cc works Porcupine twin, he showed fine pace, impressed many and though he crashed out (the engine was cutting in and out intermittently) he had an ‘in’ with AJS, appearing at further races.

After a bit of record-breaking, Coleman was presented with the option of AJS or Norton works machines for 1952 – playing the long game, he went AJS, and as part of his contract,

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THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | JANUARY 2020

secured the AJS distributorship for his home country.

It’s in his first year as a works AJS rider, that Coleman is pictured, here, at the 1952 TT. He is sat on the works 350cc 7R3, the model which sported two exhaust valves, and one inlet, as well as three camshafts. Behind his rear wheel, in the trilby, is Jock West, while in the background – on the number 38 machine – is team-mate Bill Lomas. In his first year as a fully-fledged works rider, Coleman was fourth in the 350cc title chase, finishing as runner-up in two GPs, while coming third here in the Isle of Man. He was also fourth in the 500cc title chase, with a second, on the Porcupine, in the Ulster GP. Coleman continued with the AJS team in 1953 – there was a third in the 350cc Ulster and he also led the Junior TT, until the 7R3 went

Classic archive

sick, while he placed fourth in the Senior TT – but his most famous, greatest success came in 1954, when he won the 350cc Junior TT, on the now pannier-tanked 7R3. But he considered what happened the night before as his ‘greatest victory’ – he met Jacqueline Etherington, the young lady who was to be his wife for the rest of his life.

The newly-married Colemans decided to settle in New Zealand and develop the family business, despite Rod being offered a £5000 signingon fee to ride works Moto Guzzis in 1955. The figure was five times his annual remuneration with AJS… But still, he was ready for home.

Over the years, the business developed, with more marques added – including the NZ rights for NSU Quickly and Suzuki – and then later more branches too, as well as diversification into cars and

vehicle assembly, while Rod continued to race at home initially, then support other riders. Famously, the first American to win a 500cc GP was Pat Hennen, who was riding a Coleman Suzuki.

Later on, and having sold the business to Suzuki in 1984, Coleman was hugely involved in restoring and building a number of exotic racers, including Mk.VIII KTT Velocettes and Excelsior Manxmen, as well as restoring machines for the Honda museum in Motegi.

Rod is survived by his wife Jackie, children Carl and Karen, sonin-law Russell, granddaughter Mia, and his own siblings Bob and Audrey, to whom we express our condolences.

Rod Coleman left a final quote: “Farewell to my local and End worldwide friends.”

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | JANUARY 2020

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Neews Events

New ws&Events NMM raffle winner

Bristol celebrates its 40th

To be held over the weekend of February 1/2, the 2020 Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle show will be the 40th such event.

To mark this milestone, organisers are turning the clocks back to the 1970s and 80s with a special themed birthday celebration. Visitors, traders and club members alike are encouraged to enter into the spirit of the celebration.

There’s a prize of £100 per day for the best dressed visitor, and a £1000 cash prize for the best club stand.

The first 1000 people who purchase tickets in advance will be given one free party bag per transaction, complete with an assortment of products and offers.

Discounted advance tickets are now on sale, with a one-day adult pass costing £11. Tickets will also be available on the gate at £13 – and under 15s get free admission. Free parking is available on site.

For more information visit bristolclassicbikeshow.com

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The National Motorcycle Museum’s summer raffle prize of a brand new, old stock 1977 Triumph Trident T160 Motorcycle was drawn by TT star John McGuinness at NMM Live! on Sunday, October 26, 2019.

The lucky winner was Mrs Sally Peace of Machynlleth, Wales, pictured with her new, old Triumph.

Spicer sale Highlight of the latest sale by Spicer Auctions on October 26, was the rare 1963 ‘white tank’ Honda CZ100, pictured, estimated at £7000/9000.

There was competition via the internet and telephone before two bidders in the saleroom at Sledmere House, near Driffield, Yorkshire took it to £10,350, a very similar price to one sold by Mecum in Las Vegas in January 2019 at $13,200.

The lovely 1927 Sunbeam Model 9 (right) sold for £15,525 to a Hungarian client, and a 1959 BSA Gold Star DBD34 sold for the same price, £15,525, all prices including buyers’ premium at 15 per cent. The overall sell rate was just over 85 per cent.

The results can be found at www.spicersauctioneers.com The next auction will be held on March 14, 2020.

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | JANUARY 2020

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | JANUARY 2020

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Neews Events

V-twins on song The H&H Classics sale at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham, achieved a total of £714,748, and a sell rate of 66%.

A very handsome and desirable 1925 NUT that had been with the vendor for some time, and was sold as part of his estate, made an impressive £28,350 at the sale held on November 2. It was restored many years ago to a high standard with little use following this work. It still had its original Hampshire registration and with a little recommissioning will make a superb machine.

Top price in the sale was this extremely well-presented Vincent Black Shadow (right).

Dispatched to Surtees of Forest Hill, London on November 19, 1951, it sold for £83,250. This all-matching numbers Black Shadow was owned by the current vendor since the mid 1980s. It was purchased by him in a complete, but dismantled

One of the glorious V-twins sold

by H&H, was this lovely NUT.

The second twin was a Vincent Black Shadow, beautifully presented and with impeccable provenance.

state and was sent to Bob Dunn to be restored to concourse condition. Over many years Mr Dunn took on all mechanical and engineering work.

Jimmie G.

Time to get dirty Two off-road legends have been confirmed as guests of honour at The Classic Dirt Bike Show being held on February 15/16.

American world trials champion of 1979, Bernie Schreiber, pictured above, will be gracing the stage at the popular off-road show held at the Telford International Centre. Jack Burnicle will be interviewing the star over the weekend, investigating the new riding style Schreiber brought to the traditional sport of trials, including the floating pivot turns and ‘bunny hops.’

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British 500cc motocross champion of 1970 Bryan ‘Badger’ Goss has also been confirmed as a guest of honour for the show.

At the event clubs and private owners will be showcasing their machines, with hundreds of traders offering a host of things to tempt the off-road enthusiast.

There’s also the chance to join the dirt bike stars on the Saturday evening for a threecourse, sit-down meal for just £33, the riders recounting tales of their adventures. Visit www.classicbikeshows.com

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | JANUARY 2020

A new book by Germandomiciled Australian Paul Guthrie (not directly related), titled ‘Jimmie G.’ looks at the remarkable life of 1920s/30s motorcycle racing star Jimmie Guthrie and his tragic death in Germany in 1937.

The circumstances of Jimmie Guthrie’s fatal crash are explained from both the British and German perspectives.

More than simply a motorsport crash, it became a geopolitical incident which could have threatened British and German diplomatic relations.

The book explains why the British and German sides kept details of the crash under a

veiil off secrecy. What emerges is far more complicated and intriguing than any fictional story.

Price is £34 and it is stocked by most online retailers.

Crystal Palace revival sprint The Sevenoaks and District Motor Club has announced it will host its Crystal Palace sprint plus bike and car show on May 24/25, 2020.

The event will feature classic and historic motorcycles that will perform demonstration runs to re-create the period when bikes raced at the circuit, starting in 1927.

For further information please contact Chris Judge 07765 663 258, 01474 873 628 or email judgece66@aol.com

Christmas Gifts

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Neews Events

een Genuine Greenie Book Review

“Triumph Production Testers’ Tales – from the Meriden factory”

Of the many highlights to be included in Mecum’s Las Vegas sale, held over January 21-26, 2020 and set to feature 1750 motorcycles, ‘Greenie’ is perhaps one of the real stand-outs.

This Hollywood Green HarleyDavidson is perhaps the most discussed Harley-Davidson ‘Knucklehead’ of all time, as it has changed Knucklehead history not once, but twice.

First, it turned heads when it sold for more than any previous Knucklehead, as many thought it was an incorrect or customised machine.

In 1971, Harley-Davidson dealer Wayne ‘Pappy’ Pierce allowed this machine to be traded in on a new Sportster at his dealership in DeKalb, Illinois.

At the time, the going price of a used Knucklehead was far less than a new XL Sportster, which was a lopsided trade-in for a canny old dealer. What did Pappy know that nobody else remembered about prewar Harley-Davidsons?

When Pappy Pierce died, it was sold at auction to the current owner for a record-setting price.

The current owner of Greenie then searched to find the original invoices and documentation that

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proved this 1940 EL is in fact an original machine, ordered from the factory with green paint and nickel plating instead of chrome, as well as many extra details.

By proving it was an original machine, the owner and this bike changed the conversation around what is a ‘correct’ restoration of a prewar HarleyDavidson.

It has now been proven that Harley-Davidson offered custom motorcycles from 1926 onwards, using DuPont paints as colour options. Through further research, the owner has proven that such customisation was more norm, than the exception.

Much of this information was simply forgotten and never written down in factory histories, but a close examination of factory invoices and records reveals the true story. This 1940 Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead is a factory original motorcycle on which an amazing amount of time has been lavished in documenting its history.

In the process, the story of the Harley-Davidson factory and the rules for concours judging of prewar Harley-Davidsons have changed, making this machine a landmark of motorcycle scholarship.

As Greenie’s current owner has said: “This bike has changed Knucklehead history twice—and I expect it will make history once again.”

For details of the sale visit mecum.com

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | JANUARY 2020

Author: Hughie Hancox Foreword by: Hughie Hancox New soft-back edition in the Veloce Classic Reprint Series.

Published by: Veloce Publishing Ltd., Veloce House, Parkway Farm Business Park, Middle Farm Way, Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 3AR Tel: 01305 260068 Email: sales@veloce.co.uk Fax: 01305 250479 Soft-back, 207 x 250mm (portrait); 160 pages with 183 photographs and illustrations.

ISBN 978-1-845844-41-7/UPC 6-36847-04441-1 £25 (UK); $39.95 (USA); $52 (Canada) With a father who was a keen motorcyclist and long-time friend of Jack Wickes, the brilliant draughtsman and later Edward Turner’s right-hand man, it was no surprise to learn that the late Hughie Hancox was a lifelong Triumph enthusiast.

Starting work at the Meriden factory in 1953, he worked as a fitter until his call up for national service.

He eventually graduated to the famous Royal Corps of Signals Motorcycle Display Team (the ‘White Helmets’) serving as a riding member of the team and the corporal fitter, responsible for keeping the team’s Triumph TRWs in top form.

After demob in 1959, Hughie resumed work at Meriden in the experimental department, and actually worked on the prototype Bonneville. He eventually became one of the legendary Triumph production testers from 1960 to 1962, as well as a fitter, technical advisor and trouble-shooter until the factory closed in 1973.

After being issued with a new Belstaff riding suit and a set of trade plates, Hughie was sent out to learn the ropes with one of the 12 testers, initially riding Tiger Cubs, progressing in capacity to the 650cc twins. At first he suffered initiation pranks, but

got his own back by soldering over the breather hole on the underside of the perpetrator’s filler cap!

Many of the production workers were jealous of their seemingly glamorous jobs, riding new exciting machines.

However their test quota of 12 machines per day had to be achieved regardless of weather conditions, often wearing soaking wet riding gear.

Records were kept of each machine ridden and faults noted – the Lucas wiring looms for the QD headlamps were made too short at one time, with everything cutting out on full lock on a dark night; the early Bonnevilles with remote float chambers that would not run evenly at slow speeds.

Trouble-shooting methods are described and modifications to new models are listed as well as the different American market models.

Hancox was a very descriptive writer when relating to his colleagues and working practices at Triumph and the reader feels as though they are mounted on the pillion when Hughie rides through the Meriden test route on his favourite machine – the American specification TR6 ‘Trophy’ with its upswept pipes and small Burgess silencers.

Reviewed by Jonathan Hill.

THE WAY WE WERE IN

JANUARY 1920

Scooter development was gathering momentum, as Kenilworth and Marseel both confirmed production models were imminent. In the summer of 1919, Capt Smith Clarke of Kenilworth had unveiled a 142cc ohv single cylinder machine he had been developing. Now Booth brothers of Coventry

1945

Racing fans eagerly awaited the recently published report of the AGM of Brooklands (Weybridge) Ltd. to see if there was any prospect of racing resuming at the famous banked track.

When questioned about returning speed events to the venue, company

1970

Weekday car and motorcycle testing at Thruxton was under threat. Hampshire County Council had issued High Court writs (judgement awaited) against the owners of the Thruxton race circuit, to prohibit testing during school hours.

Officials claimed noise made teaching conditions ‘practically impossible’ at the village school. Car, component and motorcycle makers used the circuit.

Greeves Motorcycles of Armstrong Road, Benfleet, was reentering the trials bike market. Following the withdrawal of suitable Villiers engines in July 1968, Greeves suspended

was entering production with it immediately, while, across the city, the Marseel Engineering Co. of Victoria Park had unveiled its prototype 232cc single cylinder two-stroke scooter.

With its engine fitted horizontally under the rider’s footboards, the makers were offering the machine for £33. chairman Mr C W Hayward was reticent, explaining Sir Malcolm Campbell and he had received many enquiries regarding ‘the rehabilitation of the racing track,’ but at present were not in a position to reply, though hoped to do so before, or at, the next AGM. trials production, though continued making motocrossers, which used Greeves engines.

Priced at £259, the trials new model, named the Pathfinder, was to be powered by an Austrian made Steyr-Daimler-Puch 175cc single cylinder twostroke engine with six-speed gearbox. Bert Greeves rode a prototype in 1969’s Greybeards Trial and the first models were to go to Greeves teamsters Derek Adsett, Malcolm Rathmell, plus the Wilkinson brothers, Bill and Mick.

Production machines would be with the dealers

by April.

1995

SOS (Super Onslow Special)* oldest man in the country in full time work. Vale-Onslow marque founder and well known Birmingham stated his ambition was to be an active motorcyclist on motorcycle shop proprietor his 100th birthday.** Len (Leslie) Vale-Onslow *Often the acronym ‘So was made an MBE in the Obviously Superior’ was New Year’s honours list for ‘services to motorcycle repair.’ employed. ** He did it! Len last rode a motorcycle aged Aged 94, Len had also been 102.

Richard Rosenthal. nationally recognised as the

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | JANUARY 2020

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Neews Events

Last Elk of 2019 The theme at the last of Elk Promotions’ 2019 events was celebrating 70 years of Royal Enfield’s seemingly evergreen Bullet model, and there were numerous examples of the marque in attendance at the South of England Showground at Ardingly, Sussex, on October 27.

Oddly, no Bullets made the awards, but a 1938 Royal Enfield 500 JM was runner-up in the pre-1950 class, while ‘Best Royal Enfield’ was declared to be a rare 1971 ‘Gannet’.

As a brand, Royal Enfield may already have vanished, Japanese competition was intense, but Enfield specialists Gander & Gray had taken the learner favourite Continental GT and pushed the ‘cafe racer’ styling to a new level.

Proud owner and a 1940 Norton 16H. Bike is ex-WD but long since restored to civilian trim and ridden just about everywhere – in all weathers.

For students of matters AMC, there was a fascinating display of ‘what might have been’. These were prototypes that never made it into production. Best pre-1950 was a 1948 Norton P6A, one of only two survivors after it was decided the Model 7 would become Norton’s take on a half-litre twin. From 1965 was the 650 Norton ‘Unified’ twin, but parent company AMC was in financially straitened times by then.

‘Best British’ was awarded to a 1914 BSA. Joe Stanton’s Model K was one of the earlier 500cc versions, making a first visit to Ardingly. Class runner up was a 1927 Norton Model 18 from Steve Elston’s collection.

Personalities always feature at Ardingly and long distance travellers Gordon May, Zoe Cano and Jacqui Furneaux have all published books on their respective adventures. A true stalwart of off-road sport was Johnny Giles, a Triumph works rider for many years and still working hard on ideas to improve the Meriden twins in which he delights – all that at 90 years old!

The British Owners’ Club of Essex have become Ardingly regulars and always have a variety of mainly classic machinery. This time, it merited the ‘Best Club Stand’.

Alan Turner.

Greeves Riders’ Fellowship joined the Bantam Owners to make the Stockmans Building a two-stroke haven.

Jacqui Furneaux with her Enfield, bought in India in 2000 and ridden through 20 countries in the next seven years. It remains her only form of transport!

Hastings Week

Vic Laidlaw is suitably surprised to learn his bike was rated best on display.

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THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | JANUARY 2020

While there may be no mention of motorcycles in any account of the Battle of Hastings, in recent years there has been a classic motorcycle show as part of Hastings Week, a festival where the town marks the anniversary of that decisive conflict with various events.

As part of the week’s grand finale, the bikes line up on The Stade, an area on the seafront of the Old Town with the background of the East Cliff and the famous Hastings fishermen’s sheds.

Held on October 19, 2019, the event suffered unwelcome

rain, but still saw more than 80 machines in attendance, most from the postwar classic era.

The mayor of Hastings chose the winning entry and Vic Laidlaw was pleased to receive the award for his 1930s 500cc Ariel Red Hunter.

Acquired as a near-hopeless wreck, a comprehensive rebuild included reinstating the twin-port cylinder head.

Once completed the bike has travelled many miles, including continental touring.

Alan Turner.

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | JANUARY 2020

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Readerss’ Letters YOUR VOICE & YOUR OPINIONS

Zenith in California

A lovely picture from Matthias Hillecke, of his Morini basking in the autumn sun.

The Italian job With reference to the article in The Classic MotorCycle, December 2019, on the Moto Guzzi Nuovo Falcone, I would like to inform you that your regular reporting on classic Italian bikes had an influence on my latest decision to purchase a 1979 Moto Morini 3½ Strada.

As a long-time subscriber to your magazine, I am always very pleased to receive the new issue by post here in Germany. My motorcycle purchases of the past have been influenced by your reports about the classic bike scene – my motorcycle career: 1995 Yamaha SR500, 1975 Puch MS50V, 1931 Triumph KV200 from Triumph Werke Nurnberg and now, finally, Franco Lambertini’s masterpiece – the 350cc V-twin Moto Morini 3½ Strada from 1979.

The diversity and enthusiasm of your magazine is unique. Reports about events like the Kop Hill Climb boost my curiosity: for example, in 2020, my plan will be to join the Italian classic bike tour MilanoTaranto, of course with my new Moto Morini. Is there anything more beautiful than to be part of such an event together with other enthusiasts? Meraviglioso, molto carino!

Keep up the good work. Also here in Germany we appreciate your passionate reports about classic motorcycles – no matter where they come from.

My photo was taken on a Sunday afternoon, at the Bismarckturm: my Morini and in the background the Stuttgart basin.

Matthias Hillecke, south Germany, via email.

The post-vintage Zenith feature in the June 2019 issue caught my eye because I happen to have a 1950 model.

Tony Donnithorne and I have communicated over the years since I acquired mine, and have been able to unearth only two others. The National Motorcycle Museum in Coventry has one, and Sammy Miller has the other.

The author Roy Bacon once told me that although they returned to the market after the Second World War, he knew of no one who had ever actually seen one.

I found mine in New Zealand in 1996, during our visit there for the BSA OC International Rally, via a local Royal Enfield Club acquaintance. We’d ostensibly ridden up to Wellington to view his friend’s Ariels (another of my afflictions) where I learned that the Zenith standing in the corner might be sold off. Back at home, I began my research, which led me to Tony.

It was about a year before my crated Zenith arrived in the port of Oakland, California. On a later trip to the UK, I took an extensive set of photographs of the Miller bike, and back at home was delighted to find I that must have been taken with the NMM bike, because I found photos I’d shot back in 1985, and apparently forgotten about them.

The previous owner and I have maintained an infrequent and interesting correspondence regarding its possible authenticity. It has no horn and no speedometer; perhaps those

were not legal requirements in New Zealand at the time.

There is no provision for a speedometer drive gear, but it appears that the rear wheel hub can be modified to take one; I’ve had a Chronometric rebuilt that should do the trick.

Fitting a horn will be even simpler.

I’ve replaced the bars, made up new control cables, had the seat upholstered, rebuilt the rear stand, fitted an air filter, and commissioned a magdyno cover that a friend welded up in aluminium from my cardboard mock-up.

Armours supplied the exhaust system, from a pattern set made of automotive pipe. The engine recently got a ring-and-valve job. A central question remains about the paint on the fuel tank: it appears to have never been plated, yet the Miller machine has the correct livery, despite being two serial numbers ‘newer’ than this one (Sammy’s bike is reportedly the secondto-last postwar Zenith V-twin).

I’ve corresponded with a gentleman in the UK who has a V-Twin engine, but without a chassis, plans to adapt Ariel cycle parts. With this model, scarcity seems to be the watchword. If anyone else has knowledge of these, I’d be delighted to know it. In the meantime, this thing is more fun than a barrel of monkeys, probably because it’s not in a museum.

Don Danmeier, Novato, California.

Ida Crow book search In the November 2019 edition of The Classic MotorCycle on page six, you had an article called Touring on a Triumph. There was a photo and brief account about a lady called Ida Crow and her two companions who went to Yugoslavia on some TR5s.

I have searched the internet but cannot come up with a copy of the book she wrote. Can anyone help me find a copy?

Dave Cox, email: theoldvicarage001@outlook.com

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THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | JANUARY 2020

Handsome big Zenith V-twin, owned by Don Danmeier in California.

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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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Running, Riding & Rebuilding Running, Rebuilding Real RealClassi RealC Classic C lassi Motorcycles

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