Pioneer Run 2019 pt2

These pictures from the coffee stop at Leonardslee Gardens. Blue skies and an absolutely perfect days riding.

1897 Léon Bollée

1913 Indian 456cc single.

1902 2.75hp Clyde.

Rear brake and stand arrangement on a 1907
Quadrant.

Chris Booth's 1914 Morgan.

1913 770cc Royal Enfield v twin to the left and
1899 2.25hp De Deon Bouton trike to the right.

Stunning 1911 2.25hp Wooler.

Another of the De Deon brigade.

1896 Léon Bollée.

1913 3.75hp Scott.

Léon Bollée detail.

And the Léon Bollée power plant.

1904 Phoenix forecar.

1914 Matchless military machine gun sidecar
combination got a lot of interest.

1912 500cc Arno.

1913 500cc Ariel.

Monet et Goyon Automouche was tagging on but
none-the-less a very interesting machine and unusual to
see one out on the public highway.

1913 997cc American Excelsior alongside my steed, the 1914
Sun, and the military Matchless.

Delightful Rudge Multi.

A wonderfully original Baby Triumph.

Rudge Multi and 1913 Wilkinson.

Pioneer Run 2019 pt1

Just some snaps from today's 80th anniversary Pioneer Run. A fantastic day's riding. Perfect weather and the new route avoided dual and triple carriageway roads wherever possible. Despite the heavy traffic there is something wonderful about riding a route lined with cheery spectators and the gathering of so many early motorcycles in one place is not to be missed.

The 1914 Sun Villiers performed perfectly for my run. The game little machine was let down only by the daft rider who ran out of fuel just after the coffee stop... Big thanks to the Belgian family with the Triumph who kindly agreed to let me buy some fuel from them, then filled the tank and refused any payment.

More pictures to come in subsequent posts but for now a few from the start at Epsom and a brief stop at Verralls.

Proper riding attire for this Indian pilot.

A veteran in multiple senses.

Precision engine fitted to a Bradbury.

This New Hudson is a very civilised steed.

No shrinking violet the Alldays.

Ee gads! A bobbed Black Shadow spectating.

Tasty stock at Verralls.

One of my dream bikes at Verralls.

Sunbeam MCC mag editor Julie Diplock's Triumph.

Austin 7 and Morgan outside Verralls.

My ride - the 1914 Sun Villiers alongside a Douglas outside
of Verralls. The little Sun really did me proud, didn't miss a
beat, climbed all hills in second gear and buzzed along on the
flat at a respectable 30mph.

The Abbins and their globe of death

The Abbins were a French Globe of Death act. Seemingly they were long term sponsored by Monet et Goyon for their bikes and had various sponsors for parts: in the case of this postcard by Brampton chains. Maurice Abbin toured his Globe extensively and certainly came over to the UK. Postcards were distributed as publicity for the act and for the sponsors.

The Abbins Globe of Death postcard.

The Bullet - 100 at 70

This year is hailed as the 70th anniversary of the Bullet. Though there were Royal Enfield models and even bicycles given the name pre-war, the Bullet as we know it today was introduced in 1949.

70 years back the Bullet was bang up to date with swinging arm frame, alloy head, cast alloy chain case and integral oil filter and tank. A way better spec than almost all other bikes on the market at the time.

To commemorate the anniversary the REOC are holding their annual International Rally as a special Bullet-focused event: the aim is to get 100 Bullets turning up. Given the number around that's not too ambitious a goal. In a shrewd move the International Rally is being held in conjunction with the VMCC's fabulous Founders Day event so rally goers get a two in one of attractions.

Bullet owners support this event!

Langa Langa races October 8 1951

Some more pictures from the 'Happy Valley' album. Langa Langa racetrack was at Gilgil near Nakuru in the Rift Valley in Kenya and was originally a WWII lorry driver training ground. The first race at Langa Langa was held in March 1951 and it was closed in 1953 following a fatal accident and the Mau Mau uprising.

A new track opened in 1956 and was called the Nakuru Park Motor Racing Circuit though was still referred to as the Langa Langa circuit (langalanga is Maasai for round and round). Racing continued until 1988 when it was sold to property developers.

All of the captions for the images I have copied from the album.

C Hollyoak takes the bend at Picadilly Circus on a 650cc
Triumph.

An array of well motor cycles in the pits.

H Z Ulyate winning his race for the 2nd meeting in
succession mounted on 998cc Vincent HRD.

On a 498cc Norton Manx N Ziska rides well to finish first
& break the lap record. 

C Davis riding his Triumph GP 498cc over 351cc race
for m/cs.

N Ziska at practice.

P J Dale on 498cc Norton Inter came second to N Ziska.

Bikes I have owned part VII. Teagle cyclemotor

The mighty Teagle. Cornwall's finest.

For a while I got quite into cyclemotors. I had a lot of fun attending cyclemotor runs with friends, really as much fun as I have ever had on more powerful machines.

The Teagle was a real hoot to ride. At a full 50cc it was one of the most powerful cyclemotors but still with a friction roller on the rear wheel. Really it was slightly too quick for a fifties roadster bicycle. Mind, trundling along the flat at a constant 25 to 30mph on a sit up and beg cycle is really a lot of fun.

A full 50cc of revvy willingness.

Teagle were, and still are, an agricultural machinery company who saw the opportunity to diversify and cash in on the early post-war cycle attachment boom. They were already producing the 50cc motor for use in their hedge trimmers and chainsaws and it really did not take a lot of modification to put it on a bicycle.

The Teagle unit is very well made, rev happy and slightly hard work to start with its lack of clutch or decompressor. It also carries the distinction of being possibly the only 'motorcycle' to be made in the county of Cornwall. A rarity now but if you want a cyclemotor and find a Teagle for sale snap it up, you can't do much better. Though rare, parts are in relative easy supply due to vast numbers of this motor produced in other formats. 

The castings give away the original purpose of the
Teagle motor. The cover is designed for a pull
cord start.

This example ran really nicely and seemed to
have been barely used.

Alloy barrel. Very sporty!

Nice simple controls. Brakes and an on / off throttle.

Royal Enfield Model G

A good solid motorcycle, the Royal Enfield Model G. This one a '51 or '52 model I believe. The earlier machines were noted for having a somewhat ugly and bulbous, though eminently sensible, unsprung front mudguard.

This photo is marked on reverse, 'March 18 1956', by this time the humble Model G would have been slightly old hat with its rigid rear.

From the vendor of the photo I got the information that the location is Leamington Hastings in Warwickshire and that the couple are his parents, Miss Doreen Rawbone and Mr David Hillier.

Royal Enfield Model G