Volume 35 No 7 JULY 2020
The Official Journal of Affiliated to The Vintage Motorcycle Club. The Vintage Motorcycle Club Member of S.A.V.V.A. Of the United Kingdom
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Contents
VMC CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2020 ...... 3 CHAIRMAN’S CHAT ...... 4 LOCKDOWN EDITORIAL ...... 4 YOUR CLUB WANTS YOU! ...... 5 MMS MEMORIAL OUTING 12 JULY ...... 6 REX ACME HISTORY By STEVEN HELM…………………………………………………………………………………………….8
CLUB NIGHT (Virtual Meeting) JUNE 2020 ...... 12 RALPH'S TECHNICAL TIP: BSA VIBRATION FIX…………………………………………………………………….……….…16
DID YOU HEAR?...... 19
THE SHOW THAT WASN'T- KNYSNA 2020 PREVIEW………………………………………………………………………19
CLASSIFIEDS ...... 23 FOR SALE:...... 23 WANTED: ...... 23 SERVICES: ...... 23 CLUB and CONTACT DETAILS ...... 26
Cover Page: Martin Davis’ 1930 Sunbeam with chair at the recent VMC gathering. 2
VMC CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2020
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all events on this Calendar have been cancelled or postponed until further notice.
CHAIRMAN’S CHAT Ralph Pitchford
The VMC committee managed to get together earlier this month to discuss the way forward and this turned out to be a very productive meeting. Lots of new ideas and suggestions were tabled so keep an eye out for some changes.
My pleas for Kickstart editor finally materialized with Steven Helm and Stuart Thompson volunteering for the vacancy. We welcome them on to the committee and thank them for their time and services and look forward to working with them in the future.
We had an informal ride from the clubhouse in memory of Mike Milner Smyth which was well attended and you can read all about it in this month’s magazine.
Our two new editors are appealing to members to send in short stories and articles including some photos for the newsletter. Their details are at the back of this issue.
Thanks to all who have already renewed the Club subscription and a reminder for those who still need to pay.
Safe & fun riding
LOCKDOWN EDITORIAL Steven Helm and Stuart Thompson.
Greetings members we now have co-editors to share the task of keeping Kickstart interesting and to get the work done. Looking forward to making it fun!
Doing some research this month on an article I did some tallying up and it’s quite interesting that Velocette now has 17 DJ wins, Sunbeam 8, AJS and BSA have 5 each, Ariel 4, Scott 3, Royal Enfield and Norton 2 each with Triumph and Harley Davidson 1 each! This is in regularity.
While the original races Douglas had 5 wins, AJS and Sunbeam 2 apiece and 1 win each for Chater- Lea, OK Supreme, Bradbury, Rudge, Triumph, Harley Davidson, Norton, Royal Enfield, James, BSA and Excelsior.
This can provide some interesting ideas about choice of bike and the importance currently of a strong group Marque interest to improve your results and success! Steve.
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Hello All,
As most know Ralph can be persuasive and hence my commitment to helping Steve with the monthly newsletter. I hope our efforts will prove satisfactory and entertaining. All input is welcome and indeed necessary in keeping “KICKSTART” alive and hopefully growing the newsletter and the club as a whole. My email address can be found on the club contact list so please get those contributions rolling! Stuart.
YOUR CLUB WANTS YOU! SOME RHETORIC FROM STEVEN HELM
Giving thought recently to the VMC, it’s committee and reasons for existence, it’s success and the future, I decided to pen some thoughts:
Primarily the DJ run holds things together for the movement, the history attracts riders and thereby members. Why have other events not garnered support? Rallies, rides and shows are increasingly losing support:
Rallies I believe its costs that are mostly to blame, the DJ I believe will also reach that point soon! Can we do something about these costs? Cheaper accommodation and safer roads are the obvious suggestions. Do we need to follow the old route since we neither start nor end in Johannesburg or Durban anymore? Busing members and bikes one way might become a road trip worth remembering if we plan ahead.
The Century, Remembrance run and Poppy Day should attract riders but are not well supported and yet should be. Their purpose can also be to raise interest if held in busy areas amongst the public.
The great train race and DGR have as novel runs attracted crowds, maybe the answer lies in continual innovation to attract interest. The staid repeat runs being tiresome to our current interest patterns!
The 1000 bike show has lost momentum and now costs money apparently, perhaps the VMC should hold and publicize its own show in a better area/ venue to raise funds and members must support as a community service effort once a year! In fact, from a 2.5 million Rand healthy bank account a few years ago the CMC is now in an embarrassing situation similar to the ANC….
With rising costs to maintain our old bikes it may be wise to do tutorials at club meetings to raise the understanding amongst members on tasks we have found daunting. The shared experience on various marques would be invaluable If shared in this manner. Not discussions but actual
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Requests can highlight the next month’s forum.
The VMC is currently experiencing a healthy phase again and we should be encouraging that trend with a bit of innovation and fun. Members I think need each to contribute something and we can all benefit from the pleasure and enjoyment that will bring.
If the VMC were offered custodianship of the DJ run, are we strong enough to manage and grow it?
Ideas about a joint restoration and growth of a club bike collection that can be used to instruct new riders and for display have taken root. Perhaps a good investment of club funds but open for donation of bikes/ projects that perhaps are of interest/ rarity but not riding bikes.
What can you do for your club this year?
A) Committee involvement!
B) Magazine articles or bike/ technical discussion!
C) Organize a run/ display to highlight the club!
D) Contribute to the Calendar or Club prizes!
E) Suggestions/ Ideas at club meetings.
F) Offer services on club restoration projects.
All our lives will be much easier if we all did something to benefit the club we enjoy!
Could we commit in writing to spur fellow club members on?
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A SUNDAY EVENT AT LAST! 12 JULY GATHERING IN MEMORY OF PAST CHAIRMAN MIKE MILNER SMYTHE. STEVE HELM REPORTS.
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The Committee wanting to give everyone a bit of a get together, arranged a short coffee run on a winter morning with a bit of an anecdotal memorial discussion to get just a few more members out of their Covid caverns than only coffee might!
On the 12th July I arrived early at VMC having left home the temperature showing 1 degree. It warmed up quickly and a few bikes in vans joined me but most rode in on their older bikes since a prize was on offer for the eldest! A few new faces and a stunning HRD turned up as well as Martin Davies stunning sidecar attached to his Sunbeam. Rudge, Velocette, BMW and plenty more in attendance.
Ralph opened the informal get together and John Allison agreed to host the chat about Mike Milner-Smith assisted by Neville Smith and his naughtier side was the subject, which was great fun and a really good choice, smiles abounded!
The prize on offer was handed out and was put to good use a little later!
Mike served 13 years as the VMC chairman and editor and did his utmost to attend each and every rally as a rider or in support! He initiated the Kenya trip and did it for nine years in succession representing the VMC abroad! He was also involved in the Commemorative DJ run from 1970. He rode a BMW R60 in most rally’s and a touring Excelsior Manxman 350cc in the DJ. But he also had two Douglas motorcycles which were his favorite marque, one was a gooseneck project, unfortunately all of these bikes were shipped to the UK and sold on auction by his son. Any opportunity to show or promote vintage bikes had his full support, he was dedicated
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Before 10 am we headed off to Loof (fool: Scottish term) Coffee in Norwood found great parking and the enjoyment of some healthily fortified Mocas and cappuccinos ensued! This all under the Isle of Man logo, care of the Cosa Nostra Restaurant!
It was a nice turnout and weather, perhaps we could do another for Rick Lewis or Les Sim sometime if any member would like to propose it or any other excuse to ride old bikes in a meeting or by email if Covid persists.
Remembering friends and good times on old bikes makes for a great Sunday morning cobwebs shakeout! Thank you to all participants.
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REX-ACME A POTTED HISTORY BY STEVEN HELM
Initially begun in 1900 by the Williamson brothers but who by 1907 had gone back to just producing cars the newly merged Allard Cycle Company and Birmingham Motor Manufacturing and Supply Company, had moved from the old nail factory to new premises on Osborne Road, William Pilkington went back to his prime business interest in Birmingham. In due course Fred Allard joined him there, keeping some shares in the Earlsdon Company, but otherwise severing any connection. The new Company had changed its name to what was eventually to become a household name in the motorcycling world, 'The Rex'.
Pilkington left his two sons in charge in Earlsdon, where George at least took a great interest in the local community, serving on the founding committee of the Coffee Tavern (later the Working Men's Club) and the building of St Barbaras Church
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. The firm by now stopped producing bicycles, concentrating instead on their more successful motorcycles and prototype motor cars. Motorcycles at first with only 1.5 or 2 hp engines added to a bicycle frame, gradually became more powerful and sturdy until they were even by today's standards recognisable motor bikes.
The cars too, beginning as weird and wonderful three wheelers, also in a very short period became large, comfortable models, able to compete in design with any other Coventry produced cars. Unfortunately, despite the addition of another plot to the Osborne Road site, the plant was never large enough for mass production, so the car side of the business was dropped in favour of motor cycles, in which it excelled. In any case, it was increasingly difficult to compete against the big firms of Daimler, Humber, Rover, Siddeley etc.
With the beginning of the 1914 war, however, things went wrong. The firm didn't receive the hoped-for War Office order to supply the army with motorbikes and due to sales restrictions other outlets were blocked. In 1914 the firm had to go into liquidation and the receivers moved in. But you can't keep a good firm down and the following year it was reborn as the Rex-Acme Motor Company Ltd. Now with the production of proprietary Rex Acme motor cycles it went through another period of success. After the war the bikes were regularly raced in the TT races on the Isle of Man and with such riders as Walter Handley backed by a highly skilled work force, they were regularly successful. They also took part in long distance and endurance tests, again with great success. Even this did not sell enough bikes to keep the Earlsdon firm going and in 1923 it went into liquidation, although Rex-Acme bikes continued to be made at the Birmingham works. That was the end of the Earlsdon Rex, and the premises were sold to the Standard Motor Company.
It was not thought that any Standard cars were produced there, possibly only some components, and in 1928, no longer needing it, the Standard resold it to Coventry Bicycles Ltd, the Managing Director of which was also Managing Director of the Triumph Motor Company, Siegfried Bettman. He used the site as an annex to his Priory Street works until that was bombed in the 1940 Blitz, after which the premises, fortunately practically undamaged, were used to store machinery rescued from other bombed factories.
1921 The company arose from the amalgamation between
Rex Motor Manufacturing Co and Acme Motor Co in 1921.
1921 A new marque was started with a lightweight model. This was either single or two-speed with a two-stroke Morris engine. They also produced a JAP or Blackburne four-stroke. Unusually, there was also the adoption of the locally made CAM engine with very large finning and a detachable head. 1922 Brought the introduction of a miniature with a 170cc two-stroke engine. It shared many similarities with the Hobart and Wee MacGregor machines. 1923 Took over Hobart Bird and Co and formed Hobart-Acme Motors 1924 Rex-Acme motorcycles were successfully raced at the Belgium and Ulster Grand Prix. They also unveiled 250cc and 350cc ohv models with Blackburne engines. Walter Handley, who was one of the best riders and tuners of the times, guided the company in its racing exploits. He later became Works Manager at the Earlsdon factory. 1926 Handley's strong influence saw the arrival of a wider range, with many options available. A new four-stroke, with a 173cc ohv AKD engine and Albion three-speed gearbox, replaced the miniature two-stroke. 1927 There were good results at the TT, when Handley won the Lightweight; as well as the world one-hour record - 91.21 miles covered in the sixty minutes.
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1929 The depression was approaching; Handley had moved on and Rex-Acme was in the doldrums. In an effort to turn things around they produced a plethora of models and there were at least seventeen different ones on offer that year. The depression years. Rex-Acme still offered their full list plus a range of others using Villiers, Blackburne, JAP and Sturmey-Archer engines, as well as a speedway model. 1931 A further range was announced, including one with a Rudge Python engine, but it was never built as production came to an end. 1932 The name had been bought by sidecar manufacturer Mills-Fulford, who launched models using JAP engines. 1933 Two more models were added, with Villiers and JAP engines, but later that year motorcycle production stopped and sidecar manufacture ceased shortly afterwards.
Their logo the Isle of Man triskelion (the Latin motto for the symbol - quocunque jeceris stabit; 'wherever you throw me, I stand' - the image is used in Sicily as well. Wiki claims a Celtic origin, but surely the invading Romans had a hand in its design - triskelion is a Greek word anyway!).
Wal Handley in 1925 on Rex-Acme became the first man to win two TT’s in a week and three fastest laps. Then at Brooklands in 1926 broke the 200 mile world records for all classes up to and including 1000cc on his 350cc Rex Acme. On the same day he took the prestigious classic hour record for solo 500cc machines at 91.20 mph on a 350cc machine (Rex Acme-Blackburne). The only time this has been done.
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In South Africa Rex Acme featured in DJ races from:
1926 with 3 entries who placed 10th and 15th on 350cc bikes and a N/f for the 173cc.
1927 with 3 entries, a 14th place for the 350cc and 2 N/f for the 2 x 173cc entrants.
1928 had 2 entrants both N/f results for a 250cc and a 350cc.
1929 had 3 entrants on 350cc bikes placing 45th/ 53rd and 116th.
1930 had 1 entrant on a 350cc with a N/f result.
My reason for this research is two ohv 350cc Blackburne engines 1925 and 1928 and their mixed parts from which I’m trying to rebuild bikes as correctly as I am able. They were obtained from the Dick Osborne estate. I am aware of the bike that Peter Posniak restored but which I believe was never raced here! Anyone having any recollections or information on Rex Acme motorcycles in Southern Africa or elsewhere help me with the history on these bikes please! Or other Blackburne 350cc ohv engined bikes.
Blackburne engine development:
From 1921 manufacture of the complete Blackburne motorcycle had been dropped, all resources and energies being concentrated on marketing various Blackburne engines as proprietary units. Their popularity was immense, and throughout the ‘twenties they were used in many different makes of machine, such as Rex-Acme, Cotton, O.K.-Supreme, Sheffield- Henderson, Massey-Arran, Henley, Ner-a-car, New Gerrard, Zenith, O.E.C., Beaumont and Chater-Lea (Dugal Merchant’s Chater-Lea Blackburne was the first “three-fifty” to achieve 100 m.p.h.). Between 1923 and 1930 Blackburne-engined machines won no less than six T.T.s and created seven record laps—to say nothing of seven “seconds” and six “thirds” during the same period. Such achievements completely shattered the J.A.P. monopoly, and one of the most convincing demonstrations of Blackburne efficiency occurred when the late Wal Handley (who won two T.T. races in 1925 on Rex-Acme Blackburnes) set out to beat the 350-c.c. hour record. Not only did he succeed in his purpose, he broke the 500-c.c. record as well—the only time this has been done. Nineteen hundred and twenty-five was an altogether outstanding year for Blackburne engines in road racing. For example, in the Ultra-Lightweight, Lightweight and Junior T.T. races of that year they scored five places out of the nine, and were also responsible for the record laps in all three events. Again in 1926 they accounted for five out of the nine places, and perhaps the greatest testimony of all lies in the fact that engines of around that vintage are still performing most creditably in hill-climbs, scrambles, sprint meetings and grass track races all over the country—most of these units having by now seen many seasons of strenuous competition work. In the early ‘thirties Blackburne engines were still giving a good account themselves. The record lap in the 1930 Lightweight T.T. went to Handley on his 247-c.c. Rex-Acme at close on 67 m.p.h. and it was shortly after this that J.S. Worters put his faith in Blackburnes for attempts on various World’s records, with conspicuous success. Early in 1938 Hatch produced an
11 engine, christened the “Mechanical Marvel,” which many enthusiasts still regard as the finest “two fifty” ever constructed. The “Mechanical Marvel” was never marketed. It was designed and manufactured entirely by Blackburnes for the Excelsior Co. The first engine was built four to five weeks before T.T. practice commenced, and on the bench gave just over 20hp., but in 14 working days this was increased to 25hp. The unit was arranged to permit quick adjustments, and changing a cam merely entailed stopping the engine for less than 5 minutes. A machine with one of these engines, simulating T.T. conditions, with Brooklands silencers, lapped the track at the equivalent of 90 m.p.h. Blackburnes serviced these engines during the 1933 T.T. only. Small wonder that the Lightweight TT of that year was won by Sid Gleave on an Excelsior fitted with the “Mechanical Marvel” engine, his speed over the 26 1/2 miles being 71.59mph.
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4th VIRTUAL CLUB MEETING
22 June 2020
Good evening & welcome to all members, visitors & friends attending the 4th Virtual COVID-19 VMC Monday Club Night meeting. Thank you all for attending.
I can’t believe that this is already the 4th edition! The months have been flying by with me almost forgetting to do this one.
Kickstart will be out this week as Peter has been very busy with his move down to the Eastern Cape. The pressure is now on for a volunteer to take over as editor of Kickstart so please come forward. Many hands make light work & it’s just not possible for me to take on any more work for the club.
Humour time:
A Harley Biker is sitting on his Harley, drinking a beer, by the Zoo in Washington, DC when he sees a little girl leaning into the lion's cage.
Suddenly, the lion grabs her by the collar of her jacket and tries to pull her inside to slaughter her, under the eyes of her screaming parents.
The biker jumps off his Harley, runs to the cage and hits the lion square on the nose with a powerful punch. Whimpering from the pain the lion jumps back letting go of the girl, and the biker brings the girl to her terrified parents, who thank him endlessly. A reporter has watched the whole event.
The reporter addressing the Harley rider says, “Sir, this was the most gallant and bravest thing I've seen a man do in my whole life.”
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The Harley rider replies, “Why, it was nothing, really. The lion was behind bars. I just saw this little kid in danger, and acted as I felt right.”
The reporter says, “Well, I'll make sure this won't go unnoticed. I'm a journalist, you know, and tomorrow's paper will have this story on the front page. So, what do you do for a living, and what political affiliation do you have?”
The biker replies "I'm a U.S. Marine, a Republican and I’m voting for Trump."
The journalist leaves.
The following morning the biker buys the paper to see if it indeed brings news of his actions, and reads, on the front page:
“U.S. MARINE ASSAULTS AFRICAN IMMIGRANT & STEALS HIS LUNCH”
General:
We are considering having a short run on the bikes in the next few weeks starting from the VVC clubhouse and venturing out for a stand-up coffee somewhere. Please drop me an email if you would be interested in taking part.
Please remember to send in articles of interest for Kickstart. These can be sent to this email.
Quiz time:
Can any of the members identify these hubs? They have 3 rows of teeth for a triple chain arrangement.
Raffle/Auction time:
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Last month’s auction was once again a great success, so well done to Gawie Nienaber for his successful bid.
Peter Vlietstra has once again kindly donated a great book for our monthly auction. Thank you, Peter.
The History of The World’s Motorcycles – written by Richard Hough & LJK Setright
This used 208 page book, which is in excellent condition, covers motorcycling history from the 1900’s up to the 70’s
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Make your bid by replying to this email before the closing time and date of 12 noon on Wednesday 24th June 2020. (Note that R100 will be added to your bid if you would like the book sent by courier)
Time now for a drinks break – I’m sure you are all well stocked
Bike show & tell:
Tonight, we have Kevin & Andy Robertson, with their very interesting Domi Racer. It’s a 1956 Dominator 600cc Twin built into a wide-line featherbed frame looking very similar to the Model 30 Manx. They will tell us all about this very interesting racer when we meet again.
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Video:
Tonight’s video is a five-part series sent in by Martin Kaiser on The History of Motorcycle Racing | Full Documentary | Tonight is Part 2 of 5
Use Ctrl Click on the youtube link below. https://youtu.be/y-KRrsLFGgw
That’s all we have for this evening. Stay safe & healthy & don’t forget to send in your Auction Bid by Wednesday 30 July.
RALPH’S TECHNICAL TIP
Have a read of how the BSA Service Department advised on minimizing vibration……
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DID YOU HEAR?
World Champion Lewis Hamilton suffered a serious chassis imbalance on his Mercedes F1 W11 EQ Performance car over the duration of the season opening Austrian Grand prix. After in-depth analysis by the engineering team it was deduced that the problem was caused by the significant chip on his left shoulder……
For English lovers: Bengali poet Ish Vidyasagar once asked Anglophile poet Michael Dutt if he could make a sentence with out a single “E”? Dutt responded: I doubt I can. It’s a major part of many many words. Omitting it is as hard as making a muffin without flour. It’s as hard as spitting without saliva, napping without a pillow, driving a train without tracks, sailing to Russia without a boat, washing your hands without soap. And, anyway, what would I gain? An award? Bragging rights? Why should I strain my brain? It’s not worth it.
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THE SHOW THAT WASN’T- 2020 KNYSNA PREVIEW
What a mouth-watering selection of ‘bikes the show promised, led by VMC offerings.
PREVIEW COURTESY STUART JOHNSTONE COMMIUNICATIONS
Two-wheeled machines ranging in age from the early 1900s to the 1980s have been assembled from all over South Africa. And once again the underlying theme of the display will be the passion that the bikers display for their classic steeds.
If you happen to engage one of the motorcyclists in conversation about their machines, be prepared to set aside plenty of time to learn about such biker-specific details as “steering head angles”, “swing- arm flex” and the vagaries of magneto sparking systems that could well be over 100 years old.
More than any other group of enthusiasts, owners of classic motorcyclists are willing to share their passion with anyone who takes time out to examine these wonderful pieces of engineering.
The motorcycle section has its own “Best of Show” category where the public will vote for the best motorcycle on display. The trophy and prize will be sponsored by the Motorcycle Room from Knysna.
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One arch two-wheeled enthusiast is Mac McKenzie from Drummond in KZN, who will be displaying two very special and rare examples of British racing motorcycle craft from the early 1970s. He will be travelling to Knysna with a 1970 racing Triumph Trident known as “Slippery Sam” and an equally rare competition Triumph Bonneville RGB 850.
The triple-cylinder Triumph Trident is an exact copy of the original “Slippery Sam” racer that won a string of Isle of Man TT races in the 1970s.
What’s more, it was assembled by McKenzie who worked for Slippery Sam’s creator, LP Lewis, in the UK as a South African youngster abroad in the 1970s.
The Triumph Bonneville RGB is equally special and this British classic was built up by Richard Gary Bryan in New Zealand. McKenzie paid cash for the bike and had to wait two years for its delivery to South Africa! Based on a Bonneville T140, It features a special 850 cc motor, a five-speed gearbox and a special frame. The motor has been radically altered and features a unique 180-degree crankshaft.
Lofty Pretorius from Sedgefield has been a mainstay exhibitor at the Knysna Motor Show and this year will be no different. Pretorius has a number of machines to choose from in his collection and this year he has picked out two classic street machines. The 1964 BMW R60 is a German boxer-twin cylinder design made famous by BMW which still does duty on some of its machinery today. Pretorius bought this machine from a “retired traffic cop” in Muldersdrift a few years ago. The traffic officer had bought the machine upon on his retirement from the Roodepoort Traffic Department and Pretorius has lovingly restored it to its original black finish with white pin-striping. He says it is so reliable he would have no hesitation in hopping aboard and riding it up to Jo’burg from his home base in Sedgefield.
The 1958 Velocette is a 500 cc single cylinder machine built in England. It is a low-production, very high-quality motorcycle and many famous British motorcycle racers cut their teeth on a Velocette Venom of the era.
Pretorius’s machine has a Venom high performance kit, and says his machine has just undergone some refurbishment. Pretorius adds that famous Velocette racing mechanic Geoff Lacey will be at the 2020 Knysna Motor Show.
The 1916 BSA Model K is owned by arch Johannesburg vintage motorcyclist Steve Helm, who will be part of a strong Vintage Motorcycle Club contingent travelling down to Knysna. This BSA, now over 100 years old, is significant in that 1916 was the first year that the BSA switched from belt drive to chain drive, and it also features a three-speed gearbox.
Helm says these old motorcycles are very complicated to ride. The 557cc BSA features a hand-operated lever gear change, and the accelerator is also hand-lever operated. In addition, these old bikes have ignition-timing retard and advance that also has to be operated by hand. To get the old BSA mobile it has to be started on the stand. The clutch is a foot clutch, but Helm says the best way to get mobile is to paddle with your feet and then select first gear.
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The 1911 Precision: This machine will be the oldest motorcycle on the show.
It is on loan from the Johannesburg Vintage Motorcycle Club and will be taken to the show by Bevan Beckman. The Precision is an interesting machine, as the company only made engines and supplied these to different frame manufactures. The bulk of these engines were shipped to Australia, and this one, shipped to South Africa, features a Premier frame. It’s a 600cc single cylinder machine and has direct drive to the rear wheel, with no gearbox.
These older machines also need to be oiled by the rider on the move, and excess oil drips out onto the road!
Bevan Beckman is also bringing a classic 1947 Harley Davidson to the show.
This large-capacity V-twin machine, still featuring a hand-lever gear change, was produced just after the war. A number of Harley Davidsons of this era were used by the South African and Rhodesian armies and many of them later found their way into private ownership.
The 1969 Norton Commando is a 750cc machine and was one of the fastest bikes of the late 1960s. It featured a rubber-mounted engine and the famous “Fastback” styling with a rear tailpiece in fibreglass. It belongs to Martin Kaiser, a member of the Vintage Motorcycle Club in Johannesburg which is bringing eight motorcycles to the show.
A 1960 Royal Enfield Constellation and 1980 BMW R100 Café Racer are from another VMC member who is travelling to Knysna will be Barnie Barnard.
The 1972 BSA Rocket 3 and 1962 Manx Norton are two more machines travelling from KZN and are owned by Tommy Schoeman. This particular BSA has a replica of a rare Rob North racing frame and this bike was bought in the UK, having been built by Les Whiston. The Rocket 3 has a similar 750 cc triple engine to the Triumph Trident, but the engine cylinders have more of a forward-leaning location. This is a racing machine with twin disc brakes up front.
The Manx Norton is a 1962 model and was built by the Mackintosh company in New Zealand from the last blanks obtained from the factory in the early 1960s. The Manx Norton is a 500cc single-cylinder machine. It features an overhead cam design, and the camshaft uses a bevel drive from the crankshaft. Nortons won many Isle of Man TTS and many famous racers cut their teeth on them. Mike Hailwood and Jim Redman, world champions of the 1960s, started out on Manx Nortons. Tommy Schoeman’s machine is finished in classic silver just like the original machines. A Manx Norton was recently ridden at the Goodwood Festival by MotoGP star Dani Pedrosa. Schoeman’s machine actually competed in a recent Isle of Man Classic TT.
A 1959 Velocette Venom and 1989 Ducati 400 will be coming to the show courtesy of Knysna’s Bill Annetts. This Velocette is a factory-built Venom model with many special Thruxton racing internals, but Bill has fitted less radical handlebars to the machine to enable a more upright riding position.
His other machine that he is readying for the show is a rare 400 cc Ducati.
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This is styled in similar fashion to the famous Italian 750 and 900 SS machines, but its smaller engine was built for certain markets where there was a capacity limit for less-experienced riders. Bill has configured the bike with custom detailing including a white colour scheme. He may also bring his well- known Norton 750 Atlas racer to the show.
Neville Fisher of East London will once again be bringing two specialised historic racing machines to the show. His Ducati Pantah TT Replica was almost completed for last year’s show but since then it has competed successfully in a number of races. Neville has completely reconfigured the frame on this bike with a different steering angle, changed the motor location and fitted different brakes and swing arm. The weight of the machine has been reduced by some 27 kg! He says that the changes have reduced his lap times at the Eats London Grand Prix circuit by some seven seconds. His 1969 FRP Triumph Bonneville presents an amazing story. Neville bought this 1969 T120R model in 1972 and has owned and raced it ever since!
The bike features a highly-developed Bonneville motor with 11;1 compression and 32 mm Amal rubber-mounted carburettors and runs 17-inch wheels. It is more than capable of seeing off much more modern Japanese racing machinery, as Neville has proved on many occasions.
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Editor Steve Helm’s 1924 Sunbeam won the Chairman’s award for the oldest machine present at the recent MMS memorial gathering.
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CLASSIFIEDS
For Sale and Wanted advertisements will be placed in Kickstart for ONE edition only. These may be renewed on request each month. Services advertisements will be placed for a maximum of SIX editions and must be renewed every January and July. Email your advertisements to [email protected]. The cut-off for any month is the close of business, third Monday of the month.
FOR SALE:
1957 BSA C12 (250cc) I have finally got this bike out of the shed, it was restored by John Le Favre around 30 years ago, I bought it from him , it was a good starter and runner, I never used it , just stored it in my shed as you saw it, I de- registered it in 1998. The engine is turning free and has good compression . just needs a good clean up. As for price I will consider all reasonable offers Peter Powell 1931 RUDGE SPECIAL Ex John Allison. Veteran of many DJ’s. Licensed and dated. Offers on R85,000. Stuart Thompson. 082 326 8553. WANTED: Parts for a 1934 Norton model 18: Rear chain guard Fishtail silencer Contact Ralph Pitchford – 0828729363 Nsu Max or Super Max spare parts wanted. Call Craig 072 7175559 Lathe (Myford or other small lathe). Contact Yuvi 0719296795 or [email protected] 22 SERVICES: British Bike Spares, Restorations and other Services Specialising in classic British bike spares supplying parts from Wassell, the biggest new classic bike part wholesalers in the UK. Contact Gavin Walton Home 011 818 4055, or Mobile 083 408 4296, Email [email protected] Full restorations. Wheel Lacing and Building. Contact Pierre Cronje. On Mobile 072 513 9432. Petrol taps Enots flat-slide type, made in brass to your order. Sizes 1/8”, 1/4” and 3/8” BSP Rally boxes made to your order with handlebar mounting brackets plus mountings for the rally plate and three watches. Trevor Fraser on 013 656 3063 or 076 591 5560. Restoration and other services. Gravel Man Services offers full service of all BMW boxer twins (old and new). Accident damage repairs and restorations. Contact Markus Watson on 083 602 3503. Vapour Blasting Services. We clean aluminium, brass, and copper parts using VAPOUR BLASTING method. It’s a gentle, water based, non-destructive process for smooth satin finish. Suitable for aluminium cylinder heads, engine blocks, gearbox casings, carburetors, etc. Call Janus Gruska from Classic Restorer on 081 065 8275 (Benoni) or email [email protected] Magneto Rewinding. Also coils for stationery motors and BMW m/cycles on exchange basis. Contact Rod Thomas for further info and courier details. 031-762-1509, 073-365-6494 or email [email protected] Cable Makers : One off repairs & production runs of all Motion Control & Mechanical cables. Manufacturer and stockist of galvanized & stainless steel wire ropes, cable fittings & accessories Martin Peach, 9 Hilma Road, Bordeaux, 0824927794, email : [email protected] Specialist Welding Le Roux Welding - Edenvale. Contact Syd on 083-390-8761 Performance Welding – Benoni – Contact Rob on 083-256-2257. Petrol Tank Lining and Repair Colin Aitken 083-728-3822 email [email protected] Classic Bike Painting: Custom Creations – Krugersdorp 011-664-7838 Kaleidoscope – Ralph Kruger 083-601-2891 Wayne Dientje – Edenvale 072-623-0070 23 THE VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE CLUB www.vintagemotorcycleclub.co.za P O Box 782835 SANDTON 2146 South Africa Committee Members Chairman Ralph Pitchford [email protected] 082 872 9363 Vice Chairman Frank Barnes [email protected] 082 465 8950 Steven Helm [email protected] 082 427 6990 Editors Stuart Thompson [email protected] 082 326 8553 Secretary Dave Pitchford [email protected] 082 413 7586 Club Dating Officer Kevin Walton [email protected] 082 891 2869 Events Rob Pattison Emms [email protected] 082 891 8399 Librarian John Hassall [email protected] 082 886 7133 Committee Member Brandon Jarvis [email protected] 082 410 8828 Treasurer Mark Broady [email protected] 082 619 2432 CLUB ACCOUNT DETAILS Account Number Nedbank 1970259841 Sandton Branch 197-005 Please use your name and surname as your reference when making a payment CLUB MEETINGS Meetings are held every 4th Monday of the month (except December) at The Vintage and Veteran Club (VVC), 3 Athol Oaklands Road, Oaklands Johannesburg, at 19:30. MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS Membership subscriptions for the club year 2019/20 are due on 1st July 2019. Invoices and statements will only be sent out on request. Subscriptions are as follows: Full membership: R300 Country membership: R220 Family membership: R20 (includes a competition license - spouse and minor children. Discounts : Over 70 years old- 50% and over 80 years old - 100% The opinions expressed in KICKSTART are not necessarily those of the Committee or the Editors. 24