After a long break the blog is back. A busy schedule both in the workshop and out on the road means that it is often difficult to also get stuff down on paper. I recently asked Rick Parkington how he manages his seemingly endless record of activity. His answer was " I don't". Whilst on the subject another prolific practitioner is artist Martin Squires. Just how he manages to produce so much material is beyond me. I put the same question to him whilst he was launching his Banked Track Heros project and the answer was characteristically modest. More on Martin's Project in a future Blog, but in the meantime I intend to fire of a few words when I can and leave the rest to be picked up on the Instagram and Twitter feeds at @Fenlandclassics
Hollis Motorcycles
The Hollis Type 'A' Motorcycle
Jumping right back to the beginning of the year, I was getting to know the team behind the Hollis Type A Motorcycle. Steve
Hayes joint owner explained that he met Custom Bike builder and business
partner Steve Lowe a few years ago and they got talking about re-creating
something old, but built using modern techniques. It started out in theory as
an Edwardian pioneer motorcycle, but as these idle thoughts moved to more
serious discussions about the feasibility of producing a machine more relevant
to the current market, the Hollis Type ‘A’ was born.
An early Type 'A' taking shape in the Hampshire Workshop
Sketches
became drawings, and the detailed drawings slowly became a concept build. That,
it transpired was the easy bit. They
soon realised that if they were serious about going into production they would
have to get involved with the DVLA. However, their
intention was always to bring the vintage classic up to date with the latest
state of the art suspension and brakes, so the rigorous standards applied by current
legislation in these areas was unlikely to cause any concerns.
The Steve’s were clear
about the goal, which was for a practical bike for the twenty-first century. Something
stylish to run down to the pub, whilst not compromising on the heritage styling
which was inspired by a 1930 Model 18 Norton. Steve Lowe recalls Steve Hayes’s obsession with
the design detail, such as the straight line of the exhaust and the subsequent challenges
of manufacturing the pipe’s exit from the engine. “We would send out the
pattern, only to get it back in the post a few days later with a can’t do it
note” Steve Lowe went on to explain how nobody seemed to be able to achieve
what manufacturers had done as a matter of course back in the day, so they
decided to fabricate it themselves. Steve Lowe’s modest “can do” attitude is
built on a solid foundation of good old fashioned craftmanship and knowledge
built up over 20 years of experience creating custom motorcycles.
The completed bike earns its place on the iconic Brooklands Race Track
Castle Coombe
The AJ leads the pack as Camera Bike, during a filming session
In April I got the Model 22 AJS out on track at Castle Coombe, Its only 250cc, but it was an opportunity to see what happened when it was given its legs. Well the result was predictable, and I was overtaken a few times! However, I had planned ahead and fixed a rear facing Go-Pro which made for some interesting footage on what was a specially organised track session for eight vintage and classic bikes.
Vintage Revival Montlhery
The Auto-jumble is full of Veteran Gems
In May I was proud to represent Brooklands Museum as on of the Motorcycle Team at the Montlhery Vintage Revival. We were planing the trip against the background of a Brexit in March, but that didn't happen and the Journey was much more straght-forward than expected. We arrived for scrutineering on Friday 11 May setting up the Brooklands Paddock before retiring. Following biblical rainstorm overnight we were greeted by a collapsed Gazebo. Luckily non of the 10 bikes we had bought were damaged and the organisers quickly stepped in with a replacement and the offer of further shelter if required.
As one of the riders who had attended the last event on 2017 I was worried that this was going to be another wet event. However, the sun quickly broke through and although we lost the Saturday morning sessions, there was time for an impromptu photo-shoot and interview session with The Vintagent (Paul D'Orleans) before getting everyone out on the track after a bit of creative accounting.
All in all a fantastic weekend and the opportunity to ride a diverse range of bikes ranging from a 1921 ABC to the 1930's Cotton Jap. See Tim Huber's piece on the event on the Vintagent Website
Paul D'Orleans with the Brooklands Zenith, whilst we wait for the surface water to clear on track
Brookland's Perry (Pezpix) Barwick takes a chicane on the Freddy Clarke Tribute Triumph
Martin Gegg keeps it low and slow on the Brooklands ABC
An impromptu photo shoot after the Cotton JAP decided to stop half way into the session for the second time
Bikes prepare for another session at the iconic track
Banbury Run 2019
Bikes in the Gaydon Car park after the Run
In just over a months time we were at Banbury. But not on the 1928 Model 8 Sunbeam, which was still without wheels as I had planned. Instead I supported my co-rider Tony Baxter on a 1927 Sunbeam, whilst I filed a report from the event for Old Bike Mart, a summary of which appears on the OBM Website (12 July2019) This years event was cloudy with a few scattered showers, but the roads had been affected by very heavy rainfall over the previous days. As for the 28 Sunbeam, the wheels are almost done and it should be on the starting line for 2020.
Competitors out on the Road just outside Banbury
Tony Baxter has just dodged a shower with a light lunch at the Brasenose Arms, Cropredy
Next Time:
Brookland's Motorcycle Show, Goodwood Festival of Speed, Shere Hill Climb and More.
There can be no better feeling than getting an old bike running;
or so I thought until I got an old bike back on a banked track with some 300
other 1920 & 30s vehicles at the Montlhѐry Vintage Revival on 6-7 May.
Waiting with Tony Baxter Brooklands Museum (L) & James Hewing (R) Nat Motorcycle Museum
The event is held every two years at the Montlhѐry Autodrome,
a Brooklands type oval, banked circuit just outside Paris. So it was particularly
fitting that I was part of the Brooklands Motorcycle Team who were there to
showcase the ABC Marque as guests of the organisers Vincent Chamon &
Jean-Frѐddѐric Frot.
The sun was shining as we unloaded the bikes on Friday, but
this all changed on Saturday morning when the rain appeared. I was riding the
Brooklands OK Supreme in the Motos GP and Racing class and we took to the
drying track for a sighting lap behind the safety car, before being left to our
own devices.
The Racing circuit peels off outside the main oval after the
Start/Finish straight and Turn one was a bit damp but ok on what was an
excellent tarmac surface more used to providing a test-bed for modern French
cars. Oil flags were waving as I approached Virage du Fay a sharp hairpin, behind a smoking Brooklands Earle Cotton Jap. The wet and oil soaked surface
had been spread with sharp sand which only added to the drifting sensation we
felt as we tip-toed both bikes round.
Found some grip on the Start/Finish Straight
I found the grip as I accelerated down the straight into the
chicane that led out onto the banked section of the circuit which only really works at high
speed. The height of the banking is awesome, but mindful I was on a borrowed
bike and the state of the weather I kept it sensible as I continued the
session.
Fred Wade (BSA Empire Star) & Mike Digby (Triumph L2/1) of Brooklands Museum wait in the pits for their Run
It was a truly memorable experience despite the
challenging conditions and I hope to be back in better weather for the next
Revival in 2019.
Where did 2015 go? Once again we
crammed a lot into a short time and it seemed that everything was happening in
September. We did skip a blog in August and are still struggling to edit the
footage from the Brooklands Great War 100, but we should catch up over the next
few weeks. Here is a brief summary of our world.
Warbike Project
The book is now available via the link
above or Amazon etc. The project is however more than just a book, and work
continues to ensure that the full story of War Office Procurement, the
motorcycles and their riders continues to be captured. The book is now lodged
with the Research Libraries of the Royal Logistics Corps, The Tank Museum,
Brooklands Museum, the Manx Aviation & Military Museum and the Imperial War
Museum.
Brooklands Great War 100.
The commemoration of the 1915 Military
Motorcycle events was well received and the early indications from Brooklands Museum
suggest that it will be possible to have a similar WW1 period motorcycle event
either as part of the 2016 Great War 100 or as part of a separate event earlier
in the year.
Brooklands Great War 100 2015
I think that it is important that we give both owners and the
public every opportunity to see these motorcycles running.
Kempton Southern Off Road Show.
Once again we will be supporting
Brooklands Museum at the event which is being held at the Kemptom Park Racecourse
on 5 December 2015. We will be transporting a couple of racing bikes for the
stand.
Norton OC at Kempton Show
Kempton Off Road Show
In search of ABC Motors
Brooklands ABC
I have recently been documenting the
rebuild of Brooklands Museum's ABC. The motorcycle is a 1921 398cc ABC designed
by Granville Bradshaw. It is somewhat unique in its design having front and
rear leaf springs and horizontally opposed cylinders, reputedly later copied by
BMW.
ABC Rear Leaf Springs
Whilst the engine was on the bench several
people remarked that it looked like an early aero engine; and they are not far
wrong as ABC/Bradshaw were making aircraft engines for Sopwith during WW1. This
engine owes much to its aero cousins in the form of lightweight castings and relative
simplicity.
ABC Front Leaf Springs
I had already crossed paths with Bradshaw
during the Warbike research. ABC were originally based at Brooklands where
Bradshaw came into contact with motorcycle racers and manufactures of the day.
It is easy to imagine how the ever active engineering brain of Bradshaw was
soon developing unsolicited ideas and suggestions for faster motorcycles. This
was no doubt the seed that launched a lifelong friendship with Freddie Barnes
of local manufacturer Zenith. At the
outbreak of war Bradshaw was forced to move from Brooklands which was being
taken over by the Royal Flying Corps. ABC moved to nearby Hersham where they
changed the name of the company to ABC Motors Ltd. Here they manufactured
stationary engines for the military and a few bikes including a consignment for
Egypt which ended up at the bottom of the Mediterranean.
After a bit of digging I discovered that
the old ABC works still exists. However, just as I was preparing to take a
visit, I was informed that the site was about to be demolished to make way for
a supermarket. Wasting no time I took the next opportunity to photograph the
site. It was an overcast day, but I managed to get all of the buildings
documented before the bulldozers arrive.
Site of ABC Works Molesey Road Hersham
I am now on the trail of Bradshaw's close
friend, Freddie Barnes of Zenith. More on this during 2016.
Barry M Jones has just published an excellent
revised edition of “Granville Bradshaw a flawed Genius?” ISBN:9870956497574 published
by Panther. This book written with access to the Bradshaw Family archives is
well worth a read. Barry says that he became interested in Bradshaw whilst
researching Phelon & Moore. Bradshaw really did have connections with so
many developments. As a postscript I even saw a Bradshaw oil cooled engine
advertised on ebay last week. If you are interested in what connects ABC to
Suzuki, VW Beetles, 3D TV and Wankel rotary engines, you need to get the book
on your Chirstmas List.
Website
Work on the website continues, but it is
all too easy to be presented with a great looking site with little or no
content. So; there is a bit more work to be done before it passes the content
test. However, it will still have to continue to grow after launch. The shop is
slowly being stocked and we also expect to have a regular stall at Kempton Park
Bike Jumble during 2016.
1930's Projects
The AJS came out for a photo-shoot in
October (more on that in 2016). It is a bike with a special back story and we
should have it back on the road in time for the 2016 Shere Hill Climb.
250cc AJS Project
The Sunbeam is now owed a bit of workshop
time. I do love an oily rag machine, but too many bits have been breaking
lately! The silencer needs to be replaced, and the valve-lifter let go at Shere.
The Engine and gearbox will come out early next year and everything will be
inspected and the motley assortment of non period fixings and electrics from
its 1980s rebuild will be replaced.
The 1935 Sunbeam waits to burst into life at the 2015 Shere Hill Climb
We would always recommend that bikes
which no longer require MOTs are regularly inspected and receive a full independent
check every two to three years. This will ensure that the bikes remain in a
condition to be enjoyed by us and future generations to come.
The second AJS Project is a sound bike, but
needs to be registered and a lot more work before it can be put back on the
road.
Fenland ClassicsTV
Click below for this month's selection of Bike related Films: Old Timer WARBIKE: British Military Motorcycling 1899-1919
