Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2017 i The Classic MotorCycle

For this issue we’ve made an extra effort to encourage and appreciate the use of old motorcycles, hence the ‘get out and ride’ motif you’ll see on some of the pages. The breadth of events old motorcycle ownership and interest opens up is hopefully demonstrated, be it trials, road racing, VMCC-type runs, European events, veteran and modern machine specific – there is, we hope, something for everyone. And Steve Parrish’s Panther is ready to ride, too! In the name of practising what I preach, I’ve been out riding a fair amount, on all manner of machines, including some truly memorable events (Montlhéry and Banbury) plus the usual club runs and general gallivanting. I enjoy it all and appreciate the different motorcycles I am lucky enough to have access to. Riding…

The biggest autojumble in the south of England is back this September. The 24th Carole Nash Eurojumble takes place at Netley Marsh, near Southampton, on Friday, September 1, and Saturday, September 2. As well as the jumble, there are exhibits from localmotorcycle clubs. Plus, Dorset-based auctioneers Charterhouse will be hosting a sale on the Friday. Also set to return is the popular garage clearout sale on Saturday, allowing one-day traders to come and sell. Tickets for Friday cost £9 in advance or £10 on the day. For the Saturday it’s £8 in advance or £9 on the day. Camping passes are available too, allowing you to stay fromThursday through Sundaymorning for only £60, including showentry for both days and access to the evening bar and shower block. Tickets canbe purchased…

For the last few years, various friends have been saying tome: “Youmust go to the Vintage RevivalMontlhéry, it’s fabulous.” So an idea began to germinate. But whatmotorcycles to take? We wanted to do something a bit different and spectacular to such a fabulous, historic venue, so an idea was hatched – let’s do an ‘unofficial’ GingerWood V-twin tribute act, with the 500cc New Imperial and Series A Vincent-HRD Rapide racer, which were both campaigned by the Middlesex-born racer. I approachedmuseumdirector James Hewing at the NationalMotorcycleMuseumand the response was encouraging – that was the first thing in place. Brilliant. James decided he’d ride too, and elected to bring theNewImp, as well as the SeriesATTReplica Vincent single from themuseum, while we chose to bring a vintage too, as well as theMk.1 KTT…

The 2017 Lansdowne Classic Series season kicked off at Pembrey inWales, racing in conjunction with the CRMC over the Easter weekend (April 15/16) with the weather sunny and dry. Thirty riders entered the various classes to kickstart their points tally for the coming season. T Saturdaymorning qualifying saw the Bonhams class runners at the sharp end. Dean Stimpson, on an Izzard RacingManx, topped the sheets with a 1:06.383s lap, and Chris Bassett headed up the National Motorcycle Museum (NMM) sponsored WRR (forWRoy Richards, the museum founder) class. Race one saw the field charging down to the tightest hairpin on the calendar, with drum brakes tested to the maximumat the testing bottleneck. In the Bonhams-sponsored class, Stimpson was away with it, taking the win fromACR (Andy Clews Racing) Manx mounted Chris…

This year marked the 110th anniversary of the Isle of ManTT. It also marked the 50th anniversary of the Diamond Jubilee and the 60th anniversary of Bob McIntyre’s 100mph lap record. But while it marked the anniversaries of somany historical events, this year’s TT also made its own mark, with news that the running of the TT will remain with the Isle of ManGovernment. This was alsomet with a new paddock layout – the first in a long time. Last year UK-based company Vision Nine was appointed as an independent promoter of the event for 10 years. However, onlymonths later, the Government’sDepartment of Economic Development declared it was discontinuing the tender process. And changes have already been put in place to improve and enhance the Grandstand experience as part of…

Folklore is a strange thing. It seems to exist merely to self-generate its own reason for existing and often the truth behind the lore is a little different. Take sidecars for instance. The folklore surrounding them goes along the lines of well, everyone used to ride/drive them at one time’ though the truth is slightly different and I’ll wander off the point foramoment before heading back to Steve Parrish’s Panther outfit. So, I’m from a family of motorcyclists–my dad started riding in the mid-1930s, his dad started some time around the First World War. Most of the family were involved in the local motor club – Consett and District in case you were wondering, and, yes, it still exists – so I knew a lot of people who were motorcyclists…

GREEVES SCOTTISH TRIALS MODELS THE SPECIALIST Thanks to two sources for this restoration guide. The name of Villiers Services sums up the business admirably and it can also help with Greeves parts. The rest of the knowledge came from Colin Sparrow, whose book ‘Greeves –TheComplete Story’ is as comprehensive amarque history as you will find. TheGreeves Riders Association offers the usual club benefits and enthusiasm aplenty. ? GreevesRidersAssociation:www.greeves-riders.org.uk ? Villiers Services: villiersservices.co.uk; 01384 265797 MODELHISTORY Greeveswas one of a number of Villiers-engined choices challenging the traditional British four-stroke thumpers in trials and scrambles in the Fifties. Success in international motocross and trials endorsed the Essex factory’s approach to off-road motorcycle design. Works rider PeterHammond lifted the 200cc cup in the Scottish SixDays Trial in 1956 and Jack Simpson repeated the…

This charming 1937 photograph–published inTheMotor Cycle, of April 6, 1937 – is captioned, “Large numbers ofmotorists and cyclists are visiting the fields aroundNewent, Gloucestershire, to gather thewild daffodils which are growing in profusion there. Farmersmakea small charge to enter the fields.” FromThe Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust website: “The delicate wild daffodil was once a common sight throughout Gloucestershire and is our county flower. Today the wild daffodil is mainly found in a part of the county called the ‘Golden Triangle’ due to its fields and verges of native wild daffodils. The Golden Triangle is near Newent and draws hundreds of visitors every year from all over the country. “InMarch each year GloucestershireWildlife Trust’s Gwen and Vera’s Fields, BettyDaw’s Wood, Vell Mill Meadowand KetfordBanks nature reserves, near Newent, are carpeted inyellow. The…

A fan of theMax The June 2017 issue of The Classic MotorCycle features one of the great motorcycles of all time. I refer to the NSU Max and its derivatives, the Special Max and the Supermax. Having seen the NSU team in action in the Lightweight TTs on the Isle of Man in the early 1950s, I knew theywere special and I hoped to own one, not a Rennmax but a Max nevertheless. John Surtees and Mike Hailwood both raced an NSUSportsmax at one time or another – I knew I’d never have one of those either! My chance came in the form of a 1957 Specialmax which I bought second-hand in 1958. I really wanted a blue one as shown in yourmagazine. However, minewas beige with red lining, still…

A few years ago I rebuilt an identicalmachine to the NSU Max featured (June 2017). It had stood partly dismantled in the yardofashop, abandonedby theowner when the cost of replacing thebig end wasmore thanhe thought the bike wasworth. I bought it and set about returning it to something like the thingIwantedwhen I was 18. Everything came apart. I fitted new main bearings, piston and replacement crankshaft, then got on with reassembly, marvelling at the wonderful engineering and design features such as the means by which the valve clearances didnot alter as the enginebecame slightly taller due to expansion when hot – clever stuff. Eventually the day came when I got it on the road and then its shortcomings became apparent. Firstly, it was tall andheavy. That did not botherme, as…

Reading his first ride report from September 25, 1968, it’s clear from the off that the Rocket 3 had quite a first impression onTheMotor Cycle’s VicWilloughby: “Racing power with garden-party manners, an iron hand in velvet glove – such is the dream of many a connoisseur. In the 740cc Rocket 3, BSA translates the dream into reality. Its 58bhp is a level of power that any road racer, bar those with factory support, would give his eye-teeth for,” went his opening paragraph. Naturally, with just about every mod-con you could wish for, the Rocket 3 weighs half as much again as a 500cc racer. Yet its eager engine provides shattering acceleration and a top whack, with the rider tucked in as much as possible, of more than two miles in…

The Highlands of Scotland has been the focus of the trialsworld for over 100 years, as the Scottish SixDays Trial stamped its authority on the feet-upworld.Naturally there have been some changes since those early days,when just to persuade a flimsymotorcycle to travel along such roads and tracks as existed not only in Scotland but in all parts of the UK, was a notable achievement. In those far off times, only a fewyears aftermotorised transport emerged, the addition of a hill or tw two in an eventwas enough to test the competitors. T Then, as now, the aimof the riderwas to achieve a ‘clean’ and the termreferred to a clean – in otherwords unassisted by foot, pedal or spectator – climb of the test hill.Hence the term‘clean’ to depict the ideal…

In August 2016, I spotted an intriguing advertisement on Facebook for classic motorcycle beach racing in South Australia in 2017. Up until that point the oldest bike inmy life was a 1989 Suzuki GSX-R750, far outside the pre-1962 requirement for the event, and despite being desperate to ride, there was no waymy budget could stretch to acquiring a vintage bike. Clearly it was time for some divergent thinking! Over the years I’d been aware that a step-uncle (Ross) had an old BSA parked behind his shed. It had sat there since before I was born and I had never even seen it, but nevertheless I called to ask if hemight be prepared to loan it for the Sellicks Beach event. Luckily forme, he agreed. I didn’t really know what to…

Known to many employees, competition riders and much of theMidlands as ‘The BSA’, rather than BSA, the company enjoyed many highs and lows. The end of anything, even if expected, is distressing and seemingly unnecessary and many of us still feel uncomfortable as we think about the demise of such an institution. While financial pundits, many employees and much of its allied trade forecast doom, many, including your scribe – then aged 22 – were shocked as the final nail was driven into the BSA coffin duringMarch 1973. K Taking a departure from our regular style, this feature is presented in timeline form. While a few facts contained therein may cause discomfort, this timeline isn’t intended to depress, instead interest, sometimes amuse and occasionally amaze. I make no apologies if…

1 SP 1 The Smiths 150mph three-inch (80mm) speedometer is flanked by 120mph and 80mph instruments. All three sport trips can be zeroed by the rider using a pull out to engage knob to rear of the speedometer, either directly or remotely via a short cable. Alternatively, the odometer will zero itself every 1000 miles. Typically, the trip records both whole miles (or kilometres) and tenths, while the mileometer records in whole miles only. 2 An advert from a 1902 issue of Motor Cycling, illustrating a typical motorcycle cyclometer of the period along with a car mileometer. In operation, just as with the mechanical cyclometers of our youth, a spokemounted pointer flicks the cyclometer five point drive a fifth of a turn every revolution of the wheel and internal gearing…

Custom and classicbikes, as well as a ‘Show and Shine’ competition, providedplenty to see at Race, Rock ’n’ Ride on May 21. Part of the paddock was given over to stunt riders competing to performevermoreoutrageous tricks on twowheels, but usually one.With a soundtrackof high octane racingon the drag strip, it was almost a sensoryoverloadat the event at Santa Pod. Saturday’s on-track action was curtailedby rain, but after valiant efforts by the track crew, everything was soonunderway again on Sunday. Although therewas a sprinklingof older competition bikes,much of the weekend was devoted to more recent racingmachinery, running in the Straightliners drag race championship. Anexhibition pass byFrenchman Eric Teboul sawhis amazing rocket-powered bike reaching almost 250mph over the quarter-mile strip. Apopular part of classic interest was put together by the Coventry Section…

Mecum’s first foray into the Nevada spring for a vintage motorcycle auction inLas Vegas was pronounced a successwith 339 motorcycles sold over June 2-3, realising $4.4million in overall sales. The top pricewas $95,000 for a restored 1950 Vincent Black Shadow, though Indians once again demonstrated their enduring desirability, with five of the top 10 sales bearing that venerable name. While not necessarily among the top-pricedmotorcycles at the auction, Harley-Davidsons, Hondas andTriumphs were among the most popular marques to cross the auction block, with an impressively large selectionof eachonhand. Once again, Las Vegas proves itself as the premier vintage motorcycle enthusiast gathering place,” said RonChristenson, president of the Mecum motorcycle division. We began this three-day event onThursday eveningwith three champion motorcycle racers, DonCastro, Gene Romero and Jay Springsteen, taking the stage…

Most of us can remember approximately when we bought a particular motorbike, although thememory tends to become vague afterawhile, and canbe totally lost as the years roll on. But you might well be surprised tohear Ian Thorogood confidently say: “Oh yes, I bought it at 2.30pm on SaturdayMay 24, 1969.” But then again he might be in trouble if he forgot the date and time, because the transaction actually took place during hiswedding! “Wewere linedup for the photographs,” he recalls, “when my cousin John, who was standing beside me as my best man, mentionedhewas selling his Norton and we did the deal there and then!” M Many of us also forget exactly howmuch we paid for a bike, but Ian naturally remembers the 10-yearold Norton only cost the princely sumof…

There’s a theory expounded that in any event report, if the writer mentions the weather then they’re struggling for things to say. Of course, that’s not the case about the VMCC’s Banbury Run, but fact of the matter is, it’s not possible to report on the event, on June 18, without commenting on the scorching nature of the sun. It was hot. The hottest day of the year so far, by somemargin, made sure a memorable day for many was suitably sun-kissed. After a few years of not riding at Banbury, this year I’d decided to once again participate. I enjoy riding best of all, but trying to get around and speak to as many people as I want to do, as well as cram in a 60-plus mile ride…

Running a small motorcycle repair workshop during the 1930s, proprietor WL ‘Smokey’ Dawson looked at entering the manufacturing side of the business. Likemany, he had ideas, but little investment cash. Noting the growing enthusiasm for motorcycle rear suspension and telescopic front forks, he took a hands-on rather than drawing board approach to developing his own systems. During 1942, he beganmaking – on a tiny scale – plunger rear suspension kits, marketed locally through his shop, enabling customers to convert pre-Second World War rigid models to rear springing. A year later, he added the Dawson Telematic front fork to his range. As the war ended, he went into production with 350/500cc single cylinder grasstrack machines bearing the legend ‘DMW’ (Dawson’s Motors Wolverhampton). But don’t start thinking in terms of volume production…

The Classic MotorCycle is brought to you by... EDITOR James Robinson Tel 01507 529405 Fax 01507 371066 email jrobinson@mortons.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS INTHIS ISSUE TimBritton, Rachael Clegg, Jonathan Hill, Stewart Perry, Roy Poynting, Richard Rosenthal, Martin Squires, JerryThurston, Phillip Tooth, Alan Turner, Phil Turner. PRODUCTION EDITOR SarahWilkinson SENIOR DESIGNER Kelvin Clements DESIGNERS Michael Baumber, Libby Fincham PICTURE DESK Paul Fincham, Jonathan Schofield, Angie Sisestean PUBLISHER TimHartley DIVISIONAL ADVERTISING MANAGER Billy Manning ADVERTISING SarahMitchell-Savage Tel 01507 529418 email smitchell-savage@mortons.co.uk SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER Paul Deacon CIRCULATIONMANAGER Steve O’Hara MARKETING MANAGER Charlotte Park COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Nigel Hole PUBLISHINGDIRECTOR Dan Savage EDITORIAL ADDRESS PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6LZ VISITOUR WEBSITE www.classicmotorcycle.co.uk GENERAL ENQUIRIES &BACK ISSUES Tel 01507 529529, 24-hour answerphone email help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk ARCHIVE ENQUIRIES Jane Skayman jskayman@mortons.co.uk Tel 01507 529423 SUBSCRIPTION Full subscription rates…