Issue 38
December 2017
NEWSLETTER O F THE BRITISH MO TORCYCLE CHARITABLE TRUST
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With the future of the London Motorcycle Museum in doubt due to increased rent demands from the local council, LMM Chairman James Crosby set out on an epic fund raising ride on his Triumph Tiger Cub. This is his story - with additional updates (in italics) by brother Sam Crosby, via Facebook. So, it's all set. One Man & His Cub, Part 1. Our chairman James Crosby be taking his little Triumph Tiger Cub 2,500 miles (minimum), in 2 weeks, across the country to help raise money for the London Motorcycle Museum. Leaving on 7th October. If anyone would like to donate go to the JustGiving page: h ttps://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/one-man-and-his-cub or search for JustGiving and from their home page enter one man and his cub in the search box. Thank you in advance for anyone who donates, it’s greatly appreciated. I will be attempting to take my freshly restored 1964 Triumph Tiger Cub on a 2,500mile trip, over 2 weeks from Land’s End to John O’ Groats while also taking in the highest and lowest roads, the narrowest and widest roads, the most easterly and westerly roads, and the most northerly and southerly roads of Great Britain. The journey was inspired by the "Gaffer's Gallop" taken by then Triumph chairman Edward Turner in 1953 on a Triumph Terrier from Land’s End to John O’ Groats, to prove the bike’s 100+mpg claims. All money raised is going to the museum’s charitable trust, so the repair cost as well as the fuel, food and accommodation on this trip is being paid for by James, and not coming out of your donations. First day is complete, 77 miles done. Long day planned for tomorrow... After a comparatively easy first day of 77miles yesterday today James has done
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284 miles from Southampton on his way towards Land’s End. Just left Crediton (past Exeter) after fantastic lunch 130 miles so far today, another 93 to go... End of day 2, tomorrow sees me to Lizard Point, Land’s End then up to Bristol, about 250 miles to do... Had a spot of bother on the side of the A30 just outside of Exeter yesterday afternoon having been to Lizard and Land’s End and
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heading for Bristol. Turned out to be a bent exhaust valve. Been relayed home by 3 very nice men of the AA last night and into the early hours of this morning. Had the head off and replaced the valve this morning, just going to put it back together and re-plan my route from home onwards. The Cub and I will not be beaten! The Cub is fixed! Tomorrow will see me back on track and heading for the most easterly road at Lowestoft. The bit I have now missed I will revisit on my way back down from Scotland. I was hoping to be able to post a ‘before and after’ of my speedo mileage today, but alas after 100 miles it decided it had had enough and stopped working again! Today saw me take the short ride from my overnight accommodation to the most easterly point of the UK, and then I headed across to Meriden, the geographical centre of England, while also visiting the old Meriden Triumph works, or rather the stone that commemorates it, where my bike was built in 1964. Tomorrow its upwards to Durham for my next overnight stop, then, into Scotland! Again, apologies for the lack of updates, had a small electrical problem that saw me broken down and had to be relayed by the AA. Spent yesterday finding and fixing the problem which turned out to be a faulty horn/ button sucking all the power. Back on the road again this morning from Durham and am currently having a nice cup of tea at Alnwick Services on my way to Scotland. Made it to Scotland and up to Edinburgh yesterday, today did a short hop up to Dundee due to the wind and rain. Tomorrow should be a good one as I'm off to Inverness and possibly Loch Ness depending on how long I can last. This is much harder physically than I thought it would be... I took the scenic route today over Scotland’s highest road. And what a road it was. Through the clouds, twists, turns, straights, it had it all. The Cub handled the 20% gradient hills, both the up (just) and the down (just) and I think I survived it too. Not even the wind and the rain that managed to find a way through my so called waterproof trousers (in the usual place) could dampen the smile on my face when I'd got to the end. Tomorrow I'll be heading around Loch Ness and up the east coast probably another 120/150miles Yesterday saw me ride all the way round Loch Ness on one of the best roads I have seen on my entire trip. Again, it had twists and turns, straights, and the while time you have the Loch on one side of you. Today I left Golspie (my overnight yesterday) and I headed up to John O Groats, then onto Dunnet Head (the most northern mainland point) and around the coast to Durness (the most northern village) where I'm staying tonight. I'm sorry I look so miserable in the photo (far right) but it was very cold, very windy and very wet! What a day James and his Tiger Cub have had, more nice roads and today he reached 2 more of his landmarks. He reached John
Front cover photo: BMCT trustee John Kidson hands over our latest acquisition, the ex- Bill Beevers / Noel Stephenson / Ben Noble 1960 350 Manx Norton, to Matthew Richardson, Curator of Social History at the Manx Museum in Douglas, Isle of Man. The bike will go on long term loan to form an important part of a new display at the museum in 2020.
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O'Groats and got the stamp for his certificate and after that headed to Dunnet Point the most northerly point of the UK mainland. Easy to think that now he has reached the top his epic journey is over, but he now has the most westerly point to take in before heading back south and back to the museum. This whole trip is of course to raise funds for our museum and thank you everyone who has helped get us to 40% of the £2500 target. Been a hectic few days, I left Durness on Friday morning and made it to Ullapool, completing the NW500 route, and then disaster, about 30 miles south of Ullapool I nipped the piston rings and had to be relayed back to Durham by the AA. Had the rings freed by Sunday afternoon and set off again Monday morning on my quest for Ardnamurchan the most westerly mainland land point, just over half way there now! The westerly point evades me once again! It was simply too far to and back to my booked hotel and with the rain this morning, the spray on the smaller roads was making for some very slow progress. But tomorrow is another day and I will be heading to Ardnamurchan to compete the compass set! Today James had planned to ride to the most westerly point on the UK mainland but today the weather was the biggest hindrance slowing him down. He decided to go straight to his stop for tonight and carry on tomorrow. Still 116 miles today and closer to finishing the points of the compass. Remember you can still donate and amount no matter how big or small it all helps After 25 miles of today's going, the little Cub was revving but not going anywhere. I pulled over and affected a repair in a car park in the pouring rain and set off again, all seemed to be going well until it started to play up again. I found a local garage, who very kindly lent me a, dry corner of their workshop, and I set about adjusting the clutch up. I was done within about 20 minutes and set off again, but it was slipping like a bitch. Went back again and tried adjusting it again, still slipping. No matter what I did nothing would work. Turned out to be a stripped clutch adjuster screw and locking nut. Got one being posted out tonight to be here in the morning.
roadside attempt at adjusting it and a bit further down the road some very friendly locals let him use a corner of there workshop to take the cover off and get to bottom of it. With some parts posted next day he should be on his way again in no time. Remember James is doing all this to help the museum raise some money so thanks to everyone who has donated and if you wish to do so just follow the link to the JustGiving page. 27 October: FINALLY the Cub and I made it to our final landmark at Ardnamurchan Lighthouse, the most westerly point of the British mainland. That's now, Lizard for the most southern, Lowestoft for the most easterly, Dunnet Head for the most northern and Ardnamurchan for most westerly. 1981 miles covered and I'm finally starting to head south again and homeward.
A productive few days for James and Tiger Cub. Friday, he rides south heading for England and to meet a friend who has picked up a new clutch to cure the worsening clutch slip problem. As you can see the clutch caused some problems as you can see how much he had to stop along the way. The next day saw him carry on this journey with a plan to swap the clutch roadside and carry on his way but a weirdly timed electrical fault lead to the bike being worked on back at the workshop instead. New clutch fitted, and he was back on the road heading south passing through the Yorkshire dales on 164 miles ride. James has covered 2,318 miles so far on the Cub and is nearly home. Fairly uninteresting update in afraid, but I'm nearly home and heading for the sight of the first break down and the only part of Land’s End to John O Groats I haven't completed! Today James and the Tiger Cub did another 161 miles briefly crossing the border in to Wales, so he can now say this trip has taken him to all 3 countries of the mainland. Sorry Wales we know you got a bit neglected but maybe next trip. From there it was further south to Bristol for his stop for tonight. Tomorrow should see him travel further south back to the sight of his first breakdown when he bent the exhaust valve on a very long hill a James had hoped to reach the most westerly few hours after leaving Land’s End. James will point of the UK mainland yesterday but a be redoing this leg of the trip and that bent worsening clutch slip problem lead to a wet exhaust valve will be with him as it was glued
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to the inside of the oil cap and has been acting as a dip stick ever since. James trip will soon be coming to an end but he still has some work to get to the £2,500 total he was aiming for so any donation No matter how big or small is welcome. 2,611 miles done on the Cub now and another chunk of the country covered. Tomorrow should see me home at long last! Today James and the Cub set off from Bristol, taking in the amazing sight of Clifton Suspension Bridge, before heading south to Sourton Cross the site of his first break down when the valve got bent. This time there’s no Hallowe’en horror and bike’s all ok. James has now surpassed the 2,500 mile mark and is just over the 50% to the £2,500 fundraising target, and more donations are very welcome. November 1st. James has made it back to London after 3½ weeks and 2,821 Miles taking in Land’s End to John O'Groats, the 4 points of the compass of the UK mainland, all 3 countries of the mainland, the highest altitude roads in both England and Scotland and a trip around Loch Ness. HE HAS DONE IT! A huge Thank You to everyone for following his progress on the trip, for liking and sharing his posts and in particular everyone who has donated so far. We still have a way to go to reach that total, so the work will continue. Also, a big Thank You to everyone who helped along the way with a bed for the night or a workshop to fix (or bodge) the bike. And lastly Thank You from everyone at the London Motorcycle Museum to James and his plucky little Cub for taking on this epic ride.
UPDATE: AS WE GO TO PRESS THE TOTAL RAISED SO FAR IS £2,192. YOU CAN STILL DONATE VIA THE JUSTGIVING PAGE, OR SEND A DONATION TO JAMES CROSBY AT THE LMM, RAVENOR FARM, OLDFIELD LANE SOUTH, GREENFORD UB6 9LB
BM CT A N D M A N X N AT I O N A L HE R I TAG E The BMCT trustees are pleased to announce that the Trust’s latest acquisition is a unique 1960 350 Manx Norton with extensive Isle of Man racing history. After an approach from the Manx Museum in Douglas, who were aware the machine was coming up for sale, we were delighted to step in to purchase the bike and help preserve and exhibit it for the benefit of future generations. While there’s nothing particularly rare about a Manx Norton, this bike is very special in that not only does it have a continuous race history, and only three owners from new, but it remains in pretty much the same condition as when it was last raced in the Isle of Man in 1996. This sets it apart from the majority of similar machines that have been restored to as-new condition, losing the patina that only comes from years of hard use and constant modification to try and find that extra bit of speed. Bill Beevers of Sheffield was the first owner of our Norton. Bill had been racing since the early 1930s, and wasn’t just a solo rider, he was pretty handy on sidecars, too. After a long career 1960 was to be his final TT, as at 55 he wasn’t going to be eligible for any more TT races, and he went to the Isle of Man armed as usual with Manx Nortons, on which he finished 6th (Sidecar), 35th (Senior) and 44th (Junior, on the machine you see here). After the TT, the 350 was sold to Noel Stephenson of Hull, who raced it in the Junior Manx Grand Prix for five years, with a best result of 12th place in 1964. In late 1965, Driffield electrician Bernard (Ben) Noble bought the bike from Stephenson to replace his 500 cc BSA Gold Star, and kept it for the next fifty-two years! Ben raced it in the Junior Manx Grand Prix ten times between 1966 and 1976 (with a best result of 26th in 1972), and in the Junior Classic Manx Grand Prix on thirteen occasions, achieving a highest of 19th place in both 1984 and 1985. In all those years he only suffered three non-finishes, a remarkable achievement given the punishment machines receive during the course of a race on the arduous Mountain Circuit. There was success on the mainland short circuits too, as Ben competed at the likes of Darley Moor, Mallory Park, Scarborough, Brands Hatch and Oulton Park. In our next issue we hope to reproduce some of Ben’s copious notes from the racing log books he kept over his long period of ownership. Preserved in the same condition as when last raced in 1996, this unique bike will become an important part of a new TT & Manx Grand Prix exhibition opening at the Manx Museum in 2020.
Our photos show (clockwise from top right): Bill Beevers with the then new 350 Manx at the TT in 1960; Noel Stephenson at the 1964 Manx Grand Prix, the bike now sporting its distinctive red Peel fairing; Ben Noble (centre) with BMCT trustees John Kidson (left) and Mike Penn, directly after the sale at which the BMCT bought the bike; Noel Stephenson again, this time in the 1963 Junior Manx Grand Prix; the auction room at Sledmere House near Driffield where the sale was held; Ben Noble in action at the 1991 Junior Classic Manx Grand Prix. Thanks to BMCT member Bill Snelling at FoTTofinders Bikesport Photo Archives for help with the images.
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Our Man in France Mike Ricketts ventures to Italy to bring us this report from the Moto Guzzi Museum. In October this year, I was lucky enough to spend a couple of days in Milan to visit the MV Agusta and Moto Guzzi Museums. The Moto Guzzi Museum is in the company factory at Mandello del Lario, on the shores of Lake Como, Northern Italy. It is easily accessed by Public Transport and the Museum entrance is opposite the Railway Station. The Museum is strange in that admission is free but it only lasts for ONE hour (although this is extended to 2 hours in July) and it is closed in August. You assemble at one of the old factory gates, book in with a Security Guard and then your hour starts. There is a lot to see in a short space of time (over 150 bikes) and the displays are spread across a number of rooms, on a number of floors. The bikes The range of bikes on display is impressive, with many examples of their road going machines and military variants to see. For me though, the Show Stoppers are the GP bikes like this 1955 World Championship winning 350cc (above) ridden by Bill Lomas. Moto Guzzi Museum, Via Emanuele Vittorio Parodi 63/67, 23826 Mandello del Lario LC, Italy
N S on I D T O R are supported by detailed informationIboards the EwallsSdescribing the Moto Guzzi history. As you leave the Museum there is a small Book and Gift Shop that keeps the same hours. Any visit to the Moto Guzzi Museum though is dominated by two words - Otto Cilindri - the almost mythical V8 Grand Prix bike that they built in the 1950s. The bike (above) made its debut in the 1955 season at the Belgian GP. It was very fast but only on certain circuits and the engine offered performance beyond the then capability of the tyres and suspension systems of the time. It never actually won a GP as it was dogged by mechanical problems
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BMCT members Heidi and Anth Andrews sent us this panoramic shot taken at their annual Bike Life Classics Day at the Sammy Miller Museum. We’re pleased to say that the BMCT will be taking a stand at next year’s event, scheduled for Sunday 24th June 2018. Put the date in your diary, it’s a great day out.
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August Bank Holiday Sunday saw 100+ riders take part in the annual Sammy Miller Run through the New Forest. The BMCT once again sponsored the brass Finishers’ Awards.
who are owners of ALL post-war 1940s classic cars and motorcycles to come and participate in this very special weekend event, which is to be held in conjunction with our annual RollsRoyce Enthusiasts’ Club (RREC) Rally & Concours at Burghley House, next 22-24 June 2018. As well as having all models of 1940’s cars and motorcycles on display and to help create the atmosphere, participants will be encouraged to wear period dress with ‘best costume’ prizes awarded, along with period stalls, book signings, exhibitions, presentations and more. We would like to have your presence to share the experience with other significant Classic Marques, American and Continental, that either launched or exhibited at the Earls Court Motor Show in the The Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club are opening their doors and 1940's. holding a special celebration to mark a unique moment in British motor manufacturing history, by presenting a 70th year Tribute to If you have a 1940s classic and wish to take part in this, contact the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show. We are inviting your members the Chairman at leclerc.g@sunrise.ch
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Welcome to the following new Associate Members and supporters of our cause: Jacqueline Legg WAREHAM Phil Hobbs SOUTHAMPTON Steve Lee HOOK Emma Connolly YEOVIL Roland Lewis-Evans POOLE Andre Bates BRIDGWATER Les Bishop DUNOON Shaun Newcomb LYMINGTON Martin Window WATERLOOVILLE Christopher Curtis DUDLEY David Rhodes-Francis BASINGSTOKE Brenda Willis SOUTHAMPTON Gurch Samra LUTTERWORTH Andrew Rowntree WARWICK Sylvia Walker SOUTHAMPTON Alan McCord BRACKNELL Derek Verney NEW MILTON Tony Osborne STANFORD-LE-HOPE John Maxim LITTLEHAMPTON Carole Foot WEYMOUTH Clive Flood EXETER Richard Archdeacon HOUNSLOW
Gary Broadhurst EXETER Adrian Quinn NUNEATON Kathryn Quinn NUNEATON Peter Robinson BRACKNELL Colin Thomas NORTHAMPTON Nick Waters CHRISTCHURCH Anthony Gurr REDDITCH Craig Jones RHYL Kevin Kelly PORTSMOUTH Sharron Kelly PORTSMOUTH Ricky Parrott POOLE Trevor Marks SALISBURY Leslie Freemantle GILLINGHAM Bridget Freemantle GILLINGHAM Robin Mack WANTAGE Graham Chapple DIDCOT Margaret Walbridge WINCANTON Andrew Walbridge WINCANTON Neville Lewis CRANLEIGH Chris Meadows SHEPTON MALLET John Hamley ANDOVER Linda Hamley ANDOVER
Ann Mack WANTAGE James Stokes LYMINGTON Daniel Price SOUTHAMPTON Melanie Price SOUTHAMPTON Oliver Price SOUTHAMPTON Amelia Price SOUTHAMPTON John Reid CHRISTCHURCH EmmaLouise Bellison PORTSMOUTH Nigel Thomas WOKINGHAM Danny Knight HITCHIN Michael Tompsett BRIGHTON Iain Atkinson SEVENOAKS Melvyn Baker OXFORD Jerry McDonough WEYBRIDGE Johanna Drew BATH Michael Nunn BRIDPORT Derek Hatch GILLINGHAM Keith Schofield WINCHESTER Phillip Everett BLANDFORD FORUM Andrew Howes CHRISTCHURCH
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TH E B R I T I S H M OTO R C Y C L E C H A R I TA B L E T RU S T Registered in England No. 01445196 Registered Charity No. 509420 Registered Office: Holly Cottage Main Street Bishampton Pershore WR10 2NH UK Life President Trevor F. Wellings Trustees: I N Walden OBE (Chairman) P J Wellings T P V Barnes J F R Handley M Jackson J N Jeffery J E Kidson M Penn
The British Motorcycle Charitable Trust (BMCT) was originally formed in 1979 to facilitate the building of the National Motorcycle Museum at Bickenhill, near Solihull in the West Midlands, but since 1995 the BMCT has been an entirely separate organisation, a grant-making Charity dedicated to the promotion of British motor cycle engineering heritage through a network of affiliated transport museums throughout the country. Associate Membership is open to all, and allows free entry to all the museums in our affiliation scheme. Our funding comes from membership fees, bequests, donations, and income from our investments. Please direct any enquiries to the secretary, at the Registered Office address on the left.
Our affiliated museums are: Black Country Living Museum, Dudley British Motor Museum, Gaydon Brooklands Museum, Weybridge Coventry Transport Museum Dover Transport Museum Gloucester Life Museum Haynes International Motor Museum Jet Age Museum, Gloucester London Motorcycle Museum Manx Museum, Isle of Man National Motor Museum, Beaulieu Sammy Miller Museum, New Milton Stroud Museum in the Park The Tank Museum, Bovington
Secretary: Andy Bufton Tel: 01386 462524 Mob: 07754 880116 Email: info@bmct.org
www.bmct.org
Preserving the past...for the future
A newcomer to the Sammy Miller Museum is this rare 1923 Grigg with a 996cc v twin B&H (Bacher & Hellow) engine. The Grigg Motor & Engineering Co. and Bacher & Hellow were both Middlesex firms. Published by Matchless Management Services, Holly Cottage, Main Street, Bishampton WR10 2NH