DAILYSTOLEN

I don't know the origin of this picture. If you think it is yours, let me know, and I'll immediately link it to your site.

SHAW SPEED & CUSTOM XLTS3

Shaw Speed & Custom XLTS3

more here: http://www.bikeexif.com/harley-davidson-sportster-2

WRENCHMONKEES MOTO GUZZI

Wrenchmonkees Guzzi before-after

more here: http://wrenchmonkees.blogspot.com/

Harold Willis....Velocette engineer and pilot...a brief stroll through his flying history...

The Vintagent ...http://thevintagent.blogspot.com/ ....  and I have discussed Harold Willis on numerous occasions and Paul has indicated his willingness to do a more elaborate story than I am planning here....
I look forward to it....
But what am I planning here....?
I've done research on HJW that I've shared with P d'O but in chasing up details of  HJW's brief flight career I felt I'd like to share this aspect with you now....
Left click on the images to enlarge.
Who was Harold John Willis....?
He was known for his initial rides in the TT on Velocette model KTT in the late 1920's and then concentrated on his role at Veloce Ltd, manufacturers of the Velocette motorcycle, as an engineer and organiser of their racing team.
Born in Kings Norton, Worcestershire in 1900 to Eliza and Sidney C Willis, he was one of four children.
He died tragically following a medical procedure on 11th June 1939. Just on the eve of the success of Stanley Woods in winning the Junior IOM TT again on a Velocette....

In the brief time he was with Veloce he took flying lessons after joining the Midland Aero Club which flew out of Castle Bromwich aerodrome near Birmingham.
Details in a "Flight" magazine of 1927 reveal on the week ending 14th May 1927 he had completed some further dual instruction and then went solo.

"Flight" magazine from August 25th 1927 in the Midland Aero Club section indicates further solo flight for Harold Willis.

On 23rd March 1931 HJW purchased a DH60X de Havilland Moth biplane....
Recorded in the log of the aircraft....G-EBTH

The aircraft was sold following his death on 11th July 1939.
In 1946 the ownership was cancelled for an unknown reason, then the Air Training Corps ( ATC ) obtained it and it was destroyed by fire in a crash in 1951.
Curiously correspondence reveals the engine was purchased at some time by Matt Holder...the Matt Holder of the Velocette Motorcycle Company who purchased the tooling , stock and name from the successful bidder at the liquidation auction of Veloce in 1971.....but his nephew can find no record of what happened to it.....
".... my uncle ended up with the engine out of Willis's Gypsy Moth(G-EBTH) but regrettably well before my time and completely untraceable since...."
Quite ironical....

This is a photo of G-EBTH landing, but I cannot ascertain if it is HJW flying it...a good chance as he owned it for some 8 years.

The above photograph shows HJW with G-EBTH...the photo taken from Ivan Rhodes book, "Technical Excellence".
Curiously the 1934 Velocette catalogue features an aviation scene with the KSS Mk.1 Velocette...the aircraft is a DH Moth....was it HJW's??
The chap in the flying kit...?? I don't think it is Harold....

From the civil aircraft register –Great Britain.

 The various owners of G-EBTH

G-EBTH         DH.60X Moth            429      G-EBTH         D Kittel 'Silvry 3' ...Sir PGJ Mostyn /Edgeware ...Aero Hire Ltd....J Rowley/ Castle Bromwich....HJ Willis /Castle Bromwich ....PHI Jones/Elmdon          08.08.27            1455   

Donated to ATC .40 Burned at Sheldon .1951

Now I chased down copies of the Midland Aero Club journal for the period 1935-1937....

Reference is made to HJW in it and of particular interest is the fact that in December 1936 the Midland Aero Club borrowed a de Havilland "Hornet" for a week from de Havillands while they awaited supply of a new Tiger Moth...

Two people are listed as flying it....HJW and Wal Handley...WH of motorcycle racing fame and who was a works rider for Veloce in 1935....

See the section above on "new machine"...

Now the reference to this aircraft....G-ADMT sent me off on a chase and to my surprise the aircraft exists today... nicely restored and flown....

So I tracked down the owner and spoke to him on the telephone....

I was amazed to find he had three Velocettes in his garage...!!!

Not only that, but as well as being a pilot he had raced a Velocette...

But he was just as amazed to find the Velocette engineer HJW had flown his plane in 1936...!!

If you'd like to see more of this aircraft and read of its restoration with photos etc...

Log on to...

www.felthorpe.net/G-ADMT.htm

So to finish up this blog, lets review a little of HJW via the obituary, written at the time by Graham Walker, editor of "MotorCycling", a TT rider himself and a friend of Harolds....

DAILYSTOLEN

dailystolen

I don't know the origin of this picture. If you think it is yours, let me know, and I'll immediately link it to your site.

FRISCO GLIDE

Frisco Glide

more here: http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2010/09/13/frisco-glide-a-murdered-out-bagger/

THE JEFFERSON

The Jefferson by Cooper Smithing Co.

more here: http://www.coopersmithingco.com/

HARBORTOWN

A new motorcycle fabrication adventure: Harbortown (teaser) click on the pic for the vid.

Egy új motorépítő kaland: Harbortown (bemutató) katt képre a videóért.

RENARD GRAND TOURER

Renard Grand Tourer from Estonia.

Renard Grand Tourer Észtországból

more here: http://www.bikeexif.com/renard-motorcycle

NICE PICS

nice pics

more here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jessecarmody/5370275713/lightbox/

1939 INDIAN "SALTCRACKER"

1939 Indian "saltcracker"

more here: http://www.bikeexif.com/indian-741

URAL 650 FOR SALE

Saint Motorbikes' Ural 650 café for sale.

more here (you can track down the whole building process, and it's a great blog anyway): http://saintmotorbikes.blogspot.com/2011/02/ural-racer-is-on-ebay-hell-for-leather.html

ebay link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320662831930#ht_2946wt_1166

VT PINK FLAKE

While browsing the web for some new bikes to steal for my blog I came across with this fantastic VT600, and immediately pounced down on its builder Marcos Vazquez who was very kind and answered all my questions. So here is our first interview.

SB:What does building bikes mean to you? MV: Building and designing bikes is my dream since childhood, and then it could get. I always try to give that personal touch, with a design different from the rest and that I and my clients take the bike to your taste and a unique design and finishes so if functional so they can drive every day and not just the end week.

SB: What bike(s) do you ride? MV: My bikes are currently driving an 90's HD Springer, a Kawasaki VN800 and a Yamaha SR250, plus occasional driving a Kawasaki ZXR750 1992 that stole to my brother in law.

SB: What is the perfect bike like? MV: Which allows me to drive every day and enjoy it.

SB: What does riding a bike mean to you? MV: Driving to me is to enter a state of relaxation and enjoy the freedom it provides, only the road, engine noise and exhaust and my thoughts.

SB: If you could choose one motorcycle in the world which one would you choose? MV: Honestly, I have no predilection for any particular model. For my hands have been plenty of bikes and each of them have given me different and unique sensations.

SB: What was the strangest problem you had to face during your carrier? MV: For me there aren't problems, are trying to overcome challenges in the best way possible. But above all the intention to convince my customers do not need to spend thousands of dollars on a bike to feel comfortable less is more.

SB: Which is your favourite own-built bike? MV: My Springer and VN800 that is currently in process.

SB: Tell us about your new bike. : MV: About this bike, custom made us a girl who wanted to give it a different bike as the original model but it serves to drive every day without any problems. Each and every one of the pieces are handmade and exclusively for this bike, from the smallest cap to the fuel tank. Base is a little used in Spain for their displacement and that no one had dared to put hand to leave a bobber in pure Japanese style, and I think we've done and congratulations to the girl, customers and friends make me feel we did a good job.

SB: Finally, please tell us a few words about your business. MV: About my business, besides being a dealer in Spain for world recognized brands such as MOONEYES, EASYRIDERS JAPAN, HIPPY KILLER, LOWBROW CUSTOMS, CHOPS76, etc. .. always try to approach and make known to all my Spanish clients and the rest of the world, products that until now were completely unknown in this country, in Europe and anywhere in this planet, and good work has been recognized for all of them and even brands of whom I am a distributor, as being the first Spanish guest of honor at one of the biggest shows of the world, held in Yokohama by Mooney and this bike, VT PINK FLAKE, was also the first release published on its Facebook group. We are currently involved in several projects and collaborate with the magazine "El Diablo Magazine" and organize the best show on Spanish territory, the Speed Fest, which last year brought together over 10,000 visitors!

see more pictures here: http://freekustomcycles.blogspot.com/search/label/VT600

HARLEY DAVIDSON 750CC XRTT

1973 Harley-Davidson 750cc XRTT. price: $ 170.000+

from: http://ticochoppers.com/foro/viewtopic.php?t=8678&sid=759e656740ac8610cb6a16d0e1e4cdff

WINDHOFF

Windhoff. price: $ 170.000 +

more here: http://thevintagent.blogspot.com/

CYCLONE BOARD TRACK RACER

Cyclone board track racer from 1914. Price: $500.000+

from: http://ticochoppers.com/foro/viewtopic.php?t=8678&sid=759e656740ac8610cb6a16d0e1e4cdff

DKW 125

DKW 125/2 rt

more here: http://motorcyclephotooftheday.com/2011/02/09/reader-ride-dkw-1252-rt2/

STAR

from: http://www.8negro.com/2010/12/star.html

1982 SPORTSTER LE MANS HOT ROD

1982 Sportster Le Mans Hot Rod

more here: http://www.ironhead-bobbers.com/ironhead_1982/1982_Sportster_Le_Mans_Hot_Rod_Bobber_by_DPC.php

..and here: http://dpcustomcycles.com/Gallery.html

BURT MUNRO

Burt Munro

more here: http://bikerscafeblog.com/2010/06/21/burt-munro-offerings-to-the-god-of-speed/

1979 HARLEY IRONHEAD 1000CC

1979 Harley Ironhead 1000cc

more here: http://bikerscafeblog.com/2010/10/27/dp-customs-1979-harley-ironhead-1000cc/

more here:

HONDA CB 200 T CAFÉ

Honda cb 200T café

more here: http://new.twinlinemotorcycles.com/gallery/

WANNABE CHOPPERS ROYAL ENFIELD

Wannabe Choppers: Royal Enfield

more here:http://www.wannabe-choppers.de/

DEUS MOULIN ROUGE

Deus Moulin Rouge video. Click on the pic for the vid:

Katt a képre a videóért:

HONDA CB 750

Honda cb 750

from: http://anvilmotociclette.com/2010/12/16/settemmezzo-selvatica-first-preview/#more-623

CB500

CB 500

from: http://caferacersharderwijk.blogspot.com/2010/10/kamikacb-550-japanese-style.html

WOODMOTO ON EBAY

Woodmoto on eBay

from: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280628765514&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:MOTORS:1123#ht_500wt_1182

ZION EXPRESS VIDEO

Zion Express video. Click on the pic for the vid.

Katt a képre a videóért.

more here: http://www.chopcult.com/news/articles/pangea-speeds-zion-express-ironhead.html

Pukekohe 2011...a look around the meeting with my "jaundiced" Velocette eye....

I mentioned in the previous blog I'd look at Velocette at Pukekohe 2011 and admitting to a "jaundiced eye" when it comes to Velocette, I've some photos to share with you...not much text, as it's late in Sydney as I prepare this....
Left click on the images to enlarge...
Stroll around for the few days I was there with me....
I mentioned that Chris Swallow, son of well known UK racer Bill Swallow had spent some time in NZ on a working holiday and secured a few rides...this time he was riding the Phil Price ex Arthur Wheeler 1949 Mk.8 KTT, prepared by Nick Thomson.
The bike goes hard and Chris did it justice...amen to that.
The following series of pics were for a prewar race from memory...Chris "appeared" to stall the bike on the line as they formed up and push started it...but I think he was playing to the crowd...he was conveniently at the rear of the field, dismounted, in gear, back on compression and pushed off on the "drop of the flag" ...it sounded like a Mk.8 should when neatly push started and the clutch fed in...I should know, I push started my Mk.8 countless times over the many years I raced it...
Watch through the photos I took....

Warwick Darrow supplied me with a few photos that are included....

Nick Thomson prepares a rather quick 500 pushrod Velo special...now residing in a McIntosh featherbed frame and ridden by Andrew Drake, pictured....lets have a look at some of the detail that goes into the machine... aluminium stuff everywhere and the characteristic Nick mod to the gearbox mainshaft with the outrigger bearing....

The spool rear hub is machined from aluminium alloy and the rear brake drum appeared 6" diameter.

Andrew fitted a miniature camera to the bike and promised to send me an mp3 of a race...if it turns out satisfactory, I'll include it in a future blog.

There is always the inevitable MAC racer....

Cheryl Mickelson from the NZ Velocette Register arranged a photo-shoot for Velo people at 12 noon on the Sunday...some forgot, myself included....
Warwick stumped up a photo...

Cheryl, centre with camera....

Roy White and Peter Butterworth...Peter left his stable of Velos languishing in his shed this year...

Lets finish off with a couple of shots from around the NZ Velocette Register display and tent....