NOVEMBER 2013 Update

November is here already and although there have been some good riding days in October I fear that many older bikes will be going away for winter in order to preserve them for future years. The Sunbeam is now partly striped down for what is likely to be its first major overhaul since its restoration in the 1980s. as mentioned last month this is aimed mainly at checking that the Frame, Forks and cycle parts are safe. So far there is a broken stand that needs fixing and the stand retention clip on the rear mudguard has snapped. This will need to be a new part if we can't repair it.

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.




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.



It has been a couple of years since I have seen the DVDs so I will be digging them out again soon. You now can buy these and more online direct from us at From our online bookshop 

After first watching the original DVDs I was keen to find out what Austin Vince was doing. Alas, he had returned to teaching and was invisible on the web. That was until I picked up a Tweet from Ross Noble recently who said that he had made a new film. After checking Its seems that Austin has given up the day job to promote low budget DIY adventures. The latest of these adventures is Mondo Sahara and the DVD is now available online.

Commenting on the latest adventure 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 will definitely will be on our viewing list this autumn (and now available on our website) Click Here for more info and a trailer. 

Greatest Motorcycle Journeys

The Travel Channel are currently showing Henry Cole's Greatest Motorcycle Journeys of the world and watching one last week across Norway reminded the old Timer of his own trips following a similar route. My first trip to Norway on a bike was in the 70s and you could drive all day and hardly see another person. Henry's decent of Trollstigen (The Trolls Pass) was he said spoilt by the traffic. When I did it the road was not even fully tarmaced, but it could get a few coaches. I choose to camp in nearby and run up the zig-zags early in the morning, then over the icy wastelands before returning to the tent for breakfast. A few years later I went up at dusk and was surprised to see thousands of lemmings. They may not in reality jump of cliffs, but they sure do get squashed by the unsuspecting driver or rider.


Also one to catch up on BBC i-Player, if you did not see it is  Full throttle: The Glory Days of British Motorbikes shown on BBC4 at 9pm on October 28. It charts the rise of and celebrates all facets of the British motorcycle industry covering T.E. Lawrence, aka Lawrence of Arabia, IOM TT racing and the Ton-Up Boys of the 1950s

Click http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01k4jm4 to view clips.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03fv7sl to watch. (Expires on 7 Nov 13)


We maybe into pre-war bikes, but we like to keep an eye on the retro scene. October was also the month chosen for the world wide launch of the Royal Enfield Continental GT Starting at the Ace Cafe London over 50 of the new bikes and press drove off across southern England including a stop off at Brooklands Museum, the UKs very own home of motorsport. The latest Enfield incarnation is a recreation of the bike of the same name first launched in 1963. Lets face it the only thing it really has in common with its namesake is the numberplate (63) but that said Indian Enfields do capture the feel of an older bike with the advantage of a reasonable price and mod cons such as electric start and ignition. Looking at the original and the new model face to face against the backdrop of the recently restored BP Petrol Pagoda at Brooklands it does capture the cafe racer look, but will not appeal to the dyed in the wool Ton-up Boy. We can't say much more as we have not yet tried the bike, but for more information or a test drive go to www. Haywards.co.uk or your local Royal Enfield dealer.

OCTOBER 2013 Update

How time flies, and already the evenings are getting cooler and the old bones are wishing the summer could go on forever. However now is the time to start planning for those winter projects in the warm workshop. Maybe you got that last missing part or new project from the many summer autojumbles, but if you were busy enjoying the weather you better get yourself sorted soon.

Warbike Project

 

The response has been excellent, and still more information is required about motorcycles and riders of World War One. We need those personal stories, not only to build up the background but to act as a lasting commemoration of all those brave men and women motorcyclists who were involved in the battlefields Europe and beyond. The reality is that after over 95 years since the armistice we are already too late for first-hand accounts and for many the reminiscences were too painful to recall during their lifetime. There are some interesting accounts to be found, the most well known of these is “The adventures of a Dispatch Rider During the First World War” by Captain W.H.L Watson first published in 1915 and as such is a contemporary account. The cover of the version above shows dispatch riders preparing to re-supply pigeons to the trenches.

Jobs for Autumn

 

Sunbeam Forks & Wireing in need of repair

After what has been quite a good summer it is time to take a look at some of those jobs that keep being put off. They say you should leave well alone, but this 1930s Sunbeam needs a few parts to avoid a potential breakdown. We believe this is an older restoration that was done some 30 years ago and is in good condition. We will start with a new set of cables followed by rewiring to the original pattern and an overhaul of the girder forks. No doubt it will turn into a full rebuild as these simple jobs often do, but we will keep you updated on progress.   

Online Update

Our main job for the autumn is updating the website which will make way for the e-commerce site which will come on line during 2014. Which this space for more information.

SEPTEMBER 2013 Update

August was been a quiet month for us. Plenty of time for enjoying the sunshine and dodging the odd shower.

All our Yesterdays
See the All our Yesterdays page for information about what was happening a hundred years ago in the motorcycling world. This month there is new of the first man to ride ou Skidaw on a motorcycle and a plea to reduce the number of deaths caused by carrying passengers on parcel carriers. 

Rhonyx Project
No progress since the last update so the research continues. The Netley Marsh Autojumble is coming up in September, so it might be worth a trip. Even if there is nothing there, you get a lot of punters from across the channel to chat to. If you have any information on the Rhonyx Marque let us know at info@Fenlandclassics.co.uk.

War Bike Project
Lots of information coming in on WW1 motorcycles. Some wonderful stories and photos. It turns out the London Imperial War Museum has been closed at present, but there is still a lot of work to be done to organise and reference what has been coming in. I am particularly interested at present in the training for riders prior to being sent to France/Belgium. Also stories or information concerning maintenance in the field. We have an interesting story of grass being used to stuff a punctured tyre! If you have any information please contact us at: Warbike@Fenlandclassics.co.uk   

The ABC Flat Twin

Since there is not much going on I thought we could fill the space with some interesting facts about one of my (Many) favourite bikes:



An ABC at a Recent Bonhams Auction

The All British Engine Company (ABC) was founded at Brooklands in 1910 and had a close association with aircraft manufacturer Sopwith and moved to Hersham, Walton-on-Thames in 1914.

When aircraft sales slumped post WWI this bike was designed by Granville Bradshaw and built at the Sopwith aircraft factory in Kingston-on-Thames from 1918.

Whilst this was perhaps a business disaster, we have to view it in the context of the engineering pioneers. This motorcycle was in my view way ahead of its time. Its design was largely experimental and quite complex. This complexity ultimately led to its eventual downfall and spelt the end for the company. It was unreliable and too many unsatisfied customers.

Unusually, even for this period it had no means of mechanical starting. The rider had to engage the gear and push-start. However, it featured leaf springs at front and rear. It also had a Duplex (Cradle) frame and the flat twin engine later adopted by BMW and challenged by the designer. Later models also featured speedometers and electric lights. The front and rear leaf springs can be seen in the photos below.



Rear Leaf suspension

 

Front Leaf Suspension

The motorcycle was produced in England until 1923 and some were made under licence by Gnome and Rhone in Belgium until 1925.

All our yesterdays

After a slow start we now know that there was loads going on in 1913. Catch up with this month’s selection including the first motorcycle to be ridden up Skidaw and a patent for an “automatic” motorcycle gearing.

Old Timer

AUGUST 2013 Update

By our standards July was a relatively quite month, but it has given us a chance to catch up on some research, fettling and of course chilling out at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Rhonyx Project

We are continuing work on the little French Rhonyx we rescued. Our contacts in France tell us that the Marque, based in Rhone in the 1920s to 30s relied heavily on word of mouth and were not big advertisers. Consequently the motorcycling press of the day did not write anything much and there is next to nothing out there in print. We have however found some similar examples and are slowly gathering more about the model and the engine which was manufactured by the Rhonyx Company under the brand of Stainless. If you have any further information we would love to hear from you at: info@fenlandclasics.co.uk
 

War Bike Project

THE CANADIAN ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR© IWM (Q 53568)

Whilst researching the All Our Yesterdays piece it occurred to us pretty soon that the motorcycle news stories would begin to come to an end as the 100 year anniversary of World War One was reached. We subsequently decided that it is important to ensure that we document as much information as we can about bikes of both wars and so the War Bike Project was born. For now we will be concentrating on WW1 hoping that the interest in the anniversary will prompt more information from private archives. You will have seen from "All Our Yesterdays" that we have already captured some information about testing and procurement of motorcycles by the war office and research now continues for the remainder of the year with the Imperial War Museum and other sources. We already have some information from Club archives as well as ‘My grandfather rode this bike, do you know what it is?’ requests. This information will begin to create a feel for the motorcycle’s place during this period. If you have and information, documentation or pictures you would like to share with this important project. Please contact warbike@fenlandclassics.co.uk We aim to find an appropriate archive for any original unwanted documents after scanning for better accessibility. This is important history and needs tio be saved.

Goodwood Festival of Speed

© FenlandClassics

My first visit to the event must have been about 15 years ago; I was expecting a static event of a few cars at the side if the Racehorse track. Not only did I get the venue wrong, this was NOT a static event. For anyone who does not know, The Festival of Speed is an event dreamed up by Goodwood’s owner Lord March to bring motorsport back to the estate and to allow visitors to get closer to the action.  The Event has celebrated its 20 birthday this year, and its huge success is due of course to all of the organisers, but it is the format that makes it so popular. At its heart is a hill climb event, but It is the overall format which has made it so popular with entrants and visitors. There is a relaxed atmosphere where superstars of motorsport mix with the crowd and where those who are passionate about the machinery can get up close and chat to the mechanics and owners about the history of the vehicle in question. If that is not enough those same vehicles worth thousands, even millions of pounds will be seen running up the hill either with a timed lap for the competition, or as part of a “parade”. Each year the event has a theme in addition to many anniversary celebrations. This year the theme was “The best of the first 20 years” and one of the most notable celebrations was 50 years of Mclaren. This year it was Porsche that were celebrated on the iconic artwork in front of Goodwood House. There are acres of stands and static exhibitions as well as Stunt bikes, BMX and not to mention a 2 mile Rally Stage. This piece really does not do it justice, but if you love motorsport, check out the website for next years event. If you can’t wait that long The Goodwood Revival is held on 13 to 15 September 2013 at the nearby Circuit. Another fantastic event....Just check out the website.

Click Here for a video of Highlights of the last few years

 Images:


KTM 1290 Super Duke Prototype



Augusta Helicopter Engine powered MTT 420s StreetFighter



Action on the Hill



Sammy Miller's  1972 MV Augusta 750



John Surtees's Norton F Type 1955 Prototype



John Surtees and Sammy Miller share a story in the Padock



 

 

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!

JUNE 2013 Update

The Weather is getting better, so no excuse not to be out on even the most precious of motorcycles. As you will see below, we have recently spent more time recently with post war and modern bikes than our own era of Pre 1940s.

Our own development continues. This remains our temporary virtual home whilst a full e-commerce enabled site is developed. Meanwhile we continue to rescue old bikes and carry out research projects. We therefore need your help to boost the content such as with your favourite ride outs, bike friendly haunts and your restorations.  Send your content to Editor@fenlandclassics.co.uk

Brooklands Motorcycle Volunteers

 

The Volunteers are busy preparing for the Ton-Up Day which is their premier event for 2013 Follow on Twitter #TonUpDay . Many of the museum bikes will be ridden but some need some attention following their trip to the Vintage Revival meeting at Montlhéry near Paris in April. There are some stunning images of this event via the Volunteers Facebook page.

The Rudge Enthusiasts met at the Museum on 19 May. There was a large turn out and most took the opportunity for a blast up Test Hill and a ride round part of the iconic banked circuit.

 

 

More recently we got the chance of a few images replica Manx Norton which had been run up for the first time since the owner had acquired it some time ago. The test was successful which will enable the owner to run it at the Norton Owners Club Day at the Museum on 9 June 2013. For more details see the Museum Website.

 

BikeShed.cc Event

 

On 18 May we had the opportunity to find out what went on behind the Bikeshed! The Event is essentially a coming together of all things bike with an emphasis on custom builds of all types. Held at the Shoreditch Studios, this was an opportunity to soak up the art of the motorcycle. The guys behind the Bikeshed Motorcycle Club are a group of London based individuals who are passionate about motorcycles that decided to combine their infrequent blogs, blags and email banter into a virtual club. This grew into the “Event” after they imagined their version of what a cool bike show would look like. All we know is it was the best show we have ever been to. So roll VT to for a flavour of the event.

 

 

See more at The Bikeshed.cc Website

 



The Southern Classic Motorcycle Show and Bikejumble

Eric, The worlds fastest Patterson organises the bi-monthly jumbles at Kempton Park Racecourse which are supplemented by the Classic Show each May. This year was yet another success with the usual display of owners clubs and the addition of a Cafe racer display to celebrate 75 years of the Ace Cafe London and some of the Bikes to be auctioned by Historics on 2 June. For more about future bike jumbles and Eric’s Daytona world records on vintage bikes see the EGP Enterprises Website.

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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.