MOTORING

VINTAGE

Motorcycling with Rod Hann

I START this month with my picture taken recently at the Dorset Section's Veteran and Vintage Run. I declare a vested interest in this event as my wife and I are the organisers. Lovely autumn sunshine and dry roads were ideal for the 20 entrants who signed on.

Of those twenty entries there were nine different makes of machine represented, all of which were British made. In the picture can be seen James, Norton, BSA, Douglas, AJS, Ariel and Triumph, but also represented were Sunbeam and Royal Enfield. Some of those makes have been resurrected but others have long since fallen by the wayside. The bikes varied in age from 1911 to 1930 making the newest machine 92 years old.

The riders did a short route of around 40 miles which included a coffee stop taken at Charminster. At the conclusion all riders converged on Leigh Village Hall where 33 people sat down to a very social lunch, followed by the prizegiving. An enjoyable day was had by all.

Riding events do continue during November but obviously there is less of them. The Somerset Section have their club night at Cossington on the 3rd and this will be a talk. Next on the 5th will be the Autojumble at Shepton Mallet (more on this later), and on the next day will be the Guy Fawkes Run from the Cheddar Garden Centre. The Dorset Section have a quiz for their club night at Pulham on the 9th. On the 12th they have a Memorial Run starting at Budgens Service Station at Shaftesbury. The Wessex Veteran and Vintage Section just have their club meeting at Silton on the 14th. As usual you can get more details by ringing 01935872528.

As mentioned above the Somerset Autojumble will be held at the Bath and West Showground on Saturday 5th. Entry for £3 starts at 9-30am for the public which allows the traders time to set up their stalls. This will be the last opportunity this year to purchase all those bits and pieces which keeps our hobby going. This is a meeting place to see friends and a very social day out is guaranteed. There will be bikes for sale and more rusty parts than can be imagined. Everybody goes in search of particular spares or even to buy that next project which cannot be refused and must represent a bargain. We all live in hope.

We have enjoyed a glorious summer for motorcycling weather wise. Plenty of dry and hot (too hot on occasions) conditions to enjoy riding but now the weather pattern has changed to a more temperate climate. To me the warm and dry days of autumn represent the very best of riding conditions. Passed are the days of being splattered by insects and so hot riding in full protective gear. Now temperatures are warm and comfortable, even with all the riding kit on, and it's very pleasant to cruise along at a steady speed taking in the splendid scenery around us.

As I grow older I enjoy riding less in heavy rain. Light rain or showers do not bother me but being saturated to the skin is no fun at all. I did enough of that when I rode for eight hours a day as part of my job. I hope I am getting wiser with age, or perhaps I am getting softer, but either way I remind myself that we only ride for fun these days and when it ceases to be fun then don't do it anymore. There are still enough fine days to keep me amused.

I wrote not so long ago of the return of the once most famous name of BSA. They were at one time the largest manufacturers of motorcycles in the world. Now owned by an Indian based company the name of BSA will be prominent once more. The old company's most glamorous machine was the Gold Star and this name is now being used on the new company's offerings.

The machine was announced last year and limited production has been started but little else has been heard. Recently their web site has shown the new model range and the availability to book a test ride. A dealership covering most of the country has been established and things seem pretty set to go. The Gold Star range have been priced competitively to other makes and starts at £6500 and rises to a modest £7000 for the top of the range version. I foresee many BSA bikes returning to our streets and further new models will appear in the years to come. All bodes well for this new venture.

Dorset Section's Veteran and Vintage Run enjoying the autumn sunshine.

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