56 NEWSLETTER OF THE BRITISH MOTORCYCLE CHARITABLE TRUST
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S A M M Y ’ S B I RT H D AY B A S H
From the Sammy Miller Museum: Well, Sammy Miller MBE certainly showed how to celebrate a 90th Birthday in style! Guests arrived at his Bashley museum complex from all over the UK in mid-November, including many friends from the motorcycling world and family from Ulster, to celebrate Sammy turning 90 years young.
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Sammy’s first motorcycle museum opened in 1983, just 10 minutes down the road, with around 50 bikes on display. We moved to our current site in 1996 and now have just over 500 bikes, so it’s been a great opportunity to look back and celebrate how much the museum has grown.
Sammy arrived in legendary style, riding into the museum on his Gilera 500-4, which not only caused a sensation on Facebook, but also led to comment of the year ‘Young hooligan needs to stay away from motorbikes and get himself a real job.’
Sammy likes to look to the future and not to the past. His latest achievement is obtaining planning permission, despite the bureaucrats from New Forest Planning, for a modern and spacious new restaurant, which he feels will be on a par with the museum itself and provide a welcoming haven for both motorcyclists and visitors from all over the world. The Sammy Miller complex is forever expanding, and we will be converting the old tearooms into a new and exciting museum Photo: Brian Crichton space, which will mean we can add 100 extra It was a wonderful opportunity to get the Ariel Dream Team back bikes to our awardtogether after 65 years, with Ron Langston and Gordon Blakeway winning collection as both making an appearance (above right). We were also honoured to well as providing a new for our welcome Lord Montagu from the National Motor Museum, along with home expanding “Evolving respected Motorcycling Journalist Alan Cathcart, who entertained our guests with fantastic speeches. Thanks go to our amazing Museum Classics” section – The Manager Sharon for organising the “do”, and the Bashley Manor happy days! popularity of our Tearooms for outstanding refreshments. animals is also always One of the event’s highlights was when Sammy, perched upon his expanding, with them world famous Mondial (right), gave a wonderful speech before cutting proving a big hit with visitors young and old. into his special birthday cake. Our lives are in motorcycling and this gave us a perfect opportunity to celebrate 40 years of the Sammy Motorcycle Museum Heritage Trust as well as look back on some of the highlights of Sammy’s glittering career. Sammy has had one of the most illustrious careers of any motorcyclist ever with over 1450 wins and eleven British Trials Championships.
It’s a great honour that our museum is accepted as one of the best in the motoring world and we want to keep building on this success so we can provide our visitors with the most entertaining and innovative experience possible.
Front cover picture: Hard to believe Sammy Miller is 90! In our cover photo Sammy, astride his 250 NSU Sportmax, is congratulated by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu (left) and Alan Cathcart (right).
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NEWS FROM BROOKLANDS
After nearly six years of energetic and transformational leadership Tamalie Newbery has decided to step down as Director and CEO. Brooklands Museum is delighted to announce the appointment of Alex Patterson as its new Director and CEO. It marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Brooklands Museum, following its immense success and growth under the leadership of Tamalie Newbery. Patterson’s appointment followed a thorough recruitment process that resulted in universal endorsement from the Board of Trustees. He takes the reins at an opportune time, with a comprehensive succession plan in place and preparations commencing for the next stage of Pioneering Tomorrow, the master plan development of the site, launching next year. Patterson comes from an extensive background in independent museums and has worked with national institutions, including Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, the National Museum of the Royal Navy, the Royal Academy of Arts and the Society of Antiquaries of London. He first joined Brooklands Museum in June 2018 as Director of Collections, Interpretation & Heritage. Since then, Patterson has been a core part of the senior leadership team, helping to deliver a revitalised learning programme, extensive refurbishment projects, and the highly regarded Brooklands Innovation Academy.
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Alex Patterson, Director and CEO, Brooklands Museum, said: “I am immensely honoured to be taking up the role of Director and CEO of Brooklands Museum. These past five years, working alongside Tamalie, have given me immense insight into the power and significance of this place. I am eager to work with the Board, funders, and stakeholders to build upon the work we have already done and lead Brooklands Museum into an exciting new chapter, inspiring visitors today with the brilliant successes and innovations of Britain’s past.” Sir Gerald Acher, Chairman of the Board, Brooklands Museum, said: “The board of Trustees unanimously endorsed Alex Patterson to step up and lead Brooklands Museum at a very exciting time. I am personally delighted that Alex has agreed to take on the role of Director and CEO. An immense thank you to Tamalie for her six-year stint at the helm, guiding Brooklands Museum through some of its most challenging times and towards many of its most exciting opportunities. She has left Brooklands Museum in excellent shape, and we are excited to work with Alex in this new era of Britain’s historic heart of innovation, Brooklands Museum.” Photo credit: Edward Beadel for Middlechild & UKTV
W O R K S H O P U P D AT E F R O M S A M M Y M I L L E R M B E We’ve two more restoration projects on the go in the Workshop. 1. The 1930 Disc Valve Sunbeam which is quite unique and a fantastic project well ahead of its time. I can’t believe it wasn’t a success! Two strokes work very well with disc valves, so why not a 4 stroke? The disc valve engine, which was manufactured as a prototype, never saw production, and is in a standard Sunbeam Model 9 chassis. As you can see we’re well on with the restoration of that one. 2. Nearing completion is the 1935 Triumph 6/1 twin designed by Val Page. A brilliant piece of machinery. The 649cc 360 degree twin features helical gear primary drive and was made in Triumph’s Coventry factory only between 1934-35. Estimates of the total number manufactured during this period vary between 100 and 600. Designed by Page primarily as a sidecar hauler, it was the first Triumph motorcycle to use a parallel twin engine. Both bikes should be on display in the museum by the time you read this.
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THE NEW “LIFE ON TWO WHEELS” EXHIBI Life on Two Wheels - A Review I was recently invited to a preview of the new permanent motorcycle exhibition, ‘Life on Two Wheels’ at the Haynes Motor Museum at Sparkford in Somerset. This innovative display, which benefits from financial support from the British Motorcycle Charitable Trust, sets out to show the visitor the evolution of two wheeled motorised transport from its origins at the dawn of the 20th century right up to the present day. It also serves to remind us of the important role motorcycles have played in our social history.
We were shown around by marketing director Jon Ducker, who explained that it was hoped that the exhibition would captivate interest from all ages. We started with the motorcycle’s origins, little more than a bicycle with an engine somewhat precariously bolted onto the frame. Here there were easy to understand graphics reflecting on the engineering decisions that had to be made at the time. We moved on to the ‘20s and ‘30s, when motorcycles became part of the social scene and we were reminded that it was a time when women took to the roads on two and three wheels. The BMCT’s beautiful SS80 Brough Superior and Petrol Tube sidecar takes centre stage here. I understand Richard Hammond, who visited the museum recently, said that this was the bike he’d like to take home with him. Wouldn’t we all!
The two wheeled ride continues through the twentieth century with a glimpse of the world of sport. This display shows the transition from lightly modified road bikes to the works sponsored machines we see today. Throughout the exhibition there are thoughtfully designed interactive activities for the visitor to participate in. A moving platform cleverly demonstrates the feel of being on two wheels and the need to maintain one’s balance. Graphic panels with magnetic stick-on parts allow visitors to build their own bikes, and revolving block displays take us through a journey of the clothing motorcyclists have worn over the years. Intriguingly these displays are not just directed at the younger generation, although obviously they will get immense pleasure from them. Whatever your age, it is difficult to resist having a go at completing the challenges or participating in the experiences they offer. The section on the motorcycle at work reminds us that they were not simply a method of getting from a to b, but also had a role in a vast range of commercial activities including for milk deliveries, by window cleaners and of course the once familiar AA The new display is of particular interest to me as a lifetime enthusiast for patrolman. An immaculate example of a patrolman’s BSA M21 Sidecar all things vintage. I believe I am what is known today as a “Petrolhead”. outfit stands by a telephone box, where the visitor can actually ring up for Many years ago, as chairman of the commercial members of the Thames breakdown assistance! and Chilterns Tourist Board, I looked into how the country’s great museums with their static exhibits might attract more visitors. It surprised me to learn that enthusiasts in fact made up a very small percentage of those who passed through the turnstiles of these establishments, making their sustainability very difficult. After a visit to the US, I realised the solution was to display our own unique heritage in an interactive form so that we may attract a greater number of visitors. This is exactly what this new exhibition has done. The brainchild of the museum’s curator, Dr Luca Hoare, it places some of the collection’s machines within an evolving story with wonderful graphics and very well written explanatory texts.
The familiar faces of Barry Sheene and Guy Martin, as well as Beryl Swain, the heroes and heroines of the world of motorcycle sport, feature in a display devoted to competition on two wheels. Whilst most of these riders are quoted as acknowledging the dangers involved, all suggest that this is far outweighed by the thrill of participation. We then come to a wonderful display of 1960s machines which poses the ultimate question for those who grew up in that decade, “were you a mod or a rocker?” The Triumphs and Nortons which would have been destined
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I T I O N AT T H E H AY N E S M O TO R M U S E U M I caught up with father and son visitors Clive and James Newman, aged 77 and 49 respectively, from Essex. They were really enjoying the exhibition and it was perhaps not what they had expected. However they were having great fun reflecting on the past and were keen to recommend a visit to friends and family of all ages. Carrying on with the theme of engagement, visitors are asked to complete three simple written questions, I duly rose to the challenge. First question was “What was your best journey on a motorcycle?” After thinking about the thousands of miles I have travelled on two wheels, I concluded that the first day riding to school as a 16-year-old on my customised Norton 99 the day after passing my test deserved this accolade. The second question was “What was the motorcycle you wish you had never sold?” well that’s an easy one. I bought a Brough Superior SS80 in 1977 for £360 and sold it in 1979 for £895. I’ve regretted this apparently good sale price ever since. The final question is “What motorcycle would be your dream machine?” Well there are of course a lot of great machines on the market - perhaps one of the new Broughs? Well, no, I think I’ll stick with my current ride - a 1972 Export BSA Rocket Three identical to the one I had bought from a little shop in the York Road in Wandsworth back in 1975.
to be customised as café racers stand gleaming alongside a spot lamp adorned scooter from the period - something that will make the ageing mods who visit the exhibition dream of the Lambretta LI, or a Vespa GS160 that they perhaps once owned. I have to say I pressed the button which played the rock ‘n’ roll music of the day confirming my obsession with fast bikes as a young lad - something that caused so much worry for my mother. There is also a lovely multi-choice challenge to determine which cult you were part of, showing what we rode, wore and drank in those days. It confirmed something I am known to say from time to time and that is: “As young lads, we used to spend every penny we had on our treasured bikes. If you were a girl who rode pillion, then you would be expected to buy the teas, at whichever café we were heading to!”
The exhibition draws to a close by demonstrating the decline of the British motorcycle industry and the troubles at Meriden with a period Triumph. A beautiful Honda CB72 clearly shows how the Japanese came to dominate the British and American markets. It shows that if only we had put more money into perfecting the development of bikes like the OHC Bandit, perhaps they would never have gained a foothold. However all is not lost. We are finally treated to a glimpse of what might be to come. A modern Triumph on display with a backdrop of all the British marques that can still be found today provides hope for the future. I am grateful to Jon for showing me around. I can thoroughly recommend a visit. I am confident that both enthusiasts and those who haven’t yet explored the world of motorcycling will enjoy it. The Trustees should be justly proud of having provided support for this exhibition. And what bit of this new exhibition did I enjoy the most? Well it was all good. The wistful glimpse into my lost youth brought a smile to my face, but the immersive film ride along the small West Country lanes, with all their twists and turns captures the thrill that only two wheels can give. Perhaps next time I visit, the wooden bench, complete with its hint of a vibrating British engine from which the visitor enjoys this high-speed experience, will be replaced with the Vincent Rapide from which it was filmed. Well I can at least dream! Keith French MBE
The “Life on Two Wheels” exhibition at the Haynes Motor Museum is open ievery day of the year (except Christmas and New Year holidays). Last admission 3.30 pm.
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A I A N D B R I T I S H M O TO R C Y C L E S Given all the fuss about Artificial Intelligence we thought we’d try it Industry Consolidation and Decline. In response to these challenges, out for ourselves. So we asked ChatGPT a question, and here’s what it several British motorcycle manufacturers either went out of business came up with: or were acquired by larger companies. For example, BSA merged with Norton-Villiers to form Norton-Villiers-Triumph (NVT), but this User: Explain what happened to the British motorcycle industry venture was ultimately unsuccessful. By the late 1970s, many iconic British motorcycle brands had disappeared or were a shadow of their ChatGPT: The British motorcycle industry, which was once a global former selves. leader in the production of motorcycles, experienced a significant decline from its heyday in the mid-20th century. Several factors Changing Consumer Preferences. The motorcycle market also saw contributed to this decline: shifts in consumer preferences. Riders increasingly favoured larger, more powerful motorcycles, often referred to as "superbikes." British Competition from Japanese Manufacturers. In the 1950s and 1960s, manufacturers struggled to produce competitive models in this British motorcycle manufacturers such as Triumph, BSA, Norton, and category. Royal Enfield enjoyed a dominant position in the global market. However, they faced stiff competition from Japanese manufacturers Emissions and Regulatory Challenges. Environmental regulations in like Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki, who introduced more the 1970s and 1980s imposed stricter emissions standards on reliable, technologically advanced, and affordable motorcycles. motorcycles. British manufacturers faced difficulties in meeting these Japanese motorcycles were often seen as superior in terms of requirements while maintaining the performance and character of their performance and reliability, which eroded the market share of British bikes. brands. While the British motorcycle industry faced significant challenges and Labour Strikes and Quality Issues. The British motorcycle industry decline, some iconic brands like Triumph managed to survive through faced labour strikes and disputes during the 1960s and 1970s, which a combination of innovation, modernisation, and strategic disrupted production and damaged the industry's reputation for partnerships. Triumph, for instance, underwent a revival in the 1990s reliability. Additionally, quality control issues plagued some British and began producing motorcycles that appealed to a new generation of manufacturers, leading to a decrease in product quality and customer riders. confidence. Overall, the decline of the British motorcycle industry can be Lack of Investment and Innovation. British motorcycle manufacturers attributed to a combination of factors, including increased competition, struggled to keep up with the rapid pace of technological innovation in labour issues, lack of investment, economic challenges, and changing the industry. They were often slow to adopt new technologies and market preferences. While it may never fully regain the prominence it design features, which put them at a disadvantage compared to their once held, there are still British motorcycle manufacturers producing Japanese counterparts. The lack of investment in research and high-quality bikes and maintaining a loyal following among development further hindered their ability to compete. enthusiasts. Economic Factors. Economic downturns in the 1970s and early 1980s Who writes this stuff? Well, nobody, or so it seems. So is this actually led to reduced consumer spending and decreased demand for an unbiased view? Answers on a postcard please.... motorcycles. This economic environment made it challenging for British motorcycle manufacturers to remain profitable.
B A N TA M S AT T H E N E C BMCT member, and founder member of the BSA Bantam Preservation Group, Ray Leggett and his colleagues put on a superb display of Bantams and related material at the prestigious Classic Motor Show at the National Exhibition Centre in November. Ray has his own museum dedicated to the Bantam at his home on the South Coast. Visits can be arranged through the Editor.
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B O O K R E V I E W B Y J O N AT H A N H I L L “Velocette – the Three Twins”
suspension featuring adjustable spring damper units in slots – patented by Veloce Ltd and Irving. The Model O was intended to be a mass produced grand tourer – virtually vibration free, fast and reliable.
Authors: Brian Agnew and Ivan Rhodes Published by Veloce Publishing Ltd., Veloce House, Parkway Farm Business Park, Middle Farm Way, Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 3AR Tel.: 01305 260068 E-mail: sales@veloce.co.uk Hardback, 255 x 207mm (portrait); 120 pages with 97 colour and b&w photographs.. ISBN 978-1-787119000 UPC 6-36847-01900-6 £25 (UK); $31 USD; £42 CAD; $48 AUD
water-cooled, horizontally-opposed side-valve engine of 150/200cc, with shaft drive, it was one of the most sophisticated commuter bikes ever. Sadly Veloce overestimated the demand and sales were very poor only to be rescued by large subsidised orders from police forces for the next 20 years.
Roarer, Model O and LE An in-depth engineering analysis of these twin-cylinder Velocette motorcycles. The LE or “little engine” went on sale in 1948 to be the “everyman’s Dedicated to Grahame and Adrian Rhodes, who put so much motorcycle,” suitable both for the commuter or the housewife with its quiet and smooth running engine and weather protection. With its effort into restoring the Roarer.
An excellent and well researched book by Brian Agnew and Ivan Rhodes, who owns, restored and demonstrates both the Roarer and the Model O. Highly recommended. Book reviewed by Jonathan Hill
Starting with a brief history of the Veloce company and the designers and engineers involved with these machines, this book provides a detailed analysis of the design features common to all three twins, as well as the design influence of the LE. Although development of the LE was flawed, the honesty and ingenuity of the design is rightfully acknowledged. In the late 1930s, with increased foreign competition and hopes for a Senior TT victory, a new specialised machine was required and so emerged the Roarer, so-called because of its low frequency exhaust note – a 500cc supercharged air-cooled single o.h.c. vertical twin, shaft-driven, with the drive shaft enclosed within the rear suspension’s swing arm. Designed by Harold Willis and Charles Udall, to neutralise vibration Willis used two contra-rotating crankshafts geared together, effectively combining two vertical singles side-by-side in the frame, resulting in a 100 per cent balance factor. Stanley Woods tried out the completely undeveloped machine during the 1939 TT practice and said that it was uncannily smooth, fast and handled superbly. At the time the Roarer was being built, Australian Phil Irving was charged with laying out drawings and producing a prototype road version of the same basic design; common features being a vertical twin with contra-rotating cranks and shaft drive. This became the Model O, with a 600cc o.h.v. engine with twin carburettors. The machine features a stressed skin rear section with swinging arm
BMCT’s WOOLER IN THE SPOTLIGHT The latest edition of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s journal “Vintage & Classic Motor Cycle” carries a six-page in depth road test and writeup from Alan Cathcart on the Wooler 500 Flat Four, jewel in the crown of the BMCT Collection. Alan tells us that five Flat Fours were built in all. Two were prototypes made at the Wooler works in Alperton, North London, and the other three by Wooler’s manufacturing partner Electrical Equipment Co. (EEC) of Leicester, who were to assemble the production bikes on Wooler’s behalf. We also learn that in 1954 Wooler won a government contract to supply a bored-out 600cc version of the Flat Four engine to power a proposed folding light aircraft. The contract was subsequently cancelled but only after thousands of parts had been made. The financial impact of this was so great that EEC pulled out, essentially ending the whole Flat Four project. Other manufacturers were approached by Wooler to continue production, but none wanted to know.
Photo: Kel Edge
Our bike was discovered dismantled and incomplete by Sammy Miller in the 1980s. Sammy spent several years searching for and making missing parts until the completed bike was finally ready to go on display at his Museum in 1998.
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T HE BR I T I S H MOTOR CYCL E C HA RI TABL E TRUS T A Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity No. 509420 Life President: John Kidson Trustees: Ian Walden OBE Peter Wellings John Handley Mike Jackson Nick Jeffery Mike Penn Dennis Frost Secretariat: Holly Cottage Main Street Bishampton Pershore WR10 2NH United Kingdom Secretary & Editor Andy Bufton Mob: 07754 880116 Email: editor@bmct.org
The British Motorcycle Charitable Trust (BMCT) was originally formed in 1979 to facilitate the building of the National Motorcycle Museum at Bickenhill, near Solihull in the West Midlands. Since 1995, however, the BMCT has been an entirely separate organisation, a grant-making Charity dedicated to the promotion of British motor cycle engineering heritage through a network of affiliated transport and local interest m u se um s th roug hou t th e cou n try.
Our affiliated museums are:
Associate Membership is open to all, and allows entry concessions at all 18 of the museums in our affiliation scheme (listed right). Our funding comes from membership subscriptions, bequests, donations, and income from our investments. Please direct any enquiries to the secretary, at the Secretariat address on the left.
Jet Age Museum, Gloucester
Black Country Living Museum, Dudley Brooklands Museum, Weybridge Coventry Transport Museum Dover Transport Museum Gloucester Life Museum Grampian Transport Museum, Aberdeen Haynes Motor Museum, Somerset Internal Fire Museum of Power, Tanygroes Isle of Man Motor Museum, Jurby Manx Museum, Douglas, Isle of Man Museum in the Park, Stroud National Motor Museum, Beaulieu Royal Engineers Museum, Gillingham, Kent Sammy Miller Museum, New Milton Silk Mill Museum of Making, Derby Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset
www.bmct.org
The Norton Collection Museum, Bromsgrove
THE BROOKLANDS SUN BEAM 100 The Sunbeam MCC was formed in 1924, initially as a onemake club but it soon opened up membership to all makes. The Club has always been affiliated to the ACU, and was historically active in the sporting world, with much interaction at Brooklands in the twenties and thirties. Nowadays, the club caters for all makes of pre-1940 machines, maintains the (Pre-1915) Pioneer Register and runs the popular October Pioneer Run from Epsom (Tattenham Corner) to Brighton (Shoreham Airport). The Brooklands Sunbeam 100 celebrates the centenary of the A great way to start the 2024 motorcycling season. The BMCT Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club on Sunday 17th March 2024. will also be represented there, so please do come and say hello! This event is aimed at all pre-1940 motorcycles which aligns with both the classic Brooklands motorsport era and the Sunbeam MCC’s eligibility criteria. The Club will be gathering together as many machines from the Pioneer Register as possible, with the opportunity to see them close up and in action on the Brooklands finishing straight. There will also be a display of many bikes that competed at Brooklands, some of which will be demonstrated on the Finishing Straight and the infamous Test Hill. If you have a suitable machine to take along then please get in touch with the organisers at editor@sunbeam-mcc.co.uk as soon as possible. Brooklands Test Hill “as it used to be” will be open for exclusive runs to pre-1940 machines as a formidable test of rider and machine, and there will be a separate Trials section. Photo: Paul Murrity
BMCT News is published by Matchless Management Services, Holly Cottage, Main Street, Bishampton, Pershore WR10 2NH. Any opinions therein are not necessarily the views of the publisher or of The British Motorcycle Charitable Trust.