The Classic MotorCycle April 2021

Just lately, I’ve been thinking about fun. Mainly, I suppose, because in the last 11 months or so it’s felt in rather short supply. Sure, there are ways to be entertained and interested, and while we had a few months of ‘relaxed restrictions’ when we were able to enjoy a bit of normality it all sort of felt on borrowed time, or we were constantly checking rules to make sure what we were doing was within the boundaries of the ‘fun’ we were permitted to have. Roy Poynting’s column this month talks about the club-type motorcycle runs and the levels of fun different participants takes from them, and what it is that constitutes fun or enjoyment. Sometimes, it feels, that the very reason we’re doing it (that it is fun,…

Though lacking in detail, this wonderfully atmospheric picture is well worthy of reproduction, capturing what Brooklands racing looked like in the second half of the 1920s, it coming from – it would seem – the second British Motor Cycle Racing Club (BMCRC), held on Saturday, April 10, 1926. In his book ‘Brooklands Bikes in the Twenties,’ Peter Hartley (son of Ariel tuner and exponent Laurence Hartley) writes this meeting was remarkable for ‘… the high speeds attained by the 1000cc machines.’ Our picture shows two of these big bore beasts, higher up the banking being the 980cc McEvoy-JAP V-twin of George Patchett, lower the same capacity Brough-Superior-JAP of E W Guyler, both pursuing Freddie Dixon’s 596cc Douglas. Brooklands was in a period of flux in 1926. Several factors had meant…

Summer Stafford set to soar After cancellations and date revisions, it feels, finally, we may be able to start planning, with a degree of cautious optimism, a Stafford show. The International Classic MotorCycle Show will now take place over the weekend of July 3/4, 2021. The event will be fully Covid-compliant and meet all Government regulations regarding social distancing. All ticket bookings for earlier dates will be rolled over, with new tickets sent nearer the event. However, any who are unable to attend should get in touch for a full refund. Any trade booking will be automatically moved to the new date, but again, reimbursement can be arranged. Any clubs or private entries which have already booked will be automatically moved to the new date. For all ticket enquiries please…

MOTOGIRO D’ITALIA The organising Moto Club TERNI and the FMI (Italian Motorcycling Federation) have prepared the dates for the 2021 MotoGiro d’Italia, it being held on May 23-29, 2021. The registration process has just opened on the website www.motogiroitalia.it DJ CANCELLED Larina MacGregor, clerk of the course of the Durban-Johannesburg Run, has had to cancel the 2021 event, but hopes to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the DJ Run commemorative regularity rally in March 2022.…

Kingpin Components’ successful oil taps with built-in cut out have had a redesign. They now work with both magneto and coil ignition equipped bikes. The new design incorporates an IP67 rated micro switch and removes the need for the relay on coil ignition bikes as per the previous design. These taps are available for £45 plus P&P; either call 07734 920457 or visit the new website www.kingpincomponents.co.uk,which now contains pages on restoration work, interesting engineering projects and some useful technical reference and ‘how to’ articles.…

1921 With the planned rail strike called off and despite the cold weather, enthusiasts lined the Brooklands track for Bemsee’s (BMCRC) first race meeting of the year. Only Kaye Don broke short distance track records, posting 69.62mph and 69.59mph for the flying kilometre and mile, as he won the 250cc class from Vivian Prestwich, both Diamond-JAP. In the larger capacity classes, Eric Remington (Blackburne) bettered Tudor Thompson (Douglas) in the 350cc category, while Bert Le Vack (Indian) beat Jack Woodhouse (Martin-JAP), 1000cc class. Later, Le Vack hitched a sidecar to his Indian to win from Dougal Marchant (Zenith-JAP) in 1000cc sidecars. Of the 500cc solos, Rex Judd (O’Donovan Norton) clipped the 80 yard maker but still posted over 83mph, but despite a fast second run, couldn’t catch George Dance (Sunbeam)…