Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2017 i The Classic MotorCycle

There are times – many times – as I look through the Mortons archive when I veer off on a tangent, unable to resist going down an avenue as my curiosity has been piqued, which happened again as I researched the 1954 Dutch TT for the archive picture in this issue. Occasionally a name appears that isn’t as recognisable as many of the others – in this case it concerned the AJS team. ‘R W Coleman’ and ‘R McG McIntyre’ were instantly familiar as Rod and Bob... but who was ‘L T Simpson’ on the third factory Porcupine? Simply, I didn’t know. And so I set off to find out who he was. It didn’t take long really, but his name, ominously, disappeared from the records and results after appearances…

H&H atNMM H&H Classics, one of the top auction houses in the UK, has announced that it ismoving itsmotorcycle sales from Donington Park to the National Motorcycle Museum from June this year. The first sale at this prestigious new venue will be on June 1/2. This will be a long-term partnership with H&H Classics, holding three sales in 2017 at the museum andaminimum of three a year in the future. David Earnshaw As TCMgoes to press, we’ve learned of the sudden death of David Earnshaw, veteran and vintagemotorcycle enthusiast and co-founder, with KenHallworth, of Old Bike magazine. David completed 300 miles in Scotland over May 6/7 this year on a Triumph Model H. The followingThursday, while riding in the APMC (Association of Pioneer Motor Cyclists) ‘Ken Hallworth Memorial White Peak…

“The StrangeDeath of the British Motor Cycle Industry” Author: Steve Koerner A new reprint following the sell-out of the first print run. Published by: Crucible Books, Carnegie House, Chatsworth Road, Lancaster LA1 4SL Tel: 01524 840111 www.carnegiepublishing.com Softback, 170 x 245mm, 368 pages with over 70 photographs and illustrations. ISBN 978-1-905472-03-1 £20 $32 “The British moto cycle . . . indesign, lightness and efficiency, it beats everything.” Thesewords were written in 1927 by a journalist onThe Daily Telegraph and it was from these heady heights of supremacy inmotorcycle manufacturer that the industrywas destined to fall. British-made bikes were the stuff of legends and international envy, and still regain a very special place in the heart of motorcycle enthusiasts the world over. So howwas such a success squandered?Who or what do…

When is a ‘boxer’ a true ‘boxer’? I enjoyed Gerry Vogt’s excellent article on the Gnome et Rhone (May 2017). We have, in recent years, become used to seeing present-day flat car and bike engines being referred to as ‘boxers’ but forme, at least, it was a surprise to see it used for a prewar Frenchmotorbike. To my knowledge ‘boxer’ is actually an old, very British, nickname for opposed-piston (OP) engines, and not these horizontal, opposed-cylinder (OC) engines. The correct name for the OC automotive engine is Contramotor (Eng. Contra Engine), as patented by its German inventor, Karl Benz. Subaru has been awarded a patent for the name ‘Boxer’ in connectionwith its cars. Some Subaru enthusiasts are not convinced, however, and ‘Misty’ on the scoobynet.com Subaru forum hits the nail…

Though Geoff Ward was to go on and dominate the meeting, held on April 12, 1953, first there was a 250cc race that Geoff wasn’t in. It was won by Terry Cheshire on a 197cc DOT, whose win wasmade easier by the fact leader John Avery (BSA) stopped on the final circuit with big end trouble, while Cheshire’s team-mate (and early leader) Bill Barugh stepped off his DOT. Barugh remounted to come in second, ahead of another Dot, ridden by J H Hilton. In the 350cc final, Ward, AJS, shot straight into the lead, never to be headed, with Jim Bray and David Tye (both BSA) the early chasers, before John Avery came through to second. However, Bray re-passed him and as Avery slowed, he was closed upon by Tye,…

Therewere quite a few newmotorcycles I once fancied buying but didn’t quite take the plunge. Do you have a wish list of motorcycles you’d like to have owned? I don’t mean the Vincent Black Shadowor the Brough Superior SS100 you lusted after but knew you’d never afford. And I’mnot thinking of unique unobtainium like Johnny Allen’s speed record ‘Cigar’ or George Formby’s International Norton. Wanting them is a bit like wishing for a date with a film star; it’s never likely to happen whatever your financial circumstances, and if it did you wouldn’t knowwhat to do next! No, I’m thinking of all those bikes you or I could have bought if circumstances were just a bit different, or if we’d thought further ahead. Like the four-valve Rudge a neighbour sold…

Every task I undertake probably wouldn’t have been attemptedwithout the knowledge that one or other of themimparted tome over the years. I’ve been incredibly lucky that right frommy early 20s until a few years ago I have enjoyed the company and mentorship of two amazingly talented enthusiasts. Time moves fast and sadly both have nowdied, but I still fondly remember the wonderful times I had with them and very often realise that the task I was on with at that moment probablywouldn’t have even been attemptedwithout the knowledge that one or other of them had imparted to me over the years. As personalities go, the pair couldn’t have been more different, Frank was driven, with a phenomenal work rate and perseverance. Alright, he was retired and could dedicate unlimited time…

Twoyears ago, SteveHarrington, then of Kansas, USA, and nowof Canada, askedabout the Whirlwind cyclemotor built after the Second WorldWar. At the time, no references could be found for suchamachine, although therewereanumber of prototypeTailwind cyclemotors built, usually poweredbymodel aircraft engines.More recently, Steve found a reference toaWhirlwind cyclemotor dating to the early Edwardian eraand asks if the same company could have built cyclemotors or prototypes after the Second World War. Research in 1902 copies ofMotor Cycling and the exhibitors list fromthe sameyear’s National Cycle andMotor Show, held in November at Crystal Palace, adds toour knowledge and there is a twist to the tale linkingone of our past’s famous engineering designers, Granville Bradshaw and the maker of the Whirlwind (TheDormanEngineering Co, thenofTheMayorhold, Northampton), albeit twodecades apart. At the1902 National Show,Dorman exhibited a range…

Tim Britton, Rachael Clegg, Jonathan Hill, Roy Poynting, Richard Rosenthal, Martin Squires, Jerry Thurston, Phillip Tooth, Alan Turner, Phil Turner, Steve Wilson. THE CLASSIC MOTOR CYCLE (USPS:710-470) is published monthly by Mortons Media Group Ltd., PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6LZ UK . USA subscriptions are $63 per year from Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. Periodical Postage is paid at Bancroft, WI and additional entries. Postmaster: Send address changes to THE CLASSIC MOTOR CYCLE, c/o Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. 715-572-4595 chris@classicbikebooks.com SUBSCRIBE TODAY! FROM ONLY £20 » Every issue will be sent hot off the press and delivered straight to your house » You’ll never miss an action-packed issue or supplement again SEE P24 FOR DETAILS…

BIGCROWDS FOR BICESTER The thirdannual Flywheel Festival at Bicester Heritage brings together more than 100 competition cars for an action-packed timetable hostedon itsdemonstration track. It takesplaceon Saturday andSunday, June 24/25, 2017. To purchase tickets for Flywheel 2017, visit www.flywheelfestival.com CHALFONTREVIVAL Anyone interested intaking part in 2017’s Chalfont Hillclimbshould contact theevent secretaryat bryanlambert2002@aol.com for details. Theprovisional date is September23. SURREYBBQ TheSurreyNortonOwners ClubBarbecue takesplace on Saturday, June17, at the club’s regularmeeting venue, theStepping Stones pub in DorkingRH56BS, close to Rykas café,Boxhill. Theguest of honour is Colin Seeley. Everyone iswelcome and there’ll be a fair few motorcycles on display too. MECUM’SHUGE SUMMERSALE Followingon fromits gargantuan Januarysale, Mecumis nowworking towards its summer sale, to be held on June 1-3. There is expected tobesomething in theregion of 750machines on offer.Go to www.mecum.com for details. CHEFFINSAUCTION…

1917 With petrol supplies diminishing,The Grado Manufacturing Company, Pershore Street, Birmingham, known for its Grado Multi- Pulley before the war, was nowmarketing its Grado Paraffin Vapouriser. Due toamore plentiful supply of paraffin, intended primarily for heating and cooking, a number of devices designed to enhance the vaporisation of paraffin were promoted through adverts by their makers. Grado advertisements claimed its device enabled motorcycles to run on paraffinwith results equal to petrol. The vapouriser fitted between the engine and carburettor with a clip connection to the exhaust pipe. An injection of petrol through the engine’s priming tap was required to start the machine, then paraffin took over. 1942 Many readers would have known correspondent ‘Ambleside,’ through his articles inTheMotor Cycle and would have been delighted to learn his wife had presented…

As far as motorcycle history goes, few events can touch the 1967 Diamond Jubilee TT for sensational drama – in the strictest sense of the words. This was, after all, the race in which Mike Hailwood dicedwith the Italian pin-up and 1966 500cc World ChampionGiacomo Agostini. The race was lacedwith drama: Agostini dominated most of the event on his three-cylinder 500cc MV. Later Hailwood set a new record lap of 108.77mph though it wasn’t an easy pace to set: Agostini was leading, rather supremely, until events turned against him. Indeed it would be fate – in the guise of mechanical malfunctions – that would determine the outcome of the 1967 Diamond Jubilee TT as the race’s leaders were, arguably, on a par that day. And for the most part it…

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 obmfreeads@mortons.co.uk JUNE2?4 TheBigKnock DieselMotorcycleRally. Bat and Ball pub, Newpound, near Wisborough Greenand Billingshurst,West Sussex, RH14 0EH. Tel: 07763 305967.Email: dieselbike.net@gmail.com www.Dieselbike.net JUNE3 RufforthAutojumble. Rufforth Park, York. Tel: 01904 738620.www.rufforthautojumble.com ClassicMotorcycle Show.Halls Green, Weston,SG49DP. Tel: 07963 609143. JUNE3/4 CoventryMotofest. Across Coventry city centre. www.coventrymotofest.com/get-involved JUNE4 WimborneMCCGrasstrackMeeting. Merley Hall Farm,WillettRoad, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne,Dorset, BH21 3DH. AceCafe London.MadSunday inaid of SERV. www.ace-cafe-london.com NormousNewarkAutojumble.Newark Showground, Newark,Notts,NG24 2NY. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk TheBritishTwo-Stroke Club Ltd (Leicester Section).The John LeeMemorial Run, TheLady Jane,Coalville, Leics. Tel: Eric Hathaway 01162 750532. TortoiseandHareRun.Wells, Somerset. Tel: 01749 675991. www.wellsclassicmotorcycleclub.co.uk ClassicMotorcycle Show.Coach&Horses, 133 High Street, Stevenage,SG13HT. Tel:…

few years ago, I was getting out of a loft and had just putmyweight on the stepladder when it collapsed. I fell likeahanged man dropping through a trapdoor. I justmanaged to grab hold of a rafter to savemyself but my arms felt like they were beingpulled fromtheir sockets. That’s just what it felt likewhen I snapped open the twist gripof the Montgomery I was riding. The torque from the eight-valveBritish Anzani engine is nothing short of amazing. No wonder this bigV-twin made such an impression on speed merchantswhen it hit the roads in 1924. William Montgomery startedout asabicycle maker in the Suffolk townof Bury St Edmunds, England, in 1894.When the internal combustion engine popped and banged into the picture, he was soonbolting Fafnir engines,made in Aix-la-Chapelle in Germany, to strengthened…

There’s a story I often recount about an event which happened tome some years ago. My brother Simon and I had gone out for a ride, him on his Velocette Venom (actually, a converted Viper, but a Venom to all intents and purposes) and me on my Vincent Comet. We’d had a lovely day’s riding and were on our way back to Simon’s – only 10 miles away or so – when suddenly the Vincent cut-out. It just stopped dead and after a few checks – and two new plugs, one after another, but not so much as a flicker of a spark – it was apparent it was kaput. At that point, it had electronic ignition on it, and clearly something had gone amiss. Anyway, my vanwas parked at…

Steve Lancefieldwas born in London during November 1903. He began riding motorcycles in the 1920s on a borrowed Triumph, competing at Brooklands towards the end of the decade. He’d realised he had a talent for tuning engines and in 1932 he met Harold Daniell, immediately recognising that Daniell was a much better rider than him but his Norton wasmuch the faster. In 1934 the duo joined forces and became a combination to be reckonedwith; indeed, in 1937 the Lancefield/Daniell Norton won every 500cc race contested at Brooklands, Crystal Palace and Donington Park. Daniell and Lancefield were close, with Lancefield working at Daniell’s dealership and subsequently Stevemarrying Harold’s sister Clare, in 1940. The highest profile result for Lancefield/Daniell came in the 1937 TT races, when Daniell was fifth in both Senior…

Is Avgas suitable? An uncle recently gave me a barrel of aviation fuel, which he statedwas suitable formy 1936 Norton International, and better for its engine than current pump fuel. Is it legal to use and are there any advantages? Name and address supplied. To my knowledge, it’s not legal to use Avgas (aviation gasoline or aviation spirit) in your Norton on the road, unless you pay the appropriate duty as levied onMogas (motor fuel). However, it’s a UK duty issue and tomy understanding, having taken legal advice, if the appropriate duty is paid, then Avgas can be legally used. For these reasons I’ve withheld your name and region of residence, as I don’t know what you plan to do. There are also fuel storage issues associated with residential dwellings.…

Therewere 100 entries in the event, held at the Circuit di Cremona, on a flat, triangular course of approximately 40miles, of which riders had to do four circuits. With motorcyclesmade in five different countries – Britain, France, Switzerland, America and of course Italy – taking part and there being riders of Italian and Swiss nationality too, an ‘international flavour’ was added to proceedings. Theman pictured is Winkler (a Swiss?) with his machine a 1000cc Harley-Davidson, on which he averaged 68.64mph to run out as overall winner, comfortably ahead of similarlymounted Maffeis and Malvisi. Winkler also set the fastest lap of the day at 75mph, the highest speed ever attained in an Italian road race. That was on his second circuit and in response to the first lap of another Maffeis,…