January 2018 UDATE

As I crawl out of hibernation once again it is time to review all the jobs that did not yet get finished over Christmas. As we all know the workshop just seems too cold in the winter, but we do need to crack on with the restoration of the AJS. However, first we need to decide how we want it to look. I favour an oily rag look so I think its looking as if it will be based on the WW2 period with perhaps a blackout light filter and white paint on the mudguard leading and rear edges. This particular bike lends itself to that look as it is very original and I don’t really want to replace any of the existing pieces unless I have to. One example is the original two-part mudguard. It is very dented and rusty, but I really don’t want to get a new mudguard. I think the steal will clean up fine and then I can finish it in satin black. Still enough thinking about it, I better get on and do it! 

There was a lot going on in 2017 so the updates were a bit hit and miss. Here is a catch up on a couple of events that missed the blog. 

The Goodwood Revival

Close Racing into the Chicane (c) FCM

Last September I was able to spend some time at the Goodwood Revival and although there was some rain we still got a good look at this amazing spectacle. In particular I was keen to check out the Classic Bike Racing. This event is run over two days with two riders competing on each bike. Day one starter is second rider on day two. There was a mix of regular classic racers and invited guests, but all had superbly prepared bikes. This was no parade, and all were there to win. Steve Parrish, commenting on one of my pictures said that it showed the paint from the chicane wall on his Helmet, just in case there was any doubting his commitment. 

Steve Parrish (c) FCM

New dad, TT Racer and now TV Celebrity Guy Martin went out first on Day one, but had a DNF on day two after his co-rider had an off. 

Guy Martin (c) FCM

The eventual Sheene Memorial Trophy winners were, 1st: Jeremy McWilliams and Duncan Fitchett, Manx Norton 2nd: Gary Johnson and Mick Grant, MV Agusta 3rd: Bill Swallow and Michael Russell, Manx Norton. 

Jeremy McWilliams & Duncan Fitchet Celibate victory (c) FCM

GP Retro du Puy Notre-Dame 

One Event I was not able to attend was the GP Retro du Puy Notre-Dame. Some of you may have seen the write up in the Classic Motorcycle Magazine. This is defiantly on our list for 2018. I have never heard of the event, but 2017 was the 21st time the streets of the little French town roads had been closed to make way for pack of 1920s and 30s machine to tear round this challenging track featuring chicanes and random Parvѐ.

Parc Ferme at du Puy Notre-Dame (c) E Wade

The event is expected to be held again in July 2018 so I will be looking out for an entry form. Check out the action from the 2017 event below.

I Fidanzati Della Morte

In 1957 Italian Film Director Romolo Marcellini released I Fidanzati Della Morte (Engaged to Death). The film went on general release in Italy and had a limited release in Europe and the UK. This film was particularly interesting as it included footage filmed at real race meetings and also included top riders of the day such as Geoff Duke Bill Lomas and Stanley Woods. Motorcycle Journalist Paolo Sormani said its like Valentino Rossi, Marquez, Lorenz, Dovizioso, Pedrosa, Zarco, Innone and Crutchlow just turning up as extras on a film today. 

The film disappeared until Motorcycle Film Makers at Rodaggio Film found a copy and decided to restore it for general consumption. The project which was beyond the financial means of the company was eventually financed via a crowd funding exercise. Fenland Classic Motorcycles got involved as we felt that the film represented an important snapshot into 1950’s racing culture. The film was also documented the last ever Milano-Taranto race as well as Motor- Cross racing which was just getting underway in Italy at this time. As soon as the likes of Giacomo Agostini and Paul d'Orleans got behind the project there seemed little doubt it would succeed and so in 2017 the film was completed and had its first screening in 60 years. I think it is important that we commend the people at Rodaggio film and all those out there who are saving our motorcycling heritage for future generations. There will be a review of the film itself in a couple of months, but The DVD which includes a 48 page booklet is available from our Bookshop.

The Fenland Classic Motorcycles Book shop is now fully up and running and the February Update will feature reviews of some of the products available.

Old Timer

Autumn 2017 UPDATE

BOOKS & DVDs for the Dark Evenings
With autumn upon us, it is time to check out the bike related reading and viewing for the winter months and if you have not yet read Mondo Enduro, now is the time to get hold of a copy and follow the exploits of a group of friends as they tackle a 40,000 mile round the world trip on Yamaha 350cc enduro bikes (unsupported). 

The book is compiled by motorcycle legend Ausin Vince, from the log and diaries of fellow riders Clive Greenhough Louis Bloom, Charles Plenty, Mark Friend, Nick Stubley and brother Gerald Vince. The exploits were serialised at the time on MTV and there is also a Video of the same name. 

Although the Video is fantastic, I think that you also need to read the book to get a feel of the day to day experiences. The route they took was monumental; taking in Europe, Africa, Central Asia, the former Soviet Union and the length of the American Continent. This journey took place in 1995-96, years before McGreggor and Borman past through some of the same places on the Long Way Round and Long Way Down trips. 

Mondo Enduro DVD is now available through our Shop at www.fenlandclassics.com

Dave Greenhough, younger brother of Mondo's Clive was determined to crack the trans siberian highway which beat the mondo Enduro Team. Dave was joined on his round the world trip, cristened Tera Circa by Matt Hill Charles Benner Austin and Gerald Vince. Terra Circa is another epic unsupported journey which is also available on DVD from our shop. 

 You now can buy these direct from us at From our online bookshop 

In 2013 after a period in the TV business Austin Vince was keen to hit the road again. This time the plan was to ride unsupported across the Sahara. How do you do that I hear you ask. Well in true Austin Vince fashion he go a mate to bury some fuel and provisions at strategic points, so what can possibly go wrong. Find out how he got on in  Mondo Sahara which is also available in our shop.

Commenting on Mondo Sahara Austin Vince said

 "The aim was, starting in London, to ride off-road, across Spain, Morocco and Western Sahara. With this behind us, we would meet up with Richard Kemplay of Beast of Burden. Whilst we were riding out, he would have been burying food, fuel and water across the deserts of Mauritania. Once we rendezvoused at the Mauritanian border post he would hand us a GPS plot of the supply dumps and off we’d lunge into the Empty Quarter of the Sahara. Englishmen and Americans, following a Garmin speck across the wilderness for 1200 miles. Each night locating and digging up the supplies for the next day. Nobody had done anything like this before. It was only going to be four weeks but would still be a class-A adventure!" 

This  should be on your viewing list this autumn (and now available on our website) Click Here for more info and a trailer.