The Classic Motorcycle April 2018

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Sta andard be earer a TRIUMPH H TIGER 100 0 TESTED

Beautiful baby B PRETTY 250cc ARIEL RED HUNTER

Matchless G3L Norton Atlas resto guide James Commodore Archie Beggs’ story P PLUS: Alec Bennett: “The rider with a brain like a calculating machine” Bristol Show 2018

Editor’s welcome

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As I write, we are heading towards the end of February and there are the first shoots of spring appearing, with the prospect of some imminent motorcycling seeming to become a closer reality. Of course, it’s possible to ride all winter, and plenty do, it’s just I prefer it so much more when the roads are not coated in ice or salt, the mornings and nights dark and the wind possessed of a viscous chill.

What’s happened in the old motorcycle world, though, is that winter has increasingly become ‘show season’, or at least that’s how it feels to me. The Bristol show has been on the calendar for plenty of years and as ever provided a ‘good day out’ (well, weekend) with lots of interesting things to do and see. I enjoyed chatting to lots of people, which is why I like to attend the event every year; it provides an annual catch up. Great stuff.

Of course, I also always come away with enthusiasms for all sorts of things renewed. Chatting to people on owners’ club displays, I find their enthusiasms infectious and before I know it, I’m adding another to my mental list of ‘things I’d like...’

On the subject of owners’ clubs, we at Mortons welcomed 12 club magazine editors to our offices for a day, which, I hope, will provide mutually beneficial to them and us. It was really interesting to put names to faces, while it also – hopefully – helped everyone in one way or another.

We’ve included a supplement this month, on the Triumph Bonneville, for which thanks should be extended to all who helped with that, particularly Dave Manning for his copy, Gary Chapman for his photographs – plus Bonhams and our back page advertiser Yesterdays for bailing us out with a couple we struggled with – and James Hewing and the staff at the National Motorcycle Museum for their allowing us access to so many Bonnevilles, as well as their turntable which makes photography so much easier.

The 1961 Bonneville and the 1939 Tiger 100 are part of the museum’s fleet of available machines during its riding activities; have a look at nationalmotorcyclemuseum. co.uk or call 01675 443311 for details. I’m lucky enough to have ridden both those machines (the 1939 Tiger 100 is a personal favourite, though so are Bonnies) and I’m going to beg a go on the Matchless V-twin Colin Wall is painstakingly piecing back together, as featured on page 60…

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JAMES ROBINSON Editor

34 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 | APRIL 2018 Archive photograph .......................................... 6 News ................................................................... 8 Bristol show .................................................... 12 Letters ............................................................. 16 Subscribe and save ........................................ 20 Triumph Tiger 100.......................................... 22 Jack Thompson Trial ...................................... 30 Ariel Red Hunter............................................. 34 Matchless G3L ................................................ 40 James Commodore ........................................ 48 Archie Beggs’ story......................................... 54 TT Matchless .................................................. 60 Closer look – Brooklands 1920 part two....... 66 Alastair Alexander interview ........................ 72 Men who mattered – Alec Bennett ............... 74 BSA A7 rebuild................................................ 76 Roy Poynting column .................................... 80 Jerry Thurston column................................... 82 Sketchbook travels ......................................... 84 You were asking ............................................. 86

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Restoration guide – Norton Atlas.................. 90 Technical feature – final drives..................... 92 Classic components – Hepolite pistons ....... 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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The Humber Staff Trial

T

his fascinating picture shows riders setting off at the start of the 1920 Humber Staff Trial, where members of staff from the various departments at the Humber works pitted themselves against one another, in what would now be reported as a ‘team building exercise’, but which was more eloquently described in The Motor Cycle of July 8, 1920, thus: [The trial has become]… ‘an annual event to which the contestants look forward with more than usual keenness mixed with no small rivalry. That this is so fulfils the spirit of the trial, for when works can beat the offices, or department prove its valour against department, that spirit of emulation

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THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | APRIL 2018

ensured a smooth getaway was enabled. is produced which will form the foundation Third in line is the first of the Humbers of a more friendly regard.’

– in fact, an example of the only model of There are seven motorcycle competitors two-wheeler made by the firm, a 4½hp forelined up in our photograph. The man and-aft flat-twin. Announced in 1919, it was pushing off isn’t on a Humber at all, rather a development of the 1916 (so few were made) single-speed, direct drive Rudge, hence his announced 3½hp variant, though now of necessity to push start, owing to no clutch.

No such problems for the next chap in line, 600cc, as opposed to the earlier model’s halflitre capacity. It was, though, for the period as he’s on one of Alfred Angas Scott’s commendably advanced, featuring an models, the two-stroke, two-speed, twin outside flywheel engine, transmission was cylinder two-stroke, which by virtue of all chain drive with a three-speed counterits two-speed gear – the rocking pedal shaft gearbox, replete with kick-starter and controlled by the rider’s right foot – meant mounted below the rear cylinder. take off could be undertaken from standstill, Braking was the only area period with the front of the pedal pushed down to testers found to criticise – there was a engage drive, while in unison the throttle dummy belt rim at the back, with just a was gently opened. A little practice

Classic aarchive | Staff Trial

Started in 1919, the 1920 event attracted over 50 competitors who made motorcycles.

Image: MORTONS ARCHIVE

bicycle-type stirrup at the front.

Fourth in line is another of the same; they are touring models, as evidenced by the handlebars, footboards, valanced front mudguard and silencer/collector box under the front cylinder.

Fifth in line is unidentifiable, other than to say it is not a fore-and-aft Humber (or a Scott!) and looks possibly to be more lightweight than the machines around it.

Next up is another Humber flat-twin, with final place in the line taken by a Rover – giveaway is the bulge in the petrol tank where the oil pump plunger is situated.

The cars in the picture would all seem to be Humbers too – a big tourer nearest and a coupe tucked around the corner. In fact, in

the trial the 50 guinea Challenge Cup and gold medal was claimed by F J Crundall in a 10hp car; interestingly, J F Crundall was a star Humber rider, beginning around 1903 and riding in the 1910 TT, then later manager of Humber’s major London repair works in Kilburn, north London. It’s not inconceivable that ‘F J’ was his relative; a son perhaps?

The trial itself attracted 25 solo riders and 22 sidecar outfits. In a total ‘clean sweep’ all the awards were claimed by Humbers, with first to third in both classes all going to the organising maker. Best of the solos was H Whitten, with H H Crisp (a relative of Humber’s Len Crisp, star trials rider?) best of the sidecars.

Riders had to tackle numerous local tests – including Sunrising Hill, now part of the Banbury Run – while they were entertained

by Humber’s house band at the lunch stop, brought out for the occasion on a lorry.

Like many big works of the time, Humber was possessed of an active social and sporting side. The works, situated in Humber Road, Binley, east Coventry – covered 23 acres and was separated from the Hillman works by the Humber Sports Club recreation ground. There were cycling and athletics clubs, with the Humber Harriers having the national cross country running champion Tommy Price among its number, while the Humber dining rooms can be seen on End the right of the photograph too.

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | APRIL 2018

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New Events News

News&Events

Pip Squeak event

April Stafford almost upon us

Sunday, April 15, will see the Glasgow Section of the VMCC running its now annual Pip Squeak event around rural Ayrshire. Initially this event was for mopeds and other small machines under 100cc but following last year’s successful inclusion of cyclemoters, the club now offers a choice of two routes, one for the really small stuff and the other slightly longer route for the ‘bigger bikes.’

Details from Gordon Mowat 07931561898 or email rustynuts@talktalk.net

Stolen BSA

As usual, The Classic MotorCycle Show will bring you a fine selection of everything needed for a weekend of motorcycling indulgence, this year being held over April 21/22.

Held at Staffordshire County Showground, you’ll find a feast of trade stalls, autojumbles, club stands and private entries.

Guest of honour will be Neil Tuxworth, Honda’s racing

H&H motorcycle auction CB750 prototype provides a rare opportunity to acquire an iconic motorcycle.

In January, this 1928 BSA S28 De luxe was stolen from a workshop in Fyfield, Essex.

This machine had been taken apart in 1963 by a previous owner, though all of the parts were there and all original.

Frame number is 11120, engine number 19748. Any details to us please and we'll pass them on.

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The first H&H motorcycle auction of 2018, is on Sunday, March 4, at The National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham.

Consignments include a 1969 ex-John Lennon Honda Z50A monkey bike, while one of the star lots is a 1969 Honda CB750 prototype, which featured in

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | APRIL 2018

early press coverage of the model.

There’s a wide variety of lots in the auction, to suit all tastes and pockets, from a couple of vintage AJS projects through to 1970s Japanese ware, plus lots of mopeds.

Contact info@handh.co.uk or 01925 210035.

boss, though also an owner of a veteran Rudge Multi among others too.

To buy advance tickets call 01507 529529 or see classicbikeshows.com

Blood bikes bonanza Prescott Bike Fest 2018 – in aid of Blood Bikes – is set to be the biggest and best yet following the announcement that, for the first time, it has been extended to two days.

The event will return to the Gloucestershire hill climb on April 14/15, 2018, featuring a hugely diverse range of machinery, right rough the motorcycling ages.

For tickets and more information, visit www. prescottbikefestival. co.uk

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.

Record-breaking Vincent On January 25, 2018, to the sound of cheers and applause in a packed ballroom at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Bonhams – led by auctioneer Malcolm Barber – sold the rare, original condition, Australian speed record-setting, 1951 Vincent Black Lightning for $929,000, making it the most valuable motorcycle ever sold at auction. It will be returning to Australia.

Built by special order and imported new into Australia

by Tony McAlpine, the Vincent Black Lightning – number 7305 – is one of just approximately 30 Black Lightning models ever built by the Stevenage, England factory.

In 1953 the motorcycle smashed the existing Australian speed record when Jack Ehret achieved an average speed of 141.5mph.

Roxby Heritage Weekend The seventh annual Roxby Heritage Weekend event which runs over July 14/15, 2018, will include classic cars and motorcycles, military vehicles and various displays throughout the weekend, plus trade and craft stalls.

There’s free camping for exhibitors in the fields adjacent to The Fox Inn, Roxby near Staithes, North Yorks, TS13 5EB. Any enquiries to Alison Potter (chairman) 07813 333423.

BMPS jumble On Sunday, March 11, the British Motorcycle Preservation Society (BMPS) holds its North Wales event at Mochdre Village Hall, Colwyn Bay, LL28 5HU. Admission £3.

BIKER’S SPECIAL The cafe at the fabulous Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden, Bedfordshire, does a ‘Biker’s Special’ during March. If you visit by motorcycle, you can buy a hot drink and meal for £6.95. shuttleworth.org or 01767 627933.

Festival of 1000 Bikes The Vintage Motorcycle Club’s Festival of 1000 Bikes returns to Mallory Park over July 7/8, hoping for the usual huge crowd it traditionally attracts. Details from 01283 540557 or vmcc.net

STAR GUEST

Bonhams at Stafford One of the star lots in Bonhams’ April auction at Stafford on April 22, is a Brough Superior SS100, which was delivered new in 1931 to the Edinburgh police.

Proceeds from the sale of the JAP-engined machine will benefit the Search and Rescue Dog Association, Royal National Lifeboat Institution and Salvation Army.

Also included in the sale are a host of machines from the Miklos Salamon collection, including such machines as

Lovely JAP-engined SS100 Brough is one of the star lots at Stafford.

a Munch Mammoth, various MVs and a Chinese red Vincent V-twin. The brightly finished touring specification machine is one of several Vincents in the sale.

Details from bonhams.com or +44 (0) 20 8963 2817.

Welcome revival On April 7, 2018, the Bringsty Grand Prix revives a series of scramble-cum-enduros, run just outside Bromyard in 1946 and 1947.

Run over a challenging mileand-a-half course on Bringsty Common, taking in bogs, watersplashes and steep hills, the event is exclusively for vintage and classics and is allied to the bi-annual Bromyard Festival of Speed.

The event takes place just off the A44 near Brockhampton, Worcestershire, starting at 10am. There is off-road parking with great views of the

Peter Collins, one of Britain’s great grasstrack and speedway aces, will a be guest of honour at b tthe Shropshire Classic and Vintage Show on a Sunday, March 18. The S sshow is in Wistanstow Village Hall, on the A49, V SY7 8DQ. Doors open at S 10.30am and admission 1 iis £4. More details shropshirevintagebikeshow. co.uk or 07736 066373.

DEE, ATKINSON & HARRISON SALE A couple of Gold Stars (including one with Clubman TT pedigree), a Cotton Blackburne and a Series A HRD Meteor are among the lots at the sale at Sledmore House, Driffield, on March 3, 2018. Call 01377 53151.

TIGER CORRECTION In last month’s interview, we said Mick Grant’s Tiger 90 was in the September 1998 issue. It should have read November 1998.

JOHNNY GIBSON event. Tickets – £10 for adults – can be pre-booked at www. bromyardspeedfestival.co.uk Entries are still being accepted for Pre-1960, Pre-74 and Twinshock classes. See www.goracemx.com/event. php?eid=994

Johnny ‘Crashwall’ Gibson, a member of the American Motorcycle Hall of Fame and winner of 1956 Daytona 200 and more than 100 dirt-track, road-race and TT races, passed away on January 30, in Boca Raton, Florida. He was 87.

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | APRIL 2018

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New Events News

Talmag Trial The Talmag Trophy Trial (this year held on January 28) at Hungry Hill, Aldershot, is longestablished as one of the premier events in the Pre-65 calendar.

The regulations require bikes to appear as close as possible to those that might have appeared in competition either before the last war, or in the following two decades.

The sections are also reminiscent of times when obstacles were more natural and logical than some of the convoluted challenges found at other events.

With almost 200 entries this year and riders travelling from far afield, including Europe, the organising club has the formula right.

The 15-section route was covered twice. Come the end, a few scoresheets remained unblemished. Not

an uncommon situation at the Talmag, it adds an edge to the special test, for this is the arbiter in deciding the destination of the awards. It is also a chance to exercise the throttle on a lap of Hungry Hill tracks.

Class C, for bigger bikes with rear suspension, was the most popular category with 60 entries, but the final order of the top four riders was determined by the boldest efforts in the Special Test.

Words: Alan Turner Photographs: Ray Dickinson RESULTS

■ Class C, Over 300cc, with rear suspension: Roger Higgs (Ariel HT5) 0 marks lost ■ Class D, Girder fork machines: Kieran Abraham (500cc Levis) 5 marks lost ■ Class E, Clubman Class (no award): Gary Higgs (350cc AJS) ■ Class F, Over 65s: John Eckhart (Triumph Trophy) 4 marks lost ■ Class G, Sidecars: Bernie Chambers/ Charlie Chambers (Rickman/Ariel) 9 marks lost

The Douglas Competition model is a rare machine and Matthew Neale had the only example at the Talmag.

Indian tops the sellers Top price in the Charterhouse sale at Shepton Mallet on Sunday, February 4, was the £24,500 realised for a 1940 Indian Chief, in a sale which featured all manner of machines, from restoration projects to some nicely presented, usable looking machinery.

A Square Four restoration project (£6500) caught the eye, while of several nice Bonnevilles, £8800 was the top price, for a 1967 version. A handsome ex-White Helmets display team Triumph TRW made £6500.

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THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | APRIL 2018

THE WAY WE WERE IN

APRIL

1918

In light of the worsening petrol supply situation, the imminent production of an alternative fuel in South Africa was reported.

In June 1915, the Autocar

1943

For the British Airborne division, the War Office contracted Royal Enfield to supply 20 lightweight 126cc single cylinder two-stroke motorcycles for evaluation.

Coded the WD/RE, it was

1968

Vic Eastwood, star of the previous winter’s televised scrambles series and BSA’s main hope for the year’s 500cc Motocross world championship series, had been sacked by the Small Heath, Birmingham giant.

The factory Husqvarna wasted no time in signing Eastwood via its UK importer Brian Leask. By the time BSA’s press release reached Motor Cycle’s news desk, Vic was on his way to Sussex to try out the 360cc Husqvarna.

His contract included the immediate supply of two 360cc models with possibly a newly developed 420cc scrambler to follow.

It was well known Eastwood had been unhappy with the characteristics of the current BSA engines and that he hadn’t received the promised support from the factory; he’d said ‘…he’d tear up his contract unless BSA supplied him with the machinery promised.’

BSA, for its part, stated

1993

After three rounds, the world 500cc road race championship was developing into an allAmerican duel with Wayne Rainey (Yamaha) slugging

had reported a trial of this new motor spirit known as Natalite. It comprises ether and other alcohols extracted, then distilled, from waste molasses.

based on the company’s immediate prewar civilian model, which in turn followed basic DKW design.

Production of 4000 machines was soon underway, to be delivered in batches.

they had no alternative but to terminate Eastwood’s contract after the press report published and Vic’s criticism of aspects of their machines’ specifications.

Brian Martin (team manager) added: “Unfortunately our relations with Vic Eastwood over the last few months had not been compatible.”

Note: Just a week after their termination of Eastwood’s contract, BSA announced on Good Friday that plans to build specialised production racing machines, 100 each under the BSA and Triumph brands, had been abandoned.

Rumours were the BSA group was to make drastic cuts to its race commitments.

This comes just six months after the trials teams were disbanded. The Small Heath factory said export commitments left insufficient capacity to build the required number of specialised machines to qualify for the production racing class.

it out with Kevin Schwantz (Suzuki). Schwantz took the season opening Australian round then Rainey scored wins in Malaysia and Japan.

Richard Rosenthal.

Book Review “Motorcycle Apprentice” Matchless – in name and reputation Author: Bill Cakebread 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 E-mail: sales@veloce.co.uk www.velocebooks.com Softback, 207 x 250mm (portrait), 128 pages with over 100 colour and black and white photographs and illustrations.

ISBN 978-1-787110-49-6 £19.99 UK, $35.95 USA A young Londoner had only one ambition in life – to work with motorcycles. That simple wish led to an apprenticeship that was to change Bill Cakebread’s life forever, as the training Associated Motorcycles Limited provided enabled achievements he never dreamed possible.

This book gives a unique insight to the atmosphere and excitement of working in a motorcycle factory. However, the thoughtless actions of a bullying chargehand during his start in the drilling shop came close to breaking his spirit and making him leave. Fortunately, this man received just retribution and Bill regained his enthusiasm, as he progressed his training through the manufacturing departments.

With another apprentice he was sent for a short while to work in the ‘holy of holies’ – the race shop, where they had to clear out the stock of obsolete spares and was shown how to use a fly press to best destructive effect. They were surprised, however, when the parts looked so intricate and perfect and even more surprised when the stock included complete and beautifully stove-enamelled frames. He later discovered that they had been destroying the last remnants of the fabulous twin-cylinder AJS ‘Porcupine’ racing machine… enough parts to build

two complete machines.

Most of the employees rode AMC machines. The reason for this was simple – they cost nothing to maintain. There seemed to be an unwritten law that if you were an employee, loyal to the company’s products, then the supply of parts to maintain it would be free.

There were some serious motorcyclists at the top level and this enthusiasm permeated through the company. Jock West had been known to take out a 7R or G50 (fitted only with a bung up the megaphone and trade plates), for a blast and Hugh Viney once rode his trials machine through the front entrance and up the four floors to the roof. How many senior managers would do that just for fun?

Bill progressed through the modern, well-equipped tool room where highly-skilled staff were capable of producing virtually any item, to finally, the design drawing office.

Here he worked as personal assistant to the top motorcycle designers of their time: Charles Udall, recently recruited from Velocette and ex-Meriden designer Horace Watson.

Reprinted after a long absence, supported by a host of period photographs, early history and rare documents, this is a unique record of working life within the British motorcycle industry.

Reviewed by Jonathan Hill

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | APRIL 2018

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A trip full of treats The February trip to the south west show is something of a pilgrimage, and a visit which always throws up some unusual and fascinating machinery.

Words: JAMES ROBINSON Photographs: JAMES ROBINSON/MATT HULL

W

est Country motorcycling legend Henry Body will forever be associated with his indecently fast Douglas sprinters, but his motorcycling interests are wide ranging. Every year he seems to find something new and interesting to bring to the Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show and invariably he’ll see me early on and say: “Come and see, I’ve something interesting to show you…”

And this year – as every year, to be fair – he’d excelled himself. There were three wildly different machines from Henry, each fascinating, each with a story to tell.

Plus a photograph, but we’ll come to that later.

The unlikely trio from Henry’s treasure trove could not be more different. First off was a machine I’d coincidentally been looking at a picture of just a couple of days before the show – the 350cc JAP-engined

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THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | APRIL 2018

Above: Best in show.

Tony Pashley poses with the 1934 Sunbeam Model 95, restored by John Phizacklea.

Excelsior racer which Harry Voice campaigned in VMCC meetings in the late 1960s and beyond. Harry took to vintage racing after he’d done with ‘modern’ stuff, the highlight of which was probably campaigning a dohc Gilera single in the 1953 Manx GP, which came about in light of Harry’s friendship with Geoff Duke.

Later, Harry campaigned this Excelsior-JAP, later passing to Henry.

Second of Henry’s machines was a Hill. Never heard of them? Well, that’s no surprise, they were built in small numbers in Wolverhampton by Hill brothers, from 1919 to 1924. They don’t seem to appear in any of the better-known motorcycle encyclopaedias and Henry tells a story of how TCM founder Bob Currie used to call at Henry’s place and so knew of the existence of Henry’s Hill. When another began to