Zenith Gradua v-twin

Lucky man has one of the finest machines of the day. A JAP engined v-twin Zenith Gradua from (at a guess) 1918 or 1919. Took a while to identify the cycle but the unusual kick start mechanism is very distinctive as is the gradua gear pulley handle on top of the petrol tank.


Zenith Gradua c1918



Triumph 3HW with leopard print seat

Chap looks happy with his civilianised ex-WD Triumph 3HW. Cheapo ex-army bike modernised with leopard print dual seat represented motorcycling reality for many in postwar austerity Britain. Big leather gauntlets are the only concession to riding gear but the black suede 'brothel creeper' boots are a nice touch of style.

Ex-WD Triumph 3HW.

Another flat tank Triumph

Judging by the number of old photos of twenties Triumphs around you could think that every other cycle back in the day was a Model P. Here's another, looks to be mid-twenties with a smartly turned out gent astride posing in an english country garden.

Triumph Model P in an english country
garden.

BMW R100RS Baglux tank cover

The latest step in re-invigorating the Beemer R100RS to grand tourer par excellence status is a Baglux tank cover. I'm over the days of fitting a magnetic tank bag that picks up any stray swarf from around the shed and then scours your pride and joy's paintjob. The Baglux is a neat system, a made to measure tank cover specific to your bike and then a choice of tank bags to clip on and off.

I ordered from Motorcycle Heaven on the sole basis that they were one of the few who listed the cover for BMW airheads and the price was keen. A tip for anyone else ordering - if you buy the cover first they send you a 10% off voucher that you can then use against the tank bag. Postage is free on both. To save everyone time and money you might as well get in touch, request the discount and buy both together. The cover is made to order so the lead time was about three weeks.

Fit on the cover is excellent. I ordered it in 'anthracite' which I have always pictured as very dark grey. Baglux's version of anthracite is a grey blue. In other circumstances I might have sent it back but by good fortune it compliments the 100RS's light blue colour scheme pretty well.

Nearly all ready now for a trip to Chimay for the Classic races next month.

BMW R100RS Baglux tank cover.

A Royal Enfield Ensign named Poodle

This picture is annotated with the date, October 1953, and the following:

Royal Enfield "Ensign"
150cc
"Poodle"

You've got to assume that 'Poodle' was the Enfield's nickname rather than the rider's. Either way a smartly turned out Ensign replete with the full gamut of period accessories; panniers, frame and rack, legshields and windshield with skirt.

Royal Enfield Ensign 150cc.

Australian record breaking Fafnir

This came to me as a cutting, I've no idea of the original publication. No problems identifying the bike, not many shout the marque quite so loud as this Fafnir. Fafnir was a German manufacturer, I cannot quite identify the year of the machine though 1905 would be a pretty good guess.

More interesting though is the caption, 'Mr W E Peverill of Melbourne, the first motor cyclist to ride overland from Melbourne to Brisbane. He returned South on March 20.' No doubt a major expedition of a journey back in the day. I've had a trawl through the web and cannot find any other reference to this journey but Mr Peverill did not stop with this one ride, he later became a regular in Australian long distance records and reliability trials.

This reference to him from the Sydney Morning Herald 12 June 1912 makes for good reading:

'24-hour motor-cycle record.

The course was from Keilor to Gisborne, Victoria, and a start was made at 25 minutes past 9 o'clock on last Wednesday night. The distance covered was 522 miles on a motor cycle fitted with Barnet glass tyres. The previous record was 517 miles, by P. O'Brien. There were 11 hours of night riding against 8 hours done by the previous holder. However, Mr. Peverill put up some of his fastest travelling during the night. Accidents were numerous; bad roads and straying cattle. Towards the end of the run the rider was thrown from his machine through contact with a cow, and his machine was considerably .damaged. He thus lost about two and a half hours. Mr. Peverill experienced no engine or tyre troubles throughout the journey. His acetylene lamps were a constant source of trouble, and for many miles he frequently carried the lamp in his hands. At the last stages of the run Mr. Peverill was so numbed with the cold that the checkers at the turning-point had to lift and remount him on his motor cycle. Mr. Haines, post-office, Gisborne, and several residents attended to the checking at the Gisborne end, and Mr. Allen, of Keilor, and other residents checked at the Keilor end.'

W E Peverill and his record-breaking Fafnir.

footnote:

Thanks to Bob McGrath for this extra information:

'WE Peverill lived in Nolan St, Maryborough, about 100 miles outside Melbourne. Keilor and Gisborne are townships about 22 miles apart on the Melbourne-Maryborough road so were familiar to Mr Peverill.

Melbourne to Brisbane is some 1125 miles. Double the distance there and back was some feat pre WWI. Those old boys were tough.'

Greeves 24TE and 24TES Scottish brochure 1962

Brochure for the 1962 Greeves trials models 24TE and 24TES. The TE had an iron barrel and the TES was fitted with Greeves' own alloy barrel and head. The bikes were popularly known as 'Scottish' models though there is no mention of that name on the brochure. The engine was the Villiers 32A 250cc, there was also a 20TE iron barrel model fitted with the Villiers 197cc 9E motor.

Great bikes, I've used a Scottish in the Edinburgh trial and finished though without award. I also had a crack at the Exeter less successfully. To be honest the Villiers motor isn't really the right tool for a long distance trial. To gear it and have a high enough state of tune to cover distances between sections you have to give up a lot on tractibility. I found the engine baulked a lot on the hills. Having said that some guys compete on Francis Barnetts so maybe I should persevere and find the right level of tune...

Greeves Scottish brochure page 1.

Greeves Scottish brochure page 2.