News

Track legend Phil Read is guest of honour The show will be a blockbuster, as usual, with crowds of over 30,000 expected to browse the trade stalls, autojumbles and see the hundreds of bikes on display, view the attractions and attend the Bonhams auction, or just saviour the greatest classic motorcycle event in the biker's…

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Arthur Lampkin Held in the Winter Gardens from May 15-19, admission for adults was modest at half a crown (12½p). On the Saturday Alf Hagon (649cc Hagon-Triumph) won the 750cc class at the Blackpool Sprint, while the marginally slower George Brown’s misfiring 998cc Vincent took the 1000cc solo class and LS Bolton (996cc LSB Special…

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Ross Isaacson’s winning image Nick adjudged Ross Isaacson's beautiful moody foresty shot with beams of sunlight breaking through the trees as his favourite. Ross from West Midlands took the picture of the 1940s BSA single in late March 2012 with a Panasonic DMC LX5. His caption read: Almost ready for another day’s riding after wild…

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Dave Shaw and the surprisingly clean Francis-Barnett had just completed 270 gruelling miles in the Exeter Trial Earlier in the weekend, Dave had completed the long-distance Exeter Trial, starting from Bridgwater, Somerset at midnight Friday and completing the 270-mile course in Cornwall, having endured unseasonably cold conditions… Dave’s bike is proof that you don’t need…

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George Povey on his 348cc Ariel On reaching the town (now city) the sun had disappeared so a dip in the sea no longer appealed. Instead, he rode steadily along Madeira Drive. On the return trip home Perseus needed to pedal assist the machine along part of the 11:1 uphill gradient on Reigate Hill. Over…

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Ray Steer was at the VMCC West Kent Section Boxing Day gathering with his American Police spec 1949-50 Ariel Square Four The purchase of an incomplete basket case offered the possibility of creating a replica. It became a long-term project as work commitments took up Ray’s time. Eventually, he enrolled for a local motorcycle restoration…

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TCM tested the Vincent in November 2002 Then there are a couple of Brough Superiors too – an SS80-100 (the model was originally an SS100 fitted with a side valve SS80-type engine, but this one has a pukka ohv JAP V-twin installed) and a rather lovely 1931 SS80 ‘proper’. The ohv job will of course…

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Owned by Northern Irish enthusiast Will Corry, the racing special (the frame was made by racer and constructor Doug Beasley, who made a number of special Velo frames in the 1950s) found its way over the Irish Sea in the early 60s, and has stayed there until recently before coming over to the mainland for…

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May TCM on sale now! This month's contents includes: • Editor's intro • News    • Bristol show    • Subscribe and save    • Race Retro    • Letters    • Phil Read interview    • Classic advert    • Men who mattered (Bill Stuart)    • For various budgets (ohc singles)    • Jerry Thurston column    • Archive photograph    • Which model?…

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Stuart recorded his record breaking run at the Lake Gairdner Speed Trials in South Australia (having earlier clocked 166 and 152mph efforts). He said: “Finally the track was clear and the Big Velo boomed away from the line with its nearly 100mph first gear into a 7-10mph gusting head and slight crosswind. By the time…

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