MOTORING

VINTAGE

Motorcycling with Rod Hann

I START THIS month with a clarification as too what is regarded as an old bike, my club (the VMCC) accepts all machines over 25 years old. Most old bike club's use a similar criteria. Even many members in our club do not recognise that machines dating from 1997 can be ridden in our events. The image of a ‘Vintage’ or ‘Classic’ club to most people is that of an elderly gent wobbling around very slowly on a flat tank machine made in a British factory decades ago.

That image could not be further from the truth in the 21st century. Now many members are mounted on machines from the 1970's and 1980's and perhaps in excess of 50% of any entry will be made up of bikes from all parts of the world. When we speak to fellow bike enthusiasts they cannot believe that the old bike they have in the shed is in fact eligible to be used in our events. So there you have it - that old bike in the shed could well be recommissioned and put to further use.

Events during August are as prolific as always. Somerset Section start with their club night at Cossington on the 4th. On the 7th will be the Sign Post Rally from Creech St Michael and this is followed on the 18th by an Evening Meet at Catcott. The Codgers and Dodgers Run from Watchfield takes place on the 21st and in addition they have a weekly Morning Meet on Thursday mornings at the Avalon Centre. The Wessex Veteran and Vintage Section have an event called the Lunch in the Woodshed Run on the 7th and this starts from Silton Village Hall. Their club meeting on the following day will take the form of an auction of motorcycling related items and this will be at the same location.

The Dorset Section have a run on the 6th called the P u r b e c k Perambulation and this starts at Blandford. Next will be a club night Autojumble and Social at Pulham on the 10th. The Border Run will take place on the 14th from a location yet to be confirmed. On the 17th will be another Mid Week Run this time starting at Henstridge. On the 21st is a Tiddler Run which is organised specially for machines with small engines. Lastly on the 28th will be the August Run from Stalbridge. Another busy month in store so as usual you can get more details by ringing 01935-872528. The Wells and Westland Club's also have a busy month planned ahead so see their websites for more details.

Contrary to my first paragraph the picture this month shows two members preparing for the off after a pleasant coffee stop. The picture was taken at a recent Wessex Section event. This Section only organises events for pre 1931 machines so every bike needs to be at least 92 years old. Shown are machines made by Scott, Ariel, BSA and Sunbeam so on this occasion all machines are British built. As you can see the weather was fine and bright and the riders have a contented smile on their faces. An enjoyable day was had by all.

It seems these days that owners of machines they wish to sell are seldom advertised in the motorcycling press or in club journals, although I have had two successes this year using this method. Most bikes seem to end up on web sites or going to auction. Both of the later options seem to work well and all options have their advantages and disadvantages. With most methods at least the owner retains much of the control in the selling process, and I am aware that sellers in auctions retain the right to impose reserve figures. The auction option is becoming ever more popular these days.

At a recent auction the Japanese machines seem to be commanding very strong prices and favoured British machines also selling very well but the more common makes and models less well. A surprise was that small capacity machines, especially the small mopeds from the continent, are making very good money.

So when contemplating making another purchase there are many options available and always do your homework first to ensure that the new purchase is exactly what you want and need. And to those people who might have an old moped or small bike stuffed in the shed, and thought to be valueless, well now might be a very good time to pass it on. You may well have a very pleasant surprise.

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Established OVER 30 YEARS Two members preparing for the off after a pleasant coffee stop during a recent Wessex Section event.

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