The Fenland Classic Motorcycle Blog is in the course of being migrated to www.fenlandclassics.com please be patient. We expect to have the site fully up to date by 1 January 2017.
In the meantime check out Twitter: @fenlandclassics to keep up to date.
So much to say and not enough time to write. The August Blog with reports on the Brooklands Motorcycle Show and Chateau Impney Hill Climb with be published shortly.
This summer is particularly busy with Banbury Run, The
Brooklands Motorcycle Show, and Château Impney very close to each other.So
this is a quick review of the Banbury Run.
We were honoured to be involved in the preparation of the
Brooklands Museum 1927 Sunbeam Light Tourist, which has recently been
re-registered for the road. The bike is a good runner but there were some minor
issues to be sorted before the bike was considered fit for the road. The clutch
was serviced to cure dragging and new front shoes fitted. There was not time to
deal with a kick-start issue so rider Tony Baxter was armed with a starter for
the run.
Tony Baxter Draining the tank after the test run
With only one test run on the road behind him, Tony arrived
at the British Motor Museum early on 26 June and was Joined by a second
Brooklands Motorcycle Team Members, Ian Dabney on his 500cc Douglas and Colin
Wood on a borrowed Model H Triumph.
Tony Baxter prior to the start
All were safely away including Tony who got away with the
aid of the start lime marshals. Our first call was from Colin who had a broken
exhaust valve. After retuning Colin to the start we heard that Ian also had a
Fuel line issue and was on his way back with the VMCC support team. Meanwhile the
Sunbeam was going strongly and made it back to the finish, becoming the first
Museum Motorcycle to take part in a road event.
Here are a few images of the day. Our other images will also
be appearing in Old Bike Mart.
Veteran Racer Ivan Rhodes waits for the start
Riders and Drivers had Road Works to negotiate just after the start
Pre-1930 was open to interpretation , However, this is a very nice bike
Plenty of period gear in the Jumble
A rider who uses our favourite ethanol free fuel (top Right Aspen4)
It seems a long time ago that I ventured up to Stafford on 24 April and witnessed the world record breaking sale of the 1932 800cc Brough Superior BS4 which is one of only 10 examples manufactured.
At first sight it is a curious machine, and one that appears to be more at home in the custom sheds of today rather than a serious design intended to bridge the gap between motorcycles and cars in the early 1930’s.
The machine is powered by an Austin Seven car engine and therefore appeals not only to the high end Brough collector, but also those historic Austin collectors. One thing is sure the £331,900 sale price will need to be matched by a hefty restoration bill before it comes anywhere near the excellent example housed in the National Motorcycle Museum.
The BS4 with the other Broughs discovered in a Barn near Bodmin
This, the first of the lots billed as the Broughs of Bodmin was first up at the Stafford auction, and we have the bidding in full in the film below. Excuse the camera shake, but the atmosphere was electric. Hear the gasps in the room as a fresh bidder, and eventual buyer, came in at £270,000 meaning that the bidder who came all the way form Australia was squeezed out.
The other bikes in the collection; which at any other time would have been hugely significant in themselves all sold for prices well over their original estimate. Whilst it seems that every Auction House currently needs a Brough on its front page, the word on the street is this just can’t go on. Bonhams Motorcycle lead Ben Walker agrees. He said “I don’t think another cache of bikes like this will turn up again. The collection had been squirreled away......for between 40 and 50 years”
I was on business, so missed the other lots as we were transporting the 1929 490cc Ex Pat Driscoll Model 18 Norton Norton, bought earlier in the day back to its Brooklands home.
1929 Ex Pat Driscoll Norton 490cc Model 18
It was a huge privilege to drive it back through the Brooklands Gates and even more of an honour to be only the second person to ride the bike on this hallowed ground since it left in period.
The Norton back at Brooklands
Brooklands Sunbeam
The Brooklands Museum Sunbeam Tourer, like most other museum bikes is fully running and gets used for demonstrations on a regular basis during School holidays. It does not tend to get used during events, as these are normally tailored towards the competition bikes. This together with the fact that the demonstration area will be out of commission during building works led the Volunteers to consider more outreach events. The Sunbeam is therefore being prepared to take part in more events during 2016.
Earlier in the year the tyres were renewed, and the front brakes relined. During the past month we have also been servicing the clutch and gear-change linkage. New woodruff keys have been fabricated, the clutch plates cleaned and a couple of damaged corks are being replaced. It should be ready for a test run in a couple of weeks.
Kempton Park Motorcycle Show
21 May was the date for the legendary Southern Classic Motorcycle Show and Jumble held at Kempton Park. Organiser, Eric Patterson was, as ever pulling the strings to ensure all was in place by the time the gates opened. On Friday evening Eric’s shed was well represented with at least three of his own bikes already in place including his new Brough Superior newly delivered by Brough Boss Mark Upham who was on hand on Saturday as the new bike got its inaugural engine run. Meanwhile back on the Jumble Stall the rain held off until it was time to pack up. We look forward to the next Jumble which is being held on 25 July 2016. In the meantime if you have a Pre-war bike to sell or find that old parts are getting in the way of your latest project then contact us at info@fenlandclassics and we will give you a price.
Future Events
We are currently gearing up to provide support at the Banbury Run and will be riding at Chateau Impney Hill Climb on 9/10 July 2016.
George Cohen
As I finish writing this I hear the sad news that George Cohen has just past away after a short but brave fight against cancer. It is a particularly poignant moment as I remember the pack for The Pat Driscoll Norton above, to which George had included a copy of his book and a special message to the new owner. A Bonham’s consultant, he was a passionate Norton Man to the end. Paul d'Olreans fellow writer and friend of George, has penned his memories of George on his “The Vintigent” site.
March has been spent working on the Online shop. Photos
to be taken and items to be described. This is likely to take a while before it
is ready. At least the weather is not good, so it is easier to stay in the warm
and keep tapping away.
Steve Parrish Shoot
Steve Parrish and Brookland's Empire Star
I managed to get out for a publicity shoot with Steve
Parrish. We got him on the Brooklands Empire Star in the middle of a gale and
thanks to the talent of Perry Barwick supported by Rob Overy we got some great
shots which will be used to promote the Brooklands Motorcycle Event on 3 July
2016. Thanks to Steve for taking time out to drop in and he is looking forward
to riding one (or more!) of the bike in July.
Classic Bike Shoot
Photographer Simon Clay lines up the title shot
As the Calendar clicks over into May we take an opportunity to
look behind the scenes of the Classic Bike Photo shoot featured in the last
issue. It was back in a very mild autumn of 2015 that Sarah Bradley and
Photographer Simon Clay turned up to feature the Motorcycle Volunteers of
Brooklands Museum.
Volunteer Perry Barwick lines up the bikes on the Banking
Whilst Sarah expertly tracked down each of the volunteers to
their own particular working space to gather their stories, Simon gathered
others with motorcycles to create the group shot. After several other location
shots, Museum bikes were taken up to the banking for the iconic title shot. Here
the BSA Empire star, Rudge “Brooklands” special and Ex Denis Jenkinson Norton International
sat in front of the Members Bridge. The
title for the piece was “Banking on the Future”, little did they know this
title proved to be prophetic, because as Bauer Media’s presses began to roll,
the Chancellor of the Exchequer rose to his feet and announced that no less that
£1m of Banking fines received by the Government would be gifted to Brooklands
Museum to help complete the new Aircraft Factory Exhibit already under
construction.
Volunteer and Facebook page editor Tony Baxter with his Triumph
This project, whilst aimed primarily and providing a safer environment
for many of the exhibits, will also provide a bonus for the motorcycle team, as
the existing WW2 Hanger will be moved, opening up the iconic start/finish
straight for the first time since 1939. I for one look forward to being one of
the first in nearly 80 years to ride over this hallowed ground.
Brooklands Sunbeam
We began to prepare the Brooklands Sunbeam for this year’s
events, by looking at a dragging clutch and improving the front brakes. After
the brakes are relined and the clutch plates have been cleaned up the bike will
get an MOT test. This will enable the bike to get an independent check before
it takes to the Road and Track during the Summer. Check future updates for more
news.
Warbike Review
We were also proud to be mentioned in dispatches by Pete
Kelly who wrote a nice Warbike review. In-fact he even rang me up to personally
congratulate me on providing such a concise view of the early history of
Military Motorcycling. We are now being asked about other periods, and yes
there will be a volume two, but gathering the data does take a lot of
time. For now Warbike: British Military
Motorcycling 1899-1919 is still available at www.fenlandclassics.com If you get in quick you may get one of the last
few copies available at the discounted launch price.
We now look forward to the Kempton Park Southern Bike Show
and Jumble. We will be in our normal spot Stand No: 181 and making an
appearance on the Brooklands Show Stand.
February has mostly been spent finalising the website but we did get out
earlier in the month to do a publicity shoot with Steve Parrish. It was blowing
a gale when Steve arrived, but thanks to an Ace team in the shape of Perry
Barwick ad Rob Overy we were able to quickly able wrap up some shots which will
be used as publicity for the premier Brooklands Museum Motorcycle Event of
2016.
Steve Parrish at Brooklands
The event titled The Brooklands Motorcycle Show “Then and Now” to be held
on 4 July will feature iconic motorcycles of the last 80 years including many original
Marques with their modern counterpart. Steve Parrish will be attending as guest
of honour. Keep posted for more news.
Adventure Motorcycling Evening
One of Zoe's stunning shots of the open road
On 16 February, I was invited to host an Adventure Motorcycling evening
with the VMCC. In typical Chat show style I was joined on the couch by Zoe
Cano, who headlined the evening with an interactive discussion about long
distance motorcycling and her trip across the USA.
Zoe's Bike
We were also joined by
Brooklands VMCC Chair Richard Huckle and Gavin Shaw who gave us an insight into
their recent trips to Scandinavia. The Evening was billed as Riders of the Lost
Art of Solo Adventure Motorcycling. Our conclusion was that the art is still
alive and kicking.
Norway land of the midnight sun
Zoe’s excellent chronicle of her trip “Bonneville Go or Go
Bust” is available on Amazon.
Warbike Review
Thanks to Pete Kelly of Old Bike Mart for reviewing Warbike: British Military
Motorcycling 1899-1919.
The review will appear in the March edition of the paper,
and the book is available via our new website. Fenlandclassics.com
Fenland Classic Motorcycles Website is Live
The Website is now up and running, but the shop will follow later after it
is fully tested. This blog will also remain separate until April whilst pages
are transferred.
January is traditionally a lazy month, spent mostly in hibernation.
After a very mild December, a return to cold and windy conditions was a bit of
shock to the system.
Warbike
The warbike project continues; dipping a toe into the post
WW1 period. Tracked motorcycles would you believe! This will be a long research
period which will run in the background. However, if you have any information
about military motorcycling during the interwar period please drop us a line at
warbike@fenlandclassics.co.uk
We have already had contact from people with information on testing and sales
of ex-military WW1 bikes.
The time in the warm was used to finish the Brooklands Great
War 100 event film which is now available via FenlandClassicsTV below:
We did crawl out for Eric Patterson’s excellent Jumble. We
had repro vintage and veteran parts as well as later used parts on offer. There
were some real bargains to be had in the Triumph department. We also have
semi-liquid gearbox grease for Burman boxes. I have previously trawled Kempton for
this grease without success; but when you have it nobody wants it! Anyway if
you do need some gearbox grease drop us a tweet (@fenlandclassics) and come to
the next Jumble in March.
Bonneville Go or Go Bust
Bonneville Go or GoBust is an excellent winter read from Motorcycle Traveller Zoe Cano. I caught
up with her a few weeks ago to discuss the book and plan an Adventure Touring
Evening with the Vintage Motorcycle Club, I will be joined later in February by
Zoe and other riders to talk about preparation....or not! and just why do
people ride off into the wild alone.
Zoe Cano
Bonneville Go or Go
Bust: On the Roads Tess Traveled is available on Amazon or catch up with Zoe
at the Carole Nash MCN Show at the London Excel Centre 12-14 February 2016.
Brooklands Cotton JAP Restoration
During January we had a bit of fun with a Twitter Documentary
following the rebuild of the Doug Earle Cotton Jap. This beast is being
restored to Earle’s original vision of a Brooklands outer circuit racer. The
full story will appear after the project is finished. The Brooklands Motorcycle
Team also hope to take it out on tour to various events in 2017. Here are a few
pictures of the project so far.
As the clock ticks over into 2016, I am reminded that a century ago millions of people where still being affected on a daily basis by World War One. After this time it is difficult to imagine what it must have been like to live through those times. I was able to get some insight recently whilst carrying out some further research on the 1915 motorcycle events at Brooklands.
The Motorcycle Magazine was understandably excited to be reporting once again on racing at Brooklands and detailed reports were spread across several pages together with pictures of the events. However, it was a different story on the pages of the Surrey newspapers; not a trace of the excitement, but instead columns of war related stories which told of the many local men that had been killed in action. It is therefore unsurprising that the initial euphoria in the motorcycle press was followed by a more restrained hope that future events may take place in 1916. Following conscription in 1916 and the shortage of fuel it was perhaps inevitable that racing would not return to Brooklands until after the War was at an end.
Copy of a Programme for the "All Khaki" meeting 1915
Warbike: British Military Motorcycling 1899 -1919 continues to surprise us. It has exceeded our expected sales target for the first quarter briefly entering the top ten of the online publisher’s history category. The book will be reverting to its retail price at the end of January, so if you are interested in getting a copy click on the sales links for the launch price. We were pleased to get a mention in the Classic Motorcycle Magazine’s write up of the Brooklands Great War Day 100. We are continuing to discuss the possibility of a similar event in 2016, but the Museum are keen to link their events to site related commemorations which from 1916 are connected with Aircraft. As ever you can keep up to date with Brooklands projects and events on the Brooklands Motorcycle Volunteers Facebook page.
Kempton Park Bike-Jumble
Kempton Dec 2015
We will be at Kempton Park on 23 January selling copies of Warbike and a small range of new and pre-used parts for your winter projects including rear lights, headlight glass, rear stand clips, handlebar grips, footrest rubbers and semi-liquid grease for 1930’s gearboxes.
Fenland Classic Gifts
We have some T Shirts and gift items available from on-line partners featuring old Lodge Spark plug adverts. Click on the images for more information.
