MAY 2016 Update

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.

Old Timer