Red Devil Motors: Summer's over

The end of a long summer of riding events. Of course it doesn't mean that riding is over as we hit autumn and winter but given that for me motorcycling is currently a hobby rather than a necessity, and I don't take a lot of joy in riding in the rain, two wheeled activities are going to be lessened over the next few months.

With the ending of lockdown there was a frenzy of events over the summer and plenty of opportunities to get out and ride with like-minded enthusiasts. Many of my events were local and with the Dorset Section of the VMCC. The section has excellent write ups on each event on their own site so there's not much sense in duplicating. Here though is a quick round up of odds and sods snaps taken over the season at various runs and events.


I love an unrestored bike and this BSA C12 is a nigh on perfect example of one.

Plus the C12 is a local bike. Here's the dealer's plate
from Pankhurst. I've got hazy childhood memories of
Pankhurst having a storage area in Dorchester that was
above a supermarket in the high street. You could make an
appointment to go along and have a browse through
their stock of elderley and unwanted machines
accumulated through the ages and put in an offer if
something took your fancy. That must have been
sometime in the eighties.

BSA Starfire, in my mind one of the best looking
bikes of the sixties.

Another angle on the Starfire with vintage Ariel
and Velocette Venom in the background.

Benelli 650S Tornado, a rare bird in the UK.

Rigid Velocette MAC.

BSA BB34 Gold Star touring.


'Norton Superior' special. Built using a '30s Norton frame and an ohv Matchless engine from a Morgan. Peculiarly though made by Matchless they never fitted the engine in their own bikes and it was only ever used by Morgan and Brough Superior. The original constructor of this special was an ex engineer at Morgan and the bike featured in Classic Bike magazines 'Machines of the year' competition.

Close up on the 'Norton Superior'. On
this particular ocassion it had an audience
so was naturally a recalcitrant starter!

Riley RMA at the Dorset VMCC's car and bike night.

Austin Healey 3000 the same evening.

The Riley RMA flapping its wings.

And the shapely rear of the Austin Healey 3000.

Vincent Series C Black Shadow.

One owner from new BMW R75/5.

Triumph 500 unit Trophy.

Rickman Kawasaki Z1000.

Close to chopper perfection with this
Shovelhead.

Shovel again at Dr Jumbles' autojumble at
Wimborne. A great event though the day was
possibly too warm for comfortable autojumbling.

Not often one sees a Bultaco cafe racer, not sure
why because this is one sweet bike.

Well done to whoever came along two up on this
Lambretta Model D.

Really well executed Enfield Bullet chop. Nice
and restrained with clean lines.

Look who's bought a Brooklands can. The panniers
coming in useful on my Norton Dommi.

It fits. Just!

I love to see original dealer's badges on a bike. This
one is on a cammy Norton and a peach. Jack Ehret
was a Sydney motorcycle dealer known for holding
the Australian land speed record with a Vincent.