Warbike Project
Research is a funny old game. You can spend months, sometimes years
searching for information on a particular subject, then up it pops right in
front of you. This has happened on a few occasions, but just recently I was
looking at some references to the early testing of military motorcycles by the
Army. The trail led to HCL Holden, who was the designer of the Brooklands Circuit
and a member of the Army's Mechanical Transport Committee. A random Holden
reference led me indirectly to the 1914 Red Cross Field Day at Brooklands.
About two years ago I had been looking at the event and had concluded this
was likely to be a closed exercise open only to members of the Red Cross,
Military and other interested parties. There was one intriguing report that
hinted at advertising posters, but this was not directly concerned with my
Sidecar Ambulance research so I left it.
This latest gem pointed me to the Welcome Collection and here I found a
treasure trove of information including two Red Cross Field Day programmes and
a flyer advertising the event to members of the public. Still nothing further
on Ambulance Sidecars, but some fascinating insight into the scenarios played
out on the day.
It transpires that the Event was in fact a full scale Red Cross exercise
run with the military which included a two pronged invasion from the South and
East including locating and retrieving casualties from miles beyond the Brooklands
track, as was previously thought. So lots more to write up and place in the
Brooklands Library.
Historians, unlike archaeologists have the luxury of being able to focus on
a single subject without being bogged down by other things they discover.
However I often feel obligated to explore the side shoots which is just a long
way of explaining that the final stage of editing the Book is a slow process.
I recently spent some time at the Royal Logistics Corps Museum in Surrey.
Here I found some excellent documents that tell the early story of military
motorcycling. I am now able to tell the real story of how Triumph and Douglas
became the most successful of the WW1 manufacturers and how Douglas's bid
nearly foundered at the bottom of the Brooklands Test Hill. And, as they say on
the TV news; more on that later!
Vintage Revival
The biannual Vintage Revival takes place on 9/10 May 2015. The event is an eclectic
mix of old vehicles which can be seen on the oval banked xx circuit. The track
is still in very good condition and the Brooklands Museum Railton 4D Experience
production team used the French circuit to recreate the feel of the Surrey
track in period.
The Brooklands Motorcycle Volunteers are currently preparing bikes for
their third outing to the event. This year they plan to take some of the oldest
machines which has its challenges. The Zenith is not run very
often as its mousetrap carb makes this bike a bit of a handful. However this
has been temporarily replaced; new grips and footrest rubbers have been fitted
and the pillion carrier removed. The loose bits have been wired up and it ran
like it was just out of the factory.
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| The Zenith gets a test |
Less successful was the 1921 ABC 500cc twin. This bike was built in Hersham
after the company was forced to move from Brooklands when the Royal Flying
Corps took over. The bike has a few issues, but these were rectified over the
last few months and the bike was test run on the banked circuit. Unfortunately
the engine still had a nasty knocking which was traced to the main shaft
bearing. Fine for running round the temporary track at Brooklands, but this
Bradshaw designed machine is too precious to be risked on the big French oval.
Work has already begun and the engine will be removed during the next few
weeks.
Meanwhile the hunt is on for a replacement. The Museum's 1920's Sunbeam was
test run a couple of time and is looking good for a place on the trip.
More news on the preparation next month.
The Bike Shed Events 2015
The Bike Shed Motorcycle Club is a group passionate about the street custom
scene. This year they have spread their wings across the channel to Paris where
they will be holding their first French event at Carreau de Temple on 11/12 April
15 which promises to be an awesome weekend showcasing all that is current in
the Cafe racer/custom world. Don't worry if you can’t make it to Paris, because
they will be doing it all again at Tobacco Dock in London on 23/24 May 15. Click Here for Tickets and more information on both Events.
Shed Finds: Triumph Model H and Tyler JAP
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| Triumph Mod H |
A few months ago we were privileged to be present when a collection of
bikes were discovered in a shed in West London. Among the mountain of spares
and various post War bikes was a Model H Triumph and a JAP powered Tyler. Both
bikes were in very original condition. Whilst the Tyler was a bit on the poorly
side the Model H looked as if it had been placed in a shed the day after it was
purchased. Both are due to be auctioned at Stafford later this month and we
will have more about these machines in the next update.
Website
We are currently working on a new website, which will include articles,
films and information as well as a virtual Museum and Shop. Watch out for more announcements
on Twitter @Fenlandclassics over the next few months.
Fenland ClassicsTV
This month we have unearthed some more great shorts:
- The Build By EXIF
- Harley Iron Head from
the slightly strange but Brilliant Cafe Racer TV
- Cafe Racer Themes:
Music collection by Kevin Sparrow
- And the latest Bike World
Episode 9 Episode 2
Old Timer
