AUGUST 2014 Update

Summer is always a busy time, with many competing events. Here are our highlights for July.  

Warbike Project

The project is in full swing as we get to the centenary of the beginning of WW1. The Day by day diary is up and running as a blog which can be viewed here.

This will continue as a daily update until 17 August when it will be updated weekly. The aim is for this to become a resource for those wishing to dip into motorcycling history with an emphasis on military motorcycling during 1914 to 18. This will be followed up later with a more in depth story available as a book supported by an interactive net-based resource.

Ace Cafe Ton-Up day At Brooklands Museum

 

The weather looked doubtful as the day dawned, but the rain stayed away and the visitors were treated to a chilled out, village green atmosphere. The band played contemporary music as groups gathered to discuss the bikes on show. This event attracted many machines from the burgeoning street custom scene as well as the conventional 50s/60s style Cafe Racers. TVs very own Henry Cole turned up to try his hand at being a journalist for the day and if you want to know the result you will have to buy Classic Bike Guide or watch The Motorbike Show; on Monday 18 August 2014. Repeated Saturday 23 August. 

After two sessions on the Test Hill, a sun tan and a good chin wag it was time for the prize giving. This year prizes were awarded for four categories of “Ton-Up” bikes.

AJS “Spirit of Brooklands” Ton-up

BSA Best Ton-up Single

AJS Best Period Cafe Racer

Seeley Honda: Best Ton-Up Multi Cylinder

 Cotton Day at Brooklands Museum

The story of Cotton Motorcycles was told in 118 bikes on Sunday 20 July when members of the Cotton owners club celebrated the Marque’s centenary at Brooklands. On 23 July 1914 Frank Willoughby “Bill” Cotton applied for a patent for his “improved” frame design. The frame’s triangular shape is a concept which still exists on street and competition bikes of today.

Organisers Daniel Weisby and Bob Smith were blessed with fine weather as members poured onto the site. Pre-war bikes were well represented outside the clubhouse. Whilst post war competition machines were displayed in the Paddock Area. The Museums own partly restored Cotton also put in a guest appearance despite not being on the guest list!

The static displays came to life as many owners took the opportunity to take their bikes up Test Hill. A challenge for some of the older machines, but a bit tame for the later competition bikes.

 It is difficult to pick out any particular bikes for further comment as each were interesting in their own right, so here are a few examples which perhaps tell the diverse story of Cotton.

1922 250cc Model 15

 

This Blackburne powered machine was the oldest bike at the Rally and was restored by the Sammy Miller Musuem 15 years ago.

1959 250cc Herald

A 1950’s road bike with a 250cc Villiers 2 stroke engine and Armstrong leading link forks which were a trademark feature during this period.

1962 250cc Cotton/Cross Cougar

1962 Cotton Cross

This is a prototype bike used to prove the concept of the liner-less cylinder, piston and spiral piston rings developed by Cross. This bike was ridden successfully by Bryan Goss during 1961 and put into production by Cotton in 1962.

1974 220cc Trials Expert

Typical of the Cotton 70’s competition bikes, this Trials machine is powered by the larger 220cc Minarelli engine

1980 EM 34 Road Racer

The Cotton Rotax turned a few heads at the end of the 1979 season and Terry Wilson commissioned this production model for 1980 with a new compact 2 cylinder Rotax engine capable of producing 70 bhp. Only 12 were sold before the Cotton Company went into receivership. 

1984 125cc Centaur

1984 Cotton Centaur

This is claimed to be the last ever production machine produced by Cotton. In 1984 the firm was in receivership, but with rights to the name “Cotton International” previous owner Terry Wilson commissioned this monocoque chassis bike powered by a 125 Rotax engine. The much publicised prototype machine was demonstrated to the press, but never went into production.

Fenland Classics TV

Our selection for July features The Bike Shed Event 3 on Bike World Watch it Here


Old Timer