November 2020 £2.20 ISSUE
425
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This image of Ken Smith, aboard his 497cc Matchless, was originally used 60 years ago as a publicity picture for Lewis Leathers. • To find this and thousands more images visit: Mortons Archive www.mortonsarchive.com
2 NEWS
November 2020
Editorial
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I
think it’s safe to say that winter is now here, and, for many people, that means their bikes are being put into storage to stay safe and sound, warm and dry over the dirty and cold months. While this is understandable, it’s also a little frustrating, especially given the way 2020 has panned out with regards to riding our classic bikes and having barely any events to attend. Yet the inexorable march of time continues, as does the inevitable continued cancellation of events, thanks not to the calendar, but to the measures brought in to control the Covid-19 pandemic. I’m getting bored of writing about it now, so I’m sure that you’ve had your fill of reading about yet more cancellations and postponements, but we still have to let you know about changes to our favourite pastime. The Kempton Autojumble, due to be held on Saturday, October 24, had to be cancelled, due to the ongoing and worsening situation of the coronavirus pandemic (although, at the time of writing, the December 5 Kempton event is due to go ahead). Perhaps affecting more of us is the announcement that the Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic, due to be held at Newark Showground on January 9/10, has also felt the non-too-subtle kiss of the Covid-reaper’s axe as well. It could be argued that the loss of the winter events is of a greater issue than the cancellation or postponement of summer events, particularly for the classic bike enthusiasts amongst us. Why so? Well, even though events have been cancelled throughout the summer months, we’ve still had the benefit of warm and dry weather in which to enjoy our freedom aboard two wheels – aside from the period during which we were all under ‘lockdown’. For many of us, the winter events are not just an excuse to get out of the house and speak to fellow classic bike nuts, they also provide an opportunity to dust down the bike for display for like-minded enthusiasts; to hunt down that elusive part for a long-running project, or just to stock up on workshop consumables that are being used up in the long, dark evenings and weekends of the off-season.
So, we’re being denied our chance to do any of the aforementioned, and whether the many and varied ways in which we’re being told to act to combat the global pandemic actually will make a difference remains to be seen, regardless of how confusing or contradictory the constantly-changing Government directions are… basically, we just need to accept it for what it is, and hope that things will come good in the new year. But, of course, the time of year shouldn’t make any difference to our approach towards classic, veteran and vintage motorcycles, and it still seems that folk have been using their classic bikes. Maybe it’s a reflection of the fact that there have been so few events happening through 2020 that classic machinery has been used for the sort of things that bikes are normally used for. What I’m saying is that, instead of going on a run that is designed to cater specifically for classic, vintage or veteran machinery, owners of those bikes are using them to just go for a ride, anywhere. So there’s been more classics at the usual modern bike haunts – roadside cafes and eateries, butty vans and tea shacks – than I can recall seeing in recent years. Now, aside from the fact that it’s great to see our venerable old machines being used, I’m hoping that this will actually have a positive effect on how other people view classic bikes. If the owners of modern machinery start seeing more old bikes at the places where they ride their bikes to, then it’s reasonable to think that they’ll start being more accepting of older machinery. There are very few people out there who actively dislike classic bikes, but there are certainly plenty of people who don’t understand them or, perhaps more accurately, don’t understand why anyone would want to own and ride a bike that hasn’t got all the bells and whistles that modern bikes have. But by seeing them being used for exactly the same reasons as folk are using modern bikes, then not only do they become less stigmatised (and, yes, there are folk that think classic bikes are totally impractical, unreliable and downright dangerous!) but as this happens then so people will start to show an interest, ask questions and maybe even start
wondering if they should add an older machine to their stable of vehicles. You’ll now be wondering why I’m mentioning this to you – folk who already know the benefits of old bike ownership, and who know why an older motorcycle can not only have more character, but how it can also get under your skin (sometimes quite literally) and become a much-loved member of the family, cared-for, spoilt and often pampered in a way that no human being ever is. After all, when was the last time you had your fluids checked or your bodywork polished? I mention it simply because I want a future for classic machinery and, to ensure that, we need to get new blood into the scene. And by far the easiest way to get new people interested in classic motorcycles, scooters and mopeds is to make sure that they see them being used. While we love to see machinery displayed at classic bike shows, it’s only classic bike enthusiasts who attend such shows, so we’re preaching to the converted in that scenario, and remember that there aren’t many shows right now. So, my thought for the month is that maybe we shouldn’t be wrapping up our bikes for winter. Maybe we should keep them in a road-going condition, ready for a bright and crisp morning when we can head out for a hot cuppa, or even just an invigorating blast down the lanes. It’ll bring a smile to your face and, who knows, it may even bring a new enthusiast into the fold. Enjoy the issue,
November 2020
NEWS 3
Bonhams back at Bicester H aving had a truly successful Summer Sale at the Bicester heritage site, with a record-breaking auction of no less than £3.6 million and a hugely impressive 95% sale rate, Bonhams returns to the venue for the weekend of December 5/6, for their highly anticipated Winter Sale. In common with many previous Bonhams auctions, the Winter Sale includes several important one-owner collections, which naturally include a large and diverse number of classic and vintage motorcycles, and these are the machines that would have been under the auctioneer’s hammer at the October Stafford Show, had it not been cancelled due to Covid-19. Included in the auction are a number of bikes from the Carole Nash collection – yes, the lady who formed the eponymous insurance company – including a Sunbeam 3½hp Model 6 ‘Longstroke’ from around 1928, which is the model that enjoyed much success on the racetrack, and this is expected to raise between £7000 and £10,000. A 1914 BSA 4¼hp Model H Motorcycle Combination in ‘barn-find’ condition, that was originally sold on August 11, 1914, is expected to sell for between £14,000 and £18,000. Amongst the competition machinery for sale is an Ariel HT5, as used in the 1958 International Six Days Trial by Ron Langston, collecting a gold medal in the process, all of which means that Bonhams are suggesting that it’ll make between £10,000 and £15,000 in the auction. And, of course, there are a number of high profile bikes going under the hammer, including a MV Agusta Monza, built in 1979 and of 832cc capacity that is expected to top £38,000, while the Montagu Motor Museum (now known as the Beaulieu National Motor Museum, in the New Forest) has lost one of its former display
The bikes shown here are part of the 'Competition Collection'...
... while these machines are part of the prewar selection of lots.
machines as a 1924 Henderson Model K de luxe goes under the hammer, expecting to reach between £25,000 and £30,000. Additionally, there are a pair of Brough
As can be seen here, the Winter Sale has a diverse selection of bikes.
Act Quickly, for NSU parts
Sadly, due to advancing age and some health issues, Roger Worton at NSU Quickly Spares has now left the business, although the future is still bright for those owners of the popular little German moped, as the new owner of the business can be contacted on 07714 781600 or by visiting the web site at www.nsuquicklyspares.co.uk
Winter Classic cancelled
Inexorably, and somewhat inevitably, the cancellation of shows thanks to the Covid scourge is rolling on from 2020 into next year as well. The first 2021 cancellation to come to our attention is that of the Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic at Newark Showground, a show that has traditionally been the classic bike fan’s perfect excuse to break out of the yuletide binge. The 2021 show was due to run on January 9/10, but it seems we’ll have to wait a little longer for the first of next year's indoor classic shows.
Superiors comprising of a 1937 1150HP and a 1937 SS80, both of which are expected to make between £50,000 and £60,000 each, while a 1952 Series C Vincent Rapide is expected to make half that amount. Further entries are invited to join the motorcycles that are already consigned for the sale at Bicester Heritage, and interested parties should visit www.bonhams.com/ motorcycles to submit a complimentary auction appraisal request or contact the Bicester Motorcycle Office on 020 8963 2817 or email ukmotorcycles@bonhams. com to discuss the sale of your important motorcycle(s). As per the Summer Sale, December’s auction will take the form of a ‘live and online’ format, although the machinery on sale will be on view between Thursday, December 3 and Saturday, December 5, albeit by appointment only.
Discover custom scooters’ jaw-dropping evolution The dramatic evolution of scooters from identical commuter vehicles to gloriously individual mobile works of art is explored and explained in a new fully illustrated book by Scootering magazine writer, Stuart Owen. The Evolution of the Custom Scooter: a Detailed Look at Some of the Best Vespas and Lambrettas Ever Built, published by Banovallum Books, provides an insightful history of scooter customisation from the 1960s right up to the present day. Lambrettas and Vespas dominated the British two-wheeled market from the beginning, and owners soon began to personalise their scooters with chrome, mirrors and extra lights – paving the way for the extravagantly painted murals of the 1980s. Scooters became canvases upon which owners could express themselves and rivalries sprang up as competition between owners grew, so too did the outrageousness of their creations. Today, the custom scooter scene thrives and is as strong as it ever has been – with fresh creations showcasing the talents and imaginations of their owners like never before. More and more people are reminiscing about the iconic scooters of yesteryear and the movement shows no signs of waning. This book, packed with rare photographs of the best custom machines, is a treat for any scooter fan. The Evolution of the Custom Scooter is available to order for only £14.99 from www.mortonsbooks.co.uk
4 NEWS
November 2020
Sammy restores his first comp bike
D
uring lockdown, Sammy Miller MBE undertook the restoration of his first competition bike, the New Imperial that he started competing on aged just 17 – the first bike that he owned being a Francis-Barnett. While his first event on the little Imp – the Mullusk Grasstrack on the outskirts of Belfast – resulted in retirement after just three laps, the following years saw him aboard the New Imperial at the Temple MCC grasstrack meeting at Saintfield in September 1951. Miller entered the 200cc Scratch Race, the big last event handicap. The wet practice course was more like a trials course which suited Miller and the four-stroke New Imp, which was capable of finding more grip than the other, two-stroke, competitors, and in the 200cc Scratch Race, Miller won, with the prize money for first place amounting to £3! The day had one more race – the handicap event – and Sammy
got the New Imperial ready. No mechanic, just Miller. It had been a long day and Miller had ridden the bike with all his racing gear to Saintfield, with no lights. He waited as long as possible but as the light was fading he had to set off home as the police were redhot on motorcycles with no lights. Miller made it home in good shape and £3 richer and wiser. The Saintfield event was just the first of Miller’s wins, over 69 years ago and with more than 1400 further wins to follow over his career, covering not just oval racing, but also road racing and, of course, numerous off-road wins. The New Imperial now joins the other New Imperials in the
Sammy in the midst of the engine rebuild.
Back aboard his first competition bike.
Sammy Miller Museum, including a 1920 293cc SV Model, 250cc Model 32, 250cc GP TT winner, 350cc Sport Model 36 and a 500cc Model 11 De Luxe. The Sammy Miller Museum is located in Hampshire, on the southern edge of the New Forest, and more details can be found at www.sammymiller.co.uk
Memories abound with the little New Imp.
Wonderful winter warmers Modern motorcycle clothing has made riding a bike through the depths of winter – or even the cooler days of autumn and spring – far more comfortable than it ever used to be. And, with clothing now protective as well as waterproof, there are further advancements being made with regards to warmth, as these Keis heated gloves show. The Keis G601 are leather and synthetic, with a heating panel across the back of the hands and over the top of the fingers. They also feature a thicker layer of 3M Thinsulate to offer improved warmth distribution throughout the glove, especially across the back of the hand and the fingers, together with hardened knuckle protection, a scaphoid guard for palm protection, and a
waterproof membrane to ensure dry, as well as warm, hands. They can be powered either directly from the motorcycle’s electrical system, providing it is a 12 volt arrangement or – perhaps more suited to classic machinery that is either running on 6 volts or has a somewhat marginal charging system – from an optional battery pack or specially-designed batteries that fit into the pocket in the cuff of each glove. They’re operated by pressing the button on the back of the glove, which then lights up, with three colours to show which heating level it is on (red, amber or green, for hottest, hot and warm). They conform to European PPE requirements, as you’d expect for any clothing sold for
motorcycling use nowadays, and retail at £199 inclusive of the chancellor’s cut, and while you may consider that to be expensive for a pair of gloves, I can guarantee that when you’re riding around in the cold, and your pinkies are toasty warm, you’ll have no regrets whatsoever! More details are available from the website at www. keisapparel.com
Workshop wonders with discounts The time is ripe to treat yourself to some new workshop equipment, or to persuade your family that they’d make excellent Christmas presents! Handily, the Sealey winter promotion catalogue is now out, with the 64 page promotion including discounts of up to 55% on some items. The promotion runs until February 28 next year, and also includes Sealey’s latest competition, with the chance to win a five drawer toolbox with a 139 piece tool kit. The complete Sealey range can be
viewed on their new website at www. sealey.co.uk while copies of the latest promotions and the new tool catalogue can be found at your local Sealey stockist – please be aware that most local stockists also run their own promotional deals. You can find details of your local dealer – and sign up to the Sealey e-shots so you can keep in touch with their latest products, offers and competitions – on the website, and also follow Sealey on social media.
6 NEWS
November 2020
Off-road heritage up for sale
I
t’s not every day that a bike comes up for sale that has been restored by an internationally-known museum, nor one that has a large amount of provenance, and stories that surround its past. Yet Michael Dawson’s Bultaco Matador is one such machine. Cosmetically restored by Phillipe Vandeville in 2007, it has undergone mechanical restoration by Sammy Miller between 2014 and now, and is a 1973 model Mk4SD, of 250cc capacity. While it was in the workshop at Sammy’s, a guy called Ken Blake walked in – a long standing mate of Sammy. Ken recognised the Bultaco and checked the engine/frame numbers and found from his records it was the actual bike that he sold, new, to a customer when he had a bike shop called Etna Motorcycles
A mass of paperwork accompanies the bike.
in Poole, Dorset in 1973. Ken elaborated that, whilst he owned the bike shop, he had gone to Comerfords in Thames Ditton, Surrey, who were the main UK importers, not only for Bultaco but for other makes too, going there to collect some bikes. Whilst there, he saw Steve McQueen in the workshops with his USA team, doing their final preparations before leaving to compete with their British bikes in the 1964 International Six Day Trial.
With Sammy aboard, outside the museum.
He and Bud Ekins had come up with the idea of competing in the ISDT whilst filming The Great Escape the year previous. And, as the story goes, the American team followed Sammy Miller on the 1964 ISDT in Erfurt, Germany, because they didn’t know the route while Sammy did. As a result when the UK team won gold medals, so did the USA team! The bike has done just 900 miles since the rebuild, and is for sale for £10,000. Interested parties should call Michael on 07970 076166 or email m.dawson16@btinternet.com
The Bultaco as it is now.
Memorabilia not included.
Café Racer International While the style of race-based custom bikes known as café racers is no new thing, this title is a new production from the Mortons stable, that focusses not only on the history behind the iconic style and reasoning behind the creation of café racers, but also looks at how they’re influencing modern custom bikes and production machinery alike. With test reports on numerous new factory-built café racers, there is an equal balance of home-brewed machines, alongside articles looking at those companies that specialise in the marque, event reports and a look at the background of iconic venues such as the Ace Cafe. At £7.99, CRI is available to order online at www. classicmagazines.co.uk or by calling 01507 529529, it can also be found in WHSmith.
10 
November 2020
November 2020
BIT ON THE SIDE 11
Sidecars I have known
Part Three
Over the last few issues, Mick Payne has shown readers what amounted to pretty much the death throes of Britain’s once important sidecar industry. But there was still plenty of three-wheeled life in the workshops of Britain, and sidecar manufacture continues to this day. Here he looks at the sidecar rigs that have most impressed him.
A
s I mentioned last time, Anson took the battered remains of Charnwood and all too briefly shone with some interesting outfits coming out of its workshops. It built some interesting bodies including the easy access Osprey but sadly, according to Matt: “We’ve not built one for over four years now”. So that pretty much leaves Watsonian, of which more next month. I did start this series stating that I would feature a few of the rides I’d tested over the years. I mentioned one that really didn’t impress me; this was a Hedingham, a Sprite I think, fitted to a side-valve Triumph TRW. I always liked
the TRW but, in this case, it was out of its depth. Perhaps I’d been spoilt by the fast rigs I’d been testing from Keith and Jim but it just didn’t gel. I think I upset the owner with that piece. Most outfits I really enjoyed, but one in particular scared me! It was only the second left-hand sidecar I’d ridden, another Hedingham Sprite funnily. It was mated to an early Buell but its owner, Bart, wanted to use it solo too so it had no concessions to sidecar use. Imagine a short wheelbase and steep steering head, similar geometry to a 125 in fact, and that big lump of a 1200 Harley engine. It really was daunting and I was riding it on a wet day in the
Seen attached to a big bore Honda, the Anson Osprey had…
Belgian Ardennes, to make matters worse. Its owner was a Belgian trawlerman, I can only assume he was immune to fear. I’d struggle to remember all the outfits I’ve ridden but quite a few do stand out for different reasons. From Watsonian Squire one of the more remarkable was the Hinckley Triumph mated to a Flexit leaning sidecar. This was another unique experience, and riding around bends with the big sidecar leaning under my left elbow seemed odd to say the least, even my short ride in the chair was memorable; as I closed the electric canopy the back draft sucked my hair out and the edge closed on it.
… very easy access!
Hedingham loaned me a lot of outfits and one I took to a photo shoot on Exmoor. This was a rare Guzzi Quota and an ETH sidecars, great but very light on left-handers. There were also a lot from Charnwood, although most of Jim’s creations meld into each other, the common denominator being speed. Honda Blackbirds and the like do not make sedate outfits, he even chaired-up a couple of BMW K1s, how rare do you want your ride to be? So, what have been my favourites? It depends very much on where you are riding it. I remember a great little jaunt around the Fens on one of David Angel (of F2 Motorcycles)'s Jawa outfits.
From the ashes of Charnwood came, among others, the Anson Norvin.
Enough power for those bumpy narrow roads where running out of road puts you into a deep drainage ditch. I loved the ETH and that was my ex-wife’s favourite, especially on the Guzzi, although most ended up on BMW GSs. My all time best is a toss-up between the late Ray Doran’s BMW and Keith Wash’s Asphalt Animal, but for me it’s the Guzzi/Hedingham, the only reason being that I prefer Moto Guzzi to BMW! A very latecomer to my
Probably Mike’s favourite of all time, the Guzzi Hedingham, aka the ‘Asphalt Animal’.
riding experience, however, impressed me more than I guessed it would. A modern automatic Vespa fitted with a Watsonian Prescott (aka Meteor). I’m 68 now, with all the aches that go with a lifetime of motorcycling with a lot of mountaineering and rock climbing thrown in, and this really is the machine I could see in my garage now. More on this contentious machine in a month or two when I get back to what is happening now.
The rather bizarre Flexit leaning sidecar, here attached to a Honda Pan European.