MAY Update

<Some images are missing from this update>
The weather has now changed for the better, but it seems that the very best days are reserved for the times when I have to remain inside.

Warbike Project

The Project is progressing well, but I am having to do a lot of work on the pre WW1 period. Lots of parallel developments that have to be taken into account. The images too are looking very good and thanks again to Mortons Media, IOM Avation Museum and Brooklands Museum for those.

Montlhéry

Later this month the Brooklands Motorcycle volunteers will be off to the Vintage Revival. We were on hand to help out in April as the Six chosen bikes were given a final once over. The 1927 Sunbeam was run before gearbox and sump were drained and oil ways checked for obstructions. I had already given the Best and Lloyd pump a strip and full service last year, so no dramas were expected. It is much easier to over oil this particular model as they have direct feed as well as manual feed. It is all too easy to give the auxiliary pump one for luck which inevitably causes the gearbox to leak or a lot of smoke.

The Zenith lubrication system had a repaired crack near the adjuster but this would have been ok for the trip to France. The problem was the Mousetrap Carburettor and Electrics. The Carb was temporarily replaced and the bike ran well. However an intermittent fault caused an occasional loss of spark. It seems that this was picked up on a previous occasion and could not be fixed permanently. The Project Manager decided that it was not worth the risk, particularly as there are more riders than bikes. And so the bike was pulled and replaced with the ever faithful Tommy Meeten Francis Barnett. 

This bike is a distance record holder in period. It had an outing to the Sammy Miller Museum in November 13 and drew a lot of interest at the Southern Classic Off Road Show in Dec 2014. Henry Cole's Mate Sam Lovegrove took time off Filming Channel 4's Shed and Buried to take a look. The bike was given a complete rebuild a couple of years ago and was fitted with a pacemaker in the form of electronic ignition to strengthen the spark This has recently been removed for the sake of authenticity. Needles to say that despite being a small 2 Stroke it runs very well and should be very popular at the Event.

Sam Lovegrove takes time out to discuss the Francis Barnett

The Third bike on the list is an early 1900's Kerry Abingdon. It is a lovely example and after a bit of persuasion runs very well. As with all motor Bicycles of this period it is a bit of a handful, but I am sure it will find its legs round the French Oval.

Fourth is a Velocette which was modified by its previous owner resulting in a cascade of oil after starting. This bike like the Kerry is privately owned and the current owner is confident that it will perform well with a bit of fettling in the pits.

Fifth on the list is a Triumph . Currently on short-term display at the Museum.This bike is a wonderfully prepared machine and featured in a clip from a short film we have been working on the The VMCC.I look forward to some great images of this bike in action.

Last and by no means least is the recreation of Wal Handley's Empire Star.This bike was running at the 2014 Goodwood festival of Speed before going back to the West Country to have some work done on it for the trip to France. It now takes pride of place in the Museum's Motorcycle Display were it was briefly displayed with a Gold Star Telling the story of Handley's Gold Star Win and the development of the iconic BSA motorcycle which bore its name.

The Empire Star on test at Dunsfold Airfield in 2013

As for the 500cc ABC twin. This bike had to be pulled at an early stage because of a bad knocking sound. Having looked at the power unit there is nothing yet which shouts out the problem. It is likely to be a combination of a lot of bearing wear throughout the gearbox/drive. There are some marks on the crankcase which seem to tell a story. However there are some excellent people on the job and they are assisted by a marque specialist via email.

ABC & Brooklands

Sticking with the ABC Story I carried out a bit of Warbike spin-off research on ABC at Brooklands and its subsequent home in Hersham. This will be put into print later, but below are some images of the ABC works in Hersham as it is now, before the site is redeveloped.

<Images to be added>

Fenlandclassics TV

Our Pick of the bunch for May and Series 9 Episode 3 of Bike World.