Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2019 i The Classic MotorCycle

These days, opportunities to ride a motorcycle for a living are few and far between. Unless you’re talented enough to be a successful competition rider or factory tester, or you join the police force and end up pursuing criminals or escorting dignitaries, the best you can do are late night fast food deliveries and paid (not very much) per-drop inner city courier jobs – more often than not the applicant is obliged to supply the bike/scooter, riding kit and relevant courier insurance themselves. There was a time that if you wanted to turn our particular hobby into a vocation, the options were plentiful and the terms a lot more favourable – most employers would at least do you the courtesy of supplying the machine. Public and private, small and large,…

Aphotoshoot for a magazine such as this one is a gentle affair, involving riding at a sedate pace in a quiet location, or back and forth along a small road while the photographer catches just the right image. That’s what was happening on the access road to the museum devoted to coal gas production, housed in what was Biggar Gas Works. In case you’re not sure where Biggar is, it’s in Lanarkshire, Scotland and as I puttered back and forth on Raymond Albeson’s 1927 Model A, the bits I saw of it were very pleasant. At one end of the museum access road is a large parking area which made for easy turning, while the other end was slightly more complicated and brought me into a small shopping area where…

In the early 1960s, Milan-based manufacturer Bianchi could see an opportunity to trump arch rival Moto Guzzi. The Italian Army required a special machine to suit its needs – so once again, larger capacity four-stroke machines rather than tiddlers were to leave the Bianchi factory in Lombardia. Perhaps not one for aesthetically sensitive riders, these machines – named the MT 61 – are unique, rugged beasts. A steady chugging sound appears behind me, and I watch as two off-road tyres dig their way uphill, slowly but steadily. “It definitely takes you anywhere,” says owner Dirk Faber, when he reaches me and stops. He certainly hadn’t been hindered by a blocked piece of road, which forced him to use the shortcut of a rather steep slope. Distinctive but rather muted, the…

Today, Brian is an 85-year-old retired Detective Sergeant and then insurance investigator, specialising in vehicle identification. Tall and fit (he’s still a keen cyclist), Brian’s tenacious brain is also still active. He wrote the definitive reference work on car and motorcycle VIN details, as well as a couple of books of light-hearted but enlightening recollections (see page 56 for more details). But more recently a talk he gave on motorcycles to his local University of the Third Age led to a two-volume work giving a brief description of more than 5000 marques worldwide! Motorcycles run like a thread through Brian’s life – and he was not always on the right side of the law. Poacher turned gamekeeper Brian grew up on his father’s farm outside Leighton Buzzard. In 1949, his…

During the 1950s, a group of cyclemotorists from Warwickshire and the surrounding area formed The Magic Wheelers. Members proudly wore their club badge that employed the outline of the ubiquitous Cyclemaster as its emblem. At the founding meeting of the VMCC Cyclemotor Section more than 35 years ago, its co-founder, the late Stan Greenway, produced his original badge that was re-created for this non-territorial section. While past or present cyclemotoring activities aren’t at the heart of this feature, magic wheels are. The concept is simple – take a regular cycle or other appropriate rolling chassis and replace one wheel with a motorised wheel. Does the idea have flaws, and if so, what? Makers thought not, depicting smartly attired young men accompanied by their lady loves gliding through rolling countryside on…

In most cases, carburettor main jets serve as fuel metering devices – odd exceptions include floatless items fitted to small engined machines and for some stationary engine roles. Makers often code jets with flow rate, an arbitrary code or, in a few rare cases, main jet bore diameter. Unfortunately, when we acquire unknown, second-hand carburettors (separate or fitted to machines) we can’t rely on the jet/s metering accurately due to wear or some past errant owner who has opened up the jet’s bore without (re) marking the jet accordingly. One imagines many of us are guilty of that crime… For many carburettors – Amal, Bing, Dell’Orto – fitted to classic machines, a useful range of spares is available, including jets. Reference to motorcycle makers’ or carburettor manufacturers’ literature will confirm…

During the pioneer years of motorcycle development, a minority of military personnel visualised the potential of lightweight vehicles. The first recorded example, a Beeston Quad (which was a trike adapted to four wheels) equipped with a Maxim machine gun was demonstrated on Richmond Common by its maker Frederick Simm in 1899. As the Simms Motor Carriage, it was trialled unsuccessfully in the Boer War. Through the Edwardian period, enthusiasm for motorcycles by a minority of well-heeled officers self-financing military purchases grew. Resistance came especially from the cavalry, who were first amused by motorcycles, then horrified, as by 1910 the powered two-wheelers were proving more than a match for skilled riders on the force's best horses. Visualising extra sales potential, makers then vied with each other to provide test models to…

The Matchless G3/L ohv 348cc single has been described as 'the Spitfire of WD motorcycles" and "the superbike of the war''. It was certainly the one every British DR and officer longed to get their hands on. Compared with existing machinery it was faster (over 70mph), more powerful (16bhp@ 5400 rpm), significantly lighter (3441b in production form), and incorporating one cutting-edge feature-telescopic front forks, which gave good handling on Tarmac and outstanding ability, as postwar competition would verify, off-road. The Collier brothers' AMC at Plumstead, where AJS and Matchless were made, had come late to the party, as although there were orders for the G3/L's predecessor, the girder-forked G3 WO, a fast, relatively nimble but heavy (3751b dry) 350, of which 18,500 were supplied from 1939-1942, a) such a machine…

The BSA B30 story is a fascinating one, a tale of a machine that in some ways never really was (not to the anticipated level anyway) but which spawned motorcycles that became integral to a company's future. From where the B30 came is the tale of another thwarted design, as the military machine was based on the 1940-model 350cc B29, launched by BSA as a sporting middleweight and what was really the forerunner of the post Second World War 'big singles.' The B29 had the M-series' heavier crankcases, which had four main bearings. The B29's valve gear was totally enclosed and the valves were controlled by hairpin springs, within the head and rocker box. A version of this was developed in early 1940 and sent to the war department for…

The story of the military Armstrong is an interesting one -a tale of circumstance and opportunism, of spotting an opening and some lateral thinking to take advantage of it. It involves a dizzying multitude of names, from different countries - Bolton-based CCM (and its then parent company, Armstrong) from Britain, Can-Am/Bombardier from Canada, Austrian company Rotax (also owned by Bombardier) and finally Italian maker SWM. The story has its roots in CCM making 'Can-Arns; badged thus, in Britain, which were then sent to America and Canada to be sold through dealers there -the models ranged in size from 125cc to 500cc and were the same as sold with Armstrong badges in different markets. It is reckoned that 4000 'Can-Arns' were built between late 1982 and 1987. In 1984, the British…

Not much more than a month after the First World War started, 30-year-old divorcee Elsie Knocker and 18-year-old Mairi Chisholm were running a first aid post on the western front, having abandoned their lives at home to ‘do their bit’ for the war effort. In doing so, they became two of the most famous women of the war, receiving a host of medals for bravery and serving throughout the entire four-year conflict. At the time, being a divorcee was somewhat unusual – Elsie was one of 380 women granted a divorce in 1912, the year she separated from Leslie Knocker, whom she had married in 1906. Elsie (a nickname she acquired as a young girl) had endured a traumatic childhood, both her parents dying when she was a child, and…

Bonhams has announced details of the sale of the Sant Hilari Collection, to be offered on Saturday, April 27 at the two-day Spring Stafford Sale (April 27/28) at The International Classic MotorCycle Show. The entire 100-strong collection of competition machines will be offered without reserve. The vendor amassed this collection of machines over a lifetime spent as both a competitive rider and a works mechanic for several top-flight teams. The collection charts the development of many manufacturers, including several prototype examples. Details from www.bonhams.com/motorcycles…

There’s a place called Hochgurgl on the Austrian-Italian border. Here, there’s plenty of snow for skiing, but (at a height of 7135 feet) it’s also an unexpected mecca for motorcycle enthusiasts. The collection is extraordinary and well worth a visit before or after a long day on the downhill slopes. At the base of a winding road, a large bowl-shaped wood panelled building has been built. The ‘Top Mountains Crosspoint,’ as it was christened in 2016 by its owners, seems to be without any right angles, thus clinging nicely to the landscape around it. It covers a large area, and includes a cable car station, tollgate and a restaurant for 280 inside and a further 380 on its terrace. However, nearly half the area is used for the display of…

Though a motorcyclist since the mid-1970s and having experienced a wide range of machines from the 175cc CZ he passed his test on – and traded up almost immediately for a BSA Starfire – the Black Ariel represents Raymond Albeson’s first vintage motorcycle. Our man is probably the ideal custodian for this unrestored motorcycle and is firmly of the belief it should remain unrestored, which doesn’t mean neglected but serviced and maintained instead. Thanks should also go to Raymond for co-ordinating the motorcycles for our grand Scottish VMCC Test.…

I don’t know if the desire to create one’s own motorcycle is a peculiarly British thing, but conditions in the UK after the Second World War certainly encouraged such activities by those with suitable ability and facilities. That was especially true for would-be racers, as the few new factory-made machines were exclusively allocated to riders with a proven track record. Admittedly, there were still some fairly competitive prewar ohc Nortons and Velocettes available for use by amateurs in the larger classes, but in the lightweight category most riders had to either ride tuned-up 1930s ohv roadsters from the likes of Rudge and Velocette, or reduce the bore and/or stroke of the genuine cammy jobs. That was alright at domestic clubman level, but compared with the sophisticated motorcycles internationally campaigned by…

While we were at the National Motorcycle Museum, photographing for s supplement, this yellow B40 caught our eye too and we thought ‘well, we’ll do some pictures of that while we’re here’ as it’s another example of a working motorcycle, the theme running – albeit, loosely – through this issue. The AA usage of BSAs is a reasonably familiar topic, though this one is somewhat more difficult to decipher. In fact, it seems something of an anomaly, so what looked like being a simple ‘and in 1960-something-or-other, the AA took delivery of a fleet of B40s to use for XYZ’ has turned into nothing like that. In fact, there seems little record of AA use of B40s that I can establish, with that conclusion largely drawn from information taken from…

Notes: Sources vary marginally when quoting drill and jet sizes The above range was designed by myself 40-plus years ago to get machines started if there were no maker’s recommendations for carburettor type and main jet required to guide. If a maker’s literature specifies it then start there. If the engine is a vintage side-valve with 4.5:1 compression and mild cam/s, start at or near the low end of the range but for an ohv unit with 7:1 compression and touring cam/s start at or near the high end of the range. For safety it’s often wise to initially mildly over-fuel rebuilt engines with many new parts during the running in process, however excessive over-fuelling will be harmful. For performance applications with petrol a 25-100% increase in Amal jet sizes…

From an earlier era to the working police Triumphs featured elsewhere in this issue, 11 Triumph Speed Twins escort the cars of the Russian party, headed by the country’s leader Nikita Khrushchev, with his sidekick Marshal Nikolai Bulganin (Soviet Defence Minister 1953-55, the Premier of the Soviet Union 1955-58), as they depart London’s Victoria station, headed to Claridge’s hotel, at the start of their 1956 ‘charm offensive’ tour. The Speed Twins – certainly the front trio – are sprung hub models, which were discontinued in 1955, in favour of the new swinging arm frame. So rather like Marshal Bulganin, their time of service was probably drawing to a close, with only a couple of years left at best… Bulganin’s history is fascinating, in that in 1957 he was part of…

Small Heath's 496cc side-valve single was 'the guv'nor' among two-wheelers supplied by British manufacturers to its own and Allied forces. In the Second World War, 126,334 BSA motorcycles were produced from an overall British total of 425,000, the vast majority M20s, with a few thousand 250s for training purposes. With production rising to a peak rate of 1000 a week, economies of scale meant that in late 1941 an M20 set the War Department back just £49-12s-2d- cheap enough to replace if machines were destroyed or had to be abandoned. But one ex-DR did observe that "the best M20s were the oldest ones - the quality seemed to get worse as the war went on''. The Small Heath giant, however, did  back up production with service, with…

During the First World War, Triumph was the biggest supplier of motorcycles to the war effort, with its Model H doing much to secure and cement the firm's reputation for not just the generation of riders who used them, but subsequent ones too. In peacetime, the 'H' was phased out and the military started to use the Model P (which featured Triumph's own gearbox and final chain drive, unlike the H's Sturmey-Archer 'box and belt final drive). However, after the P, and into the 1930s Triumph seemed to fade from WD favour, though various models were used in penny numbers. The next Triumph to gain military acceptance in significant numbers was the 3SW, as pictured. This simple 350cc side-valve was based on the 35 civilian model, itself based on the…

If you were the one to buy a pair of Crockers – one big tank, one small tank – at Mecum’s Las Vegas auction, on January 22-27, then you’d have parted with $1,127,500 dollars (£873,248) to now be the owner of the iconic pair. The 1939 ‘big tank,’ shown above, realised $704,000, and the 1937 small tank $423,500. It’s rare for Brough Superior prices to be topped, but at $357,500, the 1925 SS100 was ‘only’ third in the big seller lists.…

The world most expensive Triumph Speed Twin? Well, here it is, the 1938 example owned by movie icon Steve McQueen, which was quite likely restored for him by his great pal (and stunt double) Bud Ekins. It fetched £136,262 at Bonhams’ recent (January 24) Las Vegas sale. In the same sale, another 1938 Speed Twin made over £33,000, which is a staggering amount too. Some other prices weren’t so strong (though £87k for a Munch Mammoth was good) but it seems prewar Speed twins are the thing to have!…

It’s a rare chance for enthusiasts to own a new Norton Commando... but time is running out to enter the National Motorcycle Museum winter raffle draw. Museum director James Hewing stated: “We have something very special for our winter raffle by offering a brand new/old stock 1977 Commando which has never been run or registered and is showing just a few ‘push’ miles only!” Second prize is a £1500 Sealey MC680E electro hydraulic motorcycle lift – a newly launched, top of the range electric lift with 680kg load capacity, while third is a luxury hotel break and dinner for two at the Manor Hotel, Meriden. The draw will take place on Sunday, April 28 at the Stafford show. Raffle tickets cost £2 each and can be obtained via the museum…

It was a cold, wet, early winter morning in 1968. The traffic lights turned green at a busy London T-junction, just as the young policeman riding a grey Velocette LE ‘got the call.’ Demonstrating too much ambition and not enough experience, he let out the clutch, upped the revs and turned right. He immediately regretted his enthusiasm. The rider, in classic upright position, realised his error too late and as the bike lost traction, he stoically and stubbornly remained seated and hung onto the handlebars. The duo were now sliding horizontally, as if riding the wall of death, and continued rather gracefully across the road, with metal scraping across the Tarmac. The rider culminated his performance by clattering into the opposite kerb, in front of a bus stop, which was…

It’s August 23, 1939 and a 51-year-old, moustachioed Joseph Stalin is shaking hands with Germany’s foreign minister, Joachim Von Ribbentrop. This moment is important – not only because it kickstarted the onset of the Second World War but also because it shaped the future of the Soviet Union’s motorcycle industry. Stalin had just witnessed his Commissar for Foreign Affairs, Vyacheslav Molotov, co-sign the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact with Ribbentrop. It was a pact that ensured – if only in writing – a 10 year commitment to non-aggression, along with a vital exchange of money, resources and technology. The agreement stipulated that the Soviet Union was to supply Germany with lumber, cotton, feed grain, phosphate, platinum, furs and petroleum in exchange for industrial machining, technology and war materials. It is widely believed that…

After the relatively recent 'invention' of the motorcycle, it didn't take long before people started to wonder if the new machine might have a use in war. Of course, this became more pressing when, in 1914, the First World War began -it was arguably the first mechanised combat, as the jobs which were traditionally undertaken with the utilisation of other mediums, were given over to a mechanical alternative. Aeroplanes, huge battleships, airships, then the tank, all became popular indeed essential aspects of'modern' war. And the motorcycle had its place too, initially as an alternative to the horse, a way of delivering messages and ensuring that communication could be maintained. So, the powered two (and three) wheeler was being used for all manner of other tasks too, becoming an important part…

Norton's Gilbert Smith cultivated relationships at the War Department in the 1930s, hosting officers to the TI, ISDT and Scottish, where Norton singles shone - and Smith even had one of his men write their reports for them! In line with the 'simple and reliable' doctrine, it was the 12.Sbhp, 490cc side-valve 16H single which was eventually selected for duty, along with a couple of hundred Big 4 634cc outfits with selectable sidecar-wheel drive; always conspicuously underpowered for their task, by early 1943 they had been displaced by Jeeps. Perhaps Smith's PR work paid, as Norton would also be awarded the contract to design and manufacture the universal pannier frames which, with a pillion pad and passenger rests, were fitted to all large Forces motorcycles by mid-1942. So the 16H…

Before the Matchless G3/L changed everything, the Ariel WN /G ohv 346cc single was probably the most desirable WD ride for enthusiastic dispatch riders. Designed in characteristically short order by Selly Oak's Val Page between September 1939 and summer 1940, it was then judged worthy "for emergency purposes only" because the engine condition had been only 'fair' after WD tests. Then Dunkirk and its loss of 11,000 motorcycles provided the emergency, and the WN/G went into full production, with 47,600 built before the last batches were ordered in 1944. Page had based the W /NG on the successful SSDT-winning competition NG, stripping it, providing wider-spaced ratios in the Burman box and an extra plate in Ariel's dry clutch. The trials frame, modified, plus lengthened girders, gave six inches of ground…

As the airborne arm of the British military expanded rapidly from 1940 on, it was deemed necessary that a motorcycle be sought and supplied which could be dropped from an aircraft and provide troops with mobility once on the ground. The machine was to be small, solid, ready to go quickly after 'landing', as well as expendable - i.e. cheap to produce. The Royal Enfield WD/RE served that purpose, to such a degree that 8000 of them were eventually supplied. In 1939, Royal Enfield introduced its RE model ready for the 1940 season. The model had come about through Enfield's Dutch distributors. When the German government instructed DKW to end its association with the Dutch agents, after the Dutch company refused to force out its Jewish owners, the Dutchmen took…