Editorial
After just about all of this year’s riding season had been shackled by the confines of Covid social distancing and lockdowns, it seems that things really are finally returning back to something approaching normality, although many folk are saying that we will never return to the normality that we had six months ago.
Finally, we’re seeing autojumbles up and running again, with Ardingly, Stickney and others having taken place by the time you read this. Support them, but stay safe. There’s a look at how ’jumbles, Ardingley in particular, have undertaken their safety procedures on page 28, and just before we went to press we heard that ’Normous Newark will be opening the (one way) gates on August 16, and more details for that, with regards to opening times and regulations, can be found on the website at www.newarkautojumble.co.uk
As I’ve previously mentioned, as far as the world of classic motorcycles is concerned, there is a positive side to the social distancing and selfisolating guidelines that so many of us have been following over the last few months. Indeed, lockdown has certainly seen more time being spent in sheds up and down the country, with many more project bikes easing their way towards completion. Even some of my own projects have seen me spinning spanners, tapping threads and MIG-ing stuck fasteners out of limbo. Yet none of them are anywhere near as completed, nor as finely finished, as Neville’s glorious TriBSA that you can see on page
34 – a prime example of how the time afforded by lockdown can result in a positive outcome. And like Nev’s bike, one of my own projects is a collation of parts that’ve been taking up valuable space in my garage and sheds (everyone needs at least one ‘storage shed’ in addition to the area in which spanners are swung) although mine are of more recent countenance, and require tools of a metric standard, rather than the traditional Imperial flavour of the TriBSA.
But that in-shed isolation hasn’t always resulted in positive work being undertaken on projects. Indeed, I can personally vouch for the fact that it has also had a downside, regarding one of my projects in particular, a Kawasaki of 1977 vintage. While refreshing the starter clutch and alternator arrangement on the bike in question, using some new aftermarket components and some of the original parts, reassembly seemed to be going according to plan right up to the point at which the crank end bolt tightened up surprisingly quickly without seemingly putting any pressure on the alternator rotor. Cutting a long story short, it appears that the aftermarket rotor was of marginally different dimensions and required a slightly shorter bolt and slightly different design thrust washer to the rear, both of which I may have realised, or been told of, had I been dealing with somebody over a shop counter, rather than ordering parts via the internet with no human interaction. Of course, there was no guarantee of that, but it did get me wondering just how folk have been coping with ordering parts (or even finding them, for that matter) for bikes that are much, much older than my middle-aged Zed. The chance to closely scrutinise parts only comes at a shop or autojumble stand, and there’s also the potential additional knowledge gained from actually speaking, face-to-face, with the vendor. And now, finally, we have the chance to do so again. So take advantage of the situation and support your local autojumble. Actually, support as many as you can, both in terms of attending as a ‘punter,’ looking for parts and consumables, and as a seller, as having a stand at an autojumble not only allows you to clear some ‘old stock’ that may not be of any use to you any more – because it’s taking up valuable space, is a duplication of other parts, or is for a bike that you don’t own now – but also brings in some oft-needed finances. There’s also the often-forgotten fact that the ’jumble scene has a circle of ‘insiders’ – those folk who regularly attend such events and become known for the parts that they specialise in, and the knowledge that they have gained over years of dealing and spannering. It’s essential knowledge that isn’t found quite as easily from a bit of internet surfing…
Those of you who also read the modern motorcycle press may have seen that bike sales have recently seen a rather pleasing 15% rise in sales, although this is more than balanced out by the fact that sales had been depressingly low during the first half of the year (25% lower than the same time period in 2019). Of course, that lift in sales during June also coincided with the fact that many folk were returning to work, seemingly unwilling to entertain the notion of public transport, and realising that riding a bike is perhaps the very best way of self-isolating on the commute to the daily grind. Backing this up is the fact that scooter sales rose an astounding 46.6% over the same period that new car sales dropped by 35%! Incidentally, one of the most keenly priced bikes of this year, the Royal Enfield 650cc twins, are doing well, with the Interceptor having a 54% increase when compared with June last year. This could mean that Enfield have vastly improved their dealer network; or that they’ve hit the UK market demand squarely on the head; or that the focus of bike sales has diverted away from sports and adventure machines and to classically styled motorcycles. Or, of course, all three.
But don’t be thinking that it is only brand new bikes that are selling successfully right now.
Auctions are also doing surprisingly well, even when run as online only with no one actually being able to see the lots in the flesh. Reports of the number of online bidders increasing threefold are common, undoubtedly boosted by the fact that classic fans have not only had increased spare time, but also funds that aren’t being spent on luxuries such as holidays.
In all, I think it’s a fairly positive picture for something of a negative period in modern history.
Stay positive, stay safe, and keep riding!
The Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum, home to more than 400 bikes, has now reopened its doors to the public.
The venue has a new glass-fronted extension that brings an additional 10,000 square feet of space.
While Sammy has been spending the lockdown period working on the museum’s exhibits, the venue is now open again to visitors, albeit with a one-way system in place for visitors’ safety around the various sections of Road Bike Hall, Sports Bike Hall and Racing Hall.
Social distancing guidelines will have had their effects on the tearooms, and also in respect to the museum’s many animals – there are goats, alpacas, sheep, donkeys and much more – but the retail shop will still be open, and remember that the museum has free parking!
Featuring a wide array of machinery, including a significant number of bespoke bikes and factory prototypes, it of course also includes Sammy’s very own world-famous Ariel trails bike – GOV 132!
Visit the museum website at www.sammymiller.co.uk to check on details with regards to opening hours, cashless payments and social distancing measures.