A visit to the Brooklands Museum pt2

The second post of images from a visit to the Brooklands Museum in a very drawn out series of three posts starting back in May last year...

Not much more to say more than was said in the first instalment other than props to the Brooklands Museum, it's a great day out and even better to visit on an event day.

'Nanette' - Built as a one off for driver Felix Scriven
Nanette was orignally fitted with a 2 litre 'Sage' engine
and in this form was known as 'Mother Goose' (as it was
stuffed with sage!).

Small side room packed with early cycles.

I loved the care taken with this tag on an 11-50 Brough.

And the full Brough Superior 11-50.

1926 works Norton combination 'LPD1' A very original
period record breaker, LPD1 took 14 Brooklands records
and in 1927 (as a solo) was the first motorcycle to maintain
100mph for an hour at Montlhery.

Lovely F W Evans club racing cycle. I'm a big fan
of pre-war Evans. They were beautifully built and
packed in numerous clever features. Very high quality
cycles built to last a lifetime and beyond.

Indian Powerplus 1917

Full view of the 1917 Indian. It's an unconventional
paint scheme for an Indian and I suspect non-original
but it looks great.

Railton Terraplane 1934. I covet this car!! The Railton
was made at Cobham near Brooklands by Reid Railton
(famous builder of several land speed record cars). The
Railton was essentially an American Hudson clothed in
a British body and with 113 bhp on tap it was one of the
fastest vehicles on the road. A 1935 road test clocked its
0-60 mph performance as 8.8 seconds. And the cherry on
top with this particular example is that the first owner was
a certain Eric Fernihough, motorcycle land speed record
racer. A lovely aside about this particular car is that it was
used during a 1934 250cc 500 mile and 12 hour motorcycle
record attempt as a pace car to light the way through the
hours of darkness and to scare off rabbits from the track.

Another view of the Railton.

1910 Kerry Abingdon 3.5hp.

Close up on the 680cc exhaust over inlet
motor of the Museum's spectacular 1920
Martinside-Newman.

The Club House building.

Replica 1909 Bleriot XI. The XI was
the first plane to fly across the English
channel.

1917 Clerget rotary engine in a Sopwith
Camel replica.

Full view of the Sopwith Camel replica.

Veteran, Vintage and Classic Motorcycle events in Europe 2023

The last time this listing appeared was at the beginning of 2020 and we all know what happened thereafter. There didn't seem much point publishing in 2021 and early on in 2022 things didn't look mighty happy either. But here we are in a new year and hopefully we can all look forward to a fun-packed season of vintage and classic motorcycling.

So... read on, make dreams, let your dreams turn in to plans and then head off in to the sunset on your old clunker for adventures unknown. Sometimes needs must and trailers and vans have their place but the most fun is to be had on loading up your steed with panniers full of assorted junk and spares and hitting the road. The journey is as much an adventure as the destination and all that zen and the art of stuff.

Before the listings the usual disclaimer, this is my amateurishly put together diary of events that look interesting, I have heard good things about, I would like to go to or have been to. It's not exhaustive so if you know of something good out there get in touch and it'll be added. Equally as it is not exhaustive it is not necessarily 100% accurate - ie don't use the information here as your sole guide, check dates and locations for yourself and get in touch with organisers. Bikes were made for riding, get out there and do it!

1 to 5 February 2023: Salon Retromobile, Paris, France.
- A sumptuous display of exotic two and four wheelers.

11 and 12 February 2023: Moto Retro Wieze, Wieze, Belgium.
- Billed as Belgium's biggest old bike autojumble.

11 and 12 February 2023: Retro Auto Moto Galicia, Vigo, Spain.
- Car and bike show in Northern Spain 

4 and 5 March 2023: Old Time Show, Forli, Italy.
- Mixed car and bike show.

4 and 5 March 2023: Salon de Reims, Reims, France.
- Mixed car and bike show.

12 to 16 April 2023: Techno Classica Essen, Essen, Germany.
- Large car and bike show.

14 to 16 April 2023: Veterama, Hockenheim, Germany.
- Very big autojumble.

15 and 16 April 2023: Petits Cubes et Vieilles Becanes, Circuit de Belmont sur Rance, France. 
- It's in the event's name, small cc and old - track event on a go kart track for lower powered bikes.

16 April 2023: Horsepower Run, Veenhuisen, Holland.
- Dutch equivalent of the Pioneer Run.

21 to 24 April 2023: Paris Dunkerque Rally, France.
- An event for adventure bike types rather than classics but no reason not to take your old nail along. Non-competitive and looks like fun.

28 to 30 April 2023: John Bull Rally, Belgium.
- Organised by the BSA Owners Club Belgium but open to all old British bikes. Gets great reviews.

10 to 14 May 2023: International FIVA Rally, Brunn am Gebirge, Austria.
- Annual roving rally.

11 to 14 May 2023: IVVMCC Slievenamon pre-31 Rally. Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.
- Gets very good reports.

12 to 14 May 2023: ASI motoshow, Parma, Italy.
- Popular track based Italian show.

12 to 14 May 2023: Tour du Calvados, Normandy, France.

18 to 21 May 2023: Oostblocktreffen, Friesland, Netherlands.
- Eastern Bloc bike rally.

21 to 27 May 2023: Motogiro D'Italia, Italy.
- Hooning around Italy on small bikes! Touring event for big cc lovers too. Finishing the near 1000 mile course on a pre-57 sub 175cc is quite an achievement. 

26 to 29 May 2023: International Ibbenburener Motorrad-Veteranen Rallye: Ibbenburen, Germany 
Big event for pre-war motorcycles.

28 May 2023: Boulogne Bicycle Rally, Boulogne, France.
- A leisurely and tipple fuelled trundle around the former Boulogne Grand Prix Circuit. There's no official website, the whole event is informal. There are vintage cycle happenings in Boulogne the whole bank holiday weekend. A good account of it and some tips here.

26 to 29 May 2023: Tour de Bretagne, Bretagne, France.
- Large gathering of old vehicles in Brittany. Several days of routes through the local countryside.

27 and 28 May 2023: Coupes Moto Legende, Dijon, France.
- All old bike enthusiasts should visit at least once.

2 to 4 June 2023: Royal Enfield Owners Club Greek Branch International Rally: Epidaurus, Greece

- Motorcycle Rally by a Mediterranean beach, sounds wonderful.

4 June 2023: Vuelta a Cantabria, Cantabria Spain. Date tbc
- MC Piston organised. Sure to be a fine event.

4 June 2023: Rando Cyclo, Sars Poteries, France. date tbc
- Event for those who favour fewer horsepower. Looks great, search it yourself online, there are no details currently posted though the date should be correct. There's an account of the 2015 event here.

3 June 2023: Antique Motorcycle Run, Laarne Castle, Belgium.
- Very promising looking pre-1940 run.

17 and 18 June 2023: Cafe Racer Festival: Montlhery, France.
- Popular does what it says on the tin bike event at the fantastic Montlhery circuit near Paris.

21 to 25 June 2023: Wheels and Waves, Biarritz, France.
- New wave custom and classic event. Fully corporate and sponsored to the hilt, never been but several mates have and it gets great reports.

23 to 25 June 2023: Grand Prix de Tours / Chinon Classi, Tours, France.
- Glamorous vintage car and motorcycle parade held around the scenic city of Tours.

24 and 25 June 2023: Grand Prix Historique de Bressuire: Bressuire, France

2 to 8 July 2023: Milano-Taranto, Italy
- Like the Moto G but lower key and possibly more hardcore.

9 July 2023: Stella Alpina Rally, Bardonecchia, Italy.
- Ride up a mountain with fellow enthusiasts.

14 to 16 July 2023: Classic Bikes Chimay, Chimay, Belgium.
- Belgian vintage street racing. I went along a few of years ago. Great fun, proper street racing, Belgian beer. Close to the town. Camp at the circuit for the full experience.

29 and 30 July 2023: Grand Prix Retro au Puy Notre Dame, Puy Notre Dame, France.
- Sounds superb, gets great reports. Hope I can make it along this year or next.

4 to 6 August 2023: Schloss Dyck Classic Days, Jüchen, Germany.
- The German equivalent of the Goodwood Revival.

5 and 6 August 2023: Kaiserseitausfahrt, Munich, Germany.
- Pre-1918 motorcycle run based around a Munich beer garden. Sounds excellent!

5 and 6 August 2023: Journées Coyote: Nogaro Circuit, France.
- Weekend track event. Looks like mostly more recent classics.

12 and 13 August 2023: Biker's Classics: Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium.
- Racing for more recent classics.

19 August 2023: Oldtimerdag Ruinerwold: Ruinerwold, Netherlands.
- Old vehicles take over Dutch town.

19 August 2023: Where is Anna: Mannekensvere, Belgium

- Entertaining looking pre-31 bike run

21 to 26 August 2023: Irish National Rally, Munster, Ireland.
- Popular jaunt through Irish countryside on pre-50 bikes. Fully booked and invite only but could be worth spectating if in the area.

18 to 20 August 2023: Belgian Classic TT, Gedinne, Belgium.
- Belgian road racing.

20 August 2023: Rømø Motor Festival, Fanø Island, Denmark. Date tbc
- Historic beach speed racing, car and bike.

0 August 2023: Oude Klepper Parade, De Haan, Holland.
- Pre-21 motorcycle parade. Dates tbc

26 and 27 August 2023: International Rally Sweden Skåne Rund, Sweden.
- 500km touring event for pre-1946 bikes. Looks great.

26 and 27 August 2023: International Hengelo Rally, Hengelo, Holland.
- Large pre-41 bike rally.

1 to 3 September 2023: Glemseck 101, Glemseck, nr Stuttgart, Germany.

- New wave customs and cafe-racers, corporate sponsorship and hipster drag racing.

8 to 10 September 2023: Imola Mostra Scambio, Imola, Italy.
- Huge Italian autojumble.

8 and 9 September 2023: Hindenburg Dirt Track Races, Lubbenau, Germany.
- American flavoured two and four wheeled retro dirt tack racing. Looks fantastic.

7 to 10 September 2023: Moto Guzzi Open House, Mandello del Lario, Italy. Dates TBC
- The Guzzi factory opens its doors for the weekend and thousands of Guzzisti descend.

13 to 15 September 2023: Trophees Gerard Jumeaux, Circuit Carole, North of Paris, France.
- Classic racing French style.

10 September 2023: Veteranentreffen Oostende, Oostende, Belgium.

15 to 17 September 2023: Circuit des Ramparts d'Angouleme, Angouleme, France.
- Glamorous vintage cars and bikes racing around medieval town.

15 to 17 September 2023: Bol D'Or Classic, Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet, France.

- Good if classic endurance racing is your bag.

23 September 2023: Nationaal Veteraan Treffen, Woerden, Holland

- large and longstanding gathering for all old two wheelers.

17 to 25 September 2023: International Piston Rally, Santander, Spain. Dates tbc
- I've had the pleasure of riding this event a couple of times. Brilliant. The MC Piston lads put on a great, friendly and efficiently run event. Not only that but it is fantastic value. If you like to use your old bike this is an event you will definitely enjoy.

22 to 24 September 2023: Normandy Beach Races, Caen, France.
- Fantastic looking beach drag racing for pre-47 cars and bikes. Dates tbc.

24 September 2020: Montée historique Maurice Violland, Coligny, France. Date TBC
- Promising looking historic hill climb.

30 September and 1 October 2023: Motorrad-Klassikertreffen, Technik Museum Sinsheim, Sinsheim, Germany.

2 to 8 October 2023: Rally de Colombres, Colombres, Spain. Dates TBC
- This is what the MC Piston event started out as. MC Piston moved the rally to Santander and some guys formed a club called Moto Club Indianos and carried on running it as it was.

13 to 15 October 2023: Veterama, Mannheim, Germany.

- Huge autojumble.

21 and 22 October 2023: Franz Josefs Fahrt, Bad Ischl, Germany.
- Large pre-1929 run.

26 to 29 October 2023: Auto Moto d'Epoca, Bologna, Italy.

18 to 20 November 2023: Salon Moto Legende, Paris, France.
- French show. No exact dates available at time of writing.

Finally, other useful listings: 
- The Dutch Veteraan Motoren Club has a good listing with some extra small scale local events too which may be work checking out.
- For Italian events (car and bike are listed) check the ASI site.
- Belgian events at the Oldtimerweb events page.

Another veteran Triumph

It's just that, another veteran Triumph. The survival rate of veteran Triumphs versus other machines of the period and the number of period photos of them that turn up seem to suggest that they were rather popular at the time.

This particular snap is a nice one with very dapper riders and what looks like a new machine (at a best guess 1911) which is nicely accessorised with a curly horn and headlight.

Royal Enfield 570cc combination

Here's a factory promotional photo of the Royal Enfield 570cc combination. I believe it dates from 1939. The pressed steel girder forks are quite a distinctive feature, there was a vogue for pressed steel forks through the thirties. Several manufacturers used them on their smaller-engined models but, as far as I know, Enfield were the only ones to use them on their heavyweights.

The 570cc side-valve model was usually known as the Model L, Yesterdays in the Netherlands offered a similar combination a while back and referred to it as a Model H (which I had thought was normally the 500cc sv?) but on the Enfield promotional photo here there is no model designation at all bar 570cc... confusing...

Ambassador Moped 1961

Ambassador was perhaps the most interesting of the crop of lightweight motorcycle brands that sprung up post WWII. This was largely in part due to the proprietor, Kaye but also because the products were a cut above the average in quality and design.

Irish born and of Polish heritage (his name was Donsky before shortened and anglicised to Don), Kaye Don was the archetypal gentleman racer of the inter-war period. He had served in the Royal Flying Corp in WW1 and post war he raced motorcycles, cars and speedboats and was even involved in land speed record attempts.

To find out more about Kaye Don see:

The Kaye Don Wikipedia page

The Vintagent article on Kaye Don

The Ambassador moped was a brave attempt at a quality British moped to take on the likes of the NSU Quickly and other continental success stories. It was something of a swansong for Don as he retired the year after the Moped was introduced and (perhaps quite astutely) sold the business to DMW just before the real decline in the British Motor Cycle industry fully kicked in.

There is a great write up on the Ambassador Moped on Andrew Pattle's Moped Archive: http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~pattle/nacc/arc0372.htm

________________________

25/01/2023:

I've received this information from Ambassador guru Michael Easton:

There is quite a story behind Ambassador's Moped, but suffice to say that the Ambassador Machine Register currently (Jan 2023) records just seven surviving Ambassador Mopeds. Essentially just re-badged and repainted Solifer Type 47 mopeds from Finland, but with the perfectly good Solifer engine removed and fitted with the not-so-good Villiers 3K engine.

Thank you Michael.

________________________

BSA A65 street tracker

Another post from Japan, this one a street spot from Sasebo. Just at the end of the main shopping arcade in the city I spied this sweet BSA A65 outside of a barbers shop.

Of course Japan is known for its mastery of the art of motorcycle customisation and this Beesa is a really right looking subtly modified bike.

Royal Enfield v twin at the Rahmi Koc Museum

A couple of pictures of the 1921 Royal Enfield 6hp (770cc) Model 180 v twin at the Rami Koc Museum in Istanbul.

If you are ever in Istanbul the museum is excellent and well worth visiting. It is housed in a former Byzantine shipyard, the theme is the history of industry and the collection is eclectic and wide ranging.