The Classic Motorcycle June 2020 preview

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Editor's welcome These strange times we're living in, has meant many of us have had to adapt to a new order. So this is the first issue of The Classic Motorcycle I've ever done while working from home, not having once been into the Mortons offices at all during the duration of putting the magazine together.

This has of course brought about some issues with which to deal - the highlight of each edition is often searching through boxes of old pictures, looking for a gem with an interesting story to fill our archive photograph and classic camera pages. Luckily, I've a few in hand, or in my mind, so was able to solve this month's conundrum without too much consternation.

Likewise, at the moment, we still have a few features photographed and left over from either last year or the odd decent day at the start of this. But, from a purely selfish magazine point of view, we were just on the cusp of starting to fill the pot with features; I'd a particularly tasty Egli-Vincent lined up to ride, a couple of hot Triumph twins, a superb flat-tank cammy Velo, a 1930s Moto Guzzi flat single, plus potentially a rare 1930s Stevens, and more.

Added to that, my own 1927 side-valve Sunbeam now has its new oil-pump fitted - after the old one basically fell apart, this is a new casting, which has been machined and fitted with the old internals. The job took much longer than anticipated, owing to unfortunate circumstances, but we were there now. It was fired up just a week or two before 'shut-down' orders, and it struck up straight away, the black life-blood was flowing, and all seemed rosy. It was contentedly put aside, ready for the season.

As well as that, the sometimes comically revolving door of my garage had seen a couple of departures, with two newcomers - a 1949 Ariel Square Four and a preunit engined TriBSA, neither things I'd have put anywhere near the top of my 'most wanted' lists, but both came as parts of deals. As I've said before, my motorcycling mantra borrows from Oscar Wilde's great quote: "I can resist everything except temptation!"

In fairness, I had a similar TriBSA the best part of 20 years ago, but had to sell it before I even had a chance to sort and ride it, so it's an itch that needed scratching.

The Squariel is harder to quantify ...

It'll probably be a while before all come out to play, but our time will come again. Take care, one and all.

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 Roger Houghton, Martin Kirk.

THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE(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 Cly Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. Periodical Postage is paid at Bancroft, WI and additional entries. Postmaster: Send address changes to THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE,c/o Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cly Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. 715-572-4595 chris@classicbikebooks.com

CONTENTS ISSUEI JUNE 2020 Archive photograph ......................................... 6 News ................................................................. 8 Letters .............................................................

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DJRally...........................................................18 Subscribe and save ........................................ 22 HRD Meteors (Series A and B) ...................... 24 Spanish Tour .................................................. 34 BSABantam Dl .............................................. 40 George Greenland interview ....................... 48 Rachael Clegg's Milestones explained ......... 56 Closer look - Kreidler's sporty 50s ................62 Mick Andrews interview .............................. 68 Men who mattered - the Stevens brothers ... 70 Triumph unit twin rebuild ............................ 72 Roy Poynting column .................................... 76 Jerry Thurston column .................................. 78 Sketchbook Travels ........................................ 80 You Were Asking ............................................ 82 Restoration guide Norton ES2 (pre-Featherbed) .......................86 Nextmonth .................................................... 95 Classic components - Jap part.V. ..................96 Diary ............................................................... 97 Classic camera .............................................. 98

POST: The Classic Motorcycle, PO Box 99,

Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6LZ EMAIL: jrobinson@mortons.co.uk

SUBSCRIBE TODAYI » Everyissuewill be sent hot off the pressand deliveredstraight to your house » You'llnevermissan action-packedissueor supplementagain

THE CLASSICMOTORCYCLEI JUNE 2020

5

Going op the junction Moviestars take a ride on a Norton.

Image: MORTONS ARCHIVE

his shiny Norton is the transport of Bill Travers and Ava Gardner, on the set of the 1956 film Bhowani Junction, a 154-minute epic filmed on location in Pakistan, directed by New Yorker George Cukor, who was to go on to win the Academy Award for best director for 1964's My Fair Lady.

Cukor, famously, was also fired as director of 1939's Gone With the Wind, at the request ofleading man Clark Gable.

Bhowani Junction was set in India during 1947, during the last days of the British rule, with Gardner cast as Victoria Jones, daughter of an Indian mother and a British train engineer father. Travers - here riding the Norton - is Patrick Taylor, fellow AngloIndian and childhood sweetheart of Jones, still in love with her.

Then there's Stewart Granger, leading man of the piece, who, naturally, gets the girl in the end, while poor old Taylor ends up dead, though in a rather heroic manner.

The film was shot in colour and offers some splendid exterior shots, though the Indian Government declined to collaborate with the production, hence it was shot in Pakistan.

The film was developed from John Masters' 1954 novel, of the same name, but with various 'Hollywood' differences, including casting the white Gardner as Victoria, whereas much of the book focusses on her mixed ethnicity; it's reiterated that if she's wearing a sari, people regard her as Indian.

Also, the fate of Taylor was changed; he did rather better in the book, as he got the girl. But for the purposes of the film, changes were made to please the Hollywood palate.

And that meant poor old Taylor didn't get the girl, he also didn't get to live!

Bill Travers played the role of Taylor, whose character works for the railway.

Interestingly, he had some experience of the region the film was based in, after enlisting in the British Army (aged 18) and being posted to India. He joined up in 1939, and by 1942 he was second lieutenant, then served in a Gurkha regiment - where he got to know his brigade major, one John Masters, the same man who was to go on and write Bhowani Junction.

Travers (real name William Inglis LindonTravers) endured some traumatic times,

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THE CLASSICMOTORCYCLEI JUNE2020

including contracting malaria while behind enemy lines, and duly volunteering to be left behind. He recovered enough to disguise himself as Chinese and walk hundreds of miles to an allied encampment.

Later, he moved to the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and was parachuted into Malaya to train soldiers, then was one of the first allies into Hiroshima after the dropping of the atomic bomb. He rose to the rank of Major and was made MBE in 1946, before leaving the Army in 1947, deciding to become an actor.

After some years as a jobbing actor, the title role in 1955's Geordie (about a Scotsman training for the Olympics) brought him attention - and a passage to Hollywood and the role in Bhowani Junction. It's amazing to think, really, of the life he'd already led by the time he was pictured here, aged 34.

Travers went on to have a respectable career, including the successful 1966 Born Free, in which he played game warden George Adamson, alongside his second wife Virginia Mckenna, who played his on-screen wife Joy. The experience led the couple to becoming impassioned animal welfare campaigners. Travers died in 1994, aged 72.

Gardner needs little introduction; the star of myriad films, as well as - at the time the picture was taken and Bhowani Junction made - being the wife of Frank Sinatra.

Bhowani Junction is regarded as some of her best work. Gardner died in 1990, aged 67, at her Westminster, London, flat.

As for the Norton ... It would seem to be a period correct (the film was set 1947) single cylinder job, most likely a 16H. It has the open frame indicating that it's a pre-Second World War model, while the finish is civilian, rather than war department. It's interesting to note that all the 16Hs supplied to the armed forces were based on the 1937 model, so had exposed valves. It's not possible to make any detail out on the mount Travers' is astride, while it's also not possible to tell for sure if it's an overhead valve Model 18 or ES2.

The 16H first appeared in the Norton range in 1911, going on to be a mainstay until 1954.

Throughout its life, the famous 79xl00mm (490cc) dimensions endured. It was used by many allied forces during the Second • World War - including the Indian army. 'Iii'

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Classic archive

THE CLASSICMOTORCYCLEI JUNE 2020

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News WILLIAM CHARLES 'BILL' CROSBY Well known motorcycle dealer and museum proprietor Bill Crosby passed away in hospital after a brief illness on Sunday, March 29, 2020, a month before his 88th birthday.

Bill ran Reg Allen (London) for 60 years, was a Triumph main agent and also nurtured scramblers, sidecar racers and 24 hour production racers with his sponsorship, knowledge and enthusiasm.

In 1999 he opened the London Motorcycle Museum and continued that for 20 years. For the last year or so he had attempted retirement, but his head remained firmly in motorcycle mode until the end.

In the current situation his funeral will be, by necessity, a small family affair but there's a JustGiving page JustGiving/ donations/ BillCrosby - in his memory which will remain open until after his memorial party, to take place when all this current situation is over.

It is in aid of the British Legion as he said that his years in the Army were the best of his life, second only to motorcycling.

Bill Crosby - here on the right, with ex-racer Paul Smart - was a familiar face, thanks to running Triumph specialists Reg Allen and the London Motorcycle Museum.

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ÂĽents

Stafford set for August

Happier times ... The Italian Motorcycle Owners' Club GB at Stafford, April 2018. The new date for this year is August 15/16, 2020.

Owing to the ever-changing nature of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, there's another date change for the 'April' Stafford show, with the new date being August 15/16.

"Following the recent announcements from the UK Government, Mortons Events has had to postpone the 40th Carole Nash ClassicMotorcycle Show which was due to be held on April 25/26.

"The safety and well-being of our visitors, exhibitors, partners,

contractors and staff is the most important factor and the key reason for postponing the event.

The events team have been continually monitoring the latest public health and Government guidelines regarding the evolving Covid-19 situation and acting in accordance with their advice.

"We have secured new dates for the show at the Stafford County Showground which will now take place on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16, 2020.

All ticket and trade bookings will be honoured for this new date.

However, if you are unable to make this new date, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

"For all ticket enquiries please contact our customer services team on 01507 529529 or email customerservices@ mortons.co.uk "For all trade enquiries please contact our shows team by email exhibitions@mortons.co. uk or 01507 529430. Lines are open Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5pm.

Tony Rutter (1941-2020) Road racing legend and multiple TT winner Tony Rutter passed away on March 24, 2020. Seven times a TT winner between 1973 and 1985,he was also a multiple British championship winner and GP racer.

His son Michael, himself a successful racer, reflected: "It makes me smile how dad lived his life exactly how he wanted to and how he got away with so much.

"He will probably be best remembered for winning the world TT-F2 championship four times on a Ducati, as well as seven Isle of Man TT wins, nine North West 200 wins, and two British championships. ''I'd like to say a big thank you to his carers for taking such good care of him, and to all his fans and supporters:'

THE CLASSICMOTORCYCLEI JUNE2020

Tony Rutter in action during the 1974 Junior TT, which he won at 104.44mph.

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9

News Events

Rare A set for rescheduled Stafford sale Believed to be one of the first Series A Rapides manufactured and potentially the last VincentHRD motorcycle to leave the factory in 1959, DUR 142 was used as a factory demonstrator, Vincent directors' mount and road test star.

The machine will be offered for sale at Bonhams' Summer Stafford Sale, on August 15/16, 2020, alongside the 40th International Classic Motorcycle Show.

Announced in 1936, and with a top speed of 110mph, the Series A Rapide was the fastest production vehicle when launched. Only 78 examples were manufactured, and

approximately 50 are believed to survive.

DUR 142 was retained by the factory as a demonstrator and for promotional purposes.

Accordingly, it was loaned to Motor Cycling in April 1938.

The machine was taken to Brooklands for speed tests and timed at 102mph.

DUR 142 reappeared in 1955, when Vincent-HRD production

Vincents lead the pacl< at H&H's online auction The H&H motorcycle sale, which took place behind closed doors on April 7, 2020, as an online live auction, dispatched 129 lots for a total of £900,000 a 67% sell rate. Five ofthe top seven bikes sold were Vincents.

Mark Bryan, head of motorcycle sales for H&H, said: "Given the context - a global pandemic - this is a remarkable result which speaks so clearly of the passion collectors have for motorcycles and the trust they have in H&H. People were buying bikes they had not seen and without knowing precisely

when they could take delivery:' Fifth (behind four Vincents) in the 'top price' list was a 1930 Norton CSl, which fetched £27,600, all of the funds from the sale of which will go towards the purchase of the Old URC Church in Stokesub- Hamdan, Somerset, built by a distant relation of the bike's owner, former RAFpilot Bill Southcombe.

The whole community is doing its bit to seal the deal on saving the church which plays host to a number of community projects.

This Series C Black Shadow topped the Vincent list, and the whole sale, fetching over £47,000.

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THE CLASSICMOTORCYCLEI JUNE 2020

ceased, and Motor Cycling covered the sad event by testing the last machine off the line, together with DUR 142, which they described as 'one of the first Series As' Bonhams' Mark Garside responsible for the motorcycle coming to auction - said: "It is particularly gratifying to bring an historic machine such as DUR 142 back into public

notice after over half a century of hibernation. Machines such as this come to market very rarely, and it has taken years of patience to successfully consign this particular motorcycle:' Alongside the Vincent-HRD and the Morbidelli Collection, the Summer Stafford Sale will offer a superb range of prewar 'golden era' British motorcycles.

Details at www.bonhams.com

Top items in the sale were: Lot 120, 1955 Vincent Black Shadow Series C sold for £47,150 Lot 115, 1954 Vincent Rapide Series C, £36,800 Lot 119, 1947 Vincent (HRD) Rapide Series B, £35,075 Lot 161, 1938 Vincent (HRD) Meteor Series A, £34,500 Lot 90, 1930 Norton CSl, £27,600 Lot 108, 1973 Triumph X-75 Hurricane, £23,000 Lot 125, 1948 Vincent (HRD) Meteor Series B, £23,000.

Bill explains why his overhead cam 'cricket bat' Norton had come to be sold: "If we fail to buy the church, it will be auctioned by the synod, to developers probably, or left to decay:' As a trustee of the charity set up to save the ecclesiastical building, he has already donated the value of two more of his bikes.

"It's a Congregational Church built by my ancestor, Richard Southcombe, for the community in 1866. It is Grade II listed and in very good condition and was given to the URC Synod in 2016 by the Elders. If we are to save it we must pay the synod this year, 2020:1

Lovely cammy Norton was sold to help purchase a church. It made £27,600.

Book Review'Rebel Read - The Prince of Speed' Autobiography of eight times world champion, Phil Read MBE Designed and published original by: Alan Wilson of Redline Books Available from: Mortons Media Group Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lines, LN9 6JR. Limited edition, signed copies available.

Tel: 01507 529529 Hardback, 225 x 285, 288 pages with over 180 photographs ISBN 9780955527876 - £39.95 (UK)

Phil Read MBE, winner of eight world championships between 1964 and 1977, is Britain's most successful living motorcycle road racer.

He announced his entry into big-time racing after first winning the Senior Manx Grand Prix in 1960, then with an Isle of Man Junior TT victory in 1961.

Three years later he took his first world title, also the first for the Japanese Yamaha factory he raced for. Four more Yamaha-mounted titles followed, including one hard- fought as a privateer, plus two in a row in 1973 and 1974 in the blue riband 500cc class with the mighty Italian MV Agusta team.

An eighth world championship came from Read's courageous ride to victory on wet roads in the 1977 Formula 1 TT race, on a heavy and poor handling 810cc Honda.

Born in Luton in 1939, Read recalls the excitement of being taken to Silverstone for the first time on the back of his father's Velocette MSS to watch the Hutchinson 100. A year later, 1956, he is riding his own Velocette KSS and starting an engineering apprenticeship.

The racing bug had bitten hard, however, and with the support of his generous mother, a new 350cc BSA Gold Star was purchased, which saw him on the start of

his amazing racing career.

We read of his frustration riding the resurrected but obsolete Gilera fours for Scuderia Duke in 1963; the fantastic 160mph 250cc Yamaha RD05As; the MV Agustas and Benellis; the unwritten and illegal Yamaha team orders and the devious Italian factory politics.

With amazing candour he tells of his success, the big houses, the private plane and the Rolls-Royce, plus the sorrow of his second wife Madeleine's tragic death and business failures.

He pulls no punches either when describing Geoff Duke ("arrogant"), Bill Ivy ("egotistical"), Agostini ("insular") and many others.

In this revealing and superbly illustrated autobiography, the Prince of Speed vividly recalls hectic track battles against riders like Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, Jim Redman, Bill Ivy and Barry Sheene, all of whom he beat at various times. 'Rebel Read; who was never far from controversy, also frankly describes life in the Grand Prix circus: the glamour, the danger, the money, the politics and the sex. With top quality design by Alan Wilson, this superb book is highly recommended.

Book reviewed by Jonathan Hill

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News Events THE WAY WE WERE IN

JUNE · · ·· · · · ·· · · 1920 ,· · · ·· · · · · ·· · · · ·· · · · · ·· · · · ·· · · · ·· · · · · ·

Hans Pattist on his Aermacchi Ala Verde; it is hoped the 2020 Motogiro will be run in September.

2020 Motogiro

d'Italia to be rescheduled Due to Covid-19, the Motogiro d'Italia has been moved from its usual late spring date to the autumn, by which time it is hoped travel and social restrictions will be eased worldwide.

Although Italy has been particularly badly affected by the virus, it also benefits from hot, dry summers, which, it is believed will help to eradicate it in that country.

Still, with many participants in the vulnerable age category, maintaining general health during the event becomes a new priority and so the organisers are working with all relevant public bodies to ensure that appropriate measures are put in place where necessary.

To provide an extra level

of reassurance, registrations for the rescheduled Motogiro d'Italia 2020 can now be made without the need for prepayment.

Registration fees will be requested nearer the date of the event, which is scheduled to take place from September 13-19 in the Italian Alps. A bike transport service from the UK to the Motogiro's start-finish location in Verona is available by separate arrangement.

For details of entry categories, group discounts and further general information, see the official website at www.motogiroitalia.it, email info@motogiroitalia.it, or call 00 39 0744 401330.

Mike Lewis.

Event postponement and cancellation We have, of course, received much correspondence regarding events not taking place, date changes and so on, but with the ever-changing situation, there are simply too many to list at the moment. Once the situation becomes clearer, we will publish a revised diary.

The first postwar loM TT featured 29 entries for the Senior (500cc) race, and 32, comprising under 250cc lightweights and up to 350cc machines, for the Junior race.

Many factories, including Indian, AJS,Norton, Burney and Blackburne, Wooler, Sunbeam, Diamond, Duzmo, New Comet and Levis,were taking part. TheMotor Cycle offering an award for the leading under 250cc machine in the Junior.

On Tuesday, June 15, all awoke to a fine day, and by Barnmany early arrivals at the start/finish eagerly awaited 1 2 3 4

the 9.30am Junior race. First away was 58-year-old F W 'Pa' Applebee, astride a tiny works 247cc Levis, followed a minute later by team-mate Gus Kuhn, then privateer Ronald Clark from Norwich, who dwarfed his Levis.

Eric Williams took an early lead, chased by Howard Davies (both AJS)- they both retired on the third lap with engine failure, handing the lead to team-mate Cyril Williams, chased by Clark.

On the fifth lap Clark's Levis slowed with a puncture, allowing Capt Watson-Bourne and Jack Holroyd through.

CWilliams JA Watson-Bourne JS Holroyd RO Clark

349ccAJS 40.74 348cc Blackburne 39.44 349cc Blackburne 39.37 38.31 247ccLevis (awarded The Motor Cycle Trophy) Fastest Lap: Eric Williams, 349cc AJS,51.36mph.

Overnight rain cleared by the 9.30am Senior start on Thursday, June 17, and a hot day became hotter.

George Dance powered his Sunbeam into the lead, but

stopped. Dougie Brown now led from Tommy de la Hay, then on the fifth lap, de la Hay passed Brown and so they finished, with privateer Reg Brown third.

TdelaHay 499cc Sunbeam 51.48 DMBrown 490cc Norton 51.00 3 WR Brown 490cc Sunbeam 49.68 Fastest lap: G Dance, 499cc Sunbeam, 55.62mph .

1

2

· · ·· · · · ·· · · 1945 ,· · · ·· · · · · ·· · · · ·· · · · · ·· · · · ·· · · · ·· · · · · · As TheMotor Cyclewent to press, the Ministry of Fuel and Power still hadn't issued

a clear statement regarding the supply and allowances of petrol for private use.

···········1970······································ The Press had been reliably informed that British ISDT teamsters John Giles, Ken Heanes, John Pease, Roy Peplow, Jim Sandiford, Mick

Wilkinson and reserve Malcolm Rathmell should be able to collect their privately funded Cheney Triumphs by the end of the month.

···········1995······································ Chancellor of the Exchequer Ken Clarke had rejected replacing his favoured 'tax on possession' scheme with an additional fuel levy.

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THE CLASSICMOTORCYCLEI JUNE 2020

The Government had also proposed a taxation rate reduction for vehicles over 25 years old.

Richard Rosenthal.