Practical and informative words & pictures for Commie re-builders Chris Rooke is the author Veloce Publishing has produced another tome in its Restoration Guide series, this one on the indomitable (pardon the oblique pun) Norton Commando. Trouble is, it's hard to say anything new or original about this latest addition; certainly nothing other than we've said with regard to the other books (Kawasaki Z and Triumph T140).  It's highly detailed. It's packed with decent photographs. It's well presented. It'll set a lot of rebuilders straight on all kinds of issues and pitfalls. It feels like a genuine labour of love. It's practical. And the asking price is fair at £37.50.
Fair? Well we know that a few folk will dispute that. They'll say that at nearly forty quid it's expensive and bordering on a rip off. But that's largely because these days we're all used to getting free information (albeit often from unreliable sources). Consequently, we tend not to think to deeply about how much work actually goes into a publication such as this—and we're often talking years of effort, and not weeks and months. And for £37.50 this book will no doubt save you a lot of money in screw ups and will repay your investment many times over. Besides, if you shop around long enough you'll probably find discounted copies—assuming you're prepared to trust the suppliers, and many are pretty dodgy. Our advice? Deal direct with Veloce and give the piper his due, especially if you want him to keep playing the kind of music you want to hear. Meanwhile, here are the specifications of the book: ISBN: 9781787113947
Written by Chris Rooke
Paperback 207mm x 270mm 224 pages 820 pictures ISBN: 9781787113947 In conclusion, we think this is a good restoration guide. If we had to choose between this and a Haynes Manual, we'd pick this one, if only for the sidelong tips and heartfelt advice that Chris Rooke slips in from  time to time. Clearly he cares about rebuilding Commandos, and that's invariably the prerequisite before you get out the tools. Check it out. https://www.veloce.co.uk
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Some great music to combat those coronavirus blues See if you're on the same song sheet as us We've been meaning to post this item for some time, but it kept slipping off our radar and ending up buried under all the other stuff we get up to around here. However, what with the international concern, rising fear, mild hysteria and outright panic regarding the Covid-19 crisis we figured that some kind of antidote was needed—and if the following four songs that we're about to recommend fail to crank your motor and fire your plugs, you could be way past help. The four guys above are (left to right, top to bottom): Del Reeves, Eddie Noack, Sanford Clark and Lee Hazlewood. They're all masters of raw, reckless, twisted, tormented, swampy, twanging, American country music, and their output is highly addictive. The four songs are: Del Reeves: Girl on a Billboard Eddie Noack: Psycho Sanford Clark: It's Nothing to Me Lee Hazlewood: Girl on Death Row They're all on YouTube right now, and you might have to wade through a couple of adverts before you get to the music. But your patience and indulgence will be worth it.  And if you've got any recommendations of your own, we'd like to hear about 'em. Either way, turn off that TV, hang up the phone, put down that thing you're holding in your hand and enjoy some of the best music of the 1950s and 1960s.
For ten or fifteen minutes, Covid-19 can wait.
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Good afternoon all. Try the John Dummer Blues Band. My fave track, pop pickers, is called Run Around. Cheerio—Andrew Boultbee [Different vibe, Andrew. More like early Fleetwood Mac, Cream and even Dylan, but not bad—Ed]
Hi Sump. Great choice of twanging grooves. Also try I Want My Baby Back by Jimmy Cross—Bob Singleton
Transfusion by Nervous Norvus—Terry Fall, Bristol
Bill Carter Shot Four Times And Dying—Denny Haggers, Kent
Great choice! Next stop has to be Dick Curless Chick Inspector—Nigel
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Bank Holiday Monday 13th April 2020 is off the calendar Possible smaller event in the autumn The 2020 Southend Shakedown has been cancelled. The event was scheduled for Bank Holiday Monday 13th April 2020. The organisers are looking to stage a consolatory event in the autumn of 2020. But there are no details. Of course, there's currently nothing to stop 5,000 motorcyclists or 10,000 motorcyclists randomly descending on Southend on Sea and hanging around in the usual manner—although we hear that the British Army is currently being mobilised to offer whatever logistical or other support is required by H M Government, so that spontaneous mass gathering option might yet be closed off. That said, the smart thing to do is of course to simply hunker down at home and/or avoid large (or small) gatherings of people for as long as possible. As we're being regularly told, the UK medical experts are trying to slow the progress of the virus until an effective treatment can be found, or until an immunisation program can be initiated, or until the disease natural dies away—which will happen if we live long enough and stay smart. And slowing the progress will allow the NHS to focus on the more desperate cases. So if you've got an outstanding project or two in the shed/garage, that might be the wiser place to be until the panic's over. Just think carefully about whatever social or commercial interaction you become involved with. There is light at the end of this tunnel. But it could be a pretty long and winding route to the end. Southend Shakedown Facebook page
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The Sunbeam Club pulls the plug amid the (now) usual safety fears The date was 22nd March 2020. Re-scheduling might be possible It's no surprise to discover that the 2020 Pioneer Run has been cancelled by the Sunbeam Motorcycle Club. Scheduled for 22nd March 2020, the organisers have left it as long as reasonably possible to announce the abandonment, but if you've been monitoring the progress of the coronavirus, aka Chinese Flu, aka Kung Flu, you'll know that the situation is likely to get much worse before it gets back down to an acceptable level (if there is such a thing). This was to be the 81st Pioneer Run, and there is some talk about possibly shifting the event until September or October 2020. To that end, we hear that Brighton City Airport is supportive of the idea. But it's not clear if or how the route might change, or exactly how the airport comes into it—or if it will definitely come to pass. Meanwhile, if you've already paid your entry fee, the club has suggested three options: 1. You can leave your fee with the club to cover next year's run (2021). 2. You can elect to have the fee returned. 3. You can donate your fee to the club to offset organisational costs regarding the 2020 event/cancellation. Finally, we ought to (more responsibly) mention that Covid-19 is still the official name for this particular virus. The World Health Organisation is anxious to avoid stigmatising China with a geographically pinned epithet. However, China is already lit up in a huge American spotlight and is roundly being blamed for its alleged failure to address the coronavirus problem in good time, so any wry or satirical fuel we might add to the fire is insignificant.  But wherever the virus began, and whoever's responsible (if anyone), it's a world problem now, and what's done is done.
Eventually, however, we suspect that someone is likely to (a) present China with a very large bill, or (b) look to have a very large national debt written off. See also: Sump Pioneer Run eBook http://sunbeam-mcc.co.uk
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The next (Elk) South of England Classic Motorcycle Show is hit And the next (Elk) Ashford Show is also off the calendar Two "upcoming" events have been cancelled/postponed by Elk Promotions. As with all such recent cancellations, the Covid-19 bug is behind it all. These are the two cancelled/postponed events: The South of England Classic Motorcycle Show & Bikejumble at Ardingly, West Sussex on Sunday 29th March 2020 The Ashford Classic Bike Show & Jumble at Ashford, Kent on Easter Monday 13th April 2020.  We should mention that the word "cancelled" is our word. Elk Promotions is talking only of "postponement". Clearly organiser Julie Diplock intends to re-schedule the shows at a later date; no doubt ideally during 2020. However, it's hard to see that happening over the forthcoming biking season, so you can pick your own word.
www.elk-promotions.co.uk
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The Founder's Relay Rally is postponed indefinitely ... and the Festival of 1000 Bikes is looking shaky Seems that the VMCC can't keep up with its own news. According to the latest electronic missive, the Banbury Run date has been shifted from Sunday 31st May 2020 to Sunday 16th August 2020. But we checked the VMCC website, and the out-of-date May date is still listed. However, that will no doubt change soon enough. Or (knowing the VMCC, bless 'em) perhaps not. The important thing to remember is that the new date is, as we said, Sunday 16th August 2020—unless everyone in the VMCC drops dead from the Corona virus which is a possibility given the fact that so many of the members are [That's enough of that, thank you—Ed]. So best keep your eyes on the VMCC website if you're planning to ride or just visit. And keep in mind that the organisers are suitably cognisant of the various health and safety requirements related to limiting the spread of the virus, and they're taking all suitable precautions which is only natural if you're about to fall off [That's enough of that too—Ed]. If you're planning to attend, head for The British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warks CV35 0BJ. Ground zero is 65 acres of parkland 12 miles north of Banbury, next to the M40 J12. Meanwhile, the Founder’s Relay Rally planned for Sunday 3rd May 2020 will be "postponed until later in the year". And (there's more) The Festival of 1000 Bikes is still under consideration. To quote the VMCC, "contingency plans are being investigated". Sounds like this year is a total washout, events wise (as if any of us need telling). But there's nothing to stop any of us getting mobilised and organising a few private events of our own. Keep it in mind. www.vmcc.net
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Outline of the Coronavirus Bill is published New laws bear watching It might sound like the wrong time to mention this next story, but some would say that it's definitely the right time. We're referring to civil liberties group Big Brother Watch (BBW) which is urging everyone not to blithely wash their hands with new tranche of legislation coming at us in the UK in the wake of the Covid-19. Clearly BBW recognises the need for new legislation in order to cope with this worrying public health issue, the likes of which no one has seen before. However, governments in general are apt to slip through questionable and momentous controls and powers whenever the opportunity arises, and we'd be naive in the extreme to believe that the UK government would behave any differently. Therefore, at Sump we also feel everyone needs to be vigilant with regard to the nasty little virus that's currently in circulation, and equally vigilant about any new and rushed-through laws coming at us. To that end, an Emergency Coronavirus Bill has just been published. Below are the concerns highlighted by Big Brother Watch. It might be worth a few minutes of your time to read and assimilate... Emergency Coronavirus Bill
The Government has published an outline of the Emergency Coronavirus Bill.
It is right that Government takes rapid and robust action, but good laws are rarely made in haste and rights are too often the casualty of crisis.
The Opposition will not seek a vote on this Bill, but the public needs to be reassured that scrutiny is afforded to these extraordinary powers.
The outline of the Bill raises immediate questions:
1. The law will last 2 years.
Government must justify this length given the severity of the measures, which will interfere with the everyday lives of people in the UK. A shorter duration with a sunset clause would ensure the powers are strictly temporary and promptly reviewed.
2. The Bill gives police and immigration officers the power to detain members of the public for Coronavirus testing.
This demands scrutiny and utmost caution. It is unclear in what circumstances this extraordinary power would or could be used. It has complex rights implications.
3. The Bill allows the Home Secretary to significantly extend the time frame for a judicial commissioner to review urgent surveillance warrants.
The time frame for urgent warrants in the UK is already unusually long and, even if later invalidated, does not require deletion of unlawfully collected material. At a time when some countries are turning to draconian phone tracking measures to monitor the spread of COVID-19, relaxation of the few protections we have on mass surveillance powers is concerning.
We now await publication of the full Bill. The Opposition and civil society have important roles to play in scrutinising emergency powers to protect both public health and human rights. We will continue to advocate for proportionate measures. 
You can decide for yourself how relevant/significant any or all of this is. We're simply suggesting that you stay aware of any forthcoming legislative changes, and that you also try and keep sight of them as the weeks, months and years progress. The bottom line is that it's a lot easier to get a law onto the statute books than it is to repeal one—and laws always come with unintended consequences. See also: Sump Classic Bike News December 2018 https://bigbrotherwatch.org.uk/ UPDATE: UK MPs have since voted to limit the Coronavirus Bill powers to a 6-month review.
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Covid-19 claims another victim Organiser Mortons Media posts new dates Actually, we perhaps ought to say that this show is postponed until June: specifically Friday 12th June and Saturday 13th June 2020. But given the current rate of progress of the coronavirus, and given the headroom for a huge rise in infections, we've got doubts that this event will actually take place this year.  But of course it might.
Consequently, we suggest you keep an eye open for further news, and check our events listing for alternate shows and gatherings. We're trying to keep our listing up to date, but show organisers often fail to stay in touch. So check with the organisers before you travel to any biking event, especially if you plan on travelling any serious distance. Meanwhile, note this comment from Mortons Media: "All ticket and trade bookings will be honoured for this new date. However, if you are unable to make this new date, please don’t hesitate to get in touch." Clearly, that stops short of saying that refunds will be made for anyone unable to make the new date. So if that affects you, contact Mortons on: 01507 529529 or email customerservices@mortons.co.uk Finally, we just checked the Bonhams website (17th March 2020), and there's no suggestion that the usual auction at Stafford has also been cancelled. But it's hard to see Bonhams going ahead without the main Stafford event taking place. We'll keep monitoring this. https://www.bonhams.com
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No decision yet on the Classic or the Manx The IOM is now in "lockdown" We hardly need to say anything else beyond the above headline. The 2020 TT has been cancelled. The Isle of Man is going to take a huge economic hit (probably somewhere between £25 million and £31 million depending on who you ask). Tens of thousands of fans are going to be disappointed. And unless a vaccine arrives in, say, the next twenty minutes, there's not much to be done about it. This year's TT was to be held between Saturday 30th May and Friday 12th June 2020. But the organisers have made the arguably more prudent decision to pull the plug and cut the doubt and disruption in an effort to reduce the risk to life, etc. Fan who've bought official—note the word "official"—tickets and event packages will be offered refunds by the TT organiser. Anyone who's made other arrangement (ferries, hotels, flights, etc) will have to look into what refunds, if any, are available under whatever package they've bought, or whatever arrangement have been made. Moreover, the island is now in effective lockdown. So until further notice, anyone arriving on the IOM will be expect to voluntarily isolate themselves appropriately for a period of not less than 14 days—regardless of whether they're displaying symptoms. And anyone over the age of seventy is advised not to visit whatsoever. It's unknown how any of this is going to be policed. But we can imagine that plenty of folk are going to break the "curfew". No decision has yet been made with regard to the 2020 Classic TT Races and Manx Grand Prix which are scheduled to start on 22nd August 2020. It simply depends upon what happens over the next few weeks and possibly months. https://www.iomtt.com
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THIS DAY IN HISTORY 16th March 2020 
1916: Harley-Davidson takes on Pancho Villa This is what happened: "Mexican Revolutionary Hero" General Pancho Villa and his División del Norte made a "surprise" raid on the small US border town of Columbus, New Mexico. It was 9th March 1916. Cue murder, looting, house burning and attacks on commercial premises. The raid led to a full scale and bloody battle between the Villistas and the US Army forces. US President Woodrow Wilson was unsurprisingly not amused, and through the usual chain of command General John "Black Jack" Pershing (who many years later had a missile named after him) was despatched to pursue Villa across the border into Mexico. Pershing (1860 - 1948) recognised the need for speed, mobility and effective firepower. So on 16th  March 1916 an order was placed with Harley-Davidson for 12 motorcycle outfits fitted with gun platforms. The following week a second order was announced and the hunt was on. Villa, fighting on home turf and using shrewd guerrilla tactics was pursued by horses, Harley-Davidsons, trucks and even aircraft around Mexico. But the general eluded captivity—partly because the US entered the war and needed Pershing elsewhere. But the bikes, at least, acquitted themselves very well, and over the next three decades the US government ordered tens of thousands of H-Ds for war duty. As for Villa, he later hung up his guns and entered the world of politics, and in 1923 he was assassinated aged 45.
1926: First liquid-fuelled rocket launched  It wasn't the world's first rocket. The Chinese are credited with that invention. But Robert H Goddard, an American inventor, scientist and physicist from Massachusetts, is credited with developing the world's first liquid-fuelled rocket (as opposed to solid fuelled), and the launch of his first successful device was on 16th March 1926. That flimsy looking wire-framed contraption doesn't look very impressive, but from his fledgling steps came giant technical leaps that put men on the moon, gave us intercontinental ballistic missiles, and made the internet possible. The rocket hit an altitude of 41 feet and travelled 184 feet from its launching pad where it landed in a cabbage field. The fuel mix was actually gasoline and oxygen, as opposed to hydrogen and oxygen which has been Goddard's earlier thinking. However, hydrogen was difficult to come by, and the gas station was local. So he compromised. He was unquestionably one of the great (i.e. most dedicated, skilled and persistent) pioneers in US history and died aged 62 in 1945. Two decades later, Harley-Davidson designed and built the LR-64 Rocket which was used in the AQM-37A "Jayhawk" target drone. There's a joke there somewhere, but being Harley-Davidson fans, we're leaving that one well alone.
1935: Adolf Hitler orders German re-armament  The Germans had understandably never been happy about The Treaty of Versailles. Notionally a peace settlement, the controversial document (which settled little) was signed on 28th June 1919 and essentially blamed the Hun for everything that happened leading to the events of WW1—whereas the 1914-1918 war was in fact the result of numerous festering and conflicting interests across Europe with no clear and immediate cause and effect, and no single guilty party or nation. Following the treaty, Germany was faced with a huge reparation bill that ultimately sent the country plummeting into national ruination and poverty. In 1924, following a failed coup, a certain Adolf Hitler was released from jail and made it clear that he was out to destroy the Treaty of Versailles. And that's exactly what he did when on 16th March 1935 he announced a huge expansion of the Germany military in direct violation of the treaty. Naturally, the League of Nations howled about it. But Hitler stood by his guns, both metaphorically and literally. Four years later, also on 16th March, Hitler visited Prague Castle in (then) Czechoslovakia and proclaimed the German protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. WW2 was just a few months away, and Harley-Davidson was once again gearing up for fresh orders.
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www.britishdealernews.co.uk UK pothole numbers "fell by 26 percent in 2019" Commons committee chair writes to pensions regulator over Norton 'scam' Expanding Eddy's Motos is top UK Royal Enfield dealer
www.motorcyclenews.com 
Indian tease fifth Jack Daniel's special to mark 80 years of Sturgis Rally New tax proposals could see poorer bikers penalised
www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial How Coronavirus [sic] is affecting motorcycling Roads to benefit from massive budget spending spree
www.visordown.com A new Royal Enfield is on the way…but which model is being launched? How will the budget affect bikers? KTM halting production in Austria for two weeks over coronavirus
www.motorbikewriter.com Garner dines out as Norton sinks
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The Wirral-based firm still has much discounted stock ready to go But the coronavirus issue has created "supply chain problems" Long established and respected UK helmet manufacturer Davida has stopped taking orders for new lids. A statement on the company website cites supply chain problems. Here's the actual text: "The availability of Davida Helmets has now become severely restricted as a result of the disruption caused to the global supply chain by the CORONAVIRUS pandemic.
"The recent restrictions imposed upon specific European Countries have interrupted the supply of the raw materials and components we require to manufacture the majority of Davida Helmets."
Meanwhile, outstanding orders will be filled where possible. And where not possible, customers will be notified. Davida, however, still has many helmets in stock, so customers are advised to contact the firm and see what's on offer—with many lids featuring in a pre-season sale and carrying a 35% discount. Alternately, talk to your local Davida dealer and see what stock they're carrying. You can find a list of such dealers on the Davida website. www.davida-helmets.com
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Dynamic hard shoulders are "to be abolished" Upgrading emergency refuges is planned Over the past five years 38 people have died on the UK's "Smart Motorways." Who says so? BBC Panorama, the world's longest running current affairs TV programme which conducted a damning investigation citing numerous failings of the system. Of course, those 38 deaths might not be entirely attributable to the problems associated with Smart M-ways. We haven't looked that deeply into the numbers. Nevertheless, other people have delved into the stats and the accident reports, and that set even more alarm bells are ringing. So what are Smart M-Ways? Put simply, these are designated stretches of highway designed to react to changing traffic patterns and conditions in order to improve flow. A network of lights and signage on overhead display boards flash messages at passing road users telling them to shift lanes, or slow down, or even—and this is perhaps the biggest concern—use the hard shoulder as an ordinary traffic lane. Of course, even a total idiot knows that motorway hard shoulders were designed for a very specific reason, notably as safety lanes for broken-down vehicles or for drivers suddenly taken ill, and generations of road users have been conditioned to treat hard shoulders in that manner. But clearly, the government doesn't employ any idiots; hence the large number of deaths associated with the Smart M-way system. That's the general feeling anyway. Well, after much soul searching and a rising body count, we hear that a rethink has finally happened backed by an action plan. This includes:
Abolishing 'dynamic hard shoulder' smart motorways, where the hard shoulder operates only part-time and is a live running lane the rest of the time
Speeding up deployment of 'stopped vehicle detection' radar technology so stopped vehicles can be detected automatically, and the lanes closed more quickly
Faster attendance by more Highways England traffic officer patrols
reducing the distance between places to stop in an emergency to ¾ of a mile where feasible
Installing additional emergency refuge areas on existing smart motorways making emergency areas more visible
It all sounds good, if belated. And numerous motoring organisations have broadly welcomed the proposals—except that, naturally, the plans "don't go far enough". Specifically, the concern is that the overhead gantries are too far apart leading to the fear that anyone checking their text messages or tying their shoelaces or just looking the wrong way for a second could miss the latest highway updates/instructions. Also, the refuge areas are still considered too few and too far from each other (and are certainly a lot further apart than was original conceived and promised during the Smart Motorway trials). As we understand it, the government feels it will take three years to bring the motorways up to speed, so to speak. But you don't have to be Albert Einstein to work out that it will almost certainly take a lot longer, and that even with the proposed changes these roads are likely to claim proportionately more lives than would otherwise be lost were the carriageways more conventionally organised. That, at least, is our suspicion based upon nothing other than ordinary riding and motoring experience coupled with many near misses and a little imagination. But what the hell do we know? See also: Classic Bike News October 2019
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Some shows are still scheduled ... but there are cancellations/postponements Kickback show is confirmed  At the time of writing, this show is still listed on Sump's events page. The organiser (Lorne Cheetham) has just emailed to confirm, and we see that he's looking for more entries. The show is scheduled for 18th - 19th July 2020. It will be held at the Prescott Bike Festival. For more details, follow the link you've just passed.
lorne@rwrw.co.uk www.thecustomshow.com
Manchester Bike Show is POSTPONED!  Organiser Andrew Greenwood has announced that this show is postponed indefinitely. The coronavirus outbreak is cited as the reason, and we've little doubt that that's true. The hope was to reschedule the event until May or June 2020. However, it's not clear what government measures will be put into place regarding large gatherings of people. So the plug has been pull for now.
info@manchesterbikeshow.com
Egli Open House & Start of Season CANCELLED!
The organiser writes: "Because of Covid-19 we have decided to cancel the Open House from 20th - 22nd March 2020. Of course, this was not easy for us, but as the situation is at the moment, the health of our customers, employees and friends is our main concern. On the weekend of 18th & 19th April 2020 an Open House will take place at Whitestone Motorcycles in Bellach. We will be there with some Egli Bikes and we would be happy to see you in Bellach." info@eglimotorcycles.com
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A few words on the current coronavirus outbreak Stay cool is the bottom line We're trying to avoid any talk about coronaviruses and Covid-19. But the fact is, the subject is unavoidable if we want to stay news focussed. And we do. So naturally, wherever any of us are in the UK, and whatever we do, the current epidemic (and possibly soon-to-be-pandemic) is going to affect us in ways great or small. We might yet see the cancellation of some bike shows and events. We might yet see fewer and fewer private bike sales as people hunker down and, rightly or wrongly, adopt a trench mentality. We might see fewer bikers travelling beyond the port of Dover, or travelling at all. Biker cafes might well have emptier tables for a while. And the wider home grown bike trade won't be immune either. 
We can imagine that general footfall is going to be down over the next few months, and possibly years. Sales of crash helmets, particularly full-face, could be hit. General biking clothing is likely to be treated with equal suspicion, notably clothing that's on the rack and might have been tried on by others. And we might see a disproportionate rise in general concern and suspicion in the motorcycle community (when compared to other groups) simply because bikers are an "ageing" breed—and according to the NHS, older folk are going to be hit hardest by this nasty little bug that, we hear, has yet to peak. Then again, all this suspicion might be counterbalanced by the fact that bikers are generally more prepared to take extra risks than others. So it could be as short as it's long. Conversely, we might yet see a large rise in motorcycle sales as commuters steer clear of public transport and look for alternate means of personal locomotion. And when it comes to isolation, although bikers occasionally move in packs, most of our highway and byway time is (mercifully?) actually spent alone. 
No doubt we'll cover other stories related to the progress of Covid-19. But we're hoping to keep it all low key and upbeat for as long as we can. However, we are inevitably going to take some personal casualties. That's what happens in life, and we have to deal with it as we find it. But it's worth keeping some perspective here. Most people who contract the virus will come up smiling, many of them without even knowing that they had it. The current measures being established in the UK to combat infection are to a greater or lesser degree working (i.e. slowing the progression if not stopping the contagion in its tracks). Although, speaking from our armchairs, we think a lot more could be done earlier, and should have been done. But naturally, the panorama in your rear view mirror is a lot different to the view ahead. 
The bottom line, Sumpsters? Maintain perspective for as long as you can. Be calm, and be vigilant. But getting hysterical and over-reacting isn't going to help anyone. Message ends.
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Thanks for those words of comfort. But Locusts in East Africa? Plague in Europe? Not-so-Smart motorways and the threat of E10 around the corner? It's happening. We're all doomed, I tell you.—Roj, Sheffield
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▲ 1959 650cc BSA A10 Super Rocket. The estimate is a lowly £1,500 - £2,500 which is bound to draw a lot of interest. Garage find. "Correct numbers". Needs a little love and oil. Sounds like auctioneer's bike bait, but we'll see what happens when the hammer falls. Nothing to get too excited about Possible further signs of cooling in the classic bike market April 7th 2020 is the date of the next H&H sale which, once again, will be held at the National Motorcycle Museum at Solihull near Birmingham. Lot numbers have yet to be assigned, but we're counting 121 bikes in the sale. It looks as if the estimates are cooler than they were a few years ago, and we note that there are a few very cheap British bike projects and machines that need re-commissioning. But we haven't seen anything sensational in the listings. It's just your typical H&H sale offering a mix of British, Japanese, Italian and German bikes. And there's just one Indian and no Harley-Davidsons. We'd like to talk it up a little and make the event more exciting, etc, but we have to call it as we see it. Then again, auctions can often throw up some interesting surprises, so we'll see what we'll see on the day. And it's worth mention that just because prices are (or appear to be) cooling, that's not necessarily a negative thing. You can also look at it as a necessary re-adjustment in a market that frequently gets carried away—and in the past we've seen some fairly mediocre bikes change hands at very steep prices. Things cool, and they warm again. Usually, anyway. 
▲ Clearly the Bat Motor Manufacturing Co had little or no knowledge of political correctness; at least not with regard to "people of colour" (to use the modern cringeworthy vernacular that's not much better than calling black people "niggers" or "darkies"). But we forgive them. The more things change, the more they stay the same, etc. We note that two Bat Motorcycles feature in this sale; specifically a single and a V-twin. The marque was founded by Samuel Robert Batson in 1902 (1901 according to some sources). Operating from Crampton Road (previously Kingswood Road), Penge in South East London, the innovative and imaginative business began with single cylinder bikes powered by de Dion engines. But from the beginning, ideas flourished and sales struggled. In 1904, seeing little future for himself in the business (and possibly with other ambitions in mind), Batson put the company up for sale. The following year it was picked up by Theodore Tessier (an ex-employee of the firm) who gave the business fresh wheels. A Bat V-twin motorcycle was duly entered in the 1907 IOM Senior TT races. It was ridden by Tessier, but it retired with mechanical trouble. Tessier nevertheless continued racing and promoting motorcycles from the saddle, and he further developed the company's reputation for forward thinking. A sprung frame had been designed 1906. A sidecar outfit followed in 1908. Other up-to-the-minute designs included a very plausible early clutch mechanism and full suspension. Tessier continued to race, and with much success—and he also achieved numerous speed records. Notably, in 1913 he came eleventh in the Senior TT riding a 3-1/2hp Bat. That was a very respectable position. Indeed, finishing at all was considered meritorious. And so it was. By now, the company was also using other proprietary engines from the likes of Soncin, the Stevens Brothers (AJS) and JAP. In 1923, Bat took control of Martinsyde Motorcycles, but within a year the writing was on the wall, and the company closed never to re-open. The Bat name, we might mention, was invariably displayed on the bikes in capital letters. And so when the company began using the contrived slogan "Best After Tests" it led many to believe that "BAT" was an acronym, which wasn't the case. 
Well, to return to the two Bat motorcycles on offer in this sale, the single is a 500cc 1910 model (image immediately above) bought in 1955 by a certain Mike Cooke. He restored the bike from a box of bits, and he's thought to be only the second owner. In the early 1960s the machine completed the legendary Pioneer Run, but it's not clear who was riding, if that matters. It was restored in the 1980s. However, it saw little action after that and was comfortably squirreled away in the owner's house. When it goes under the hammer, the auctioneers will be expecting somewhere between £20,000 and £30,000. As an added point of interest, it seems that the VMCC had no knowledge of this bike until very recently. 
The twin is a 1912 425cc TT JAP V-twin (image immediately above). This bike has also been ridden on the London to Brighton Pioneer Run, and we think it deserves another shot (don't they all?). The estimate is £16,000 - £22,000. H&H reckon that there are only 33 Bats known to exist, and we've no knowledge to the contrary. So if you know differently, we'd like to hear about it. Naturally, we'll be watching the sale to see how well these bikes do and will update this story. Other lots include: 
▲ 1960 BSA A10 custom. This looks quite interesting, not least due to the dubious looking single-shock swinging arm conversion that, we hope, is a lot more sturdy than it seems. The front fork is from Ariel. The Beeza has won numerous awards. A certain Paul Brierly threw this lot together in 1993. A comprehensive build history is available. The bike hasn't been used in many years, however. It's expected to sell for £5,000 - £7,000. We quite like it actually. It sits quite nicely and appears to have long anticipated the current bobber fad. And £5k - £7k isn't unreasonable. 
▲ 1978 BMW R80/7. It's got clip-ons and a racing seat. So it's a "cafe racer." So sayeth H&H with what sounds suspiciously like very desperate marketing. The auctioneers added, "It has been to the Ace Cafe many times and has had great reviews." Now is it just us? Or is there more to building a credible modern cafe racer than this, such as a super-tuned engine, maybe 4-valve heads, rear-sets, lightened cycle parts, possibly a frame swap, upgraded brakes, an upgraded front fork—and that extra something that raises it above the mediocre? Estimated at £2,500 - £4,000. Check the faux BSA badge and cringe-away. 
▲ 1929 Excelsior Deluxe. This 349cc single, we're told, has been in the same ownership since 1931. That's 89 years ago, so it looks like someone's got his or her numbers wrong. Or have they? Restored some years ago, the bike needs a service before going back on the road. Amusingly, we're also told that it's suitable for the "infamous Banbury Run". Infamous? We've obviously missed a few dark corners down there in middle England. The estimate, by the way, is £7,000 - £9,000. 
▲ 1960 BSA DBD34 500cc Gold Star. Restored and repatriated from the USA (not necessarily in that order), this bike has been with the present owner since 2015. Registration: UXG 114. Frame: CB329245. Engine: DBD34G55119. No other special features listed. But it looks nice and rideable. The estimate is £18,000 - £22,000. As ever with Goldies, do some homework and double check. Finally, there are six Vincents in the sale; two 500cc Meteors, two 998cc Rapides and two 998cc Shadows—one of them an "Evocation", which we think means replica. The collective estimates are usual Vincent numbers (£30k - £55k, with one of the Comets carrying no estimate). In view of the Vincents alone, H&H might challenge our original assertion that there's nothing too exciting here. But we stand by it. In the auction world, Stevenage's most illustrious son is no big deal. It's only once we get one in our garage that we'll sit up and really pay attention. We'll try and be more upbeat next time. But what with the Corona thing going on and the general stagnation in the economy plus one or two issues with the bikes to sort out, we've got most of our attention elsewhere. See also: Sump Classic Bike News January 2020 UPDATE: Due to the coronavirus crisis, this is now an online auction only UPDATE 2: The 1959 BSA Super Rocket sold for £3,825; the 1910 BAT didn't sell; the 1912 BAT TT sold for £16,875; the 1960 BSA A10 custom sold for £6,000: the 1978 BMW R80/7 "cafe racer" was apparently withdrawn; the 1929 Excelsior didn't sell; and the 1960 BSA DBD34 didn't sell
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Sunday 8th March 2020 was the date Gloucester cops organised this gathering through BikeSafe We could have chosen to headline this news story differently. We could have said: FREE WOMEN ONLY BIKESAFE EVENT IS HAILED A SUCCESS. Or: GIRL-FOCUSSED MOTORCYCLE SAFETY INITIATIVE FROM BIKESAFE. Or: GREAT ROAD SAFETY WORKSHOP FOR THE LADIES. Or something of that ilk. But it amounts to the same thing. This was a one-hour road safety gathering organised by Gloucester Constabulary and held at used-motorcycle specialist and Yamaha dealer, Completely Motorbikes—and it deliberately excluded the majority of the biking population. Meaning the blokes. And if that isn't blatant sexual discrimination, we don't know what the hell is. Not that we mind, intrinsically speaking. We think discrimination is actually a good thing. A great thing even. Discrimination means choice. It means making a selection appropriate to your needs, demands, sensibilities, bigotry or whatever. And we understand why the organisers wanted to create a selective little event for the ladies. It plays well. And it's cosy—and if it's in support of International Women's Day, so much the better. But it bears mentioning that if this was an event held for guys only, or white guys only, or (God forbid) white heterosexual guys, plenty of folk would take umbrage and cry foul. PC Peter Stone, Gloucestershire BikeSafe coordinator, has been quoted as saying: "Our workshops show that female motorcyclists are underrepresented, and we hope that by holding these free taster sessions we can show the value of them. Throughout the UK there's a growing trend in the number of women who are taking their full motorcycle licence, and International Women’s Day is the ideal opportunity for us to show our support locally." Harmless enough stuff? Well maybe, but we're nothing if not balanced around here, news-wise. And we couldn't run this story without drawing attention to the fact that a well-meaning road safety initiative is actually loaded with bias against one section of the biking community. Of course, you can always justify your discrimination in any number of ways. But ultimately it comes back to the same thing; one group is being pushed aside, disbarred, segregated, disenfranchised, or excluded in favour of another group. And what goes around, comes around. We're over it already, but we've taken note. https://bikesafe.co.uk
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On your take about exclusion of individuals on the basis of gender, I'm with you but fear that your chances of a journalistic career with the BBC may be slim. On Men's day I'll see you at the bar. Say it as it is
—Phil Cowley
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Supporting actor of classic British cinema has left the stage and movie set He's perhaps best remembered for The Army Game and Shoestring We're having an extra beer tonight in memory of British actor Michael Medwin who died on February 26th 2020. A stalwart of classic British films of the 1940s, 50s and 60s, Medwin was also an accomplished movie and stage play producer who brought us gems such as a Charlie Bubbles (1967) which starred Albert Finney (who also directed the movie), and If (1968) which starred Malcolm McDowell and was directed by Lindsay Anderson. Medwin also produced O Lucky Man! which effectively followed on from If and again featured Malcolm McDowell in the title roll and put Lindsay Anderson back in the director's chair. But for most people of the Sump generation (whatever that is), Michael Medwin might best be remembered as Corporal Springer in The Army Game; a British military sitcom aired in the late 1950s through to the early 1960s. Film-wise, Medwin appeared in well over 70 production, usually as a slightly shifty or disreputable cockney character, and often uncredited—or, at least, unnoticed. You might (or might not) remember him in:
Piccadilly Incident (1946)—his first movie
Boys in Brown (1949)
The Long Dark Hall (1951)
Street Corner (1953)
Genevieve (1953)
The Intruder (1955)
Bang! You're Dead (1954)
Crooks Anonymous (1962)
Rattle of a Simple Man (1964)
O Lucky Man! (1973)
The Jigsaw Man (1983)
Framed (2008)—his last film Often confused with actor Phil Davies (from Quadrophenia, 1979), Michael Medwin was born in London in 1923. At the age of 17 he appeared in his first West End stage play and was soon in demand, no doubt thanks to his cheeky and cheerful demeanour and acting flexibility. He could be troubled, tough, shrewd, sly, comedic and downright vicious. But mostly he was the guy with the questionable morals and dubious outlook that we loved to hate. Military roles seemed to suit him well, and you might remember him as Smart from Above Us the Waves (1955), and Private Watney in The Longest Day (1962). In 1979 he starred with Trevor Eve in the British TV detective series Shoestring where he played Don Satchley, the owner of Radio West whose wider commercial interests were often in conflict with the pro bono cases of Eddie Shoestring employed by the station. The series looks and feels dated now, but has a certain "historic" appeal, and Medwin could be filmed watching paint dry and still keep many folk glued to the screen for the longest time. 
He enjoyed roles in other TV series from Minder (with Dennis Waterman and George Cole), to Colin's Sandwich starring Mel Smith, to the long running police drama series, Heartbeat. And along the way he picked up an OBE. His last film was in 2008, but he remained involved in theatre production as chairman of a company he co-founded with David Pugh (David Pugh Ltd). Medwin died aged 96, and in doing so he breaks another link between now and the aforementioned age of classic British films. Many of us reading this effectively grew up with this guy whose face was far more familiar than his name. Fortunately, he left behind such a large body of work that he'll be with us for many years to come.
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Superunleaded could be replaced by E5 petrol E10 petrol could be the new standard grade One of the fundamental principles of journalism is to never say more than you actually know. But of course, like all principles you sometimes have to wring the facts a little to squeeze out any hidden truths, suspicions, doubts, hyperbole, spin and qualifications. So consequently, although we know that this is ostensibly just a government consultation, we also know that it's probably a done deal, if you know what we mean. Ya know? But the raw facts are that the UK government wants to know (hint, hint) what the rest of the country thinks about the move from E5 unleaded petrol to E10 petrol as the standard grade at the pumps. In other words, the standard unleaded grade is currently what most people (riders and drivers) squirt in their tanks. This grade is E5 which means it's adulterated with 5% bio-ethanol. No problem for modern bikes and cars, but it can be a problem with classics (dissolving fibre glass tanks, bloated or perished seals, eroded fuel lines, etc). Meanwhile, if you want to give that engine some pep, you currently use superunleaded. Well, the government wants E10 to be the default/standard grade, and re-designate E5 effectively as the "super". So the current super will be ... well superseded. Of course, that means less bang for your buck because bio-ethanol is less potent than petrol, certainly in terms of mpg. Since 2011/2012 E10 has been available across most of the European Union. But UK petrol stations haven't had much truck with it, possibly through fear of losing trade, and possibly for many other reasons. So why does the government want to further adulterate the petrol? Well it comes back to the emissions issue. Ethanol burns cleaner than petrol, notably regarding CO2 emissions—and presumably someone has done their sums right and worked out that the reduced mpg won't lead to more fuel stops which will negate whatever theoretical advantages there might have been. 
▲ Ordinary unleaded rust or superunleaded rust? Classic bikers might have to make further adjustments if the UK government pushes ahead with its desire to lace our fuel with even more ethanol. Your opinion is sought. But your views might well be irrelevant. But E10 has another worrying characteristic. Ethanol is hygroscopic. It absorbs H20. Or water. So does E5, mind, but E10 can rust your fuel tank that much faster, especially if you leave it alone for long periods of time. If you want to check if your bike (or car) will run with E10, we can tell you that it probably will. But there will be penalties, perhaps also in terms of ignition timing and carburettor jetting. You're going to have to talk to your local dealer, or classic bike club expert, or consult the sticker adjacent to your fuel filler cap. CO2 emissions-wise, the changes would be the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off the road. So sayeth the government. But we'd rather they just took the cars off the road, improved congestion and left the fuel supply as it is. Better still, take 700,000 cars from the road and get rid of E5 as well. But that ain't going to happen, so we can all dry our eyes and make whatever adjustments are necessary because although we don't know for sure that E10 will happen, we also know that it probably will. Amusingly, the government tells us that the fuel at the pumps will be clearly labelled E5 or E10 to enable riders/drivers to make a "green choice". Well we reckon that the "green" refers to the colour of our money and not the environment because the price of E5 will quite possibly rise. Meanwhile, for many classic bikers/drivers, the future might be more red than green. Rust red. If or when the changes happen, you'll notice it by 2021. UK government emissions consultation
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Two entrants from UK & Ireland Harley-Davidson dealerships 26 bikes worldwide are in the running We've long been featuring bikes from the Harley-Davidson Battle of the Kings (BOTK) competition. You'll no doubt recall the brief in which H-D dealers from around the world have been building custom Hogs based upon set criteria such as using a particular model as the platform, then embellishing it with parts from the H-D catalogue, and then throwing a little cash at it. Well, it's now time to crown the worldwide champion, and there are two UK & Ireland Harley-Davidson dealerships in the running; specifically Sycamore Harley-Davidson from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, and Sykes Harley-Davidson from East Sussex. 
The Sycamore bike (top of this news story, and immediately above) is El Ganador (The Winner). It's built by Todd Meynell. Based upon an unspecified Evo Sportster, the bike's central feature appears to be the "in your face" paintwork by AP Customs. Other parts include the usual shopping list of items such as Galfer wave discs, Öhlins piggy-back shocks, and Bassani Road Rage 3 exhausts and silencers. However, we're not really impressed with this entry. Seems we've seen this bike a hundred times before, albeit different in the details but adding up to the same thing. It's nice, but so what? See how jaded we've become over the years? Our souls are redeemable, mind. But we need more than a catalogue bike to ogle—meaning that at this level of competition we want something new and unexpected. Or maybe we've just been around too long. 
Meanwhile, Tom Winchester at Sykes Harley-Davidson in East Sussex has served up Choo-Choo; a 1,200cc Sportster (immediately above and immediately below) that's more to our taste. Or lack of. But yes, we've also seen this one a hundred times before. However, this bike has a certain poise/stance/attitude that helps mitigate any criticism we might have—and a springer fork (this set from Paughco) coupled with whitewall tyres on wire-laced wheels usually does it for us. 
Other parts include a Holeshot HX25 turbocharger (from an Iveco truck, we hear), repro WLR Flathead split tanks, and a "home made" stainless steel exhaust system terminating in a fishtail silencer. And then there's the Wurth rattle-can distressed paint job. Bliss. Anyway, if you want to vote for either creation, or for any other competition entrant, cut and paste the link below (which we've deliberately deactivated) and follow the breadcrumbs. Meanwhile, do check out the other 24 bikes and see what you think. There are certainly some fairly interesting customs from around the world, but it's hard to make an informed choice given the limited picture choice. You'll see what we mean.
One more thing; when you vote, Harley-Davidson will be collecting your personal data. You might want to keep that in mind if it's important to you. Voting has already begun (since 4th March 2020). The winner will be announced in April this year. The prize, by the way, is a refund of the individual competitor customization budget of up to £5,500, plus (of course) the prestige. https://customkings.harley-davidson.com/en_GB/
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9 new routes in the zone have been targeted for slow-go traffic Additional streets beyond the zone are also affected From Monday 2nd March 2020, more road traffic in parts of Central London is likely to be moving considerably slower. That's because nine routes currently controlled by Transport for London (TFL) have been slapped with a 20mph speed zone; down from 30. It's great news for anyone on foot, or in a wheelchair, or on a bicycle, but it's going to be a severe nuisance for anyone on motorised transport. 
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, naturally enough welcomes the changes. A well known asthma sufferer, Khan is pretty gung-ho with his "Vision Zero" wish to cut the number of seriously killed or injured travellers in the UK capital by 65% by 2022. Furthermore, his mission is to ensure that no one is killed on or by a bus by 2030. His ultimate Vision Zero aim, however, is to cut all London serious injuries and deaths by 2041. Sounds worthy enough. But as ever, there's a price to be paid. There are already dozens of 20mph zones in London, notably in Islington and Greenwich. Here's the list of the new slow-go highways: ● Albert Embankment
● Lambeth Palace Road, Lambeth Bridge ● Millbank ● Victoria Embankment ● Upper Thames St, Lower Thames St, Byward St, Tower Hill
● Borough High St, Great Dover St ● Blackfriars Road ● Part of Druid St (between Tower Bridge Road and Crucifix Lane), Crucifix Lane, part of Bermondsey St (between Crucifix Lane and Tooley St) ● Part of Tooley St (between Duke St Hill and Tower Bridge Road), Duke St Hill, Part of Queen Elizabeth St (between Tooley St and Tower Bridge Road). A total of 8.9 kilometres of road will now be monitored by recalibrated speed cameras. All the routes listed above are within the London Congestion Zone which encompasses the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ). Check a London street map and you'll see that most of these routes are adjacent to the Thames. So far, so good. Or bad. However, a few more streets outside of the Congestion Zone and ULEZ are also about to be mopped up with a 20mph limit. Specifically, these are: The Aldgate Gyratory (including Leman St), Prescot St, Mansell St, The Minories and Goodman's Yard. The Mayor's office tells us that around 4,000 people are killed or seriously injured on London's streets. As we've said before on Sump, it's bad practice to lump together deaths and serious injuries, but these are the numbers that are propping up the 20mph zones.
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1st May 2020 is the new date Any other date can be ignored We're not going to mention the original date for the upcoming Harry Dunn protest ride (or rides). That only risks causing further confusion. So we'll simply focus on the new date which is Friday 1st May 2020. Anyone wishing to take part should meet, respectively, at the US Embassy in London, Edinburgh or Belfast. So that means that three rides instead of one are scheduled. Riders are asked to arrive by 1pm. Any other date you might have heard is no longer valid. More information on the Harry Dunn story
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$6,745 is the asking price As featured on Jay Leno's Garage We get press releases all the time from Janus Motorcycles. We featured this energetic Indiana USA-based firm back in February 2019, specifically regarding the Janus Halcyon 250, and we've mentioned them again once or twice since. But these guys and gals keep hitting us with updates on the range of bikes and special promotions, and we're pleased to hear about it. The thing is, we can't really use much of the press stuff they send. That's because it's often details of short term promotions or news of a weekend open day or something of that ilk. And because most of our Sumpsters are living in the UK, there's only so much Janus Motorcycle news that's relevant/appropriate. That said, we've still got plenty of Sumpsters in the USA, and that number is growing steadily. And beyond that, we want to give Janus all the publicity we reasonably can because these keyed-up, clued-in, and upbeat Hoosiers really try to (a) offer a great and original product at a realistic price, and then (b) offer a great aftersales service. In short, we like to see hardworking folk get ahead, etc. So we're happy to report the latest news from Indiana that the above Janus Phoenix 250 is up for sale at $6,745. That's $500 off the original tag of $7,245. The bike is #45 off the line, and it was featured on Jay Leno's Garage—which you can hunt down on YouTube. 
▲ Based on the Honda CB125 engine (and later CG125), the Chinese over-bored the motor to displace a nominal 250cc (actually 229cc) and fitted a counter-balancer to quell the vibes. Wind 'em up and you get a fairly decent sounding roar from these diminutive roadsters. Meanwhile, the firm draws heavily on the manufacturing skills of the local community of Amish artisans and engineers. As for the company name, Janus is the Roman god of the road. So okay, these are very quirky motorcycles that won't suit everyone—not least due to the Chinese-built clone engine. This bike, after all, really deserves an American motor. Nevertheless, there is apparently a growing following for Janus Motorcycles, and we suspect that the well is a long way from dry. So check 'em out, if you will; especially if you're Stateside. As far as we know, the bikes still ain't available in the UK. But maybe there's an enterprising dealer out there who wants to try his luck with a new franchise. And no, we have no connection with Janus. Like we said, we just want to see folk get ahead and help keep those wheels turning. What goes around comes around. Or so it's said.
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New moddy boy film is "still in production" and creating heavy waves ... but all publicity is good publicity, huh? The film isn't out yet, and already it's a hotbed of confusion, dispute, rancour, threats and conflicting information. It follows on from where Quadrophenia left off. No, it doesn't follow on from Quadrophenia. The Who (rock band) have given their blessing. No, The Who haven't bloody-well given their blessing. The trailer was released by mistake. No, that's not exactly true. But. Look. Whack! %$*!! Biff! And so on. What we do know (or think we know) is that this movie has been around ten years in the planning/making, and it seems that some of the old faces from Quadrophenia—with the emphasis on old—have signed on for the voyage. These include Lesley Ash, Toyah Wilcox, Gary Shail and Trevor Laird. 
▲ Released in 1979 but set in the mid-1960s, Quadrophenia was based on The Who's 1973 rock opera album of the same name. Loosely centred around the mods and rockers rivalry of the era, the story takes us into the life and fractured mind of Jimmy, a disillusioned gofer in an ad agency out for kicks. Great music. Some great filming. And more than a few delicious comedic treats. If you haven't seen it for a while, it bears watching again. Set in the modern day, the plot, it seems, revolves around drug smuggling from the Isle of Wight, which sounds a bit lame when you consider how much coke and skunk and whatnot is already kicking around on both sides of the Solent and Spithead. A few more tons either way probably won't make much difference. Cue crooked cops, foul-mouthed gangsters, random acts of violence, (possibly) hundreds of scooters, (possibly) countless movies clichés, lashings of juvenile angst, and perhaps the odd cameo from the grizzled likes of Phil Daniels, Phil Davies and maybe even Sting (no, we ain't heard anything about these last three guys; we're just speculating and doing a bit of name checking). 
In fairness, we shouldn't pre-judge the film. It might be good. It might even be great. Trouble is, most of these movie projects finally arrive on our screens looking pretty weak and colourless and desperate. But there are exceptions. Ray Burdis and Pete Meadows (never 'eard of 'em) are the guys behind the project. And they're getting it in the neck from all sides, and apparently also getting a few in the back. Anyway, To Be Someone will be arriving in early April 2020. We won't be rushing out to see it. But if we break down on the bikes outside a cinema where the film happens to be showing, we'll probably nip inside while we await the arrival of the breakdown cavalry, especially if it's raining. No offence intended to the producers, but we've travelled this road before.
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Scottish museum seeks your input and attendance Rare classic cars, vans and bikes are invited to this one day event If, come Sunday May 10th 2020, you're expecting to have a little time on your hands (or elsewhere on your body), and if you fancy travelling, The Grampian Transport Museum in Alford, Aberdeenshire would like to hear from you. This apparently very active institution is staging a one day event called: HOW MANY LEFT? And as you can imagine, the organisers are looking for rare vehicles that were once commonplace, but are now endangered. They're interested in cars, vans, motorcycles and scooters. But the emphasis, remember, is on common or garden variety vehicles and not specialist machines. So that rare Ginetta kit car won't pass muster. But that Austin Ambassador or Morris Marina is ideal. And for that matter, owners of Velocette Vogues, Speed Twins or BSA Bantams will probably be welcome. True, Speed Twins and Bantams are still fairly common to folk in the motorcycle world. But to the general public, these bikes are largely viewed as rare and are all but forgotten. Anyway, you can figure out for yourself if your bike (or car) fits the brief. But we can't imagine anyone being turned away on an Ariel Square Four chop, or anything equally left-field/exotic/etc. Regardless, you should book asap to reserve a place. 
Here are the museum details: Grampian Transport Museum
Alford
Aberdeenshire
AB33 8AE
Telephone: 01975 562292
info@gtm.org.uk
http://gtm.org.uk We don't know that part of the world very well. But we do know that there's some great scenery to be had, and the roads are mostly very good. So if you've never, or rarely, ventured that far north in the UK, here's a possible opportunity to make a casual road trip into something perhaps a little more interesting—and our experience of travelling is that it's usually more satisfying to have some kind of event or special feature in mind. Just factor in the vagaries of the weather. It changes pretty quickly "north of the border". And in any case, May in Scotland is apt to get chilly. So bring your thermals if you're biking. One more thing: The event times are 12.30pm - 4.30pm, and in that part of the world, that sounds like a pretty short window to expect more than a handful of visitors to show up; especially if they're travelling. You might think that a long weekend wouldn't be too much. But no doubt the organisers have a better grip on local numbers and have got their clocks and calendars sorted right. Just a thought. UPDATE: Two points. We've just noticed that a charitable donation of £10 is asked "to offset admin costs". Go figure. Also, the museum considers a car or bike to be rare if fewer than 500 examples remain at large. Hmm.
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Oz actor Eric Bana tipped to play "Mike the Bike" in a new Hailwood biopic
Millard MCs, Guernsey (Est: 1896), claims world's oldest bike dealership
New Triumph visitor experience 14 Daytona motorcycles spanning 50 years
Mike Levatich, H-D president/CEO "quits". Jochen Zeitz leads ailing firm
Royal Enfield sales boom in EU. India sales falling. World sales 18% down
Harry Dunn protest ride. US Embassy, London. SW11 7US. Sat 14/3/20 UPDATE: THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED. Instead, riders are asked to meet outside of the US Embassies in London, Edinburgh and Belfast. The new date is 1st May 2020. Arrive by 1pm
Italy: Ducati and Piaggio museums temporarily closed. Covid-19 virus cited
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