Dorset VMCC Giants Run 2021

A fantastic day of vintage motorcycling today with big thanks to the Dorset Section of the VMCC. Coming at the end of a heatwave rain was threatened but the weather for the ride remained fine. A great turn out of girder forked machines from across the country came along and a gentle ride in the company of gentle folk around the scenic lanes of North Dorset ensued with the obligatory stop to say hello to that chalk fellow with the large todger, after whom the run is named.

Below nothing more than a series of snaps of some of the wonderful machinery present...

Sunbeams were out in force.

This Panther won my prize for sweetest
sounding bike of the day. 

 

Nice to see an unrestored Brough. This one a
SS80 from (I believe) 1939.

Another Sunbeam.

Brace of Douglases (Dougli?)

Hard to believe that a side valve bike could be as
loud as this racey Sunbeam was.

Another lovely Panther, this one with the rare twin
headlights fitted.

And the equally rare instrument binnacle fitted
to the Panther.

And winner of my 'bike I would most
like to take home'  prize was this ohc
Humber.

Full view of the ohc Humber. A very proper vintage
sporting motorcycle.

Sweet late vintage Royal Enfield.

Immaculate James v-twin is a local
regular.

This fella keeps the James safe from harm!

The chap who owns this Matchless had entered his
vintage Sunbeam but it was not ready in time. Instead
he turned up on this Matchless G50CSR 'Golden
Eagle' rep. Pretty much a correct rep in every respect
and fitted with a genuine G50 motor.

Rod Hann's lovely v-twin Sunbeam.

I was quite taken by this super rare
Royal Enfield Model J. It's a 1938
model and is very correct. Look at
the pressed steel forks, a vogue of the
time but only Royal Enfield fitted them
to larger capacity machines.

The Royal Enfield J is fitted with the correct and very
rare Amal tidy levers and rubber mounted handlebars.

I didn't manage to speak to the owner
but the Enfield J appeared to have spent
some time in France judging by a couple of
parts fitted. I've never seen pillion rests like
these before. They appear to be quickly adjustable
and are marked 'R Merat'.

Final view of the Enfield J showing the rare levers
and twist grip some more.

A pair of appropriate spectators.

Option instrument binnacle on a 1931 BSA Sloper.

The '31 Sloper also sports the correct Amal air filter.

Gorgeous Rex Acme with Blackburne
engine.

Vincents can legitimately enter a girder fork run.

Lovely Dart JAP from 1918. Quite a
nippy machine I tagged along behind it
for a while on my '27 Triumph and we had
to push a little to keep up.

This Ariel was a lockdown left over parts project
but doesn't show it one bit.

Girders, girders, girders.

Rare to see one Rex Acme let alone two in the same
place. This side valve model is slightly later than
the Blackburne-engined ohv one but equally charming.

Cammy Velo.

Last but very definitely not least. A rare
sight on our shores, side valve Sarolea
from Belgium.