My first photo sale - sort of

Last month I bought my ususal copy of Classic Bike. As I settled down to read it with my Sunday morning coffee I was surprised to see a familiar picture on the forthcoming events page. Lo and behold it was a photo I had taken at the Classic Bike Show at the NEC in 2012 (blogged 16/1/2013). I had retouched it a bit, making it a bit more high dynamic. Immediately I contacted the editor of CB and, credit to them, after a bit of negotiation, they duly paid me for it.
Hopefully I'm on their radar as a supplier now.

Motorcycle Live 2014

Hadn't been to Motorcycle Live for a couple of years so I was looking forward to seeing something more than just the same models but with different paint jobs. I was pleasantly surprised with what was on show - a wider variety than I'd expected. The usual suspects were there along with some new ones. I didn't go much for Ducati's scrambler, I thought that HD seemed to be cutting back a bit on their bikes (not so much bling), impressed with Triumph and Norton as usual. Liked the KTM Super Adventure (first job when I got back was trying to talk my boss out of getting one) and were some interesting customs and classics dotted about which were pleasing on the eye.

Pictured above is the Kawasaki H2 Ninja (top), one for the serious headcases - not for road use. Second is the interesting Ariel Ace. Next is the Indian Scout and finally Henry Cole's 350 Triumph on which he had hoped to break a world record at Bonneville till the weather had a say - better luck next year Henry!

Aberdare Park Races 2014

Thankfully there were no mishaps on the way to or from Aberdare this year. The Glide behaved herself as she was on a final warning after the problems last year.
Aberdare racers always amaze me with the machines they enter hoping to spring a few surprises up against 'teams' with a bit of money behind them. It all makes for some interesting and exciting racing.

The VMCC SW Section 26th Seaside Run 2014

What a difference in the weather compared to last year. Blazing hot! Maybe though this worked against the organisers this year. If it's wet and windy nobody wants to venture out, if it's hot and sunny people usually head out with the family - you can't win. I think the latter was possibly the reason for a reduced turnout this year, not saying that those machines in attendance were of any lesser quality.

SW Sunbeam Motorcycle Club Show 2014

Here are a couple of shots of bikes at this year's show. It's a good little, friendly show but could be supported a little better with more bikes to see.

The 20th South Wales Classic & Modern Motorcycle Show, April 2014

I have long links with this show, going back nearly 30 years when it was the South Wales Sunbeam Motorcycle Club's Classic Show.
Taking the opportunity to dip my toe in the sump so to speak this year's show gave me the chance to gauge the interest in BikeOut Online products. Thankfully there was. The website is live although under constant construction at the moment. I'll be adding some images from the show soon.
A big thankyou to my mate, Julian, who helped me set up. Those Conteboards way a ton!
www.bikeoutonline.co.uk

Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show, February, 201

With the appalling weather leading up to this year's show it was a commendable effort of all those involved. I went over on the Saturday, a bit wet and windy but nothing like that experienced in the preceeding few days.
The machinery on display was once again of the highest standard and my eye was caught by a rare 1929 Sans Sou Pap 500, which won the Best in Show award.

Above: 1929 Sans Sou Pap 500cc engine

Gorgeous Triton in blue

Classic Motorbike Show, NEC, November 2013

A little bit late with my blog updates - sorry. Let's get back on track. Last November I visited the Classic Motorbike Show, sponsored by Maguiar's, at the NEC. It was the second time I'd been to this event and while expecting something more I was left a little disappointed. The show itself was tightly crammed with a broad selection of classic machinery and some interesting engineering projects but I got the impression that is was more of a bolt on exhibition to try and get a few more visitors to the Classic Car Show which was being held adjacent. In comparison the car show was much larger. I think there is scope for the bike show to be larger or to be held in its own right. Two or three hours did the lot, with a couple of extra laps thrown in. That left my mate and me with just enough time to take an all too brief visit to the National Motorcycle Museum across the road.

Above: Two BSA Rocket 3s put together.

An American spec A10