Uxbridge Rotary Club Auto Show

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Uxbridge Auto Show 2014

Uxbridge Auto Show 2014

I missed the rain last Monday and just got home in time before another rainstorm would have got me soaked as it had when I had last ridden the Valiant. I'm beginning to think it attracts the rain, or is it me? Just as I was about to leave for the show on the Sunday morning a few spits of rain were falling and I was tempted to put on my leaky over-suit to keep the worst off. Fortunately nothing came of it and I had a dry trip to the Uxbridge show ground for the event. I was too late to get the Valiant into the concours but got an event plaque when I arrived instead. I was relatively early and the Museum stand was not yet set up but was directed to the location by the Triumph Owners Club which was next door. All hands to the pumps to set up the stand for the event when everyone did arrive.

First priority was a mug of tea that I bought from one of the mobile cafes. This one was a Citroen H van. I was now ready for the day I went on the rounds of the club stands leaving Gary and the gang in charge of the gazebo and fliers. It was not long before I returned to collect more fliers and on out again this time to the car club stands. I ran out of fliers again, had lunch at a burger van, talked to the guys at the Institute of Advanced Motorists also Motorcyclists. There were more bikes on the stand than cars. Back for more fliers talking to anyone and everyone and completed the rounds about 3pm.

It was time for the prize giving. I treated myself to an ice-cream. I felt like I had walked miles, but the day was not done yet. There was a great deal of interest in the Museum. Those there all day said it had been quite busy. On request I fired up the Valiant just to show how noisey it was. Those around seemed to enjoy the sound. There were a number of comments about the silencing capabilities from the silencers. I agreed that there was not much in them.

As the event wound up people were still visiting the stand and picking up fliers. By 4:30 it was time to pack up. Black clouds were looming again and there were spits of rain in the wind and it was in the direction I was heading. When it was time to go the Valiant had had it's good start for the day and now just refused to run. It started easily on pushing. There were many names to call it but none to be repeated in print. I blasted away after the engine un-choked itself and I was on my way home. Filtering through the traffic and probably making a nuisance of myself being not slow but not quick either, finding the spaces to get to the front of the queues. It was a good day out with the bonus of clear interest from the car clubs to take a trip to the Museum.

I struggled to get to the Museum on Monday morning. Filtering past Chris as he waited in traffic. Fortunately it was a slow start and there was time to have mug of tea with the first visitor of the day from Ecuador. He was interested in anything and everything. Ecuador does not have a big history of motorcycles and most of what he saw was new to him. More people arrived, a couple from New Zealand and a gentleman from Denmark. The New Zealanders were the last to leave and the doors closed around 4:30. After more huffing and puffing the Valiant finally got going. I've got to do something about it but not this evening as I was off out to my local 2CV club meeting. It would have to wait for tomorrow.

A New Visitor

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The Ivy Arrives

I have been at the Chinnor Byke Dayz all weekend having fun enjoying the real ales and music that Wycombe MAG put on. I was there for fun but also to represent the Museum handing out fliers and soaking up the atmosphere. It rained on Friday night and I have the Valiant in the tent with me. Old bikes and rain do not mix well.

I did the ride out on the Valiant, and got very wet again in the monsoon rain storms that were brief but heavy. The Museum had two free ticket in the raffle so it added to the promotion. I managed to get some fliers put into the “goody bag” which was a bit sparse so there are thought about what could be done for next year. On the run out I just happened to park next to a very nicely restored Triumph at the stop.

I handed out more fliers at the concours show and the Valiant was parked up in one corner of the arena. No prizes today but as I had Museum fliers taped to the spokes I'm not surprised. I did win a bottle of scotch instead in the raffle. So there was something to take home.

It was a very good event having live music from 1pm to 1am and there were some very good bands there too. Real ale and good food always helps. I'm going to have to put this one on the calendar for next year. I would recommend this event for a musicfest. As you probably gather, I liked it. Monday back at the Museum on the Valiant and I missed the rain today! During the morning we had a surprise visitor in this case it was an unusual 1924 Ivy motorcycle. It does look the classic for that year and after getting it out of the van we put it in the tea room to have close look at it. Another opportunity to take more photos.

Windsor Great Park Rally

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BEN Charity Ride Through Windsor Great Park

Saturday 28^th June started well with a little sunshine as I headed for the start of the run. We set off from Ascot Race Course car park and wend our way along some pleasant country roads to enter the Park and then a ride along roads that are not normally open to vehicles. At the start there was an exceptional collection of veteran, vintage and classic cars and motorcycles. While at the start the rain clouds gather and just before we set off it starts to rain. 

The clouds are black and it rains so hard drops splash up from the puddles. It was wet! I was on the Valiant and surprisingly it ran quite well in spite of the heavy rain. I had a minicam with me and when I have time I'll upload the video to youtube so you can see how wet it was. I was drenched inside my over-suit. The zip leaked! As usual I hand out fliers at the start and again when at the destination which is the Sunningdale recreation ground where we all congregate to show off our polished machines for the concours. It was a difficult afternoon and I did not manage to hand out many fliers as there were not many people there because of the weather. A little disappointing for everyone with so much effort that goes into the event. At the end of the show vehicles are judged and prizes are handed out. The event finished early. I was in a flower stall tent waiting for the rain to go off when I heard my name and had won something for the Valiant. It was another second prize! It was worth getting wet! 

By the time I had collected my prize and made my way back to the Valiant there were only three bikes left. An unusual 1939 side valve BMW, a 1954 Vincent and me. Geared up and ready to go I was asked by the BMW man to help him get his bike on a trailer. I only had to steady it while he tied it down. The Vincent man was also leaving. He had an assistant and was still kicking it over as I returned to the Valiant. After a couple of kicks it fired up and I was away. I had twenty miles of rain to go through to get home. Easily accomplished! It finally stopped raining when I got home so I chamoised the bike down before putting it away. So it would be clean for when I used it next.

In between it has been a busy time with visits to bike shops, namely new rear tyres for both the Buell and the Kawasaki and MOTs so Snobs at Hangar Lane for wheel bearings, HGB in Ruislip who have done me some deals on tyres, Jack Lilleys for MOTs and Wycombe MAG for a very pleasant evening out. I've also been out to Newlands Corner to hand out fliers on Sunday morning. A couple of weeks ago we had a few members of the Royal Enfield Club turn up at the Museum and last Monday we had another visitor from New Zealand.

Triumph Metisse

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Wooden Boat Show 2014

You may ask why be at a wooden boat show? Well simply where there are people gathering there is always an opportunity to promote the Museum one way or another. I was allowed to hand out some fliers and the organisers displayed some at their information tent. On my rounds I ran into a guy, now retired, but still renovates Seagull outboard engines. I have always liked those water cooled two stroke engines. In my conversations with him he gave me the number of the man who knows a lot about Villiers engines Paul Gollins of villiersservices@hotmail.co.uk. Good for flywheel remagenetising too!

Moving on around the show I heard a bike fire up and it turned out to be this big bore Triumph Metisse. It looked lovely.

Further on around the trade displays was a stand that did motorcycle pin badges and key rings made from pewter that was Ginny Cardmaker ginny@pwheeler.co.uk. In the market has was a small company that did hand made blue and white tableware, roelofs & rubens what struck me was the bespoke Ariel motorcycle plate. info@roelofsrubens.co.uk

I spent some time talking at the Watercraft magazine stand and met a lady who had been editor for Sport and Leisure magazine. She had a passion for motorcycles with sidecars. She had just returned from a very long trip and wanted to get home however her interest was peaked by the Vincent Amanda Scooterboat that is at the Museum.

Lastly I talked to the organisers again about a potential stand next year. They said they would be in touch. So this week has been busy, just returning from France and the French National 2CV meeting where I was camped next to a guy and his 1985 Honda 750 four. During the meeting there was a display of Harley Davidson and a number of bike clubs that I was able to pass fliers on to. On Monday at the Museum I spent most of the day talking to a very interesting Canadian Couple from Calgary. He had discovered a 1939 Triumph and wondered what to do with it. He had an inspiration to take it to Bonneville salt flats. He knows of Eric (EGP Enterprises) and his Brough. He now had his project so he tuned it accordingly and with help from his buddies, who donated many parts got it running and raced it last year. He has written an article about it and I look forward to reading it after he has returned home.

Kempton Park 2014

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Southern Classic Bike Show 2014

As usual preparations start long before any show with the LE Owners Club night on the last Tuesday of April. I go in the car to let Chris F borrow my bike trailer as his bike is not running yet. I have put in the applications for the club and am waiting for the entry tickets to turn up. They arrive on the Wednesday so I have to post them out to everyone. Paul is having the splines done on the rear wheel of his LE and is pretty sure he will have it back on the road for the event. I have four for the stand. On the club night I collect all the prints and club documents, banner and rope stands for the display from Chris W. I only have to provide staple gun, sellotape and scissors plus a few tools and wire coat hangers (always good to hang something from) pliers, Stanley knife and screw driver. A few days before the event Paul is having trouble getting his splines wheel to fit the drive unit and lets me know that he will be unlikely to get to the show. I am not able to help him as I head for St Ives near Cambridge on the Buell to visit my brother who is on holiday there. I arrive home on the Friday morning and load up the car and pick up George to go to set up the stand at Kempton Park. Its all a bit sunshine and showers here but my trip from St Ives was quite sunny and dry. Friday afternoon and the traffic is not moving as I duck and dive around Heathrow to get to Kempton. Chris F is already there and has his bike, the Police box and manikin PC on the stand. It takes about an hour to get all the posters and pictures on the walls and the banner across the front. The sellotape is not sticking to the backing boards so we will have to staple some posters to them. Bunting is draped up high and other than the staple gun, that I forgot, we only have to turn up on the bikes in the morning.

It is a very wet trip on the Valiant first thing and I get to Kempton just after eight. I am just behind George on his Viper Sports. Chris F arrives a little later. Everything is in place other than Paul. I wait until the last minute before positioning the bikes. Paul does not arrive by the time the show starts. Probably a blessing as there is only really room for three bikes. I like to have enough space to invite people in for a chat or closer look. There is a great deal of interest in the LE's and a few take away application forms. It is quite a busy day. I do get a little time to visit the London Motorcycle Museum stand. Pete and Chris are doing a grand job talking, persuading and handing out fliers. So good are they that all the fliers are gone by mid day. I have a little stash that I carry everywhere with me and hand them over.

I do a little shopping and see a 250 BMW, a little tatty but it was ticking over so sweetly I almost bought it but then where would I put it? My garage is full already! Around four the prizes were handed out. After getting a highly commended last year for the Valiant and the Museum Tiger Cub there was nothing this year. Never mind there are other shows in the pipeline. Best stand this year was the New Imperial and pride of place was the streamlined 125 racer.

A Rocket Gold Star gets best in show and Museum Chris's Gold Star does not get a look in, neither does Trusty. I was hoping to get my wife, Gita, into a nurses uniform to get a cameo set up. Pete's mum did have her own period inform. Perhaps next year.

 I think the peach of the oldies was a very well restored 1911 Raliegh. There were so many good examples of bikes at the show with a WW11 Triumph 350 single getting runner up.

Another MOT

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1911 BSA

It is that time of year again and MOT time for my Velocette LE. I have used Jack Lilys since 1993 when they were first in the High Street in Shepperton and then when they moved to Ashford. The MOT was last Friday and I always feel a little uneasy when I have to be at a destination at a specific time on a 50 year old bike. Needless to say it performed as it should and got me there and home again with no problems. I usually ride a much bigger bike so only having 200cc available you have a different approach to how you ride. Starting with some trepidation with the A312 which is a speedy dual carriage way I expect to be be run over or carved up at any moment but after that it is a much more slow speed journey but still with the same risks. I got to Jack Lilys in plenty of time, got an MOT and made my way home again. Leaving more fliers behind. Pete had been there too as there were still a few left and I also left application forms for the BMCT. On the way home, this time of day, in much heavier traffic I now had the upper hand! I could filter and maintain my progress. All those motorists that whizzed by me only got to the traffic jam sooner, I passed with ease and left most behind. I was well pleased with my trip home and with the traffic, as opposed to the norm of being harassed by impatient drivers.

On Saturday I zipped out to Tescos on it a well and Sunday, after a trip out on the Buell to the Wey Valley Advanced Motorcycle Observed Sundays handing out more flyers for the Museum and the BMCT I was out on the LE again to drop in to the Museum to see what was going on. The Thames Valley Velocette Owners Club had paid a visit the other Sunday Pictures of the bikes is on the Museum Facebook page. Sorry I missed you. I was hanging around to hear Rowley get the Venom Clubman fired up for the first time after rebuilding it. I left before it was started up.

It was a nice sunny afternoon and he was hot and bothered by all the kicking. While waiting I had a close look at our new acquisition the 1911 3 1/2 HP BSA. If you compare it to other machines of that era it was bristling with innovation. BSA had been producing motorcycles since 1906 so had some idea about what they were doing.

On early BSA models the tank badge actually has Birmingham Small Arms in the logo. Later models did not have this. From the outside it had something on the right side that looks like a cloth cap box.

I'm not sure what that was for but the mechanical ideas are very interesting. Heal and toe gear change that operated a Sturmey Archer style hub gear. Unlike the bicycle that you pull the gear into position BSA had used a rod on a screw thread that pushed or pulled it into the right gear. Even the gearbox was connected to the pedal and chain drive.

It must had been a bit heavy to pedal along. The other departure was the type of leather belt used. Instead of using a studded belt they used a link one. I guess that the studded belt ran a bit rough so the linked one would be much smoother.

On the cylinder head is a tap and a pipe that comes from the petrol tank. The carburettor does not appear to have a tickler so I, again, guess that this was a way of getting fuel directly into the engine to aid starting. I think Rowley might need this on the Venom! On the way home I did more filtering on the LE. I think the sun had brought out something nice in the motorists and was quite a pleasant ride.

A BSA or Two

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BSA Rockets

I didn't get out to the ROG's Run the other Thursday as I spent most of the day getting the car ready for Sunday with trying to get the car radio working however I did get out on the Saturday afternoon up to Redpath Studios to pick up some family portraits. It was a relatively quick trip around the M25 and off at junction 18 towards Ammersham and to the Chennies. I left some fliers there for customers and friends who are also keen motorcyclists.

I was out last Sunday with the 2CV car club for Drive It Day. We all drove off from Denby's vineyard along the A25 east to Ightham Mote. A very old and historic house in pleasant grounds. Good for a visit and even better if you belong to the National Trust. There was an impressive line up of Citroens with a couple of cabriolets to add even more style to the day with Gita taking a shine to a three wheeler.

In the evening Trusty made another appearance in the “Crimson Field” but more to what is going on at the Museum. I have found another article from the Classic Motorcycle magazine from December 1998 about the line up of the Rocket series.

In the Museum we have a Road Rocket and a Super Rocket. The Super Rocket is under going restoration and can be seen in the little barn. In amongst the Triumphs' is the Rocket 3 ohc model to add to the line up. What we don't have is the Rocket Gold Star, but we are ever hopeful that one may land on us soon to boost the collection.

The Rocket series of 650s was much loved by many people with excellent power and handling gave the Bonneville a run for its money. In the Museum we also have the unit construction Spitfire in road going and racing forms. It is interesting to see how compact the bikes become when they are of unit construction.