Innehållsförteckning för November 2023 från The Classic MotorCycle

Bonhams is to sell the well known collection of motorcycles from Isle of man-domiciled Tony East, at an all ‘no reserve’ sale at the Autumn Stafford Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show on October 14/15. See our article on page 40 for details. It’s not just the East machines, though, with plenty more offered as well. Among the more unusual is a 1947 346cc EMC, one of the rare survivors of Dr Joe Ehrlich’s attempt to enter motorcycle production, with his own design and built split-single two-stroke. In the austere times it went on sale, the 100mpg claims appealed, though owners struggled to get anything like that. Coupled with a high purchase price, it was doomed from the start. This one was registered to EMC 1947 to 1951 and comes with some…

There is, it must be admitted, something fascinating about the Greeves motorcycle. It was weird, wonderful – and worked. And while possessed of the kind of looks only its mother could’ve loved, especially the earliest examples, thanks to competition success and exposure, the ugly duckling morphed into a beautiful swan… Of sorts, anyway. Perhaps a ‘functional’ swan, beautiful in a purposeful way. The fact that, to me, when I was a boy, the latter-day Bert Greeves always looked like a man sporting one of those comedy glasses/nose/moustache get-ups sold in joke shops, seems somehow apt, insomuch as the motorcycles he made and bore his name, actually had an appearance that was, if not comical, different to the norm. For while there was a host of competition lightweights, led by the…

THE SPECIALIST Fred Rogers’ MZ spares and repair business had legendary status among MZ enthusiasts. When the business closed, Amanda McFadyen and Phil Speakman bought Fred’s stock and now trade as The MZ Shop Ltd. It continues to be a one-stop supplier for anything pertaining to the two-stroke models from the former East German factory. We are grateful for Phil Speakman’s time and knowledge in helping prepare this guide. ■ The MZ Shop: 0151 493 1390; www.themzshop.co.uk MODEL HISTORY The TS250 was introduced in 1973, an evolution of the ES range from the later 1960s. Mechanically, it was little different to the Trophy Sport, a higher-spec quarter litre option. On paper, the TS offered much. The single-cylinder two-stroke engine was rubber-mounted. The rest of the machine featured extensive use of…

YOUR EVENT SHOULD BE HERE The Classic MotorCycle is anxious to learn all about your motorcycle-related events. Contact us at The Classic MotorCycle, Mortons Media Ltd, Diary Listings, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ or email obmwallplanner@mortons.co.uk OCTOBER 2023 1 The Ace Cafe’s End of Summer Scooter ’n’ Mod Special. Ace Cafe London, North Circular Road, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD acecafe.com 1 Sunbeam Motorcycle Club’s Pioneer Run (pre-1915). Epsom to Brighton City Airport.Email: Ian McGill pioneerorganiser@gmail.com - sunbeam-mcc.co.uk 1 Lothian and Borders Vintage and Veteran Motorcycle Club’s Motorcycle Autojumble. Drill Hall, Walkershaugh, Peebles, H45 8AU Email: lbmcc-sec@outlook.com 2 OCTOBER ISSUE OF REAL CLASSIC OUT TODAY 2 Mid Wales Classic Bike Show. Pant-y-Dwr community hall, (on the B4518) Rhayader-Llanidloes LD6 5LR. Tel: Roger 01597 870241. Email: rogeremason@msn.com 6 NOVEMBER ISSUE…

John Trounson of Redruth, Cornwall, poses on his James V-twin, with his dog in its bespoke pillion ‘box’ on the back. The picture has been published twice – the first, when sent in by Mr Trounson, on June 23, 1938, then the second time on August 14, 1982. The first time around it was published with an accompanying letter, written by Trounson. There had evidently been recent correspondence about dogs in sidecars, so the man from Cornwall had put pen to paper, writing: “I thought your readers might be interested in… a few details about pillion riding for dogs.” Mr Trounson explained: “Our dog, who is exceptionally highly strung, and easily frightened by a loud noise, was at least five years old when the experiment was first tried, but he…

Following the success of the weekend event in 2022, National Motorcycle Museum Live continues in October 2023 as a two-day event, held over the 28th and 29th. As always, this is the time when everyone can visit the museum free of charge and enjoy a host of free attractions, including the on-stage draw of the competition to win a Norton Commando. There’s a raft of on-stage action, with Henry Cole and friends in attendance, as well as TT stars Mick Grant and John McGuinness, while extra events include ‘meet the experts’ featuring the NMM’s restoration team, and guided museum tours. There’s also a start-up area, where some of the exotic machines present will burst into life. Motorcycle parking is free, while car parking is charged at £15 per car, to…

At first sight, it is very hard to believe that this very smart 500cc 1970 T100SS Tiger is over 50 years old – and that it has spent all but the first eight months of its road life with the same keeper, Bill Turner (no relation to Triumph twin designer Edward Turner). Bill is a much less abrasive character than his namesake, and with characteristic modesty, attributes much of what turned out to be an excellent choice of a ‘keeper’ motorcycle, to his late wife Christina. “Chris was very taken with the Jacaranda finish,” said Bill. In the 1969/70 era of ‘Purple Haze’, the attractive shade was bang up to date, without being as garish as the BSA Group’s subsequent ‘Hi-Violet’ or ‘Plum Crazy’ paintwork. The colour was derived, incidentally,…

Event report | Brooklands Motorcycle Day The iron gates that guard one of the Brooklands Museum entrances stand on the truncated remains of the old Campbell, or Mountain, Circuit. The first Sunday in July sees them wide open to welcome motorcycles of all sorts for Motorcycle Day, Brooklands’ annual occasion dedicated to the cause of two, and occasionally three, wheels. The backdrop of Brooklands, its historic civil engineering achievement and ancillary buildings is a constant part of the presentation, but the occasion always tries to build on that with as much variety as possible. Changes to the organising team this year resulted in even more diverse displays. Part of the variety is provided by the clubs who support the event with members’ machines as well as the many individuals who…

Classic life Rebuild | Triumph unit twin Since the last instalment of this epic saga, time to devote to motorcycle rebuilding has been limited… not only have several bikes in regular use needed some TLC, but the Velocette trials bike I’ve had on loan for a few months needed fettling before heading back to its rightful owner, plus there was the serious matter of our local leek show... Northeastern readers will be aware of the significance of a leek show and, suffice to say, if you thought motorcycle concours contests were fraught with attention to minute details, try growing and showing leeks. They’re also a good place to catch up with the local community and our leek club includes more than one reader of The Classic MotorCycle… Still, the main…

Star guests at the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics show on October 14/15 will be Henry Cole, host of ITV4’s popular The Motorbike Show, and his co-stars Allen Millyard and Guy ‘Skid’ Willison. Known for bringing motorcycling to the masses, Cole and Millyard recently set a pillion motorcycle world record. Of course, there’s so much more to the show than just the star guests – other attractions include the return of the popular 1990s hall, a live stunt show, huge autojumble, as well as a massive turn out of club stands, and the auction – see separate story for that. The October Stafford show is underpinned by the Japanese classic scene, which title sponsor Classic Motorcycle Mechanics specialises in, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty more to see too; in fact,…

For years, Richard Adams has been one of the driving forces behind the Lansdowne Championship, first as a rider, then latterly as an entrant and sponsor, as well as bike builder. But, in 25 years of trying, and being supported by wife Jean –he and his motorcycle had never won the Goodwood Revival race, despite being runner-up many times. But that changed in 2023, when Richard’s riders, the well-established team of Mike Russel and Michael Rutter, took top honours on Richard’s Manx. Said Richard: “It’s only taken 25 years! Well pleased, they [the riders] both raced with their heads. I’ll have to go back next year now, won’t I? The Velo-Norton is ready to go!” For now, he’s won it with the Manx Norton but Richard will be back next…

Published in the June 19, 1958, edition of The Motor Cycle, this picture was accompanied by the caption: “Scene from the Dublin University Club’s hill climb at Mount Venus, near Rathfarnham, County Dublin, as winner of the 350cc class, D Long, gets under way. Yes, the machine is a Triumph Twenty-One.” The note of incredulity in the caption is clearly intentional – a Triumph Twenty-One was not an expected hill climber, particularly not a class-winning one! The overall picture is enhanced too, by the fact that the little Triumph is in no way modified – still sporting its bathtubs – save for the addition of a racing number, while Mr Long is sporting his regular riding kit, including gauntlet gloves and it looks like a tie as well. It’s as…

This year, the GP Rétro at Le Puy Notre-Dame, in the Maine et Loire département of Western France, celebrated its 25th anniversary. Ten years ago, less than 50 motorcycles participated. This year, nearly three times that number took to the circuit. A decade ago, motorcycles were almost a side show to the cars. This year, they enjoyed equal billing – as well as the same number of classes and track sessions. So it’s fair to say that as the GP Rétro enters its second quarter century, two wheelers are entering their ascendancy. Over the past 25 years, the Le Puy Notre-Dame circuit has changed little. Still it circumnavigates the walled park of the town’s long gone château, moving from the town, into the vineyards and back into the town along…

Day one What a day of emotions. After leaving my hometown of Rochford, UK, this morning and leaving behind my wife Becky and two kids Michael and Lily for my solo three-week adventure to the Tunisian northern Sahara, I could not help but wonder if I was doing the right thing… The trip was five years in the planning and today was the long anticipated first day. Running the bike down to Folkstone, dodging potholes and battling the British rain, my apprehension was further increased as I was the only bike in the Eurotunnel line up that was not a massive BMW tourer. I thought of the advice my missus had previously given me, telling me that it’s all manageable if you break it down step-by-step – she runs marathons…