MCN LONDON MOTORCYCLE SHOW PREVIEW
Head to London’s Docklands for the only show in town this February
Time to vote for your Classic Bike of the Year – get your ticket for the show now
‘THERE’S STILL TIME TO GRAB YOURSELF A DISCOUNTED TICKET’
We can’t banish the winter weather, but we can provide a little respite from the gloom at the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show at EXCEL on February 17-19. As well as all the razzamatazz of a vibrant modern show, with leading manufacturers including Triumph, Royal Enfield and Ducati showing their latest wares, there’s plenty to tempt classic fans too.
For a start, it’s your last chance to check out the contenders for CB’S Classic Bike of the Year title as the ten hopefuls line up in the Classic Zone. Take a good look at them all and cast your vote for the winner of the richest prize on the classic bike concours calendar, before indulging in a leisurely tour of some of the wares being sold by a selection of the specialist retailers and service providers who support the vibrant classic scene. But, even outside the Classic Zone itself, there’ll be more to tickle your fancy.
On these pages, we’ve picked out just a few of the attractions not to be missed at London’s own bike show. There’s still time to grab a discounted entry ticket (just visit mcnmotorcycleshow.com), indoor parking for motorcycles is free and there’s excellent catering – and even a couple of decent bars if you’ve come on the train – on site. Better still, spring is just round the corner. See you at the EXCEL London.
CLASSIC BIKE OF THE YEAR
The centrepiece of the Classic Zone is an eclectic collection of bikes vying for top spot in the CB honours list. This year, the entry spans eras and continents, with the earliest a 1937 BSA B21, while the youngest machine is a 1986 Moto Guzzi V75 special – a mere 31 years old.
There’s a strong British entry, ranging from a catalogue-correct 1939 Velocette KSS, through inventive and intriguing Norvin and ohv Matchless specials to everpopular Brit twins like the 1971 Norton Commando and 1946 Triumph Speed Twin.
Café racers feature strongly, with a lovely 1960 BSA Gold Star in Clubman trim and a 1979 Ducati 860 GTS special. And flying the flag for the Japanese factories is a rare ’73 Honda CB350G. So come and make your vote count. The winner will be announced live on Sunday afternoon after we’ve counted the online votes and ballots cast at the show.
THE COYS SALE
Coys will be bringing the drama of the sale room to the MCN show. If you’re in the market for a collectable classic, a £10 catalogue will admit you (and a friend) to Saturday’s auction. Or just go along for the entertainment.
Coys’ expert team has attracted some stunning machines to the sale (see our regular auction coverage on page 19). There are some amazing machines in the 140-strong line-up, with a genuine, ex-bud Ekins Husqvarna – the machine he rode in the 1967 ISDT in Poland particularly noteworthy. It comes with a wad of documentation and is being offered in fully restored condition with an estimate of £9000-11,000. You need to catch the special display of racing machinery in the Sports and Performance Zone. Curated by Roger Charlesworth – the man behind the Brackley Motorcycle Festival – it will include a number of classic machines. And surely one of the most impressive is this amazing 1962 495cc Marsh MR4.
Conceived in the early 1950s by Harland and Wolff engineer the late Fred Marsh, the dohc four appeared on track in 1962. Inspired by MV’S fours, Fred designed and built most of the engine, except the modified Triumph Terrier heads.
With a modified Douglas Dragonfly frame, lack of cash for development hampered the bike’s competitiveness. What might have been if Fred had some financial support though?