Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2019 i The Classic MotorCycle

The owner of Ideal Motorcycles, of Washington, West Sussex, Simon Elliott, was more than happy to welcome some surprising visitors to his motorcycle showroom recently. It’s not every day that a team of Japanese gardeners, complete with personal assistant and a translator pay a visit. It transpires that this was no ordinary gardener, but Japan’s most eminent (and Chelsea Flower Show 10 times Gold Medal winner) Kazuyuki Ishihara, with his design team. The concept for Mr Ishihara’s 2019 ‘Green Switch’ garden at Chelsea, was to provide a place of beauty and calm to take a shower in the garden, relax in a tea room, enjoy the pond, the sound of water, nature and surround oneself with the things you love most – in Mr Ishihara’s case, an old motorcycle. A…

The Sussex village of Laughton is situated a little off the main roads, but the 27th annual Cuckoo Fayre over May 25-27 was another enormous celebration of just about anything under that catch-all heritage banner, from steam-powered road locomotives to palatial motorhomes. Motorcycles were welcomed under the ‘transport’ umbrella, with more than 130 entries. The oldest machine was Derek Harper’s 1913 Clyno outfit, complete with wicker sidecar. There were a few more vintage machines from Levis, Raleigh, Indian and Velocette, but the vast majority were from the classic era. There were demonstration sessions in the main arena and after a few laps around the grass surface, the riders were interviewed. Peter Kemp owned a Gilera B300 twin and in pursuit of parts for it, he tracked down a complete 1955…

“Moon Eyes – The John Cooper story” Road racing legend, Grand Prix hero, motorcycling icon Editor: Richard Skelton Author and interviewer: Chris Carter, with contributions by Colin Seeley, Peter Williams, Sir Robin Miller, contemporary riders and associates. Foreword: Mike Trimby Published by: Mortons Media Group Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR www.classicmagazines.co.uk/thebookshelf Tel: 01507 529529 ISBN: 978-1-911276-95-1 £6.99 The 1960s was a great period for road racing, with meetings on virtually every weekend and lots of good riders all capable of beating each other – indeed, you never knew who was going to win from one weekend to the next. But one rider who was exceptional, with his knee-out riding style and red ‘Moon Eyes’ helmet, was Derbyshire’s John Cooper. Born in 1938, Cooper pursued his dream…

Egli-Vincent single ENGINE 600cc single cylinder GEARBOX Four-speed Norton WHEELBASE 1375mm SEAT HEIGHT 745mm FRONT FORKS Roadholder REAR SUSPENSION Hagon FRONT TYRE 19” Avon Roadrider REAR TYRE 18” Avon Roadrider FRONT BRAKE Robinson REAR BRAKE Grimeca CARBURETTOR 38mm Dell ‘Orto CURBSIDE WEIGHT 175kg Egli-HRD twin ENGINE 1000cc V-twin cylinder GEARBOX Five-speed integral WHEELBASE 1440mm SEAT HEIGHT 745mm FRONT FORKS Roadholder REAR SUSPENSION Hagon FRONT TYRE 19” Avon Roadrider REAR TYRE 18” Roadrider FRONT BRAKE Fontana REAR BRAKE Laverda CARBURETTOR Two 38mm Dell ‘Orto CURBSIDE WEIGHT 206kg…

Rupert Murden shares his thoughts on the Rex and the 1923 Lightweight TT. He said: “Reading the race reports from 1923 has changed the way I look at the machine. It’s extraordinary that it survived for four-and-a-half hours of what was essentially an endurance race. “We are conditioned to understand the TT as it happens today, on tarmac roads, but back then, the mountain was like a dirt track. Riders weren’t just turning up and wiping their screens with Mr Sheen back in those days. Not only was the machine taking a pounding but the rider was too, especially as there was no rear suspension.” Rupert said: “Hall judged that race to perfection. He didn’t push the bike to its limits because he knew it had to last. It was…

When the trials rider who rose to prominence as Louie Ball died in 1932, Motor Cycling noted: “Everybody’s favourite and a wonderful rider, Mrs Louie McLean is no longer with us. It is the sad duty of Cyclops to record her passing.” And Motor Cycling’s correspondent Cyclops did so, in a column full of praise for a remarkable motorcycling lady. As 15-year-old Louie Ball, she was the subject of a decent sized article in The Motor Cycle of July 1, 1915, by which time she was working in her father’s bicycle shop in Birmingham. Mr Ball was also an agent for Scott motorcycles and young Louie was pictured riding a Scott, with two of her siblings in the sidecar, and it was also explained her father and she would ride…

So often we hear people – even active classic enthusiasts – suggesting that older bikes can’t be reliable enough for regular use, citing folklore about monumental engine blow-ups and recounting problems they personally experienced in their youth. Sadly, it feeds into the common perception that classic bikes are just for show, and certainly doesn’t enhance the likelihood of newcomers joining the throng. Admittedly it all depends on your definition of reliability, and those used to modern machines would find it hard to stomach the care and attention required by older bikes. Twenty-first century motorcycles are made to such fine standards and with such advanced metallurgy they can be taken straight from the showroom and ridden without fear of seizures or shake-down problems. Instruction books no longer even detail careful running-in…

THE SPECIALISTS Information for this guide came from two sources: Rob Gardner has experience of the practical restoration of two American-market machines and Jan of Aermacchi-Racing in The Netherlands has many years of experience preparing the iconic Italian singles, now much in demand for classic competition – but the sporting road bikes had much in common with the racers. Thanks to both gentlemen for their time and trouble. ■ Aermacchi-Racing: info@aermacchi-racing.com MODEL HISTORY Aermacchi was a long-established aircraft company that applied its skills to building lightweight two-wheelers after the Second World War. When the quirky styling of its Chimera model was released from its cocooning bodywork and emerged as a sports bike, a new image was defined. Agreeing 50/50 ownership with Harley-Davidson, Aermacchi seemed to have entered a mutually beneficial…

It is accepted Samuel Moray designed the first vapourising carburettor in 1826. Development largely stagnated until the 1880s, when work on internal combustion engines was proceeding apace. Many, including the German Karl Benz and later Frederick Lanchester, patented improvements in the 1880s and 1890s. All this work was mainly focused on improving the surface (aka wick) carburettor. In the late Victorian period, a few engineers worked on spray type carburettor designs, including Veuve Léon Longuemare, 12 Rue du Buisson, St Louis, Paris. While many observers credit Longuemare for designing the first successful production carburettors, this isn’t the whole story, as Veuve Léon and rivals developed improvements by feeding off each other’s work. Spray carburettor Of submerged jet design with its float bowl mounted alongside the upright mixing chamber, it is…

Among the attractions at the VMCC Founders’ Day on July 21, will be a celebration of the rare Duzmo motorcycle, as this year it is 100 years since the company started. At least three of the four known Duzmos will be there, maybe all four. In addition, and borrowed from the National Motorcycle Museum, will be the only known Advance. The Advance Motor Manufacturing Co of Northampton manufactured Duzmo engines in 1921/22, as the badge attached to the engine of Nick Harrison’s example states, (right). If anyone has any Duzmo information, then Nick Harrison would love to hear from you. Contact him at nick.harrison@oakingtonplane.co.uk…

SPEED BY THE SEA The Brighton National Speed Trials will return to the seafront again this year, on Saturday, September 7. Entry forms, regulations and entry criteria are available at www.brighton andhovemotorclub.co.uk.Advance spectator tickets are also on sale now via the Brighton and Hove Motor Club website and offer a 20% discount on the gate price. Around 150 cars and 75 motorcycles take the quarter-mile timed run down Brighton seafront. Len Wooller, chairman of Brighton and Hove Motor Club, commented: “The Speed Trials is one of the oldest and most thrilling motorsport events and is a popular feature on the Brighton seafront calendar.” A SMALL CHANGE Heritage Classic Chrome (also known as Marks Tay Autospares) have moved… though they haven’t! They’re still at 93A London Road, Colchester, Essex, CO6 1EB,…

1919 To cover 112 miles in 12 hours by motorcycle is hardly impressive, but if one stands on the platform of an Autoglider scooter sans seat, this is over and above the call of duty. Intrepid riders Mr Townsend (designer) and Mr Skinner (works manager) of Townsend and Co., makers of the Autoglider, set off from their works in Great Charles Street, Birmingham last Thursday for London. Skinner was riding a factory fresh Union-powered model and Townsend was standing on the platform of his personal demonstration 269cc Villiers-powered device. Soon, disaster struck in front of an assembled crowd of pressmen who were accompanying the demonstration in cars. Townsend’s retreaded Autoglider tyre delaminated and flew off. While the designer wielded tyre levers, rival maker Mr Stafford (Stafford Pup) entertained onlookers demonstrating…

ENGINE TYPE OHV single cylinder CAPACITY 247cc BORE X STROKE 67mm x 70mm POWER OUTPUT 21bhp@8000rpm LUBRICATION Recirculating from external tank GEARBOX Own make four-speed in unit with engine (top gear ratio 7.35:1 cf 6.93:1 on standard C25) TRANSMISSION All chain IGNITION/ ELECTRICS 12V alternator/coil CARBURETTOR 28mm Amal Concentric SUSPENSION BSA telescopic forks, swinging fork rear with Girling units FRAME Full loop WHEELBASE 53in SEAT HEIGHT 31in WEIGHT 302lb (without police equipment) BRAKES 7in TLS front, 7in SLS rear TYRES 325x18in front, 350x18in rear TOP SPEED 75-80mph…

Appearances can be deceptive. When I bought my SWM trials bike last year, it came with a sheaf of paperwork, bills for new bits and, best of all, copies of the parts book and a workshop manual – all very reassuring. Although this was a stalled restoration project, some work had been done and the engine looked to have been rebuilt; as a quick check, I had pulled the head and barrel off to find it very clean and nice with nothing untoward obvious. Indeed, I mentioned in my last column that it was only because I couldn’t paint the crankcases properly that I took the rest of the engine apart at all. I’m fine with engines, but I always disassemble a gearbox with a degree of trepidation – frankly,…

JULY 5 Bike Night. Jacks Hill Cafe, A5 Watling Street, Towcester, Northants NN12 8ET.Email capellacaterers@btconnect.com. JULY 5-7 The Lost Rally. The Duke William, Matlock, Derbyshire. Tel 07774 490526.Email boclostrally@outlook.com. JULY 5-8 Unwanted MCC’s Rally. The Rockbar, Shobnall Sports & Social Club, Shobnall Road, Burton-on-Trent, Staffs DE14 2BB. www.unwantedmcc.co.uk.Tel 07988 521400 or 07761 931226.Email unwantedmcc@aol.com. JULY 6 Gravesend Music & Bike Show. Sole Street, Meopham, Gravesend, Kent DA13 0XY. www.gravesendmcc.com.Tel 01474 353652.Email gravesendmcc@btinternet.com. Allied Memorial Remembrance Ride (AMRR). Meet at Cambridge Services, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB23 4WU. www.alliedride.org.Tel 07714 852660. Email phillip.campion@btinternet.com. JULY 6-7 The Legendary Harley-Davidson in the City Motorcycle Festival. Town centre, Brechin, Angus. www.hditc.co.uk.Tel 07767 602855. Email enquiries@hditc.co.uk or bill@hditc.co.uk. JULY 6 Diamond Day – NCC London Custom Bike Show. Ace Cafe London, Ace Corner, North Circular Road,…

VINTAGE AND VETERAN RUN On July 14, the Dorset Section of the VMCC will be holding their 41st Veteran and Vintage Run. This is specially organised with suitable routes for these machines. Starting from Leigh Village Hall, near Sherborne, the route – of about 45 miles – will include a coffee stop. Assembly is from 10am, for an 11am start. Cost of the run is £3 with lunches available for an extra £5. For further details of either event please contact Rod Hann 01935 872528 or email rodhann@hotmail.co.uk THE 26TH EUROJUMBLE This year’s Netley Marsh Eurojumble is on Friday, September 6 and Saturday, September 7. Join thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts from across Europe as they set out to find that elusive part, piece or purchase for their next projects. Situated…

1: “It is a lot bumpier than it looks” says Stu Rogers as he pulls a pantomime face and gives his backside a rub. He has been campaigning cammy Nortons in classic racing for over 50 years, so he knows what he’s talking about when he shows us a replica of the works Norton that Jimmy Guthrie rode here in 1935. “Jimmy broke 15 world records. He needed a huge seven-gallon tank to carry enough alcohol fuel for the One Hour record, when he covered 114.09 miles” Guthrie’s saddle was unsprung but he wouldn’t have needed a massage when he got off the Manx because the track wasn’t as bumpy back then. One contemporary report describes the surface as “smooth – almost polished” Dream on, Stu. 2: Terrot and Magnat-Debon…

A‘revolutionary in motorcycles’ was the way the period press described the new hub-steered ‘Bi-Car’ when it was launched at the Crystal Palace show in 1905. Powered by a 3hp German Fafnir engine, the innovative low-slung machine was the brainchild of British engineer Frederick W Barnes. Although it would only have a short life, its maker and his machines – which would later carry the name of Zenith on their petrol tanks – would go on to record numerous Brooklands race victories and twice break the world land speed record. Based at Finsbury Park in London, in 1905 Zenith would only ever be a relatively small manufacturer, but it was driven by the Manchester-born Barnes, a pioneering inventor who relished the stimulus of competition and who was quick to see the…

ENGINE: 383cc air-cooled OHV parallel twin, BORE AND STROKE: 66x56mm COMPRESSION RATIO: 7.9:1 MAXIMUM POWER: 25hp@6800rpm CARBURETTOR: Single 7/8in Amal Monobloc TRANSMISSION: Four-speed, chain final drive ELECTRICS: 12v (two 6v in series), IGNITION: Coil and breaker points FRAME: Pressed steel with tubular side frames SUSPENSION Front: Telescopic forks Rear: Twin shock absorbers with adjustable preload BRAKES Front: 8in (203mm) SLS drum Rear: 7in (178mm) SLS drum TYRES Front: 3 x 19in Rear: 3.25 x 18in WHEELBASE: 51.5in (1308mm) KERB WEIGHT: 350lb (159kg) SEAT HEIGHT: 2in (813mm) FUEL CAPACITY: 3.5gal (13.2ltr) TOP SPEED: 90mph (est.)…

SOME things need to be seen in their proper context, so with the mighty Lightweight Rex-Acme being on the Island, it would be wrong not to photograph it on the Isle of Man TT course. This is a marque, after all, whose greatness was built on its performance over the 373/4 miles of Mountain Course. So important to Rex-Acme was the Isle of Man TT in fact, that the company eventually incorporated the Manx legs into its tank logos. And clearly, perched on a lay-by at Black Dub on the TT course, the Rex is at its spiritual home: the machine’s deep purple tank and umpteen hand levers glisten in the sun as riders crane their necks to catch a glimpse – even while travelling at breakneck speed. But little…

Triumph’s oil release valve is an indicator of oil pressure within an engine – all well and the little button protrudes a short distance from the valve body. In pre-unit engines it’s in the timing case and can be vulnerable; on unit engines it’s in the front of the crankcase. The idea is the same and it all works under oil pressure. I knew I’d had one apart ages ago and cleaned it up but couldn’t find it – the joys of shoving stuff in boxes and moving workshops. Another one was in a spare set of cases I have and while the sub assembly contains 10 bits, it’s all less than 1½ in long. Stripping it down didn’t seem too hard and I’ve cleaned up several in the years…

Setting the record straight You may recall some years ago a correspondence about the Royal Enfield endurance machine AFO 81D and its owner/rider Billy Mills. This machine has recently been acquired by Hitchcocks Motorcycles and, interestingly, its engine number follows on in sequence from the two ISDT (International Six Days Trial) works bikes (one ex-Johnny Britain), also now in the custodianship of our company. The subject of the correspondence was ambiguity as to the status of the award credited to Billy in the 1967 ISDT. The status of Billy’s achievement has been the subject of confusion, with a couple of varying accounts of his ride and final placing and whether he secured silver, or as his wife said, gold. Certainly, Billy was the only British privateer to win a medal.…

Prince Michael of Kent, then aged 17, poses on a ‘…sleek and shiny motorcycle belonging to his friend Duke Amedeo Di Savoia Aosta, who sits on the bonnet of a small car looking.’ So explains the official statement on the reverse of the photograph, though when The Motor Cycle published the picture, in its September 7 issue of 1959, the young Duke was cropped from the picture, just leaving the Prince astride the small Italian machine. That he is on an Italian machine is a given, as the picture was taken at the Villa Demidoff, at Fiesole in the hills near Florence. Though what make of machine, is hard to discern. It’s not (it would seem) one of the more ‘mainstream’ or well known makes; Demm was a name that…