The Classic MotorCycle November 2019

What’s your favourite motorcycle of all time? And by what criteria would you judge or base it? Would you go for something that you’re sentimentally attached to – or something you’ve always aspired to and never attained? A dream machine or a dream realised? As usual in such instances, I think of people I know. We were talking last weekend of a guy, Brian (who taught my brother at engineering college 20-plus years ago), who has had his same Venom since circa 1960 and which he still uses, though it’s now fitted with an electric start, in deference to his advancing years. He’s tried different, lighter, lower, smaller machines, but, actually, it’s the Venom he feels most comfortable on. As a friend pointed out: “He can practically ride it with…

At first glance, the photograph asks more questions than it answers, with a particularly intriguing scene taking place. In the foreground, a 1951 Triumph TR5 Trophy can be seen fitted with some rather dusty and thoroughly used luggage. The TR5 was based on the Speed Twin, offering riders a trials machine that was designed with road use in mind – it featured a high level two into one exhaust system, allied with good manners on the road. Its name (Trophy) derived from the three ‘specials’ that Triumph built for the Italian International Six Day Trial in 1948, which went on to win three gold medals and the manufacturers team trophy. Marlon Brando’s 6T Triumph Thunderbird in ‘The Wild One’ inspired none other than James Dean, the young man who epitomised…

Dunlop’s rare racer at Stafford A beautiful restored Kreidler, owned and raced by Robert Dunlop, is set to be one of the highlights at the upcoming Classic Motorcycle Mechanics show. The German-built 50cc bike will be proudly displayed alongside thousands of fascinating machines at the event at Staffordshire County Showground from October 19-20. The Kreidler currently glistens in a striking and beautiful maroon, the colour it was when the late five-time TT winner purchased it. Before racing it, Robert painted the bike green, but it was later restored to its original maroon. As well as the special Kreidler 50cc, the showground will also be home to excellent club stands, exciting live action including the wall of death, the Bonhams autumn sale (see separate story), classic competition machines and guests from…

1919 Since the Edwardian days, a handful of engineers had conceived large capacity two-stroke motorcycle engines, though most were stillborn. But Messrs Dunford & Elliott (Sheffield) Ltd – Sheffield steel founders – had developed a 499cc single cylinder, two-stroke engine for an all-new motorcycle, planned to be on display at the Olympia Show. Drawing on their experience of metallurgy, plus wartime improvements for cooling engines, the maker’s experimental department – 96 Bath Street, Birmingham – was now ready to unveil the firm’s first motorcycle. Branded the Dunelt, at first it looked conventional, with girder front fork, three-speed countershaft gearbox, clutch and magneto, but then one noticed the unconventional engine design. 1944 Staff members of The Motor Cycle reported regularly seeing an older gentleman riding an immaculate BSA side-valve model in…

It may be months before the International West Kent Run, but every year, January is but a couple of days old before the eponymous Vintage MCC section has received a full quota of entries. Miss it, and there’s a slim second chance with a waiting list for places should someone later withdraw an entry. This year, the mix of entrants at the event over August 1-5, was much as before, with around 60 riders from overseas and half of that number from the Netherlands. The programme listed some 70 pre-Second World War motorcycles. New friendships or renewing old ones is all part of the strong social element to the run and this contagious spirit pervades the long weekend. For many attendees, it’s an event that’s a highlight of the year.…

BEST IN SHOW Ian Ager, 1923 BSA H2 557cc and sidecar BEST MACHINE RIDDEN BY AN OVERSEAS PARTICIPANT Jocelyn Wassner, 1931 Gnome et Rhone M1 306cc CLASS AWARDS Class one (Veteran and Vintage machines up to the end of 1930) Bill Mills, 1920 AJS Model B 350cc Class two (1931-1939) Nick Field, 1931 BSA S31-7 500cc Runner-up: Douglas Edmonds, 1939 Triumph Tiger 80 350cc Class three (1940s machines) Lex de Bruijne, 1940 Nimbus Runner-up: Malcolm Piper, 1942 Harley-Davidson Model U 1200cc Class four (1950-1954) Paul Harris, 1954 Moto-Guzzi Airone Tourismo 500cc Class five (1955-60) Richard Knape, 1956 NSU Super Lux 200cc Runner-up: David Bradley, 1959 AJS Model 18 500cc Class six (1960-1964) Don Poulter, 1962 Greeves Sports Twin 250cc Runner-up: Bernie Stevens, 1959 TWN Cornet 200cc Class seven (1965-1969) Keith…