Aberdare Park Races 2013

Having decided to go to Aberdare Park for the first time in years, I got the Glide Mot'd and made my way north. Just short of Aberdare I experienced the first warning of what was to come when the valve in my back tyre decided to let its air go free. This was to return on my homeward journey, but that's a story for another time and blog.
Saturday's races on Aberdare's very short circuit is always entertaining and the weather was holding out for some decent performances. It always intrigues me to see machines of widely differing ages and power going head-to-head against each other. Old Velocettes and BSAs against modern Triumphs and Yamahas - strange.

The rain started as I made my way home and persisted through the night meaning Sunday was a bit of a washout. Very disappointing.

Festival of 1000 Bikes

A great day out on the Saturday when then emphasis was on road machinery of all ages and sizes were on view.  A pity I couldn't stay for the Sunday as well when some of the famous races from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s did their thing on some exotic machinery. The weather was sweltering which meant that sitting, watching and listening to some great motorcycles enjoying their circuits of Mallory Park was the best idea.
Spectators were allowed free access to all areas - paddock, pits, etc enabling superb access for photography or mingling.

JPN Norton Replica

Take a look at this link. If only I had the money. Still, when those six numbers come up . . .

http://peterwilliamsmotorcycles.com/

Swansea Classic Motorcycle Show

June 23, 2013
The final visit of the weekend was to the Swansa Classic Motorcycle Show held on Dylan Thomas Square in the Marina.

The VMCC 25th Seaside Run

June 23, 2013
Every year the South Wales Section of the Vintage Motorcycle Club hold their Seaside Run. This year being their 25th year was their Silver Jubilee event. A selection of machines over 25 years old gathered at the Conservative Club in Penarth ready to make their way along the coast to Porthcawl via Nash Point and Ogmore, returning to Penarth at around 4.00pm.

Pendine Sands Speed Trials

22 June, 2013
Despite the atrocious weather conditions that weekend some brave speed trialists did their best to overcome the gale force wind blowing in from the sea. A broad selection of pre-1990 machines blasted their way along the quarter mile strip on Pendine Sands. There were also some notable machines in the car park as well when four Royal Enfield 1140 K V-twins arrived (pictured below is a KX version).

Custom Show, Beaulieu

15 June, 2013
After my visit to Sammy Miller's Museum I took in the Custom Show at Beaulieu. The show was sited in a huge marquee on the other side of the display area. The show featured some exceptional bikes either inside the marquee or on the various builders' stands.

The Sammy Miller Museum Collection

June 15, 2013
A visit to the Sammy Miller Museum was something I've been meaning to do ever since I went there some thirty years ago at it's previous location. It really needed more time than the couple of hours spent there while on the way to the Custom Show at Beaulieu. The new premises were full of the most wonderful classic road and race machinery I've seen outside if the National Motorcycle Museum. Prototypes, long forgotten makes, modern racing machines, the collection is spread across over 350 exhibits.

 1929 Brough Superior 680cc

 1948 Redrup Radial Three, 250cc

 1955-6 Norton Model F, 350cc

1925 Grindlay Peerless Model ST1, 1000cc

Prescott Bike Festival & Hill Climb

April 7, 2013
I missed last year's event so I decided that this year I would definitely check it out. And well worth it was. The event was well run and there was plenty to see, either in the various dealer stands or watching the weird or wonderful entrants in the hill climb. All in all an entertaining day.

South Wales Sunbeam MCC Classic Motorcycle Show

March 23, 2013
I've visited the South Wales Sunbeam MCC Classic Motorcycle Show many times over the years and, while it is well-established, I can't help thinking that, in recent years, it could have been better. At it's peak, around 10 years ago, there would have been three big halls crammed with bikes, but this no longer seems to be the case. It still remains a friendly show but could do with some support from owners of more exotic and rarer machinery.

1930 Sunbeam B23S

1963 Greeves Silverstone 250

33rd Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show

I took a short trip over to the 33rd Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show at Shepton Mallet in February, and it was well worth it. The standard and variety of machines on display was of the highest standard. Here are a few that really caught my eye.

BSA Rocket 3

 1937 Ariel Square 4 4G, 1000cc

 1975 Ducati Desmo 250 Single

 Velocette Venom 500cc

 1925 Husqvarna 548cc

 1938 Triumph Tiger 80, 350cc

 1926 Brough Superior SS80-100, 980cc

Yamaha FS1-E “Fizzy”