Trriumph Norton Mo odel 21
BEAU UTIFIED T140
RARE VINTAGE SIN NGLE
CIRCULATES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
AUGUST 2018
Road racer with t more o e TWEAKED BSA GOLD STAR
The VMCC’s Banbury Run
“So we turn left out of here...” : PLUS
Low mileage James CadetLansdowne series round-upTwo-owner Bianchi Gardena Luigi Taveri Triumph rebuild
Editor’s welcome
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This year, I decided against riding at Banbury, instead going along in a purely observational capacity, without the added complication of trying to ride as well as carry out my other duties on the day, which basically entail taking notes, pictures and talking. Lots of talking. I arrived there at 9am, left at 4pm and save for 10 minutes when I had a sandwich, I reckon that, pretty much, I spent the whole day talking. These conversations are such a part of our scene and there’s nothing which fires up one’s enthusiasm as the enthusiasm of others. Conversations were varied and wide ranging though all, largely, hanging around the subject of old motorcycles – twins, singles, vintage, veteran, classic… on it goes. I spoke to guys from New Zealand and America, from every corner of the United Kingdom – including the north, catching up with VMCC president Alastair Alexander (from Scotland) and the south with the Isle of Wight contingent. It’s great, this dialogue, and the social side is such a crucial part of the scene. Since the event, I’ve been putting a few people in touch who I introduced to one another, while there are leads to chase up with regards to future features (and of course future potential purchases…) Although I didn’t ride at Banbury, as I write the next six weekends in the diary all have things written against them that I’ll hopefully be doing, providing an opportunity to exercise some motorcycles, and then it’ll really feel like the riding season is in full swing. We (dad and I) spent a bit of time the week before last with my cousin, too, indoctrinating him in old motorcycle lore. Though cousin Dan passed his test 18 months since, and had a modern 125 a while ago, he’d never ridden anything with the gear change on the right, or experienced the ‘limitations’ of older brakes. But an hour or so going up and down the road on a late-1950s Velocette MAC we have, with a few stops and turns put in, and he was confident and competent enough for us to embark on a 70-odd mile ride around the back roads and lanes of Norfolk which he agreed was an entirely pleasant way to spend a few hours. Hopefully, that’s another convert and he’ll be joining us for some of these busy upcoming weekends.
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JAMES ROBINSON Editor
Contributors
James Adam Bolton, 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 | AUGUST 2018 Archive photograph .......................................... 6 News ................................................................... 8 Banbury Run .................................................. 14 Letters ............................................................. 20 Subscribe and save ........................................ 24 BSA Gold Star ................................................. 26 Norton Model 21............................................. 34 Bianchi Gardena ............................................ 40 Lansdowne round-up .................................... 46 Triumph T140 (T120 Lookalike).................... 50 James Cadet .................................................... 54 Rex-Acme and the TT .................................... 60 Closer look ...................................................... 65 Brian Crichton interview............................... 70 Men who mattered – Luigi Taveri................. 72 Triumph 3TA/5TA rebuild............................. 74 Roy Poynting column .................................... 78 Jerry Thurston column................................... 80 Sketchbook Travels ........................................ 82 You were asking.............................................. 84 Restoration guide – Raleigh mopeds............ 88
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Technical feature ........................................... 90 Classic components – electric cables ........... 96 Diary..............................................................110 Next month ................................................... 113 Classic camera.............................................. 114
POST: The Classic MotorCycle, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6LZ EMAIL: jrobinson@mortons.co.uk
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Super-Mare speed trials Bad weather mired the late August 1919 event.
A
ustralian Douglas works rider and engineer Les Bailey (36, Douglas) has a quick look across to ensure his sidecar passenger is in position. Apparently, said passenger had a certain, distinct style at the start of the Western-super-Mare speed trials, organised by the Bristol MCC. Explained Motor Cycling: “His [Bailey’s] passenger adopted a somewhat novel procedure at the start, for, having pushed the machine off and run behind it until the engine was picking up, he sprinted and dived first down the torpedo shaped body, travelling down the course head first.” In fact, close study of the picture shows that the passenger is in a slightly strange position – indeed, the position of a man who’s just sprinted and dived head first into a moving sidecar!
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THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | AUGUST 2018
Whatever, it was effective, helping Bailey on his way to a dominant day’s display, winning both the 350cc and 500cc sidecar class with his 350cc overhead valve Douglas, with like-mounted F P Davies (most likely number 49 in the picture) second in the 350cc class and third in the 500cc category. The other prominent man in the picture is number 19, the 350cc AJS of C S Boston, the black-and-white petrol tank colours indicating that this is one of the machines built before post First World War manufacture had resumed; company’s such as AJS were forbidden from making civilian motorcycles after November 1916, by order of the Ministry of Munitions. In the Motor Cycling report, Boston was noted for ‘his good start on the clutch’. Owing to the heavy rain, boards were put down at the start, hoping to enable a
modicum of grip, and avoid bogging down in the sand. The course was a one-mile stretch, ‘…marked off by flag posts and danger signs in the centre portion and held clear at the finishing and starting points by the local police with the help of railings of ropes and posts.’ A driving, westerly wind and relentless, persistent precipitation didn’t stop the crowds flocking to watch the 137 competitors, 66% being members of the organising club. The format was knockout events, the opportunity afforded by the wide expanse of sand on the beach at Weston-super-Mare. There were 17 classes in all. Unfortunately, classes one and two only had one rider apiece, thus were walkovers, with the first excitement class three, for 350ccs. A torrential rain storm delayed
Classic archive
the start, but Boston, sans sidecar, won his heat, though it was Bailey who won the final. As noted earlier, he won the 350 and 500cc sidecar races too, as well as the club specific 350 and 600cc races. All five victories were on the same hard-working 350cc Dougie. Class five (and six for unlimited capacity) were the ones that brought out the big boys – George Dance, the Sunbeam expert, and Jack Emmerson, Brooklands star, here ABC mounted. Add in Bailey and Eddie Kickham (both Douglas) and Harry Martin (Matchless), plus the overhead valve converted TT Norton of Charles Sgonina (who was to carry on developing the machine for some time), and it was some line-up. Dance ran out supreme both times, after Emmerson struck problems. Bert Houlding brought out a big Harley-
Davidson to take the unlimited sidecar class while there was also a lot of interest in the engine of the racing Douglas ridden by F G Ball. Explained The Motor Cycle: “A new racing Douglas… had an engine with aluminium cylinders and four valves in each head – two inlet and two exhaust – each pair operated by a single overhead rockers and oblique tappet rod from the timing case.” Fastest man of the day was Dance, his time of 57½ seconds – that’s 62.91mph – handsomely quicker than everyone else, with Jack Emmerson the only other man under one minute (and only just; his speed was given as 60.01mph) though his day was mired by magneto problems, with the twin cylinder ABC spending much of the day cutting onto one cylinder. The only disappointment (weather aside)
was that ‘match race’ between an Avro aeroplane, a 15hp Straker-Squire car and Kickham, on his Douglas. The Motor Cycle explained the format: “They had to make a standing start together, the aeroplane having to get off the ground within 500 yards, and finish over the finish line at a height to clear the spectators’ heads, timekeepers’ tent, etc, with safety.” Health and safety gone mad, 1919 style… Unfortunately the plane had crashed some days previously (!) and the replacement broke down and had to land near Salisbury, so it was just Kickham v the car. The Douglas man streaked away and led easily, until water got in the works and the Douglas cut out, the car passing him before the line. Noted Motor Cycling: “Very bad luck indeed, as he would have End won easily.”
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News&Events
Brighton speed trials
Fascinating collection consigned
The VMCC Sprint Section will once again be organising the motorcycle side of things at the annual Brighton Speed Trials, by kind invitation of The Brighton and Hove Motor Club. The Brighton Speed Trials is considered to be the longest running motor sport event in the world as it first ran in 1905. Jump forward 113 years and Saturday, September 1, 2018, sees yet another running of this iconic event, the current format being a standing-start ¼ mile sprint along Brighton seafront’s Madeira Drive. Up to 200 cars and 75 motorcycles will take part during the day. It’s not unusual to have a mix of bikes entered from the 1920s right up to current day, and when we say ‘entered,’ the bikes in the paddock are the bikes that are given the beans along the seafront! Spectator entry includes a free programme and access to the paddock area, so not only can the variety of machines be seen at close quarters, the riders/drivers/mechanics can be chatted to if you want to know some detail about the machinery. There’s a 20% reduction for advance tickets up to August 24 – details at brightonandhovemotorclub. co.uk
A fabulous and interesting private collection of earlier machines from the north of England has been confirmed for Bonhams’ October Stafford sale, the motorcycles this year going through on October 14.
Among the machines in the sale are no less than three early vintage NUT V-twins, plus other V-twins from the same late teens/1920s period, including a Reading Standard (built in America), an Ariel, plus a
Fifth Museum Live open day
Following the continued growth of Museum Live over the past four years, Saturday, October 27, will this year see the National Motorcycle Museum host its fifth annual open day, when everyone will be invited to visit the museum collection free of charge. There will also be a host of other free attractions including the ever-expanding indoor trade and autojumble area.
THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | AUGUST 2018
The event’s large trade and autojumble area is held within the warm, dry surroundings of the National Motorcycle Museum’s conference facilities. For details of how to book a 6ft pitch for just £40 (plus VAT) contact Dan Powell 01675 444112 or danp@ nationalconferencecentre.co.uk Further details at nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk
sublime 1913 Hazelwood. Even earlier are a trio from 1904 (a Rex and two Ariels) while a fore-and-aft Harley-Davidson flat-twin, from 1920, is another rarely seen motorcycle. Visit bonhams.com for more.
A first for Hood A family-run British firm, Hood Jeans, have become the first to be certified with products that comply with new PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) legislation. The K7 Infinity range’s new features include a third generation of the Para-aramid woven Kevlar-type lining, double-layered, with the area covered extended, and more comfortable due to increased breathability and softness. With new labels and embroidery, the jeans are well cut, and that’s with the improved D30 TS EVO X hip and knee armour in place. The K7 Infinity range, in two blues or black, for gents or ladies, retails at £152.99, and is available only by direct order, with the price including all taxes and delivery anywhere. Hood Jeans, 44 (0)1953 888811 or email sales@ hoodjeans.uk Steve Wilson.
Airhead event With the largest display of vintage and classic BMWs in this country, The Airhead Event takes place on the Riseholme Campus of the Lincolnshire Showground over the weekend of July 13-15. Sunday (July 15) is open day and it should provide a great opportunity to see an almost full range of BMWs from 1923 to 1996. All the gate money received on Sunday will be donated directly to the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance. More details are available via the BMW Airhead Fellowship website www.theairhead.co.uk
NEWS IN BRIEF STEVE MERCER OFFICIAL
Go to www.justgiving. com/crowdfunding/ stevemercerofficial to donate to the appeal for racer Steve Mercer, badly injured in this year’s TT races.
KEMPTON IN JULY
The Kempton Park autojumble is on July 21, at Kempton Park Racecourse.
H&H at the NMM… and Banbury On July 26, H&H hosts its latest motorcycle sale at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham. There’s a great mix up for grabs, with motorcycles ranging from five Vincents to autocycles. The H&H contingent were out in force at Banbury too;
motorcycle specialist Mike Davis (left) won the Feridax Trophy with his lovely New Imperial, while head of motorcycle sales Mark Bryan (centre, on another New Imp) and auction staff Martin Crooks (Sunbeam) joined in too. Have a look at handh.co.uk for auction details.
‘Anna’ was a maidservant at the court of King Albert I who a dispatch rider fell in love with during the First World War. After the war, he returned to search for her and this run is over the roads he would have traversed in the French border zone. It’s on August 18, details from whereisanna2018@gmail.com
DEE, ATKINSON & HARRISON DATE There were not many singles present, but one long-time club member is the proud owner of this 1960 175cc Morini Tresette.
taking in the local scenery and including a visit either to the heritage Kent and East Sussex Railway at Tenterden, or to Maidstone Motoliner at Aylesford, which seemed to be the more successful option. As well as the frame-straightening workshops, visitors could see the ‘hobby’ side of the business, a collection of some superb restorations including a number of Italian bikes, with some real
rarities, as well as track and road-racing machines. Back at the camping ground, the rest of the rally was given over to Morini-talk, assisted by constantly available food and refreshment. Club chairman Mark Bailey spoke for the organising team to note the success of the inaugural occasion declaring: “It turned out better than we dared hope.” Alan Turner.
VMCC Festival of 1000 Bikes at Mallory Park The VMCC’s Festival of 1000 Bikes is at Mallory Park on July 7/8. Among the attractions included, are, from the Sammy Miller Museum, the 498cc
This year’s event takes place at the Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent over July 24-28. It’s a celebration of military history and vintage lifestyle – check www.warandpeacerevival. com
WHERE IS ANNA?
Morini rally
The Morini Riders’ Club was formed in 1975 for British enthusiasts. Many of the members attend rallies on the continent, so the club decided to reciprocate by organising its first International Rally. The site selected was near Maidstone, Kent, an easy Morini-ride from Channel crossing points. The event was well supported with various nations represented. It also attracted many riders from the home country. It was apparent the Morini of choice was the 3½, long out of production, but for many of those present, the near-perfect motorcycle with a combination of performance, economy, handling and roadholding. Among the long lines of parked bikes, there were also 250 and 500cc V-twins as well as a few of the singles by which the company became established. On the Saturday of the rally weekend, groups of riders had a choice of ride-outs,
WAR AND PEACE REVIVAL
eight-cylinder Moto Guzzi V8 the Gilera 500cc four, plus plenty more too, with big names – including John Cooper – among the roster.
There will also feature Pre65 Trials, grasstrack, sprint demonstration, clubs, jumble and live bands – see the site www.festivalof1000bikes.co.uk
Next sale at Sledmore House, up in Yorkshire, is on July 7. Details via andrews@ dahauctions.com
SUNBEAM DO
The Sunbeam S7 and S8 Rally is on July 12-15, at Osmaston cricket ground, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire. For information 01538 756927.
AUSTRIAN EXPEDITION
The Norton Owners’ Club Austria – Sulzbach Branch – is organising this year’s Norton Owners’ Club International Rally at the campsite next to the Red Bull Racing Circuit in Austria from August 15-20, 2018. More information at www.noc-austria.at.
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News Events
Brooklands’ final event to mark centenary Previous events have generated much interest in Brooklands’ connection with First World War activities, but there will be a final event, marking the centenary of the end of that conflict, to take place on September 30, 2018, from 10am-5pm. It will consist of a gathering of pre-1919 vehicles and will also include some of the museum’s relevant aviation exhibits. There has been considerable interest already from vehicle owners. The motorcycles will have an opportunity to take part in a re-creation of the original wartime motorcycle trials and these will be held on the recently reopened original finishing straight with bikes also on display in the race bays. Machines up to 1920, or later if accepted to be of special relevance, can either be ridden, or displayed as static exhibits. The organisers would especially welcome entries from those with Phelon & Moore machinery as these were tested at Brooklands by the Royal Flying Corps. For an entry, please contact events@ brooklandsmuseum.com
Alan Turner.
T-shirts from the Vic Bikers Pub The Victoria Bikers pub, based in Coaville, Leicester, hosts a bike night every Thursday, and has now launched a range of T-shirts too – have a look at vicbikerspub. co.uk for what they’re up to and click the ‘visit our shop’ link to see the merchandise. The pub also boasts a campsite, hostel and hosts lots of live music events.
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Norman invasion day
Norman Autocycles were enormously popular. Martin Cooper (left) has almost finished restoring his 1947 model. Tim Kent, behind, continues to clock up the miles on his 1949 version, a family heirloom, with a maximum speed of 25mph!
Closing in 1961, ending 40 years of production in Ashford, Norman Cycles Ltd was Kent’s only major manufacturer. A number of Norman motorcycles can still be seen at Dover Transport Museum, while at Willesborough Windmill in Ashford, the barn (now serving as a cafe) also has a collection of Norman bicycles. The restored windmill at Willesborough is the established venue for the twice-yearly gathering of Norman enthusiasts, the latest being on May 27. There were examples of several landmark models at the event. As a manufacturer, Norman was always looking to improve its products. Like so many others, it fitted bought-in engines, mostly from Villiers. Off-road competition success established the brand and as the road bikes became neatly styled and brightly finished, sales numbers were impressive. Andy Johns had ridden in on his Lido. Andy admitted to “quite a collection of Normans.” He had recently acquired the moped, a German design, which was also offered in slightly altered form as the Norman Nippy, a hugely successful model. Frances Germiney claimed her Nippy had been ‘repatriated’ from
THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | AUGUST 2018
Club livewire and newsletter editor Gary Pilcher helps Australian visitors Gary and Elspeth Osborne understand the finer points of Norman ownership.
Representing the later lightweights, Frances Germiney with her Norman Nippy, Andy Johns with his recently acquired Norman Lido.
Essex. With her local history interest, it seemed a logical step to add the moped to her modest collection of Norman bicycles. Willesborough visitor Ron Wilson told her that, as a 15-yearold trainee, welding the sheet metal on Nippys was how he learned his craft. Former road racer Ken Whorlow is a keen club supporter and regularly attends club events. In recent months his presence attracts attention
as he rides one of the few surviving bikes that has a British Anzani engine. Busy taking in every last detail were Gary and Elspeth Osborne. Gary was initially puzzled when he acquired a Norman near his home on the Gold Coast in Australia. Internet research led him to the Norman club and his itinerary of a tour of Britain included a visit to Willesborough. Like all the attendees, he had a good day. Alan Turner.
Book Review
‘Bob McIntyre’s 350 Bianchi’ Authors: Raymond Ainscoe and Martyn Simpkins Foreword by: Gianni Perrone Published by: Ilkley Racing Books, 3 Mendip House Gardens, Curly Hill, Ilkley, West Yorkshire LS29 0DD Softback, 215 x 275mm (portrait), 40pp with 40 photographs and illustrations. £15 The Bianchi racers of the early 1960s first came to the attention of British fans when Derek Minter ‘went foreign’ and rode a works 250cc twin – he is shown in a very emotive picture on the starting grid of the 1960 Lightweight TT, alongside two early Honda fours. As recorded in his autobiography, Bob McIntyre was fully aware of the Bianchi’s propensity to throw its rider up the road (as Derek Minter had found to his cost), but judged that the new 350cc twin was the only machine capable of matching the 350cc four-cylinder MV Agusta. Approaching Bianchi in January 1961, he tested the 350 at Modina and Monza and signed up for the season – although he could not ride their 250 as, by then, he had agreed to ride a workssupported 250cc Honda for Reg Armstrong. Designed by Lino Tonti, the 65x52.5mm dohc six-speed parallel twin developing 49bhp with a top speed of around 140mph, certainly had winning potential. At the West German GP Bob Mac harried eventual winner Franta Stasny (Jawa), but was let down by piston failure. Prior to the 1961 TT, McIntyre joked his 250 was faster than his 350 and his 350 was faster than his 500 Norton. Teamed with Ernesto Brambilla and fellow Scot Alastair King, Bob was third fastest in practice, but retired once more with engine failure during the Junior race.
Having previously produced bicycles, Edoardo Bianchi produced his first motorbicycle in 1901, but it was not until 1923 that he approved of a racing motorcycle venture. A year later his designer, Mario Baldi, designed the very advanced 350cc Freccia Celeste dohc single-cylinder racer on which legendary car racer Tazio Nuvalari started his very successful racing career. It was followed by a 500cc version and by 1940 a 500cc supercharged fourcylinder machine was built, but never raced. Post Second World War, Lino Tonti designed a 250cc four-cylinder machine that was never built. Tonti’s enthusiasm seemed to far exceed Bianchi’s racing budget and financial restraints resulted in more conventional racers. Despite some good placings, Bob Mac was no doubt frustrated, as was Derek Minter, by the unreliability of the machines. Perhaps, with more funds available and his undoubted development skills, things may have been different. Tragically, Bob McIntyre lost his life whilst racing at Oulton Park and Bianchi went into liquidation in late 1964. As privateer Gianni Perrone states in his foreword: “There are just two good things about owning ex-works racing Bianchis – the thrilling day of acquisition and the day of sale.” Essential reading for both racing historians and collectors. Reviewed by Jonathan Hill.
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Straight off
THE WAY WE WERE IN
AUGUST 1918
The passing of Captain C Gordon Bel following a crash while testing a new aircraft near Versailles was noted. Gordon Bell was a well known Brooklands car
1943
Jeremy Deeks gets to grips with his B32 Gold Star – he was into the 16-second bracket on Sunday.
A reasonable pre-entry was boosted with numerous day entries for The National Sprint Association’s first event of the year at Westonzoyland, Somerset, on May 12/13. There’s enough runway left at the venue, a former Second Front wheel clear of the ground, just. Another of John Young’s World War airfield, for a quartertrademark launches on his mile course and the necessary 500cc Triumph-JAP. shut-down area. It seems the having a 400cc capacity. recent and much lamented loss In the Classic classes, Tony of Shakespeare County Raceway means racers have to look further Lockwood fought off the fourstrokes to make his rare Greeves afield to find suitable venues. Oulton a winner, posting 90mph John Young was looking terminal speeds, while the Over forward to another season of 500 Classics were an easy victory adding more successes with for Jasper Joy riding one of his his venerable pair of early brace of Triumph Tridents. Triumph-framed JAPs. Leaving As well as later machinery, the the line in his usual monowheel hotly-contested 750cc Racing fashion, he had the 500cc class class also has a healthy entry of wrapped up, but his Saturday British bikes. Jasper Joy’s former best of 15.92/75mph in the 350cc category was more than matched drag racing Triumph Trident, ‘Mickey Taker,’ remained firmly by John Carter, who exercised the throttle on his Velocette MAC in the 12-second zone leaving Tim Howell’s nitro-burning, to 15.18/86mph. supercharged BSA A65 the best In third place was Jeremy of the Brits with 11.84/117mph. Deeks, getting to grips with a The following day, John Carter nicely trim BSA B32 Goldie. reeled off further 15-second runs In the postwar 500 class, while John Young reasserted Ted Reading’s solitary canter his mastery of the 350cc class, following a long absence from posting a 14.49/97mph. In competing took the class with the Classics, Andrew Webb 18.01 on his 500cc Gold Star, got his Aermacchi on song exactly a tenth of a second and moved just ahead of Tony in front of Simon Rees’ latest Lockwood’s Oulton. project, an interesting rework of Alan Turner. a ZB32 Gold Star with the engine
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THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | AUGUST 2018
Independent engineering consultant HCM Beaumont indicated his return to his old love of three cylinder radial engined motorcycles with a proposed range of four
1968
Riding a Suzuki T20 (Super Six) Tommy Robb, Martin Hodder, Stuart Graham and Barry Smith set new 250cc class FIM records for six hours at 94.574mph, 12 hours (93.316mph) and 1000km (94.866mph) at Monza despite, or perhaps in spite of, a tropical storm which brought down a
1993
Just too late to catch the previous week’s deadline, the death of renowned Irish road racer Stanley Woods on July 28 was confirmed in the early August edition. Born November 28, 1903, Stanley, who as a youngster wrote his own references to secure a factory works Cotton ride in 1922, was considered by many as the first truly professional road racer. Never appearing fast, his ultra-smooth style took him to 10 IoM TT victories, starting with a win in the 1923 Junior, aboard a factory 350cc Cotton-Blackburne. Woods was never a gung-ho type rider, rather an analytical, self-disciplined tactician who worked out the capabilities of a machine before even practising, then considered safe maximum cornering speeds, mechanical robustness, road and weather conditions plus many other
and motorcycle racer who enjoyed places and victories racing a 490cc Norton or 580cc BAT-JAP. He began flying aircraft in 1911. models comprising 342, 492, 749 and 993cc fully sprung machines, all fitted with transverse three-cylinder 120 degree radial engines with shaft final drive. light jet plane at nearby Malpensa airport. The Super Six, along with another over-bored to 256cc, were prepared by Eddie Crooks who, along with Brian Ball, Frank Whiteway and Hans-Georg Anscheidt, set a new 350cc class 24 hour record at 91.055mph. factors and raced within these considered limits. What many didn’t know was that he recorded machine set-up, road conditions, results and other factors neatly in a notebook, along on occasions with postulated improvements, for each ride. Alongside road racing, Stanley was an ever enthusiastic motorcyclist, who tried his hand at speedway, ice racing, grasstrack, scrambles and was an accomplished trials rider who for a time ably competed in the annual Scottish Six Days Trial. Twice married, firstly and briefly to a French lady and then from 1936 to Mildred who predeceased him, his funeral was held at the Rose Lawn Crematorium, Belfast on July 31, 1993, with addresses by Terry Hill and Harry Lindsey. Richard Rosenthal.
Taking g the show on the road With near-on 500 pre-1931 motorcycle taking to the roads in the area around Gaydon Heritage Centre (where the run starts and ends) the Banbury Run still has plenty of lustre.
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Words and photographs: JAMES ROBINSON
he VMCC’s annual Banbury Run is the ideal place to fire-up one’s enthusiasm for pre-1931 motorcycles; a motorcycling carnival, with an amazing soundtrack and an intoxicating mixture of intriguing smells, as the combination of oils being used (twostrokes, four-strokes, while there’s always a few on Castrol R too) mingle with the aroma of bacon being fried in the early morning summer. The British Motor Museum, which was formerly the Heritage Motor Centre, has been the home of this totemic event for the last few years, and the run is growing into its new surroundings, a place which is under seemingly constant development – this year, the evidence of a whole new infrastructure was plain to see, and although it’s not complete yet, clearly when it’s done, the
site will provide what can only be described as the ideal venue for such an event as the Banbury Run. Lots of pleasure can be had from wandering around the site; I didn’t even make it into the museum this year (it’s always well worth a look) while I found myself basically engaged in conversations from my 9am arrival to my 4pm departure, often revolving around a motorcycle parked in front of us. There’s so much to do and see, so many tales to be heard and told, old friends to catch up with and new ones to be made, as well as introductions – in a coincidence I went to catch up with one of my Lincolnshire friends, who I’d been telling about a chap I’d met the weekend before when he’d arrived at an event on a TT Longstroke Sunbeam, only for me to realise
that they were starting in consecutive numbers at Banbury. I introduced them and soon numbers were being exchanged and help proffered for one’s project the other has experience of rebuilding. It’s the sort of little things I like. The genial godfather of all things Sunbeam (of which there did seem to be a lot of at this year’s event) Archie Beggs was casting his eye over the Marston machines, while his own flat-tank Model 8 had been loaned out; Archie expressing the view (which I’ve known often) that’s it’s always a bit nerve-wracking when someone is on your machine, not through worry about the mount, but that you want the rider to have a good time and the motorcycle to behave. Needless to say, Archie’s overhead valve flattank 350 performed impeccably, as another benefited from his generosity.
Banbury | 2018
1: You don’t see many of those… Fore-and-aft Humber twins are a rarity. This 1914 example belongs to John Emanuel.
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2: Chris Chant, on the right, chats with New Zealander Trevor Hackett. Machine is Chris’s wonderful 1926 HRD Super 90.
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3: Much-modified by former owner Don Wright, Michael Farrell is current custodian of this 1925 Indian Scout. 4: John Seddon has had his 1925 Sunbeam six months and been four miles on it pre-Banbury. It performed admirably and John reckoned by run’s end he was even able to change gear without looking down at the gate!
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