DECEMBER Update

Richard "Dick" Standing

Dick's Silver TT Replica from 1967 complete with entry pack

Late October brought sad news of the death of Brooklands Motorcycle Volunteer Richard Standing. “Dick” was a wonderful character who always had a tale to tell about his career as an engineer at Hawker Sidley and British Airways, flying model Aircraft, sailing and bike racing. He was very modest about his own achievements on the track and it was not until his funeral on 17 November that many of us knew of the two Bronze and one Silver TT replicas that he had won on the island. The Silver was won in the Diamond Jubilee year of 1967, in a race that featured the period greats of Agostini and Hailwood. Over 87mph not bad for a part-timer! Many members of the VMCC Brooklands Section, where he served as a Committee Member, accompanied him on his last ride out, and 150 family and friends squeezed into the chapel to hear tributes from his close family and friends. You can read a full tribute to Dick on the Old Bike Mart website.

----------------------------

Warbike Project

The book is (still) nearing completion and it seems that the last bit is never ending. The pictures are looking great and it should not be long until we can get the first full draft off the press. Meanwhile this is an ongoing project; so if you have any WW1 military motorcycle information to contribute please write to warbike@fenlandclassics.co.uk or check out the warbike project facebook page.  We are still looking for a 1914-20 Phelon and Moore bike to photograph at the Brooklands circuit to commemorate the many bikes tested at the Weybridge track before and during WW1. If you have or know of a P&M bike please contact us at warbike@fenlandclassics.co.uk  

-------------------------------------------

The Southern Off Road and Racing Show

Brooklands Stand at Last years Kempton Show

The Southern Off Road and Racing Show will be held at Kempton park Race course on 6 December 2014. The ever popular Bike jumble will be supplemented by the show all for the price of just £6 with reductions for pensioners. The Brooklands Volunteers will be promoting the Museum with two bikes from the collection. 

Sammy Miller Prepares for a ride at his museum in 2013

The first is a 1927 Tommy Meeten Francis Barnett. This is the Record Breaking minnow that went up against the big boys in 1927 winning the 6 hour endurance race at an average speed of 50 mph. The high average speed was maintained with the addition of two auxiliary tanks mounted to the rear on each side. The pocket rocket was fully restored a few years ago by the volunteers and still runs regularly.



At present the bike is at present being prepared for a trip to the Montlhéry vintage meeting in May 2015. 

Ian Prepares for a run during the 2014 photo shoot

The second bike on the stand will be a 600cc EW Douglas which was built from a collection of bits that were donated to the museum. Volunteers Ian and Carl spent many hours converting the diverse collection into this this stunning bike. The Douglas that was featured in The April 2014 edition of The Classic Bike Guide Magazine is also regularly run on the test track at Brooklands.   

The dangerously low ground clearance is a challenge

The motorcycle makes its second appearance at the Kempton Venue having previously featured at the Southern Classic Bike Show. A full review of the December show will appear in the January Blog.

--------------------------------------------------------

Brooklands Military Vehicle Day

Whilst on the subject of Brooklands there was the usual big turn out for the Brooklands Museum Military Vehicles Day on 16 November. Bikes were represented by a WW2 RAF BSA and a GI Indian. 

These solos were heavily outnumbered by several Zundapp and BMW combinations. They relished the challenges of the Mercedes World 4x4 test track in the morning and most were out again for a rumble up Test Hill. 

Barnes Wallis was turning in his grave, but Churchill and Monty were also on hand to save the editorial balance of this piece.

------------------------------------------------

Road Improvement Programme

The PM visits a single carriageway section of the A1. Without any Traffic!

Transport Secretary Patrick Mcloughlin announced today (1/12) what he called “the biggest, boldest and most far reaching roads programme for decades” We don’t want to get into politics in this space other than to say that governments come and governments go. Every few years they propose a tunnel under Stonehenge and other major projects before retreating again. For bikers the priority must be repairing what is already there, particularly on the twisty B roads and country lanes we love so much. To be fair there has been improvement in some areas since a recent injection of cash, but the poor weather over the winter is bound to compound many roads already in dire need of a make-over.  

For those interested the key improvements announced are A1 to become a dual carriageway from end to end, A303 & A358 to be improved including a Stonehenge Tunnel! Meaning dual carriageway from London to within 15 mile of Lands End. (I hope the car-park is being increased) Improvements in the midlands include the M62 becoming a “smart” motorway and further work on the M42 so that in years to come we can get to the NEC Motorcycle Live more easily.  

------------------------------------------

Fenland Classics TV

Another collection of our favorite motorcycle films from the web including Series 8 Episode 2 of Bike World. Select Playlist to skip a film.

by
Old Timer

NOVEMBER Update

Autumn in Cambridge

Well November is here, and the weather remains good enough for us fair weather bikers to get a few miles under the belt. However, winter is not far away so here are a few jobs that need to be taken care of. Those who are not novices look away now!


A few tips for the novice in no particular order:

• Drain the tank including lines and carb to ensure the dreaded ethanol does not attack vulnerable parts.

• check the drained tank regularly for condensation to avoid rust. 

• Disconnect batteries, where fitted and store in a safe place

• Check tanks for damage to linings or other repairs. These can be dealt with during the winter.

• Check and oil all cables.

• Clean sprockets & Chains and treat with a tacky lubricant to seal the chain from moisture. Remember you may pay a premium for anything linked to “motorcycles”  Machine or Chainsaw lubricants may do the same job for a fraction of the price.

• Inspect all the accessible chains and valves to ensure they are in good condition and protect from condensation.

• Check suspension and overhaul where required. Check Girder forks carefully for wear. Winter is a good time to get them overhauled/repaired.

• Grease and oil all joints and check that the grease/oil is getting to the bearing surface. Old grease will get hard and mixed with dirt and dust, will block the paths. New nipples are easy to pick up at auto jumble if required.

• Check all oil pipes to ensure they are clean. Total loss systems should be dismantled and checked for blockages.

• Check tyres; not just for wear, but ensure they are not too old. Older tyres will get hard and will not hold the road. A new tyre is a small price to pay.

• Consider flushing the oil (although this is better left until just before you take the bike out for spring. Separate Oil tanks can easily be flushed through now. Remember never to mix Castor oil with mineral oil and always clean the whole system before making a switch. Castrol R may smell great, but it is designed for race engines which are regularly overhauled. Castor oil will in any event thicken dramatically if left in an engine.

• Check gearbox lubricant levels.

Record Breakers at Brooklands 2015

Brooklands: Long history of Record Breaking

Speak to anyone who has attempted a speed record and they will tell you it is a unique experience. To get to the starting line you need to have the very best engineers and nerves of steel.

Over the next few months we will be discovering what makes these people tick and will be bringing you their stories later in 2015. We will also be working with Brooklands Museum in Surrey to host a record breakers event where visitors will be able to get up and personal with the riders and their machines. It will feature historic  and contemporary record breaking machines from tarmac and salt. If you have a record breaking machine you think should be there, get in touch with us at saltfever@fenlandclassics.co.uk

Stafford Show 2014

The weather for the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics was good for the most part with a bit of rain on Sunday. As ever lots to see and the entry fee remains good value for money. If like me you like to spend time rummaging through the hundreds of auto jumble stalls there is very little time to see the show bikes and the many demonstrations/talks etc. I did find that the racing paddock area seemed to be quieter than most other areas. I am not sure if it just coincided with my visits or if it was a bit off the main drag. All in all another good show and plenty to see inside when the rain appeared.

Steve Thomas got the best in show award with this 1966 Kawasaki 125. It took him three and a half years to reach showroom condition from a tatty but original start.

Steve Thomas's Best in Show

There was keen interest in the lots on offer in the Bonhams sale.

Lots to see in the main hall.

And action outside in the trials area.

Fenland Classics TV

Here is our pick of the Web for November:

1. A short film by Kevin Kaltenhofer A study of the V-Rod Cafe Racer by German based Custom Builder DR  Mechanik.

2. More men in sheds. This film by Mathew Harrington is a glimpse into the world of Oz Blogger and Custom Builder Mat Machine.

3. A Documentary Network short by David Wilson. The Lost art of Motorcycle engineering is about American Adam Cramer, a man with some wise words about the state of the nation which applies equally to the UK.

4. Bike World Series 8 Episode 1: More from the world of motorcycling brought to you by Suzy Taylor.





Old Timer.