Posh photos at the TT races; half-price stainless fasteners, bag a blast on a Bullet, meet some fine Beezer geezers and more in this month’s classic motorcycling news…
Enfield Open Day No.1 T Northeast Motorcycles in Horley in Surrey have been in business for 50 years, and are holding a special birthday party this coming weekend, on Saturday May 2nd 2009, to celebrate their anniversary. You’ll find the T Northeast shop tucked away in Station Road; it’s a real old fashioned bike dealership, which even had a cobbled yard last time we were there. Drop in on Saturday and you’ll receive a warm welcome while you inspect the current range of Royal Enfield Efi Bullets. Refreshments will be on offer too, and T Northeast provide the full range of services you’d expect from a well-established family business including a good selection of sensibly-priced secondhand bikes, Castrol classic oils and so on. Drop in from 10am; call 01293 783229 to ask for directions beforehand. Enfield Open Day No.2 Surrey is a long way to travel for a look-see and a cuppa tea, so if you’re based in the West Midlands then you’ll probably prefer to travel to Midlands Royal Enfield at Shrewsbury on Sunday 17th May 2009 to enjoy this dealers’ open day. It starts at 10am and features the very special guest Phil Read. In addition to being on hand to talk about his illustrious career with Norton, MV Agusta and Yamaha, Phil has agreed to lead a one hour ride-out where anyone is welcome to join Phil on his road test of the new EFI Royal Enfield Electra Clubman. The ride will cover about 50 miles on brilliant open roads with a stop for tea and a chat. |
Royal Enfields on eBay |
Other attractions for the day include a VMCC display, road tests of the new EFI Royal Enfields, charity raffle of motorcycle goodies, wheel building demonstrations, classic racing machines, the Royal Enfield UK factory display plus a hot food wagon (and there may even be an RC stall, too!). There’s no admission charge. You’ll find the action at 2B Vernon Drive on the Battlefield Enterprise Park near Shrewsbury (SY1 3TF). Call 01743 46 77 46 for directions. Oh, and pass on our congratulations to Steve the proprietor for his award at the recent RE conference…
Hair Today
Many RC readers will know John Kenworthy, proprietor of Sunrise Graphics and RC supporter from our very early days. If you’ve purchased any of his spiffy decals in person, then you’ll also know that John has been a fairly hairy person… but not for much longer.
John is sacrificing his abundant coiffure in aid of the NorthWest AirAmbulance as part of the entertainment at the VJMC’s Nabs Head Classic Bike Show on May 17th 2009. He’ll be accepting donations in person on the day, or if you fancy encouraging him and contributing towards this good cause then the VJMC can separate you from your money via 01324 410519.
Chuffing Good Time
The annual Easter classic bike rally at the East Lancashire Railway was another chuffing success this year, as you can see from the photographic evidence. The sun shone and so a swarm of classic motorcyclists descended on the station at Bury to put on a grand display of old bikes.
Everyone who attended on a classic motorcycle was given a free ride on one of the heritage trains for their trouble and made the most of the trackside refreshments and locomotives on display and in action. See http://east-lancs-rly.co.uk for details of other steam train events throughout the year.
Half-Price Stainless
Velocette specialist Silent Stainless have a special offer running until 30th June 2009, which means you can save 50% (or buy twice as much!) on their metric fasteners, UNC and BSW nuts and bolts, all as listed in the Silent Stainless general fasteners list and subject to availability (first come first served, so don’t be slow…). Email robert at silentstainless.co.uk for the full list or call 01530 458813.
New Thingle To Reduce Finger-Tingle
If you ride an older motorcycle, then the chances are you feel some vibrations through your handlebars to your fingers. Kate Emery of the Norvil Motorcycle Co got so fed up with white finger syndrome that she designed some heavyweight motorcycle bar end weights to help combat this problem by dampening those vibes. Weighing in at approximately 320g per pair, they are over three times heavier than the standard alloy ones which are commonly available and are designed to fit all handlebars that have an internal diameter of between 17.5mm and 19.5mm, and which are hollow to a depth of 65mm.
The outer is made of polished stainless steel and is fixed to the inside of the handlebar via a screw winding down the steel insert which presses the insert out inside the handlebar. This metal fixing ensures maximum vibe dampening at the end of the bar. To order you need to quote part number BEWHEAVY, and the price is £35 plus VAT (worldwide delivery available). You can buy direct from Norvil Motorcycle by phoning 01543 278008 or see www.norvilmotorcycle.co.uk
Snap Happy At The TT
The dates for the TT photo exhibition on the Isle of Man have changed slightly; it’s now open from May 23rd through to June 13th 2009, from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and Mad Sunday, at the Laxey Woollen Mills, Glen Road, Laxey.
Over 200 shots from motorcycle sport on the Island will be displayed, plus on the opening Saturday the exhibition will play host to the Senior TT trophy for the day. In addition there will be an autojumble in the car park of the Laxey Woollen Mills: no charge, just turn up, set up and flog up! Free admission, all donations gratefully received for the MGP Helicopter Fund. Contact amulree at mcb.net
BSAing You?
A new branch of the BSAOC fires up on June 2nd 2009 at the George & Dragon Pub, just off the A272 at Dragons Green, Shipley in West Sussex (RH13 8GE). The inaugural meeting starts at 8pm and is completely free to attend. BSA enthusiasts are welcome to attend, with their old bikes or without, to get this new branch off to a lively start. For more info contact Gawek68 at gmail.com or 07974 571761.
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