MORE ON MONTY

Further to your articles on Geoff Monty, here is a new interpretation of the GMS. It was built in Canada by Ken Rosevear and based on old photos of Monty’s specials.
Ken scaled the dimensions of the frame and swinging arm from the photos and then built the whole thing, including the fuel and oil tanks as well as a new crankshaft for the DB32 engine. Bore and stroke are 76 x 76.6mm, coincidentally the same as a 350cc Manx. It presently puts out about 37hp at the rear wheel, driving through a TT Industries’ six-speed gearbox.
The only real departure from Monty’s design is that Ken opted to use a single front downtube in the frame for clearance around the exhaust pipe. The front fork and brake are Ceriani, while the Yamaha RD350 rear wheel incorporates a cush drive.
Ken’s a qualified machinist and was one of the original R&D crew at Bombardier in the early days of the Can-Am motorcycle project. His Goldie was recently entered in its first race and won, with Dave Roper riding in AHRMA’s 350GP class at Roebling Road Raceway in Savannah, Georgia, at the end of February 2008.
John Cooper, Aurora, Ontario, Canada

BRIAN WARWICK

I met Brian Warwick, who is a longstanding family friend, last weekend and he was well impressed to see his name in print again, this time 40 years after a photograph was first taken. (April 2008, Page 74 Elliot/Warwick number three), however it was a shame he was just out of shot. Please carry on with more of these ‘scrambling’ articles from the 1960s and 70s – I’d especially like to see something on the origins of schoolboy scrambling in the 1960s.
Keith Davis, via email

ROY RICHARDS TRIBUTE

There has been a sad loss to the motorcycle world heritage. Roy Richards was one of the great collectors, and over many years collected the best of British motorcycles. He saved many from oblivion and restored them to their former glory.
I believe there are three types of people in this world. The first being ‘Dreamers’, the second being ‘Knockers’ and the third being ‘Doers’.
Roy Richards was a ‘Doer’; in fact he was a ‘Doer’ twice over after, with sheer determination, he rebuilt his museum after the tragic fire in 2003 that destroyed so much.
Roy also had the foresight that a museum cannot stand up on its own without serious financial support, so he built the banqueting halls to generate support for his passion.
Roy’s passing is a great loss but he leaves behind his passion and collection that is a lasting testament and tribute to his life.
Sammy Miller, New Milton, Hampshire

MOTORCYCLE STAMPS

Having seen the article on the Maltese motorcycle stamps in the January issue of TCM, I have been spurred on (if a little late) to write to you regarding the subject of motorcycles featured on worldwide stamps. Following the TT centenary I saw the latest set of stamps and I have started to collect the Isle of Man stamps featuring all past TT racing.
I have been bent double over tables piled high with stamps at local stamp fairs looking for these stamps. I have managed to collect all the TT stamps from 1974 to date and now expanded into worldwide motorcycle stamps.
Countries such as Burkina Faso and the Maldives produce a good selection, whereas the UK issue few.
I would be interested to hear from any readers – fellow philatelists – on the subject.
John Spring, via email