The Classic MotorCycle August 2017

For this issue we’ve made an extra effort to encourage and appreciate the use of old motorcycles, hence the ‘get out and ride’ motif you’ll see on some of the pages. The breadth of events old motorcycle ownership and interest opens up is hopefully demonstrated, be it trials, road racing, VMCC-type runs, European events, veteran and modern machine specific – there is, we hope, something for everyone. And Steve Parrish’s Panther is ready to ride, too! In the name of practising what I preach, I’ve been out riding a fair amount, on all manner of machines, including some truly memorable events (Montlhéry and Banbury) plus the usual club runs and general gallivanting. I enjoy it all and appreciate the different motorcycles I am lucky enough to have access to. Riding…

This charming 1937 photograph–published inTheMotor Cycle, of April 6, 1937 – is captioned, “Large numbers ofmotorists and cyclists are visiting the fields aroundNewent, Gloucestershire, to gather thewild daffodils which are growing in profusion there. Farmersmakea small charge to enter the fields.” FromThe Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust website: “The delicate wild daffodil was once a common sight throughout Gloucestershire and is our county flower. Today the wild daffodil is mainly found in a part of the county called the ‘Golden Triangle’ due to its fields and verges of native wild daffodils. The Golden Triangle is near Newent and draws hundreds of visitors every year from all over the country. “InMarch each year GloucestershireWildlife Trust’s Gwen and Vera’s Fields, BettyDaw’s Wood, Vell Mill Meadowand KetfordBanks nature reserves, near Newent, are carpeted inyellow. The…

Custom and classicbikes, as well as a ‘Show and Shine’ competition, providedplenty to see at Race, Rock ’n’ Ride on May 21. Part of the paddock was given over to stunt riders competing to performevermoreoutrageous tricks on twowheels, but usually one.With a soundtrackof high octane racingon the drag strip, it was almost a sensoryoverloadat the event at Santa Pod. Saturday’s on-track action was curtailedby rain, but after valiant efforts by the track crew, everything was soonunderway again on Sunday. Although therewas a sprinklingof older competition bikes,much of the weekend was devoted to more recent racingmachinery, running in the Straightliners drag race championship. Anexhibition pass byFrenchman Eric Teboul sawhis amazing rocket-powered bike reaching almost 250mph over the quarter-mile strip. Apopular part of classic interest was put together by the Coventry Section…

The biggest autojumble in the south of England is back this September. The 24th Carole Nash Eurojumble takes place at Netley Marsh, near Southampton, on Friday, September 1, and Saturday, September 2. As well as the jumble, there are exhibits from localmotorcycle clubs. Plus, Dorset-based auctioneers Charterhouse will be hosting a sale on the Friday. Also set to return is the popular garage clearout sale on Saturday, allowing one-day traders to come and sell. Tickets for Friday cost £9 in advance or £10 on the day. For the Saturday it’s £8 in advance or £9 on the day. Camping passes are available too, allowing you to stay fromThursday through Sundaymorning for only £60, including showentry for both days and access to the evening bar and shower block. Tickets canbe purchased…

Theman who finished third in the famous 1967 Senior TT, riding a Steve Lancefield Norton, passed away in May 2017, just before the 50th anniversary of his superb achievement. Steve Spencer’s effort is even more impressive because it was the year of his TT debut. During the course of his ride, it is reckoned he became the only man to lap at upwards of 100mph onaManx Norton with a four-speed gearbox. Spencer hadmade his Senior Manx GP debut in 1964, when he retired, then finished fifth in 1965 and third in 1966, before his TT bow. He ended his career in 1970, with a Production TT seventh and a Senior TT 10th, beforemaking a comeback in 1991’s Classic Manx GP. He qualifiedaNorton twin on his first lap, but it expired…

Mecum’s first foray into the Nevada spring for a vintage motorcycle auction inLas Vegas was pronounced a successwith 339 motorcycles sold over June 2-3, realising $4.4million in overall sales. The top pricewas $95,000 for a restored 1950 Vincent Black Shadow, though Indians once again demonstrated their enduring desirability, with five of the top 10 sales bearing that venerable name. While not necessarily among the top-pricedmotorcycles at the auction, Harley-Davidsons, Hondas andTriumphs were among the most popular marques to cross the auction block, with an impressively large selectionof eachonhand. Once again, Las Vegas proves itself as the premier vintage motorcycle enthusiast gathering place,” said RonChristenson, president of the Mecum motorcycle division. We began this three-day event onThursday eveningwith three champion motorcycle racers, DonCastro, Gene Romero and Jay Springsteen, taking the stage…