Editorial

www.oldbikemart.co.uk

One month ago I was writing about how events have been cancelled or postponed thanks to the current global pandemic, and about how we could spend the next few weeks making good by spannering, polishing and fixing our classic steeds until the time comes when we’re all allowed out again. At that point, I really didn’t think that I’d be saying the same thing four weeks later…

But yes, the Covid-19 lockdown continues. Non-essential trips have been banned, and yet more events have been cancelled or postponed, although some things continue in the same way as they have always done. Swallows and house martins have returned from Africa, our politicians have had yet another pay rise, and the lawn still needs cutting every week. And, luckily for us, Old Bike Mart is still being printed and distributed and of course, as a subscription-only publication, ‘The autojumble in your armchair’ is delivered straight to your door, month-in, monthout, so we’re continuing almost as normal – although you may notice that this particular issue has slightly fewer pages than was originally intended, specifically due to the fact that fewer people are advertising in these strange times. Naturally, there have been no events that we can report upon, and we’ve also put the ‘Jumbler’ column on ice for the self-same reason. Otherwise, we’re still retaining all the regular features for which OBM has become known, many of which are thanks to you, our wonderful readers.

With shows such as Stafford being cancelled or postponed (as you may be aware, the Stafford Show is now rearranged for August 15 and 16, while the October Stafford Show is still lined up to run over its normal weekend) and autojumbles are not running until the Government’s say-so, meaning that the ways for us to get hold of the parts that we may need for our projects, or to buy running bikes for that matter, are few and far between. Of course, of the companies that advertise within these pages, many are still open for business and are only a telephone call or mouse click away, but those folk who attend autojumbles to sell bikes and bits as private individuals no longer have the chance to sell their parts. Except, of course, they do, either on internet auction sites (with the potential issues that those could bring), or via the small ads in your favourite subscription-only classic bike mag (er, that’s Old Bike Mart ,in case the reference was too vague!). And, while that’s a statement that could be read as being rather mercenary of me, please remember that by using OBM to advertise and sell your parts, then you’re helping to ensure that not only will this magazine continue into the future, but also ensuring that there will be businesses and events for us to attend when the Covid-19 crisis is fading into the past.

If you’re wondering what to do with your spare time – and I’m sure that the following are comments along the lines of teaching my grandmother to suck eggs, whatever that means – not only can you get busy by twirling your spanners, but there’s research to be done, and knowledge to be expanded, both of which can be easily attained by reading. While I’m clearly going to point you in the direction of magazines such as OBM and our stablemates (various titles can be bought as subscriptions or even as single issues), there are also lots of suitable books, both from the Mortons book store (www. mortonsbooks.co.uk), and other outlets. Indeed, there are a few suggestions in the News pages of this issue.

And, of course, there’s also the wonder of the world wide web. I know that, strictly speaking, as the editor of a print magazine I shouldn’t be pointing our readers in the direction of the internet, but given my earlier comments, it does have its uses. As mentioned, many of the advertisers in this magazine have an internet shop, and those book publishers I alluded to also show their full catalogue online as well. For those folk whose workshop attributes and abilities aren’t quite as expansive as others, there are also multitudinous online tutorial videos that cover an incredibly diverse array of topics, and it seems that right now we actually have the time to watch these videos and gain new skills. Every day is a school day, right?

But perhaps the greatest asset of the internet right now, is the access it gives us to friends and family. While we’re in lockdown, a phone call can mean the world to many folk, and internet access expands that to video calls through software such as Zoom, Skype and Facebook Messenger, and there’s also the many and varied forms of social media, and even a few make and marque specific forums that are still running. So, while we’re confined to our own homes (and garages, workshops, sheds etc.), we can still remain in contact with those folk who are important to us – family, friends and fellow classic motorcyclists.

Enjoy the issue and, above all, stay safe.