June 2017 UPDATE

Montlhѐry Vintage Revival 2017

The Montlhery Pits

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.

The Banking has to be seen to be believed 

Old Timer

April/May 2017 UPDATE

As the clocks go forward and the sun appears from behind the clouds; Bikers start to emerge from their sheds after a long winter hibernation. 

We are starting to think about this year’s events and how we can bring you closer to the action. For example, last year we had some stunning action clips but there were just not enough hours left in the day to get them uploaded. The answer we think is to go for shorter highlight clips and expand later into a review of the year.

The Banbury Run

Brooklands Motorcycle Team Member at last years event

Last year saw the first road event for the 1927 Sunbeam light Tourist owned by Brooklands Museum. This bike had some issues even before it reached the start line in the shape of a worn kick-start quadrant. However, with the aid of a mechanical starter and a few pushes it performed very well. In-fact so well that it was the only Brooklands Motorcycle Team related entrant to finish the course.

The Sunbeam has been entered in the 2017 Banbury Run. There is little prospect of getting the quadrant fixed for June so we will be relying again on the starter and a push start if needed out on the course.

The preparation continues during May with some adjustment to the 1927 Sunbeam’s forks before a pre-Banbury independent check in the form of an MOT Test. The test gave Banbury entrant Tony Baxter about an hour road time. Now the paperwork is completed we will carry out some final adjustments including an oil change nearer the Banbury Weekend.

Montlhѐry

L’autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry, located about thirty kilometers south of Paris

We will shortly be off to France for the 3^rd Biennial Vintage Revival. Check in later for Images and film. 

Warbike Project

I would like to take an opportunity to say thanks for all those people who have bought the bike and continue to support the project with information. Sales worldwide have exceeded expectation, but please continue to contact us with information about Military Motorcycles from 1919 to 1945 which is the next phase of the research. Please contact warbike@fenlandclassics.co.uk

MARCH 17 Update

It seems as if winter really did mean winter this year and some days in the workshop have been painfully cold, or maybe I am just getting old. I got the chance recently to help out on a 1903 Peugeot being recommissioned for a private client at Brooklands Museum.

I cleaned the oil pump and oil ways which turned out to be a much quicker job than anticipated. These early bikes are very simple in some respects. However, they have had a lot of time to be "modified" and consequently you don't really know, without a lot of research what is right, and what may have been bolted on or bodged at a later date. The pump appeared original and extremely simple. It worked fine on a bench test, so we will try it again on the bike in a couple of weeks time. In the meantime Tony the project lead has also got rid if the Red HT Lead and removed the screwdriver holding the front mudguard in place!

1903 Peugeot at Brooklands Museum

Also just arrived in our workshop is a Model 22 AJS rescued a while ago. This is a very original example and one that will need a sympathetic restoration to retain its unique patina.

AJS 250cc Model 22

Also just in is a 1962 D7 Bantam which again looks a nice original example. However, the previous owner was trying to save on a new engine sprocket which had worn oval. whilst cleaning I also found evidence of a broken chain link embedded in the casting. The engine is cleaning up nicely and a new con-rod and bearings all round will give it a new lease of life. Check in for more on the D7 rebuild next time.

D7 hiding a secret in the gunk

WarBike Offer

For March we are running an exclusive offer via the website. Warbike: British Military Motorcycling 1899-1919 is available for just £8.50 including postage. This is currently the cheapest price for a new copy of the book anywhere. This is a limited offer so  get in fast before the stock is gone. To find out more go to www.fenlandclassics.com To buy go direct to the book shop

Previous Events

Work behind the scenes has meant that the last few events have got lost so here is a brief round up of events to date.

Shere Hill Climb

Shere Hill Climb back in 2015

In September 2016 we were back at Shere for the charity event which is an excuse for lots of exotic machinery usually found gathering dust in Surrey barns and garages to get out on the road. I was there once again supporting Brooklands Museum Trust and we were able to rig the on board cameras to give a feel of what its like to run up the hill. Incidentally you can run up the hill any day of the week; but then you are likely to face Cyclists and traffic coming towards you. Take a look at the clip of one of the runs.

Brooklands Great War Commemoration

In September 2016 I was asked once again to gather some period WW1 bikes for the Brooklands Great War 100 commemorations. Again the weather was kind to us but fewer turned out due to other events. We used the opportunity to recreate some images of testing that took place prior to WW1. These images will be used to publicise the final commemoration of WW1 motorcycles at Brooklands in 2018. If you have a 1910-1920 motorcycle it is not too early to get in touch if you want to take part

Original Image of Military testing in 1912

Our Recreation in 2016

WarBike

Don't for get to visit the website for more information about the project and get your copy of WarBike: British Military Motorcycling 1899-1999.


Kickback Motorcycle Show

In December we went as part of the Brooklands Motorcycle Team to Kickback Olympia. Here there was an opportunity to meet the designers, builders and owners of some stunning custom machines. We made some lasting friendships and I hear that some will be making a visit with their machines to the Brooklands Motorcycle Show in July 2017.

Bristol Show Feb 2017

This was my first visit to the show and I was impressed with the standard of bikes and stands. The best had to be the The Wells Classic Motorcycle Club complete with bar.

Two Pints of Lager and a packet of crisps

This 293cc 1914 New Imperial Light Tourist  was typical of  the diverse range of bikes on the Club stands.

Old Timer

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 Update

Events in 2017

Its the time of year to start planning events and as always we will be at the Kempton Park Bike Jumble. The dates for this year are:

11 March

20 May (Includes Southern Classic Motorcycle Show)

22 July

16 September

21 October

2 December (includes Southern Classic Off Road Show)

More details of the event can be found at www.kemptonparkautojumble.co.uk

On 6-7 May we will be off to France for the Vintage Revival at Montlhery in France. Well worth a visit and check out the video below.

July is the Chateau Impney Hill climb  and in September we will once again be participating in the Shere Hill Climb. watch out for more news on these later.

Website

The website has been somewhat dormant over the last few months, but work continues in the background to build a shop and to include some more interactive content. This blog will also find its way onto Fenlandclassics.com from this month forwards.

Next Month we will bring you up to date with events covered in the last couple of months.

Old Timer

SEPTEMBER Update

The Fenland Classic Motorcycle Blog is in the course of being migrated to www.fenlandclassics.com please be patient. We expect to have the site fully up to date by 1 January 2017.

In the meantime check out Twitter: @fenlandclassics to keep up to date.

Surrey Hill Climb September 1915

Surrey (Shere) Hill Climb September 2015

Surrey (Shere) Hill Climb September 2016

Report and Film coming soon.

Old Timer

 

AUGUST Update

So much to say and not enough time to write. The August Blog with reports on the Brooklands Motorcycle Show and Chateau Impney Hill Climb with be published shortly.

JULY Update

This summer is particularly busy with Banbury Run, The Brooklands Motorcycle Show, and Château Impney very close to each other.So this is a quick review of the Banbury Run.

We were honoured to be involved in the preparation of the Brooklands Museum 1927 Sunbeam Light Tourist, which has recently been re-registered for the road. The bike is a good runner but there were some minor issues to be sorted before the bike was considered fit for the road. The clutch was serviced to cure dragging and new front shoes fitted. There was not time to deal with a kick-start issue so rider Tony Baxter was armed with a starter for the run.

Tony Baxter Draining the tank after the test run

With only one test run on the road behind him, Tony arrived at the British Motor Museum early on 26 June and was Joined by a second Brooklands Motorcycle Team Members, Ian Dabney on his 500cc Douglas and Colin Wood on a borrowed Model H Triumph.

Tony Baxter prior to the start

All were safely away including Tony who got away with the aid of the start lime marshals. Our first call was from Colin who had a broken exhaust valve. After retuning Colin to the start we heard that Ian also had a Fuel line issue and was on his way back with the VMCC support team. Meanwhile the Sunbeam was going strongly and made it back to the finish, becoming the first Museum Motorcycle to take part in a road event.

Here are a few images of the day. Our other images will also be appearing in Old Bike Mart.

Veteran Racer Ivan Rhodes waits for the start

Riders and Drivers had Road Works to negotiate just after the start

Pre-1930 was open to interpretation , However, this is a very nice bike

Plenty of period gear in the Jumble

A rider who uses our favourite ethanol free fuel (top Right Aspen4)

These Pre-30's riders are an eclectic bunch

Next Month:

The Brooklands Motorcycle Show & Château Impney 

Old Timer