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Coincidences in motorcycling seem to occur with a reasonable degree of regularity. Some are just odd – for example, we bump into our friend Dave, who we met on an Irish rally years ago, in unexpected places, the strangest being the fish market in Venice. Others places include the quay at Blakeney, Norfolk last summer (he lives in Surrey), while my brother spotted him at a Fleetwood Mac concert at Wembley. Obviously it’s no surprise when I bump into Dave at Brooklands or Banbury, or any of the other places our paths cross, but the north Norfolk coast or an island off the Italian mainland came as a bit more of a surprise. This came to mind over the Christmas period, looking through a folder that accompanied my latest acquisition. I’ve scratched another of the motorcycling itches I’m subjected to, this one to own a Longstroke Sunbeam (honest, this month’s restoration guide is another coincidence…). I wasn’t desperately looking, though I had loosely penned a ‘wanted’ advert but had done no more than that when I spotted an advert. Acting quickly, correspondence was exchanged and next thing, I was unloading a Beam from the van, not quite sure how this had happened… Anyway, coincidences. So I sat looking through the file of this machine which I’d bought from near Chesterfield, and among the paperwork was some details of a previous owner… who lived in the same Lincolnshire town I now inhabit. And with a bit of thought and putting two and two together, I realised that over 10 years ago, I’d actually been to look at this Sunbeam, but then I couldn’t raise the asking price, though it was less than a third of what I’ve now had to pay. Still, a funny coincidence. As was the fact that the chap I bought the Sunbeam from, had, under a sheet in his shed, a vintage ohv HRD. Now, that’s something else I’ve always been rather obsessed with (there’s quite a long list…) and as we chatted, realised we’d spoken at Cadwell Park probably 15 years ago about said HRD. I’ve only seen half a dozen or so (one of which was the one owned by Phil Heath, on p114 of this issue) and remember them all – then yesterday someone sent a picture in for us to identify. One of the machines featured was… an overhead valve HRD.
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JAMES ROBINSON Editor
Contributors Tim Britton, Rachael Clegg, Jonathan Hill, Roy Poynting, Richard Rosenthal, Martin Squires, Jerry Thurston, Phillip Tooth, Alan Turner, Phil Turner, Andy Westlake. 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 | MARCH 2018 Archive photograph .......................................... 6 News ................................................................... 8 CBG Winter Classic ........................................ 12 Brooklands Military Day ............................... 14 Letters ............................................................. 16 Subscribe and save ........................................ 20 Velocette Venom............................................. 22 Paris salon....................................................... 28 BMW ISDT replica.......................................... 32 BSA Bantam D14 Sports................................. 40 1920s scooters ................................................. 48 BJS V-twin ....................................................... 54 Wall family (NMM restorers) ........................ 60 Closer look – Brooklands 1920 ...................... 66 Mick Grant interview..................................... 72 Men who mattered – Alan Shepherd............ 74 Triumph twin project..................................... 76 Roy Poynting column .................................... 80 Sketchbook travels ......................................... 84 You were asking.............................................. 86 Jerry Thurston column................................... 89
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Restoration guide – Sunbeam Longstrokes . 90 Technical feature – Taps, dies and threads . 92 Classic components – Fuses.......................... 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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Not as it seems This is not Turkey, Egypt, or indeed even a film set. It’s Riverside County’s annual (this is 1959’s edition) date festival… Photography: MORTONS MEDIA ARCHIVE
T
Classic archive
he reason for the African/Arabian/Turkish pastiche garb (and the camel!) was that Riverside County, California, was just about the only place north of Africa where dates could be grown. The rider of the lightly customised Triumph twin was Skip Fordyce, a local motorcycle trader. Skip’s Triumph was a new motorcycle too, one of the launchedfor-1959 5TA Speed Twins, which were based upon the 350cc 3TA/ Twenty-One and implemented to supersede the long running, super successful original Speed Twin, designed by Edward Turner, and arguably the most important British motorcycle ever made. Launched for the 1938 season, the Speed Twin was a revelation which sparked a revolution. For years, a sporting 500cc model wasn’t a sporting 500cc model, unless it was an overhead valve (or overhead camshaft) big single, as hairy-chested as any motorcycle could be. The Speed Twin changed it all; mainly as it was, pretty much, quicker than all of them. And besides which, the twin cylinder Triumph would get away quicker as not only was it possessed of blistering acceleration, it was a darn sight easier to start than a big single too… With the 1939 Tiger 100 the nails driven into the coffin by the Speed Twin were further embedded – and then burred over. The times had changed. Of course, some were to survive (BSA’s Gold Star) but others (Rudge Ulster and Sunbeam’s 500cc big single) were to never reappear post Second World War. The Speed Twin, though, did reappear and, with its distinctive amaranth red paint scheme became one of the most recognisable motorcycles on Britain roads. And increasingly, the roads of the US too, as servicemen who’d been to Europe spread the word. Bigger versions of the Speed Twin et al came to sate the American thirst for ‘cubes’ but still, the original model survived, updated in line with the rest of the age, enjoying an enduring popularity. Despite the swinging arm frame and the telescopic forks, the 1958 model’s 1938 genesis was plain to see. And though there were obvious family traits with the 1959 incarnation, it was the biggest development in the whole Speed Twin story. One thing that did remain was the amaranth red paint scheme – though that’s not in evidence on Skip’s machine. When the Tiger 100 went unit in 1960, it was black and ivory, which is what Skip’s could well be finished in, though the extra lighter panels on the mudguard and bathtub were never standard. Looking closer at the picture, there’s a fine white line separating the dark and light paint workout, which means that it isn’t black and white – black and silver perhaps? It’s difficult with black and white photographs to discern colours, but the dark paint looks too dark to be amaranth red (though maybe not), so black seems the most likely. The lighter paint somehow looks grey or silver – though perhaps it was Twenty-One blue? Unless someone remembers Skip’s machine (which also has US bars), we’ll perhaps never know… What is interesting is that a so-finished first year unit Speed Twin presented at one of the classic shows would cause sucking of teeth and “they didn’t make ’em like that” comments… It was 1964 before the red was discontinued, replaced by black and silver. Perhaps Skip was the inspiration! The black and silver was retained for the model’s last three years, being dropped from the 1967 line up. As for the date festival. Dates (from Algeria) were first planted in California in 1903, the groves becoming a tourist attraction. The first date festival was in 1921, the second the next year, but it didn’t really take off and it was 16 years before the third. This time, though, it was a success and came with more attractions, including street parades and funfairs. After a hiatus for the Second World War (when all California fairs were halted) it came back, stronger than ever, with more attractions added and an Arabian Nights theme instigated, hence the accompanying picture. It’s still going strong (it now covers 120 acres) and in 2018 is held End from February 16-25.
THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | MARCH 2018
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News Events
News&Events
We’re heading to Bristol...
If you’ve bought your copy of TCM hot off the press, or even better if you’re a subscriber, you’ll still need to be quick to make the Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show, at the Royal Bath and West, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 6QN. It takes place this weekend (February 3/4), opening at 9.30am each day. There’s always loads to see, with private entries, club stands and a great jumble.
Bikes central at Roxby weekend
New VMCC section for the West Highlands? The Vintage Motor Cycle Club is very active in Scotland at present and a meeting to consider setting up a new section in North Argyll and Lochaber is to take place on February 23. Anyone with an interest in old motorcycles is invited whether or not they are VMCC members. Location is the Alexandra Hotel, The Parade, Fort William, PH33 6AZ at 7.30pm. The VMCC’s president Rodney Hann will chair the meeting. If you are interested please get in contact with local resident Chris Jones on 07768 268854 or email cjoneshome@btinternet.com
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Get a taste for the Pioneer Run 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 (and chips – as shown!) on March 18.
THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | MARCH 2018
Classic motorcycles will again play a central role in what will be the seventh Roxby Heritage Weekend this summer. Attractions at the July 14/15 event will also include classic cars, military vehicles and various displays, 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.
Trails leading to Telford It’s all trails leading to the Telford International Centre for the Classic Dirt Bike Show, over the weekend of February 17/18. Well-known off-road exponent and raconteur Colin Dommett is one of the guests of honour, and he’ll no doubt have some good tales to tell, with Colin joined by Gerrit Wolsink (twice runner-up in the 1970s in the 500cc GP table) and exISDT rider Peter Duke, who’ll be talking about his late father Geoff as well as his own riding career. There’s also the usual raft of off-road iron – be your
NEWS IN BRIEF BOSCH MAG SOUGHT
There’s always a chance to buy some trials iron at the off-road show.
preference motocross, trials, racing or speedway… anything that doesn’t take place on
the road. Gates open at 10am, advance tickets from 01507 529529, the postcode is TF3 4JH.
Prescott set to hit new heights This year’s Prescott Bike Fest is set to be the biggest and best yet, with so much to do that organisers have now extended it to cover two days. The event will return to the Gloucestershire hill climb venue on April 14/15, and it will feature a hugely diverse range of machinery covering virtually every era of motorcycling. Throughout the weekend there’ll be live music, special guest appearances, a large zone for youngsters, more than 100 quality trade stands, clubs, plus beer and food tents. All proceeds go to the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes and regional Blood Bike group Severn Freewheelers. The latter is one of 27 Blood Bike groups around the UK
H&H SALE Entries are now open for H&H’s first motorcycle auction of 2018, which is on Sunday, March 4 at The National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham. Early consignments include a 1969 ex-John Lennon Honda Z50A monkey bike. Contact H&H’s sales specialists for a complimentary appraisal via info@handh.co.uk or call 01925 210035.
DEE, ATKINSON & HARRISON SALE
The Morgan Club is a regular supporter of the Prescott event.
that provide a free out-of-hours courier service for medical essentials. The life-saving service is run by volunteers and operates between NHS facilities, with Severn Freewheelers alone dealing with around
400 calls per month. Bike Fest has raised well over £200,000 for the charity since the event was founded. For tickets and more information on the event, visit: www.prescottbikefestival.co.uk
Prepare to bid for unique French collection A superb single owner collection of motorcycles, many of which predate the First World War, is set to go on sale with French auction house Artcurial next week (February 10). Belonging to a French enthusiast who started collecting in the 1960s, the collection comprises nearly 80 pioneer, veteran and vintage machines. The majority are unique and offer a fantastic testimony to the
early days of the motorcycle. The collection was based in Thiers, the knife-making capital of France. Old motorcycles often found their way to the central French region to be dismantled so the metal could be melted and recycled to make knives. This collector rescued some rare and very unusual motorcycles from this fate and displayed many of them on the walls like paintings. From early
The National Motorcycle Museum is seeking a magneto for its historic 1914 TT Matchless, as used by the Collier brothers in the Island that year. What’s required is a Bosch to suit the Matchless’s 60° V-twin Motosacoche engine. The mag required is bevel driven via a splayed two-inch connecting shaft (a Cardan shaft), runs anti-clockwise and is smaller than usual Bosch items, it would seem. Any help or information please contact James Hewing via james@thenmm.co.uk or by calling 01675 443311.
There’s a couple of Gold Stars (including one with Clubman TT pedigree), a Cotton Blackburne and a Series A HRD Meteor among the lots at the sale at Sledmere House, East Yorks, on March 3. Call 01377 53151 or visit dwaauctions.com
BMPS JUMBLE
on, he was in touch with the first collectors and enthusiasts including Serge Pozzoli and M. Lefranc, from whom he bought some important pieces. 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. Visit www.artcurial.com
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.
SUB BSCRIBE TO O TODAY SEE P20 FOR MORE DETAILS
THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | MARCH 2018
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New Events News
Bright new year at Brooklands
THE WAY WE WERE IN
MARCH 1918
Stuart Osborne and his Sunbeam lit up the gloomy January weather.
Brunch for more than 5000 seems a vaguely biblical feat, but it sums up the efforts of Brooklands Museum for its New Year’s Day Classic Gathering, billed as the largest such yearopening event. Whatever the excesses of the previous night, when the gates opened at 9am it started a seemingly never-ending stream of classic, vintage, veteran, commercial and military machines as well as more modern custom creations. The museum had laid on plenty of additional catering to keep everyone refreshed. Eventually, there were more than 1100 pre-1988 admissions. The parking area was provided by the former finishing straight, part of the original track, and finally revealed after the removal of the wartime Bellman hangar. It was a considerable space, but soon filled with cars. The motorcycles had their
own dedicated area near the famous clubhouse. A line of two-wheelers by the BP pagoda was dominated by BSA and Triumph examples, while there was more variety in a row by the nearby paddock fencing. Sad to admit, but the two-wheeler presence was decidedly modest in numbers compared to other types of vehicles. The Campbell Shed is part of the original track infrastructure. A period enhancement was a Sunbeam Lion leaning against it. The bike had been ridden in by Stuart Osborne. He had bought the 1936 model, apparently an uncompleted restoration, from a Kempton Park jumble. Damage to the 600cc side-valve engine took some specialist repair to get it up and running, but the cycle parts were an easier prospect, needing little more than basic recommissioning. That authentic patina was already there. Alan Turner.
George Costain Winner of the 1954 Senior Manx GP George Costain has died, aged 88. From the Isle of Man, George won on Reg Dearden’s Manx Norton, the same source providing his machines the next year for his TT debut. George’s best TT finish was 13th in the 1956 Senior, gaining nine silver replicas in his career. He retired from competition in 1961, concentrating on his successful butcher’s business in Castletown, though he continued an interest in road
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Prewar Rudge competition manager F A ‘Rowley’ Rowlandson (listed in some reports as S A Rowlandson) had been promoted from Temporary LT to Acting Captain. In 1914, he won a sidecar handicap race at Brooklands and raced in the IoM, and participated when the factory competed on the continent as preparation for the IoM TTs in 1913 and 1914. Aside from his team manager role, Rowlandson enjoyed much competition success himself, including second place in the gruelling 1100km (683 mile) 1913 Italian International Road Race, following home the Italian Vailaiti on another Rudge. Other notable results included outright winner
of the Apricia Hill Climb and class victor at the Cremonese Circuit. As part of the Brooklands crowd, he persuaded friend Cyril Pullin to ride for ‘his’ Coventry factory at the 1914 IoM TT races. A sound decision; Pullin won at 49.49mph, a new race record, despite being a great deal of pain towards the race’s end after his goggles were smashed by road surface debris, which a doctor spent an hour or more removing after the race. During his time with Rudge, Rowley earned a reputation not only as rider and astute team manager but also musician and raconteur, skills which served him well in his army career. He was later promoted to the rank of Major.
1943 Despite the ongoing war, reports were filtering through of ‘old motorcycle enthusiasts’ saving a number of precious, aged machines from the National
Government’s scrap metal scheme. Vehicles reported as saved included a Riley forecar, De Dion Bouton trike and De Dion Bouton voiturette.
1968 Suzuki officially confirmed it would not field a team in the year’s road racing world championship. With the withdrawal of Honda announced earlier, this left just Yamaha of the Japanese factories competing at this level. Before making an official announcement, a
senior executive personally informed contracted riders Hans Georg Anscheidt and Stuart Graham of the decision. Both were permitted to ride last year’s 125cc twins at international level as privateers but were forbidden from racing them in world series Grand Prix.
1993
George Costain races to victory in the 1954 Manx GP.
racing, acting as travelling marshal at the Southern 100 for several years.
THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | MARCH 2018
In his Budget statement presented to the House of Commons on March 16, the chancellor of the exchequer announced rises in taxation rates of £5 for 151-250cc and over 250cc motorcycles to give new rates of £35 and £55 respectively. However, there
was good news for owners of pre-1933 models, who in the past have needed to be of under 250cc or 101.6kg to qualify for preferential rates. Now, all pre-1933 classes would pay just £15, regardless of weight or capacity. Richard Rosenthal.
Book Review Only Bounders Ride Motorcycles 100 years of family motorcycling Author: Ken Mellor Published by: OK Rollem Productions Tel: 01757 617299 Email: okrollem@gmail.com Softback, 156 x 234mm, 205 pages with approx. 60 photographs and illustrations. ISBN 978 1 52620 667 1 £12
Spanning 100 years of family motorcycling, this is the story of a father and son and the pleasure and satisfaction they have derived from man’s basic concept of the internal combustion engine, not only for workaday transport and weekend pleasure, but in sporting events ranging from hill climbs during the First World War and early 1920s, through to grass track and speedway racing in England and France in the 1950s and 1960s, to a more leisurely period of club runs and touring. All of which is set against a background of life in the cinema industry and later film and television. Ken Mellor’s father, who was the senior cinema projectionist at the Tower Cinema in Leeds, was also an avid diarist from which we learn about his motorcycling escapades with colleagues in the 1920s, riding his 1914 belt-driven Blackburne on 100 mile-plus journeys to Blackpool and Scarborough and riding in hill climbs on public roads at Eccup Bank. From a young age the author wanted to ride in speedway, but was advised by legendary all-rounder Oliver Langton to earn his spurs in the rough and tumble of specialist Yorkshire grass track racing. Following a successful course at the Belle Vue Speedway training school, we read a hilarious account of how
Ken joined a multi-national circus of speedway riders travelling through rural France, competing in very rustic and unofficial events. Travelling in a huge, ancient old lorry driven by their devious Russian manager and his son, the manager was so short he could not see the end of the bonnet, so his son did the steering while he changed gears! On his return to England, Mellor became the long-term captain of Aldershot speedway and later raced in the vintage speedway league before becoming a sound engineer in film and television. A keen VMCC rider and participant – he owns a 1929 500cc York – and a great BSA fan, particularly of his 1937 M20, Ken has ridden his 1969 B44 from John O’Groats to Land’s End. As a concession to ageing limbs and cold winter starts, Ken has built his ‘Bazuki’ – based on the 1970 BSA B25 model, but fitted with a Suzuki GN250 engine with its electric start, five gears and four-valve head, transforming the machine. Illustrated with over 60 photographs, the book’s title comes from a comment made by King George V when he discovered that his sons, later Edward VIII and George VI, had been riding motorcycles. Highly recommended. Book reviewed by Jonathan Hill.
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Plenty to see, and variety too, in the private entry line-up.
New year showtime The first weekend of 2018 (January 6/7) saw plenty flock to Newark showground for the Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic. Words: JAMES ROBINSON Photographs: GARY CHAPMAN
A
s an antidote to turkey, mince pies and James Bond movies, it seems the CBG Winter Classic has struck the right note, with plenty wanting to squeeze in a little off-season motorcycling, if this year’s attendance – the best for several years – was anything to go by. After everything seemingly being about Christmas, it was a pleasant change to have a bit of motorcycling normality, with a host of desirable motorcycles on display for an enthusiastic audience to appreciate, as well as a reasonable sized jumble and even a hall or two of scooters to peruse. Guest of honour was Michael Rutter, who took several turns on the stage, a stage which had a couple of Ducatis with Rutter associations near it too, in the shape of racers, one as ridden by Michael’s dad Tony, the other used by Michael at the Classic TT. Keeping the TT theme going, Garry Kendrick’s beautiful Hailwood rep Ducati was beside the stage too, a first reminder of
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THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | MARCH 2018
the season that it’s 40 years since ‘Mike the Bike’s’ sensational 1978 TT comeback. Dougy Beardsall’s 1972 Kawasaki twostroke triple was chosen as best of show, the glistening American import having been subjected to a painstaking restoration. Competition was fierce though, with some lovely machinery assembled. Ken Thirtle’s lovely two-stroke Terrot was best of the vintage, Dave Wells’ KTT best prewar, Graham Holloway’s 1961 Bonnie the postwar entry pick and Stewart Parker’s lovely, imposing, statesmanlike Big 4 Norton the unrestored choice. The London Motor Cycle Museum P1 prototype – so the Tridnet prototype – on the TR3OC stand was machine of technical interest. All in all, it seemed that the show continues to underline its position in the calendar, as a welcome early new year’s opportunity to gorge on something that isn’t booze-soaked and covered in pastry, End brandy butter or icing.
Best restoration was Deek Manders’ unusual green Velo MAC, recently completed by Derek, who’s looking forward to putting some miles on it.
Jumble tempter? Heavyweight AMC on offer at £1500.