First I just want to apologise to everyone for being so slack recently, I’ve had severe writers block. It has been really fustrating!
In an attempt to shift this block of mine I thought I would share with you a few pictures from the “Real Classic” motorcycle show. To be honest this isn’t normally my bag but my Grandad was showing off his bike so I made an exception, jumped in the car and headed down.
It turns out that my skeptisim was mis-placed. The show had some real gems there and along with the help of some very knowledgable bike lovers there was enough to keep me interested all afternoon! Here are some of the highlights.
This 1961 Triumph/Matchless has been with it’s owner for 38 years.
1961 Triumph/Matchless Special 650hp
An Ariel Model A – Made in Selly Oak, Birmingham
1929 Ariel Model A 557cc
Perhaps the best named bike here. This “Flying Squirrel” was one of the fastest bikes in its day, the engine is a water cooled 2 stroke.
1947 Scott Flying Squirrel 596cc
They managed to pack quite a lot of classic bikes in to one place.
…and the punters squeezed even more outside…
A 1961 Motom Racer….with only 5bhp!
1961 Motom Racer 50cc/5bhp
It wasn’t all bike, there was something for the car enthusat… well sort of anyway!
Morgan
Morini Racer F3 with a Malanca Chassis, it raced in the Italian F3 Juniors
1971 Morini Racer F3 165cc/15bhp
This BMW brings to life the family stories of a bike and sidecar being the family car back in the day.
1961 BMW R60 600cc
Reading was an American company based in Pennsylvania USA who built (mainly) V-Twin machines from 1903 – 1922. This was one of many American bikes at the show.
1917 Reading Standard T 1100cc 8bhp
A beautiful example an Indian built in Springfield
1941 Indian 741 Scout 600cc
This 1961 Harley was imported from US in 1990
1961 Harley Davidson FLH Duo-Glide 1200cc
This 1956 Douglas Dragonfly is great example of the passion and dedication that goes into these machines. This bike was found in 1979, in bits … in a box … in a loft! It took 6 years to rebuild and a lot of hunting for replacement parts. It has since gone on to win multiple awards.
1956 Douglas Dragonfly 348cc
There were even some hidden gems in the car park.
With a top speed of 43mph this 1958 Motom “SS” has an average fuel comsumption of 226mpg!
1958 Motom 48 “SS” Super Sport 48cc 2.6bhp
A beautiful Norton JPS replica signed by Peter Williams himself!
1972 Norton JPS Commando 750cc
This bike has the best history there, the owner found it in a ditch on his way home from school in 1967 and he has tinkered with it ever since!
1942 Norton 16H WD 490cc
This 1932 New Imperial TT was the first 250cc machine to lap the mighty Brooklands at over 100mph
1932 New Imperial TT 260cc
This was my bike of the day, over 100 years old with the most amazingly complex controls!
1909 FN 2 1/2 Lightweight 250cc
1909 FN 2 1/2 Lightweight 250cc
1969 BSA Bantam – one of a couple of bantams there, this is for you Jo.
1969 BSA D14/4 Bantam 175cc
1940 BSA Bantam – Brought for £10 in 1940
1949 BSA Bantam D1 123cc
…and finally the star of the show, Grandad’s bike! The same model that he rode in his bachelor days, he got this bike on his retirement and 14 years later it finally made it out of his shed!
1958 BSA C10L 249cc
1958 BSA C10L 249cc
1958 BSA C10L 249cc
I hope you guys enjoyed this. I promise that motorsport is back on the agenda for my next post. Please don’t forget to share this if you like it and why not subscribe or ‘like’ Reuben likes Motorsport on Facebook.
