JULY Update

Goodwood Festival of Speed

Crowds flocked to Sussex on 26/28 June for the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed. This high octane garden party is hosted by Lord March and is a celebration of the history of motor sport. The event has grown from a few hay bales along the Goodwood House drive to an internationally renowned parade and hill climb event. The Festival is now the place to be for top motoring brands that spend many weeks building vast temples to their products. Visitors get to see the vehicles up close and the drivers and riders love it because they can get in among the punters without all the usual hassle. I heard one owner, new to the event saying; ‘Is it OK to leave the kit here’, as they manoeuvred starters and placed their helmets by their bikes. The reply was ‘Oh don’t worry about the kit, Goodwood’s not like that’ and they left a few hundred thousand pounds of machinery and kit for us to admire. There is a special atmosphere at Goodwood and long may it continue. 

We’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

Jet Bike rounds the Flint Wall on the way upthe Hill

 

Bikes by the bucket Full.. 1984 Honda NSR500

Sammy Miller's 1927 Brough Pendine Racer

George Coen's Manx Norton

Velocette 1938 KTT

1650cc 2015 Bienville Legacy

Fun with The Dakar machines

...and Kimi's just confused by the whole thing

Warbike Project: The History of British Military Motorcycling 1899 to 1919

Work continues prior to publication and as the research draws to a close on this part of the story I should mention a few people who have helped along the way. The Brooklands Library team have been an invaluable and ongoing source of  both material and support. The Museum Library has a vast catalogue of records concerning Riders/Drivers, Cars and Motorcycles that raced at the track as well as a vast library of books relating to every aspect of Brooklands History. I was privileged to also have access to the photograph archive which contains some stunning images.

The National Motorcycle Museum allowed me access to their Clyno Motor Machine Gun Carrier which has resulted in some great detailed images of this machine.

The Royal Logistics Corps Museum gave me access to the Annual Reports of The Mechanical Transport Committee, which tells the War Office side of the story as far as military motorcycling is concerned. These records gave a fascinating insight into the procurement process. For example, I was interested to learn that Douglas almost failed to make the grade on several occasions but still managed to become the second most successful supplier of WW1 motorcycles.

Mortons Media and The Manx Aviation & Military Museum have also provided some great Dispatch Rider images and I am also indebted to the many people who have shared information and images through the Great War Forum.

It has been an interesting journey and I hope the book will dispel a few myths and pay tribute to the many riders that played a vital role during WW1.

The Ethanol Debate.

 

Another damaged tank liner to deal with.

Last month we started to look more closely at the issue of ethanol in petrol and in particular the issues people have running older vehicles on pump fuel. We hear lots of stories, but are these urban myths? Also is it all down to ethanol, or are there other substances lurking in our favourite cocktail?

Well, the story so far is that the effects are real. We have personally experienced bikes with treacle in the carbs, damaged fuel lines and only today I saw yet another melting tank liner. We have also trawled the fuel company websites for information and they seem to be devoid of any mention of ethanol information. Furthermore, the experts would seem to confirm it is ethanol is most likely to be the culprit. However, tt is important that we do not demonise the fuel companies. They have to comply with the regulations and legislation that is rightly there to protect us and the Planet. But, the historic vehicle community does need ready access to up to date information to make informed decisions. There is still more research to be done and the final piece with links to ethanol friendly products and locations of ethanol free fuel will be on our eagerly awaited new website.

We have also discovered some long-life ethanol free fuel which we will be reviewing and running at the Shere Hill Climb in September. Keep checking out the Twitter feed @fenlandclassics for updates.

Future Plans

The Ton-up Boys at Brooklands

The website is progressing and we are busy sourcing some of those difficult to obtain bits for your restorations. For example we will have sight glasses for vintage oil pumps and other high quality reproduction items as well as a range of good quality used parts. Our approach will be to aim for high quality difficult to obtain merchandise. You can see the first of our gift range, based on adverts of the 1900’s via Red Bubble.

We have also been busy behind the scenes advising on an American TV pilot filmed during May and are currently working with Brooklands Museum on the Great War 100 commemorations in September. This event will feature a recreation of the 1915 service events held at the iconic Surrey circuit. This blog has also been delayed as we have been filming Ton-up Day at Brooklands for the Museum and our new website.

Fenland ClassicsTV

This month we have our regular visit to Bike World as well as some other Cafe Racer and Street Custom inspired films:

Old Timer

AUGUST 2014 Update

Summer is always a busy time, with many competing events. Here are our highlights for July.  

Warbike Project

The project is in full swing as we get to the centenary of the beginning of WW1. The Day by day diary is up and running as a blog which can be viewed here.

This will continue as a daily update until 17 August when it will be updated weekly. The aim is for this to become a resource for those wishing to dip into motorcycling history with an emphasis on military motorcycling during 1914 to 18. This will be followed up later with a more in depth story available as a book supported by an interactive net-based resource.

Ace Cafe Ton-Up day At Brooklands Museum

 

The weather looked doubtful as the day dawned, but the rain stayed away and the visitors were treated to a chilled out, village green atmosphere. The band played contemporary music as groups gathered to discuss the bikes on show. This event attracted many machines from the burgeoning street custom scene as well as the conventional 50s/60s style Cafe Racers. TVs very own Henry Cole turned up to try his hand at being a journalist for the day and if you want to know the result you will have to buy Classic Bike Guide or watch The Motorbike Show; on Monday 18 August 2014. Repeated Saturday 23 August. 

After two sessions on the Test Hill, a sun tan and a good chin wag it was time for the prize giving. This year prizes were awarded for four categories of “Ton-Up” bikes.

AJS “Spirit of Brooklands” Ton-up

BSA Best Ton-up Single

AJS Best Period Cafe Racer

Seeley Honda: Best Ton-Up Multi Cylinder

 Cotton Day at Brooklands Museum

The story of Cotton Motorcycles was told in 118 bikes on Sunday 20 July when members of the Cotton owners club celebrated the Marque’s centenary at Brooklands. On 23 July 1914 Frank Willoughby “Bill” Cotton applied for a patent for his “improved” frame design. The frame’s triangular shape is a concept which still exists on street and competition bikes of today.

Organisers Daniel Weisby and Bob Smith were blessed with fine weather as members poured onto the site. Pre-war bikes were well represented outside the clubhouse. Whilst post war competition machines were displayed in the Paddock Area. The Museums own partly restored Cotton also put in a guest appearance despite not being on the guest list!

The static displays came to life as many owners took the opportunity to take their bikes up Test Hill. A challenge for some of the older machines, but a bit tame for the later competition bikes.

 It is difficult to pick out any particular bikes for further comment as each were interesting in their own right, so here are a few examples which perhaps tell the diverse story of Cotton.

1922 250cc Model 15

 

This Blackburne powered machine was the oldest bike at the Rally and was restored by the Sammy Miller Musuem 15 years ago.

1959 250cc Herald

A 1950’s road bike with a 250cc Villiers 2 stroke engine and Armstrong leading link forks which were a trademark feature during this period.

1962 250cc Cotton/Cross Cougar

1962 Cotton Cross

This is a prototype bike used to prove the concept of the liner-less cylinder, piston and spiral piston rings developed by Cross. This bike was ridden successfully by Bryan Goss during 1961 and put into production by Cotton in 1962.

1974 220cc Trials Expert

Typical of the Cotton 70’s competition bikes, this Trials machine is powered by the larger 220cc Minarelli engine

1980 EM 34 Road Racer

The Cotton Rotax turned a few heads at the end of the 1979 season and Terry Wilson commissioned this production model for 1980 with a new compact 2 cylinder Rotax engine capable of producing 70 bhp. Only 12 were sold before the Cotton Company went into receivership. 

1984 125cc Centaur

1984 Cotton Centaur

This is claimed to be the last ever production machine produced by Cotton. In 1984 the firm was in receivership, but with rights to the name “Cotton International” previous owner Terry Wilson commissioned this monocoque chassis bike powered by a 125 Rotax engine. The much publicised prototype machine was demonstrated to the press, but never went into production.

Fenland Classics TV

Our selection for July features The Bike Shed Event 3 on Bike World Watch it Here


Old Timer

JULY 2013 Update

The Brookland Museum Ton-Up Day

The main focus of June was on Ton-Up day at Brooklands Museum This event was billed as a celebration of 75 years since the opening of the Ace Cafe on the North Circular Road in London and the venue much loved by the Cafe Racers and Ton-Up boys of the 1950s and 60s. A one off event is a hard one to pull off as you have no baseline. The publicity is key and when you are a museum that has to look after the pennies it takes a lot of hard work by a dedicated workforce of volunteers to pull it off;  and pull it off they did. On the day there were about 2500 visitors and 585 bikes on the site and they were treated to a host of attractions such as The Smiths Triumph British Superbike Team, The Dick Shepherd Triumph collection, Sammy Miller, club stands, Bike related films, Trials displays, The Royal Logistics Corps Museum, The London Motorcycle Museum two Test Hill sessions, and of course Lots of Cafe Racers.

The weather was overcast, but apart from a brief shower before the gates opened it stayed clear all day with a good bit of blue sky over lunch. The morning’s entertainment began with the Sound Stage. This was a chance to get up close and personal to race bike through the ages as they were started up by their owners. Sammy Miller ran his V4 AJS and V Twin Motor Guzzi which he later ran up the Hill. There were too many to list, but its far to say that the bikes got quieter through the ages. The biggest applause went the both the Miller bikes and the Loris Capirossi flame spitting Ducati.

Let us know via email or Twitter if you would like to see a similar event next year.

See Films of the event Below:

More information about those who took part can be found at:

Brooklands Motorcycle Volunteers

Brooklands Museum

Sammy Miller

Smiths Triumph Racing

London MC Museum

Royal Corps of Logistics Museum

Witley Motorcycle Display Team

Dick Shepherd On YouTube:

Henry Surtees Foundation Cart Race

We hung around long enough to catch the HSF Cart race at MB World Brooklands.  This race was an endurance event with some 35 carts supplied by Daytona Raceway acting as transport for a variety of teams. The two hour race which included fuel stops and driver changes ended with just over 2 seconds between first and second. The action was very fast and furious and just very exciting, close motor-sport. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves including a local F1 team (Mclaren) who managed 5^th overall. The real winner was of course the Foundation which raised £58,000 from the event which included a prestige prize giving event at the Brooklands Hotel which overlooks the track.

To see more about the event Click Here 

www.henrysurteesfoundation.com for more information about the Henry Surtees Foundation

Bonhams Oxford Sale

We dropped in on the Bonhams Auction on 15 June to keep an eye on a few lots for rescuing. As it turned out the prestige nature of the sale brought out a lot of interest and the 1927 Barn find AJS 349cc K7 estimated at £1k to £2k went for £10,580*. Another wreck, the 1951 490cc Norton International went for £7,130*. Someone with the buyer was heard saying ‘He’s completely mad, but he knows what he is doing’. And so he does. That is over £30k of bike when restored.

There was a tidy 1922 ABC in need of a tidy up estimated at £2,500 -£3,500. In the end it went for £5,290*. These bikes are wonderful and sum up the experimentation that was going on at the time. Designed by the great Granville Bradshaw, this is a horizontally apposed, engine leaf sprung back and front, chain drive when belts were sill in use, good (for the time) drum brakes, but no kick start. In their day they were very much more expensive than other contemporary bikes and this, combined with engine lubrication issues eventually spelt the end for the ABC.

A nicely restored Model 3 Sunbeam on the books for £8k - £10k went for £7,762*.

There also was an Ajax ladies motorcycle, thought to be unique. It went for £3,335* and we are very pleased to se it went to a museum. This is the type of bike that gets forgotten as it is now well known and therefore does not command a high price even though it is probably the only one of its kind and is fully restored.

Last but not least was a Brooklands Special SOS estimated at £3,400 to £3,800. This bike has been floating around the sale rooms lately and it was nice to see it go to a private owner who is passionate about its history. We were also lucky enough to catch up with the owner as he dropped into Brooklands Museum to find out a bit more about the bike whose first own was Tommy Meeten who liked the bike so much he bought the company. Whilst this comment not strictly true the Meeten story is an interesting one and more can be found on the Meetens website

Bargain of the day must be a 1979 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing taxed and MOT’d which went under the hammer for £250 (£287 after commission). It appeared to be an impulse buy, it of a beast to transport, but why not ride it home! A bit too new for us, and a tad large for a pit bike!

MAY 2013 Update

Ride-Out May 2013

 

At last the biking weather has arrived. Sadly I did not take my own advice to come out of hibernation in February, so my steed still needs a bit of fettling before it is on the road. It was good to see everyone out there enjoying themselves which has given us an idea for a piece in the future about ride out venues. If you have any suggestions of places that you visit, send them to routes@Fenlandclassics.co.uk . We also have some of your favourite ride-out routes we are still checking out, but still need some more so send them in on the same email address.

As previously reported, we are supporting the Brooklands Museum Motorcycle Volunteers with their Ton-Up day in association with The Ace Cafe London on 23 June 2013 to celebrate 75 years of the Ace Cafe. It is looking like a fantastic event. Your chance to ride up the Hill and the famous banking have now closed, but there will be loots to see and do. There will be a mass ride in from the Ace Cafe, motorcycle films, many very interesting bikes and of course the action on the famous Test Hill   Glen Richards will ride the 2012 British Supersport winning Triumph on Test Hill on 23rd June. His BSB team-mate, Bill Mc Connell will ride the Museum’s Wicksteed Triumph (See April Update for more about this unique bike. Also 84 year old Johnny Giles, the highest medal scoring British ISDT rider of all time, will be reunited with his Cheney Triumph and will ride it up Test Hill.

We will also be visiting the Bike Shed Event at Shoreditch Studios EC2A 3HHon 18- 19 May as well as Goodwood Festival of Speed 12-14 July 2013.