Hitchcocks Forum

Just back from a disappointing Classic Bike Show, many regular stalls holders of nice used rusty bits missing replaced by expensive new stuff, and non bike related stalls. Good to see the clubs displays. Typically I spent all day searching for a matching used pair of handlebar clamps - found the one and only set on the site. It was good, however to see a full range of Enfields on display. Sadly I think the organisers are in danger of pricing 'real' auto jumblers off the site.

I spent all day there yesterday. I don't go every year but I did enjoy the day out. Unfortunately it seems it's no longer a place to pick up a bargain in used second hand bits or bikes if your interest is old Brit bikes. The prices being asked for what is often junk are ridiculous. It was good to see the new Enfields and did you notice that at least 3 of them were sold before the end of the day. Sad though that I saw little other Enfield stuff, neither British or Indian. I guess our hosts have the market more or less to themselves so don't need a presence at shows like this. Some of the memorable bikes for me were Gordon May's Matchless, the Adventure style Goldwing (you have to ask why, but it was well done) and the twin engined Sunbeam.

You have to take the rough with the smooth. I went not expecting to find anything, yet came away (amongst other things) with a chainwheel for the 2 speed gear of my 1912 v twin. Didn't particularly need one, but you can't pass up an opportunity like that - especially when the vendor doesn't know what he's selling! I was later told, whilst ogling a restored 2 3/4hp twin of 1911, that there was an incomplete version "somewhere out there" (meaning in the outdoors autojumble). I immediately went back outside and did a full circuit, but to no avail.
Inevitably the supply of older stuff is drying up, after all I've got most of it in my garage/workshop after scouring the jumbles for the last 40 years!

www.vinvetmotorcycle.simplesite.com

I was quite disappointed with the Bristol show at Shepton Mallet back in January for the same reason that Graham was at Stafford, why do the organisers want stalls selling ephemeral junk when there could be a bit more autojumble? Fortunately the VMCC autojumble at the same venue last month was a much better deal, I think it beats Netley Marsh now.



Had been toying with the idea of going up there, I feel better for having missed it now! Glad you scooped a find though, Keith, is there a lot less competition for the real vintage and veteran parts than for 50s/60s classics?



A.

Interesting site Keith. As for age, I was born in 1959, so that'll be when the Enfield got sold. I'm afraid I don't know what year it was or how long Dad owned it, but he would have been 24 in 1959 so he may not have been that much older than the bike! My sister has quite a collection of old family photos so I've emailed her to see if she can dig out a picture. I'll post it up in due course if she comes up with anything.