"Isn't she just beautiful?" [Archive]

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Sir Limpsalot

12-28-2010, 03:25 AM

Well, sort of. I was browsing through my pics trying to find something worth submitting to Doug for our new front page and I came accross this.
A Matchless G50 a 500cc single that along with it's 350cc brother the AJS 7R kept a generation racing. And winning. Half a lap in front of the Manx Norton on looks alone, it has a purity of line, a singleness of purpose, that stops me dead in my tracks every time. And I'm not alone.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/MuseumNov09122.jpg

Many years ago a young racer made his way to these shores from his native New Zealand to seek fame. fortune and racing success. Although probably in the reverse order to that. Graeme Crosby fetched up here with a Moriwaki Kawasaki, what you guys would recognise as a "Superbike", it had high bars, no fairing and more motor than chassis. It certainly stood out among the GP style bikes that we were used to. It, and his fearsome ability, got him noticed and better rides followed. He ended up in the Suzuki Grand Prix team.
"Croz" won the Senior TT, the TT Formula one world championship and, along with Wes Cooley, the Suzuka 8 hours.

Now, it was common back then for the GP team riders to enter the prestigious UK meetings when their GP commitments allowed. Having ,say, Barry Sheene riding at a meeting would easily add 10,000 extra spectators to the gate. Big money. The promoters paid the stars handsomely and we got to see the best of the best several times a year. It was a win, win, win situation.
But, we all understood the "rules". If it rained mid race some of these stars would be afflicted with a mystery missfire, a bad tyre, a loose chain or whatever and pull in. We understood that falling off and getting badly hurt when the next GP was only days away was nobodies idea of "career enhancement". They never took unecessary chances.

At the Race of Aces, held at Snetterton, Norfolk, one year it was pouring with rain. The stars were keeping warm and dry in their motorhomes before coming out only when they absolutely had to. Except for Croz. There he was, in the middle of a championship season, in the pissing rain, lining up in the Classic race on an AJS 7R. A friend of mine knew Croz well, so braving the rain, made his way onto the grid before the start.

"What the f*** are you doing?" he demanded. "It's bloody dangerous out there, you could get hurt!"
Croz lifted his visor a little and smiled. "Yeah, I know - but I've always wanted to ride one of these! Isn't she just beautiful?"

And on his first time out on a single cylinder racer he splashed through the Snetterton puddles to a fine fourth place.
A proper "motorcyclists" racer was Croz. And one who knew class when he saw it!

Si.

jamming

12-28-2010, 06:11 AM

Sir Simon, you my friend are a man of impeccable taste. That Matchless IS a beautiful machine and I'd bet she has a unique personality as well.

Deans BMW

12-28-2010, 07:52 AM

Simon, your excellent and very readable writing of Motorcycle history is worthy of a book in the least.

Dirty Doug

12-28-2010, 09:12 AM

Sir Simon,

Add me to the list of those that love big bore singles. They will always have a very soft spot in my heart. In an earlier version of Dirty Doug I raced a CCM in the Barstow to Vegas race. It had a mixture of BSA parts as well as some of CCM's own stuff. I think Alan Clews owned them then before selling out in the early 80's. Still remember the sound of that machine at full throttle nothing comes close.

Dirty Doug

DarthRider

12-28-2010, 09:43 AM

Right on, D'Doug!
Any enthusiast who has not shared love with big bore singles has missed a huge & rewarding part of the motorcycling experience.
But the good news is it's never too late!
I remember the CCMs & Clewstrokas but never owned or rode one, I'd like to hear more about that.
The boys at Big D Cycle restored a beautiful little AJS 7R for a wealthy Mexican customer and "store" it for him in their showroom. They may have raced it too, not sure.

Si, your store of knowledge and "take you there quickly & explain all you need to know with excitement" writing style would really be perfect for a weekly or monthly column in a moto-mag. You also have the ability, within a single phrase, to make the jaded enthusiast's palms sweat , while giving the novice a quick, clear look inside something never experienced. I'm not ruling out feature articles & such at all, but your style seems to lend itself to columns work.
And your images are at once engaging, informative and amusing.
Tell me something, how long did it take you to compose this thread opener?
You need to do something with this talent & wealth of knowledge...don't make me come over there!

Anyone (besides Si!) know what "AJS" stands for?

Dirty Doug

12-28-2010, 09:48 AM

Can I play???????????????????? How about Jack's initials is all I'll say without giving away the answer. I know because I had a friend, Marshall Walls, that restored one.

Dirty Doug

JCsman

12-28-2010, 10:25 AM

Yes, Simon. She is.

Sir Limpsalot

12-28-2010, 01:51 PM

DarthRider

12-28-2010, 02:18 PM

Sir Limpsalot

12-28-2010, 02:20 PM

Of course I know, I thought you'd excluded me from the competition!

1MPH

12-28-2010, 02:29 PM

Google flattens* the field.

*Levels

Dirty Doug

12-28-2010, 03:13 PM

Google flattens* the field.

*Levels

Jack

Yea, but that's cheating...............

Dirty ( came by the name first hand ) Doug

1MPH

12-28-2010, 04:45 PM

Yea, but that's cheating...............

Dirty ( came by the name first hand ) Doug

How so? I didn"t know something, took the effort to learn and that"s cheating.

Dirty Doug

12-28-2010, 04:54 PM

How so? I didn"t know something, took the effort to learn and that"s cheating.

Jack

O.K. you got me there. As the wife always tells me..I didn't think it all the way through!!!!

Dirty Doug

DarthRider

12-28-2010, 07:42 PM

Thanks chaps. You're most kind.

Dave, thank you for the comments. I value them, especially from you - the best writer I know. A couple of the Brit Classic titles have American columnists, so maybe an American mag might like a British one? Something that hadn't occured to me. Maybe you could introduce me to Richard from Motorcycle Classics? A bi-monthly column? Wow, that's bigtime!
The thread opener? It was going to be called something different, but when I typed the startline quote from Croz I thought it would work better.

The AJS question isn't one of your "bastard stopped again" jokes is it? I can't wait.

Si.
Si, certainly I will introduce you to Editor in Chief Richard Backus of Motorcycle Classics Magazine! I have no pull or influence there, he just liked the one and only thing I've done for him.
I took advantage of that earlier and introduced O'Doug to him and I will you, too. Actually, I had that in mind in case you had no desire to do something for the UK mags. I imagine he will ask you to send him some writing samples & photos.
Post or PM a brief bio, with bike & racing experience, etc. for me to use in the intro. Also any other experiences that might be of interest to him.
I'll send an Email to you both and the rest is up to you chaps.
Wouldn't it be cool if we had 3 Cafe' bros writing for them?!

AJS...no, no tricky stuff like with BSA. Just a little game question.
Another...the Vincent motorcycle was originally the HRD, later the HRD Vincent, later just the Vincent. Anybody (but Si!) know what "HRD" stands for?
No Googlin' Jack!:)

1MPH

12-28-2010, 07:57 PM

No Googlin' Jack!:)

Of course not NOW that would be cheating. :)

Sir Limpsalot

12-29-2010, 01:25 AM

Another...the Vincent motorcycle was originally the HRD, later the HRD Vincent, later just the Vincent. Anybody (but Si!) know what "HRD" stands for?
No Googlin' Jack!:)

God damnit! He's excluded me again. And I thought we was mates (sigh)..

Here's a clue, his mates called him "Dangerous Davies". Actually, I made that last bit up. Can you tell?

Dirty Doug

12-29-2010, 05:22 AM

Hay Bro Dave,
Do I get a prize for knowing what AJS stands for??????? I hope so because I have no clue as to what HRD is unless it's from a name also.

Dirty Doug

Sir Limpsalot

12-29-2010, 07:36 AM

Doug, I'll expand the clue a little. His friends called him "Dangerous Davies" and his nephew called him "Uncle Howard" :)

panthercity

12-29-2010, 07:41 AM

Doug, I'll expand the clue a little. His friends called him "Dangerous Davies" and his nephew called him "Uncle Howard" :)

Howard Davies? We ran the original 30-hour at Rockingham on a GS1000-S a century or two ago...

;)

Sir Limpsalot

12-29-2010, 08:33 AM

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/MuseumNov09084.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/MuseumNov09085.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/MuseumNov09087.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/MuseumNov09051.jpg

:)

The chap enjoying his HRD twin is journalist/author Dennis May. His work "Pastmasters of speed" is a classic, although long out of print. Sadly.

Arby

12-29-2010, 08:39 AM

[QUOTE=Sir Limpsalot;116263] http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/MuseumNov09122.jpg

She's beautiful, awright!!. However, I don't have a clue what AJS and HRD stand for.:icon_redface:

DD, I'd love to read the full resume of your dirt bike racing days! With proper accompaning photos, of course. :eusa_clap:

RB

DarthRider

12-29-2010, 10:46 AM

OK, nobody won the Grand Prize (a hearty hand-shake when next we meet) but everyone who posted will receive the Consolation Prize (two hearty handshakes when next we meet)!
How's that for generosity mates?

"AJS" is the initials of the originator of the AJS motorcycle, Mr. Albert Jack Stevens. Although he took the easy way out in naming his cool motorcycles, I think "AJS" is somehow the perfect name for this slightly odd-ball British motorcycle. Can you imagine a cool motorcycle called the "GDH" for instance? My initials. No? I didn't think so.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3229/2787090046_1bc6bd9d3f.jpg

Howard Raymond Davies also weaseled out in naming his even more odd-ball, and ultimately order of magnitude more excellent & important motorcycle, the "HRD".
His company ended up in the hands of Mr. Phillip Conrad Vincent and the rest is history.
And the iconic motorcycle became known forever as simple the "The Vincent". Yes, "The" was part of the name...smart! Can you imagine this magnificent beast being called "The Johnson" or some other lesser name?

It's interesting to me that some motorcycle names are just plain "wrong", while others are born perfect. And others become so when they are pulled along with the success and legend of their name sake.

All these old marques have interesting & often fascinating stories but I'll leave the telling to the Master, Sir Simon of Sussex!

http://www.steadfastcycles.com/cart/images/HRD%20Vincent.jpg

http://vintagetz.com/httpwwwcoyoter/vincent_logo_34.jpg

http://www.lowbrowcustoms.com/images/products/large_664_Vincent-HRD-motorcycle-T-Shirt-art.jpg

The song, "Vincent Black Lightning 1952"...scroll down for words & music.
http://www.rtlist.net/listen.htm

Says James "In my opinion, there's nothing in this world
Beats a 52 Vincent and a red headed girl.
Now Nortons and Indians and Greeves won't do,
Ah, they don't have a soul like a Vincent 52"

http://www.roarflolo.com/roar/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Rollie-Free-record-run-940x736.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qpWtg6IvDLk/SwG2ymPIJxI/AAAAAAAASfI/qu4tateBI-c/s1600/Stau+hrd_7401.JPG

Deans BMW

12-29-2010, 11:04 AM

Cool, did not know that.

I don't think there is anything more beautiful than a Vincent exhaust pipe. I have never heard one run, sad to say :icon_redface:

Dirty Doug

12-29-2010, 11:15 AM

DD, I'd love to read the full resume of your dirt bike racing days! With proper accompaning photos, of course.

RB

Arby,
You must need something to help you get to sleep at night. I'm afraid all I have are some slides which I've posted a few of and some black & white photos. We weren't into taking pictures in those days. Most of what I have were taken by someone else and given to me. That or I stole them when they weren't looking. I'll try to dig out what I have left and get them to a photo shop and see if they can put them on a disc. any ideas as to how to post the black & white photos? I still think I have a few of Saddleback and Carlsbad that I haven't posted. The black & whites were taken at Indian Dunes.

Dirty Doug

DarthRider

12-29-2010, 11:34 AM

Here's another fun question...and Si you still can't play!

Many early Brit motorcycles bought engines from other companies to power their own motorcycles.
One such, and very well known & successful, was the "JAP".

Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to name the producer of these engines, and...
Explain how "JAP" is pronounced!

http://www.bahnsporttechnik.de/Jap-Logo2.JPG

"Old Copperknob"
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVCC9aDALT4/RroM-BsM1iI/AAAAAAAAAUA/BPK2_Q_fkvo/s1600/copperknob.jpg

A tasty Morgan cycle-car.
http://cdn.wn.com/pd/d0/b1/3dd82ef864a9828c92dd12e69e35_grande.jpg

T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) astride his JAP powered Brough Superior.
http://image.absoluteastronomy.com/images/encyclopediaimages/l/la/lawrence_of_arabia_brough_superior_gif.gif

For decades, the JAP 500cc OHV engine was the "gold standard" for Speedway racing.
http://www.khulsey.com/motorcycles/vintagebike-images/rudge-jap-speedway-1934-sm.jpeg

I don't know what to say about this JAP powered, um...
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7gYNb3GSh4M/ScvI1VigDzI/AAAAAAAAL4U/QkrSqG9q3B8/s400/trackedmotorcycle3.jpg

A pretty little JAP powered DOT racer. OK Si, what does "DOT" stand for? I have no clue.
http://www.pashnit.com/pics/places/SolvangMuseum/1925-DOT-racer1-750.jpg

DarthRider

12-29-2010, 11:44 AM

Cool, did not know that.

I don't think there is anything more beautiful than a Vincent exhaust pipe. I have never heard one run, sad to say :icon_redface:

Dean, The Motorcyclist Cafe' is like Alice's Restaurant..."you can get anything you want"!
Follow the link and listen to several Vincents...they are magnificent.

http://www.motorcyclistcafe.com/forums/showthread.php?9260-Something-else-to-play-with

This year at our Lake O' the Pines rally, they started & played "tachometer games" with the "Bathing Suit" Black Lightning..."Goosebump City".

panthercity

12-29-2010, 12:01 PM

IIRC. James A. Prestwich...

DarthRider

12-29-2010, 12:25 PM

IIRC. James A. Prestwich...
DING-DING-DING...we have a winner!
OK, Castrol Breath, how do you pronounce "JAP"?

Arby

12-29-2010, 01:26 PM

Arby,
You must need something to help you get to sleep at night. I'm afraid all I have are some slides which I've posted a few of and some black & white photos. We weren't into taking pictures in those days. Most of what I have were taken by someone else and given to me. That or I stole them when they weren't looking. I'll try to dig out what I have left and get them to a photo shop and see if they can put them on a disc. any ideas as to how to post the black & white photos? I still think I have a few of Saddleback and Carlsbad that I haven't posted. The black & whites were taken at Indian Dunes.

Dirty Doug

Doug, just take any old photos you have, B&W or color, to your local Walgreens or the like. For about 5 bucks they'll scan them onto a disc for you. Take the disc home, load it on to your photo hosting site (that has a URL address) and you're ready to go!

Let's see, Carlsbad & Indian Dunes m/x on Maicos, Barstow to Vegas desert racing on CCM's, what else are you holding back from us??
Oh yeah, flat tracking on , what, 360 Yammies or Astros?

We need another thread for this!! details, man, details!! :)

panthercity

12-29-2010, 04:00 PM

...
OK, Castrol Breath, how do you pronounce "JAP"?Before or after Pearl Harbor?

DarthRider

12-29-2010, 04:09 PM

Before or after Pearl Harbor?
Yes...

panthercity

12-29-2010, 04:42 PM

I'd GUESS it's Jay Aye Pee.

vintagemxr

12-29-2010, 11:18 PM

Cool, did not know that.

I don't think there is anything more beautiful than a Vincent exhaust pipe. I have never heard one run, sad to say :icon_redface:

They sound like a Harley but with a British accent. :pot:

the other Doug

vintagemxr

12-29-2010, 11:22 PM

"Old Copperknob"
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVCC9aDALT4/RroM-BsM1iI/AAAAAAAAAUA/BPK2_Q_fkvo/s1600/copperknob.jpg

That bike needs a proper Daniel Peirce photo shoot!

the other Doug

DarthRider

12-30-2010, 01:17 AM

Hay Bro Dave,
Do I get a prize for knowing what AJS stands for??????? I hope so because I have no clue as to what HRD is unless it's from a name also.

Dirty Doug
My Dearest Dirty Doug, I am ashamed I missed your winning post.:icon_redface:
DING-DING-DING...we have another winner!
I'm afraid you & PC Bob will just have to share that hearty hand-shake first-prize.:webers:

Sir Limpsalot

12-30-2010, 01:25 AM

They sound like a Harley but with a British accent. the other Doug

Yes, they do. And with good reason, both Vincent and Harley chose closer than the "perfect" 90 deg angle for a vee twin so they would better fit in a motorcycle frame.

I thought Albert Stevens middle name was John?

I've never heard a J.A.P. engine called anything other than a JAP. This one, at pushing 80 years old, still wins races. Lots of them!

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics090.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics091.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics098.jpg

Dave, the D.O.T. stands for "Devoid Of Trouble". (Which, if my dad was to be believed, was a very long way from the truth!).

Actually, while looking for the Morgan pics I found a couple of others that'll illustrate a good tale that needs telling. More later, my oatmeal is simmering nicely now!

Si.:)

panthercity

12-30-2010, 06:55 AM

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics098.jpg

Is that a riding mechanic I spy?

Sir Limpsalot

12-30-2010, 09:10 AM

Bob, it's a husband and wife (or maybe a father and daughter) team. The slightly built passenger can't see a damn thing from where she lies, and exhibits total trust in her driver. I think "blind faith" covers it nicely! Actually, the first time I saw them race I was convinced he was breaking the rules and running solo - they compete against sidecars - and it was only about half way through the race that I realised she was even in there.