Editor’s welcome

As we teeter between tiers and fret over lockdowns before beginning – hopefully – the long ride to returned normality, it was an absolute joy to be able to have a day out and visit the Bonhams sale, at the Bicester Heritage centre. A huge old aircraft hangar, it was flipping cold, but there was plenty of space everywhere, and it felt such a pleasure to be able to do something sort of normal.

Added to looking at a load of old motorbikes, there was of course the added plus of seeing several people too, though all conducted at safe distances and with initial introductions a little bit odd (elbow bumps will never seem right), and after that trying to work out who it actually was behind the mask. But we all managed.

My heart’s desire was the 1928 Model 90 Sunbeam, pictured below, featured in this magazine’s January 2018 issue, though there was zero chance of me acquiring it, although at least one person has asked me if I bought it. Sadly, no. I hope who did, though, enjoys it plenty; it’s a cracking bike.

As soon as anything like that sells for a huge price – it was £41,400 – there’s always a collective gnashing of teeth and some negative comments on the internet message boards of various clubs about how ‘prices have gone mad’ and similar such sentiment. Often by the same people who prophesies the doom of the old motorcycle movement and enthusiasm, which seems quite ironic really, as on the one hand they’re saying things are too expensive, then on the other saying no one will want them. To me, surely if a huge price is achieved, it means enthusiasm is alive, well and strong?

And though of course it does mean people are priced out, there’s generally something to suit a more modest pocket, with at the same sale, prices ranging from a few hundred pounds for a Villiers-powered project to a couple of grand for a prewar Triumph single. And heck, there were even two 1920s, 500cc flat-tank Sunbeams in the higher, four digit bracket. In these times when negativity and misery have been the prevailing motions, I prefer to look at positives.

In that vein – so a negative, but look to a positive – of our regular contributors, both Alan Turner and Tim Britton have been to hospital this last month. Alan’s stay (with an ongoing heart issue) being more serious and rather longer than Tim’s, who put his finger where he shouldn’t have. Both are, thankfully, on the mend though. Get well soon, chaps.