feedback@sumpmagazine.com
I enjoy glancing at your website and appreciate your digging around the world of the motorcycling underbelly but please think twice before Political Graffiti drags you towards the BREXIT bunch. If we need Boris news there's plenty to be found. Sump seems to me to be a place where those with a shared interest in 2 wheels can find interesting titbits and fascinating stories. Please keep Boris and BREXIT off the site, whatever your opinion. We're not reading SUMP for that. —Phil Cowley, Hants. Editor's note: Hi Phil, thanks for that. However, we often feature political news and comments, particularly with our Political Graffiti items – and we’ve got no plans to change that. Sump isn’t a motorcycle magazine; it's a magazine for motorcyclists. Everything affects everything else in one way or another, and the Brexit debacle is affecting us all. If you don’t like the story or our slant, turn the page. Simple. I suspect, however, that you think we’re supporting Boris, which we’re not. We're simply highlighting the fact that Westminster has an agenda that's completely out of step with the electorate. It's currently on a savage fox hunt looking for blood, and Boris is the fox. We're making a pertinent and timely critique of the slanted political system and the rampant media bias. It's not an endorsement of Boris Johnson, per se. Beyond that, when you eat a free lunch, you shouldn't complain about what's on the menu.
Personally I like the addition of items that don't necessarily involve
motorcycles on the Sump pages. On occasion I'll be singing off the same
sheet that the published comments come from. At other times I won't
agree, but it's all food for thought. Varied content makes the entire
experience more interesting generally, and items that really don't hit
the spot can simply be ignored. Easy.—The Village Squire
Your comment will appear here.....
Ex-Meriden Triumph staffer, author & scrambler Harry Woolridge dies, 88
Reminder: 6th October 2019. Copdock Bike Show (see Sump events page)
IOM firm Freedom Travel collapses. TT visitors check your bookings
Surrey police successfully deploy "DNA spray" to tackle anti-social riders
London Motorcycle Museum closes 7th October 2019. 80+ bikes to auction
John Page at Sprockets Unlimited has died. Future of the business unclear
New 2020 765 Triumph Street Triple set to launch in October 2019
feedback@sumpmagazine.com
Your comment will appear here.....
5th October 2019 is the date A cool Crocker and Ten Vincents are going under the hammer Bonhams will be hosting another sale at the Barber Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, Alabama USA on 5th October 2019. The headline lot (Lot 155) is a 1940 Crocker Big Tank (see image immediately below) which is estimated to sell at $495,000 - $595,000 (£400,000 - £480,000). The bike, we hear, was formerly the property of ex-Crocker employee Elmo Looper who in his day was renowned as a highly skilled machinist and cam grinder par excellence. Looper worked for Crocker during WW2 when the factory had ceased producing bikes and turned over production to Douglas aircraft parts. 
But Elmo, a member of the noted 13 Rebels motorcycle club, was very much a biker, and post war involved himself in the repair and maintenance of Crocker motorcycles. Actually, it was far more than that. When Albert Crocker decided to focus on industrial engineering, Looper bought the remaining Crocker factory stock and in doing so kept existing bikes on the road and maintained the sputtering flame. As a result, in some circles his name is almost synonymous with Albert Crocker. Certainly, there would be far fewer Crocker bikes on the road today had not Looper put his shoulder to these particular wheels. However, he too would forego motorcycle repair and engineering in favour of other industrial diversions (notably within the printing trade), and eventually he sold the bike and moved on, both literally and figuratively speaking. The bike, one of 30 Big Tanks, has enjoyed a fairly chequered history since Looper's ownership. After a serious crash, it travelled west to east across the USA, then languished for many years whilst awaiting the right person to come along and bring it back to life. 
The present owner bought the bike in 2004 and spent around 15 years sourcing the parts and the skills needed to recreate this forlorn example of Al Crocker's handiwork. All the parts were either new or NOS, or were recreated components by noted and approved Crocker experts. For all that, however, there are still a few jobs that need sorting, including an oil leak, a clutch problem, some flaking chrome and the faded paintwork. We quote direct from Bonhams: "In the past Buchannan's Frame Shop had spliced two frames together to come up with a straight-and-true foundation for the project, and a replica fork assembly commissioned from Gordon Salisbury was attached. Mike Lange rebuilt the engine and gearbox, using Carrillo connecting rods in the former and NOS gears in the latter. A cast-aluminum toolbox, complete with inset Crocker logo, is from a batch of 50 made by Richard Morris using original blueprints. So too, the lovely cast-aluminum [aluminium] gas/oil tanks are reproductions from Crocker Toronto. Restoration ace Steve Huntzinger crafted the gas and oil caps. Chuck Vogel supplied the repop fenders that dropped perfectly into place. Chuck Vernon, Daniel Statnekov and Mike Madden, among others, chipped in with various NOS parts." Meanwhile, Bonhams is advising prospective purchasers to satisfy themselves regarding the provenance of this motorcycle—which in no way should be treated as a special warning regarding this bike. It certainly looks and feels right, but half a million spondulix is way too much money to part company with without studying the small print and asking some searching historical questions. 
▲ Lot 152, 1949 998cc Vincent Black Shadow Series C. The estimate is $110,000 - $130,000 (£89,000 - £100,000). This bike has been "restored to 1949 Earls Court Motorcycle Show specification", but it's not clear if this machine was actually at the show or carries an especially newsworthy history (but it certainly appears to have had a chequered past). Moving on, we see that there are also no less than ten Vincent motorcycles on offer including four complete Black Shadows (Series C and D bikes); one Egli; two Comets; and three project Vinnies (a Black Prince, a Black Shadow and a Rapide)  We've counted 215 lots in total, including the [1921] "Dodge City 300 Mile" print (Lot 1) by noted artist Robert Carter (top of this news story). Featuring a Harley-Davidson flat tanker, this 36" x 55" canvas print is number 1 or 25 examples. And there are a few more worthy of your attention.
As ever, we'll be studying the other lots and will flag anything that strikes us as interesting or newsworthy. www.bonhams.com www.barbermuseum.org UPDATE: The Crocker didn't sell. Neither did the Vincent.
feedback@sumpmagazine.com
Your comment will appear here.....
Cheltenham Town Hall (GL50 1QA) is the venue The organiser expects slight door delays If you're travelling to the Kickback Show on Saturday 21st September 2019, and if you haven't bought an advance ticket or tickets, we've been advised by the organiser that you could spend a little longer than usual at the gate. The event has been booked to near capacity and a scrum is expected for this increasingly popular show. Apparently there is a bar, but that might not be a lot of use if you're on a bike or driving—unless you want to hang around sipping coke or orange juice and eating peanuts.  That said, this gathering at Cheltenham Town Hall is likely to reveal some very interesting examples of the custom bike builder's art, so stay on target and be patient if you can. You will get in. Just expect a brief hang up or two.
Online tickets are/were £8. The gate price for adults is £10. The doors open at 11am and close at 5pm. www.thecustomshow.com
feedback@sumpmagazine.com
Your comment will appear here.....
The law is still in force Stay equipped for now First the French government voted to mandate on-board breathalysers for tourists in France. That was in 2013. Then President Francois Hollande decided to scrap the €11 fine but keep the law on the books. And now the French government has indicated that it wants to revoke the law—at least as far as Johnny Foreigner is concerned. There's still something of a political fog surrounding this issue, and no doubt clarification will emerge. But at the moment, it looks as if bikers and drivers travelling in or through France will soon not have to carry any form of breath-test kit. Why the change of heart? Apparently it was simply because the law was serving no purpose and saw no reduction in drink-drive incidents. So the French, to their credit, have decided to undo what was done—or is this really about a fall in tourism? We haven't any figures in that regard. But experience suggests that behind any given reason, there's often another silent reason lurking.  Meanwhile, keep a watch on this issue because technically the law is still in force until it's officially declared null and void, etc—and French cops are nothing if not a capricious bunch.
And remember that riders and drivers are still required to carry other roadside emergency equipment including reflective vests, a warning triangle, spare bulbs and an approved medical kit. UPDATE: We've just checked, and France is actually claiming a 3% increase in tourists between 2017 and 2018. Around 90 million visitors currently annually enjoy French hospitality. Nevertheless, there might still be another reason for undoing the breathalyser law for foreigners.
feedback@sumpmagazine.com
Hi, the figures for tourists I see are for last year. I normally travel to [mainland] Europe 3 or 4 times a year. Due to the uncertainty over Brexit, I haven’t travelled there at all this year due to not knowing how difficult it will be to travel. Maybe I am not the only one, and many others are playing the waiting game and now the French have realised that maybe our money was worth having after all. I’m not holding my breath though.—Ian
Your comment will appear here.....
Indefinite suspension of this popular Isle of Man event VMCC cites rising costs and increased bureaucracy One of the highlights of the annual Classic TT is the Festival of Jurby. The event, which has been running for 10 years, invariably happens between the two race days and is an extravaganza of vintage, veteran and classic motorcycles centred around the Jurby Motordrome on the North Island. Organised by the VMCC, around 10,000 visitors are claimed for this gathering. But it's now been cancelled until further notice, which could be permanently. VMCC Isle of Man Section secretary Gary Corlett said: "We are seeing heavier regulation come into effect, and responsibilities grow to surpass the capability of the small team that organises the event. Keeping riders safe is our utmost concern and in the current climate we were facing additional uncertainties with insurance for any non-Manx riders given changes to EU medical cards. Consequently, and pending professional advice, the committee has reluctantly, and with regret, decided to suspend the festival until further notice. "The VMCC has always looked at ways to promote the island’s strong history with motorcycling and the tremendous machines many of our members lovingly restore and care for, and for the past decade the Festival of Jurby has celebrated this perfectly. Our commitment to promoting vintage motorbikes remains as strong as ever, and the committee will be continuing with the many events we organise throughout the year, including the Manx Rally. However this is a perfect time to reflect and refocus our efforts to look at new events." None of that sounds very hopeful as far as the Festival of Jurby is concerned. But it's worth remembering that this event brings a lot of money to the island, and the islanders are well aware of this fact. So is this simply the VMCC firing a warning shot hoping to change the underlying rules, regulations and other financial burdens? We don't know, and we won't speculate further. We've contacted the VMCC for clarification and we asked this question. But at present it seems that the news hasn't cooled  sufficiently for others to touch it and explore the wider implications. However we are advised that the Classic TT racing is unaffected and will continue as usual. We're told that it's simply the Jurby Festival that been cancelled. We tried to speak directly to Gary Corlett, but he wasn't available. www.vmcc.net www.iomtt.com
feedback@sumpmagazine.com
Your comment will appear here.....
Remember the film: An Officer and a Gentleman? This 750cc Triumph Bonneville is about to be auctioned Remember the 1982 movie An Officer and a Gentleman? We do. Vaguely, anyway. It's one of those films that was over-hyped, and that pretty much put us off bothering to watch it until the excitement died. Same thing with Jaws (1975) and Close Encounters (1977) —although we eventually got the popcorn and coke out and watched them all. An Officer and a Gentleman, you might recall, featured a 33-year old Gere playing "Zack Mayo" in this US military aviation macho yarn with a romantic/dramatic sub plot, etc. But all we really remember is Gere warming the saddle of a Triumph twin—and even then, we had the vague notion that the bike was a 500cc Daytona or similar. However, the bike was in fact a 750cc 1978 Triumph Bonneville T140. It was one of two examples used in the film. The motorcycles were supplied by Dewey's Cycles in Seattle, Washington USA, and this one will go under the hammer at the Icons and Legends of Hollywood Sale on 25th - 26th September 2019 organised by Profiles in History. Actually, it looks as if it's already been under someone's hammer and arguably hasn't been sufficiently cherished to warrant the $20,000 - $30,000 price expectation. There's rust sprouting here and there, notably on the front disc. The tail lamp is broken. The left side tank badge is half adrift. The chrome has some pitting. And apparently there are two tabs welded to the frame somewhere which have been used to suspend the bike from a ceiling or something. Nothing too serious, mind, and relatively cheap fixes. Meanwhile, it looks like a mostly complete and original T140, and Richard Gere's association is bound to add a premium to this machine—claimed to be one of the most iconic bikes in movie history. We'll be watching to see what happens on the day, but we won't be reaching for the credit card. It's listed as Lot 526. 
Moving on, we see that the Russian Dnepr combination used in the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1984) starring Harrison Ford and Sean Connery is also looking for a new garage. The bike, a 1988 model, was decked up to look like a WW2 German BMW, and it plays the part reasonably convincingly (and certainly more convincingly than Connery playing Ford's dad). 
▲ Steven Spielberg (left) giving directions to Sean Connery and Harrison Ford. With a name like Jones, you'd think Ford's dad would have been a Welshman. And that's not the same bike as the other one featured here. But check the text and you'll see that more than one was used. Still, you might want to have a closer examination of the provenance... 
The Dnepr is one of three such outfits used in the film. It's also been knocked around a little, which is perhaps a minor miracle considering how many props are generally wrecked in the Indian Jones franchise. Expectations are running high for this one (at least as far as the auctioneers are concerned). The company is hoping for $40,000 - $60,000. It's Lot 553.
feedback@sumpmagazine.com
Your comment will appear here.....
www.britishdealernews.co.uk Ewan McGregor/Charley Boorman planning H-D Livewire Long Way Up tour Three more Barry Sheene bikes to show at Motorcycle Live 16 - 24/11/2019 
Thieves in Dartford, Kent tow away a KTM 125 with a horse, 12/9/2019 Tesla is said to be working on a "one million miles lifetime battery"
www.revzilla.com Ask the doc: Like a sore thumb (trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis) How to load a dirt bike into (sic) a pickup truck
www.motorcyclenews.com New tech could soon replace conventional helmet liners South Yorkshire Police recover 204 stolen motorcycles Exploring the technology behind cornering ABS and traction control
www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial Honda proposes emotion-sensing motorcycle Does locking your motorcycle make it less likely to be stolen? Best cheap (125cc) bikes 2019
www.visordown.com Visordown's guide to winter riding Harley-Davidson to lay off staff. 40 to go. Merchandising department
www.motorbikewriter.com Another fatality in group riding crash
Three die in two NSW motorcycle crashes
Driver free after causing rider death
Fatal crash highlights group riding risk
Rider 24 dies in head on with SUV
feedback@sumpmagazine.com
Your comment will appear here.....
490cc ex-military Norton 16H seeks a new soldier £7k - £8k is the estimate Around 100,000 Norton motorcycles were produced for the British military before and during WW2. The Model 16H was the most common (and certainly the best known). The other notable Norton was the Big 4.  The single cylinder sidevalve boasts a displacement of 490cc with a bore of 79mm and a stroke of 100mm. The bike is pretty much built along conventional line and offers much the same thrills and foibles of the rival BSA M20—and adherents of both models routinely argue/discuss which bike was superior in terms of reliability, performance, handling, ease of maintenance, style, etc.
This example (immediately above and below) will be going under the hammer at H&H's next sale at the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull which is scheduled for 2nd November 2019. 
The bike, post WW2, was shipped to Greece (where more than a handful of military bikes have washed up, one or two literarily). By the 1980s the bike, we hear, reappeared on a US airbase in Germany, and sometime after that it was shipped to California, USA. Since then, it's been restored and then dry-stored since 2014. Although the auction listing doesn't specifically say as much, the Norton is probably located right here in the UK—and will be sold (or not) not many miles from where it entered the world. Luvverly. The registration number is 661 YUJ, which supports the notion that the bike is now registered in the UK. The engine number is W16179. The frame number is W92938. And naturally, the bike will need some commissioning after a five year furlough. The price is £7,000 - £8,000 which, although perhaps a little on the high side in the current slowing classic market, isn't totally unrealistic for a sorted 16H. The parade ground gloss finish isn't ideal for a military hack, but it doesn't look as if too much effort will be needed to get this motorcycle battle ready on the re-enactment scene if that's your bag. No lot number has yet been assigned.
www.handh.co.uk
UPDATE: The 1941 Norton 16H sold for £6,975
feedback@sumpmagazine.com
Your comment will appear here.....
Chester bike dealer Bill Smith raided. Video on Facebook. Can you help?
30,000 Guzzi fans/friends attended Mandello del Lario Open Day 6-8/9/2019
Commons Transport Committee seeks UK pavement (sidewalk) parking ban
2020 Indian Roadmaster Dark Horse revealed. 116ci Thunder Stroke engine
Survey: "56% of UK drivers avoid/misunderstand Smart M-Way shoulders"
UK bike sales +2.1% year-to-date. August sales -7.2% on August 2018
feedback@sumpmagazine.com
Your comment will appear here.....
 
Premier Vintage Jet Premier Vintage OP9-BM  
Premier Trophy Retro Premier Trophy BTR Four lids, two open face, two full-face £279.95 and £299.95 We've been meaning to get around to this for some time. But what with one beer and another we've been putting it off and curling up on the couch and never getting it done. You know how it works. However, we've finally picked up the business phone and flapped our tongues and made our move, and we've gone and added the above quartet of crash helmets to our modest shop.  And we wish we'd done it sooner.
They're all 70s style lids from Italian firm Premier. That's because the 70s is where we're at, mentally speaking—which isn't to say we don't look beyond that hallowed decade to other eras, motorcycling-wise. Check around these pages and you'll see what we mean. We're nothing if not eclectic. But if Dr Who landed in the driveway with his TARDIS and offered to whisk us off through the portals of time and all that Einsteinian-gravity-bending- black-hole stuff, we'd politely ask to be dropped off around ... say ... 1973, or 76 or thereabouts. So if you can relate to these nostalgic whims and wistful caprices, and if you need a new lid (and pretty much everyone needs a new lid), we're inviting you to mosey on down to our online shop and check out these helmets. Just click on whichever one interests you and listen to out sales pitch, such as it is. Then, if you're persuaded to indulge and kit-up with something new and stylish, reach for your wallet or purse and do what you have to do. But check sizes carefully—and note that we've included postage costs. However, we're offering these crash helmets to UK customers only. Allow 3 - 5 days for delivery, and if you're not happy with your purchase, send it back in as-new condition with the original packaging, etc. You know the drill. If it ain't right, it ain't right. We won't quibble.
feedback@sumpmagazine.com
Your comment will appear here.....
▲ Pure Triumph Wellingborough crafted this slightly cheesy Speed Twin lookalike. Not bad from this angle, but side-on it simply lacks the elegance of the original. Still, we'd find a space for it somewhere in the shed. And the name of the bike? A Pure Ed Turner. Nice. Three UK Triumph dealers battle for the best custom bobber crown Decision to be announced on 29th September 2019 Back in May 2019 Triumph Motorcycles announced the start of its first UK Bobber Build-Off competition. It happened at the Bike Shed Show, London. Since then, thirteen Triumph dealerships around the country have been busy building, adapting, crafting, colouring, personalising and presenting their respective entrants. And now, following public voting via the Triumph Motorcycles website, the three finalists have been marched to the podium. These dealers are (in no particular order); Peterborough Triumph, Laguna Ashford, and Pure Triumph Wellingborough. The competition therefore moves on to the next stage with the winner being announced at the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride (DSG) in London on 29th September 2019. 
▲ Laguna Ashford took a Thruxton fairing and perched it at the business end of this Bobber and slapped on the livery à la X-75 Hurricane. Confused identity? Maybe. We're not exactly wetting ourselves over this one, but it's easy to be an armchair critic. No doubt the builders worked hard to get this contender into the ring. It's called The Drag Racer, by the way. 
▲ Peterborough Triumph took its inspiration from WW2 bombers and fashioned this entrant called BOB-01. It's the most radical of the three finalists. If this doesn't win, we're setting fire to the factory. Be warned. 
▲ So okay, it's a bit fussy and wants you to look everywhere at once. But the builders get credit for taking a few chances. Privately, however, we were fairly happy with the Bobber the way Triumph presented it—but that would be missing the point. 
All the bikes were built using a mix of off-the-shelf Triumph parts and dealer engineering skills. Public voting ended on 29th August 2019. Triumph Motorcycles, unsurprisingly, is the main sponsor for this year's DSG.
www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk
feedback@sumpmagazine.com
Your comment will appear here.....
Met Police: Moped crime in London has more than halved since June 2017
British Dealer News reports rise in motorcycle "bugging device" detectors
Elvis's Harley-Davidson Electra Glide (his last bike) sold for $800,000
Jessi Combs, US land-speed racer/TV celeb has crashed and died aged 39
US actor David Hedison (James Bond co-star/Felix Leiter) has died aged 92
feedback@sumpmagazine.com
Your comment will appear here.....
▲ Top | 
