"Ixion" remembered.

[Sir Limpsalot]

The name "Ixion" may not mean a whole lot to many of you, unless you're really into early motorcycle stuff, but it was the "pen name" of Basil Davies - a pioneer motorcyclist, writer and broadcaster.
Basil wrote a weekly column for "The MotorCycle" from 1903 - 1961 and was the voice of the first live broadcast of the TT races in 1930. He also wrote two books on cricket as well as two on motorcyling.

Basil fought in the Boer War and served as an aircraft technician in the First World War. Oh, and worked for the Civil Defence during World War two..

But perhaps the most remarkable thing about him was that he found time for a "day job". He was a vicar and, as a devout and active Church of England clergyman, much of his time was spent in assisting the needy.

A remarkable chap then. And he is being remembered, on the 50th aniversary of his passing, with the unveiling of a plaque at his church. His son, aged 99, intends to be there. So do I. The Sunbeam MCC are organising the motorcycle side of things, so it'll be a good do!

Cheers,
Si.

[panthercity]

I'll raise a glass to the good Vicar this evening.

[Donson]

I will toast Him tonight from the alternate Peckerhead meeting site (My shop) as Dave is re-living Woodstock, elsewhere.:1drink: An Aircraft Technician in WW1, My God, the stories He would have to tell. Sopwiths, D7's ,Nieuports. And good on His Young Son, for making the effort to show up for the unveiling!

[Pacific]

He sounds like a real character, Si. I'd like to know more about him. Could you recommend any links or books?

Jay

[Sir Limpsalot]

He sounds like a real character, Si. I'd like to know more about him. Could you recommend any links or books?

Jay

There's a bit about him, and one of his books here..
http://www.realclassic.co.uk/books/booksixion.html

"Motorcycle Cavalcade" is still available secondhand..
http://www.abebooks.co.uk/book-search/title/motor-cycle-cavalcade/author/ixion/sortby/3/

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PJX1UI4Hvy0/S9TMeUj9wTI/AAAAAAAAA2s/3JSdcOqPe14/s400/Ixion-wife.gif

Sadly, I can't find much else. No one seems to have written his biography, which is a criminal state of affairs! I'll keep digging..

[Donson]

I Googled him and found some interesting info.........

[vintagemxr]

That's my kind of clergyman!

Be sure to put that new camera to use, Si.

the other Doug

[Sir Limpsalot]

Well, as promised, I went along to see the unveiling of the commemorative plaque. And what a good “do” it proved to be!
Expertly organised by Dave Masters and the Sunbeam MCC the event certainly hit the right note and even the heavy rain many of the participants suffered on their way there failed to spoil it.

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I learned a little more about “Ixion” (pronounced “ix-eye-on”, by the way) as well. For example, in 1905 he was engaged by Maurice Schulte, designer for Triumph motorcycles, to complete a six day endurance test of a new model. He had to cover 200 miles a day during the ride which took in sixteen counties. The Triumph used thirteen gallons of petrol, ten pints of oil and a small amount of carbide for the acetylene lamps. It suffered only one puncture, but three broken piston rings!

Three years before the outbreak of the Great War Basil won gold medals in both the English and Scottish six day trials, no mean feat I promise you. Plainly Basil Davies was a sort of cross between Malcolm Smith and Peter Egan. Awesome!

His son, Godfrey, who celebrates his 100th birthday next month unveiled the plaque and told the assembly that he was sure that his father would most like to be remembered as a working clergyman. Perhaps that should be hard working clergyman for, as well as his routine duties, it seems he was responsible for much fund-raising on behalf of the unemployed miners of the North East. Many of whom were, quite literally, starving. At a time when many, if not most, of his parishioners would expect to live their whole lives without ever leaving Sussex his life saving good works at the other end of the country were remarkable indeed.

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Men like Basil Davies don't come along very often, and it is right and proper that he is remembered in this way. Dave Masters told me that he is arranging for one of Ixion's best loved books “Motorcycle Reminisces” to be re-published. And that he (Masters) is including a fresh chapter, by way of a biography of the great man. Most certainly one for the bookshelf.

Some random shots from the church car park, there was a nice mixture of bikes. Some were over 100 years old and have outlasted several owners. Cool.

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I realise I may be in a minority here, and not for the first time, but I much prefer "period" headgear on old bikes like these. Full coverage hats with toothpaste tube paint jobs just look wrong!

http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac323/mgf1800/DSC_0038-1.jpg

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[Sir Limpsalot]

http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac323/mgf1800/DSC_0017.jpg

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An interesting little bike, the Velocette "Ladies Model". A step through design that pre-dated the Honda Cub by forty years..

http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac323/mgf1800/DSC_0041.jpg

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The Brough Superior, always worth a look..

http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac323/mgf1800/DSC_0021.jpg

http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac323/mgf1800/DSC_0023.jpg

The "star of the show", for me, was this MOV Velo. My dad's favourite bike, and the first one he owned, he would have loved this little beauty. I might just search one out for myself..

http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac323/mgf1800/DSC_0010.jpg

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Cheers!
Si.

[vintagemxr]

It's great that Basil Davies has been remembered in the place that mattered most to him and amazing that his son was able to be there. Excellent report, Si, and it looks like your new camera is serving you well.

the other Doug

[panthercity]

Si, it's a wonderful thing you've done for us with your camera and knowledge. Please keep us apprised on republishing the book.

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I see the lady had her makeup case...

[DarthRider]

Thanks Si, what a great day & occasion! And two great old gents, Vicar Davies and Mr. Davies the younger.
And the old bikes...have you ever seen so much patina in one spot?
Was Basil Davies any kin to H. R. Davies?
I'm curious...do the old American bikes draw any more or less attention than the old Brits?
What is the "MOV" Velo?
I love the brass tank Premier and the old "survivor" Nortons.
Thanks much Sir Simon, you never disappoint!:001:

[Deans BMW]

My gosh Sir Simon, that Douglas....the Genesis of the first BMW. Wow what a grand assemblage of Moto History.

http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac323/mgf1800/DSC_0030.jpg

[Sir Limpsalot]

Thanks chaps.

Dean, if you really want to know where BMW started take a look at the ABC, designed by Granville Bradshaw..

Dave, to take your points in order, I don't think Basil Davies was any relation to Howard Davies. But I can see your thinking, "Hey uncle Bas, I'm going to start a motorcycle company.."

Early American bikes are pretty rare over here, but have a good following. We seem to have a lot more Indian twins than Harley's, but I'm damned if I know why that would be!

The MOV was the first OHV Velo, in 1933. Prior to that the company had only made OHC engines and two strokes. The "M" series continued in 1934 with a 350cc version called the MAC and the 500cc MSS completed the line up in 1935. The reason for going to OHV was initially cheaper production costs (the bevel drive OHC engines were fearfullly difficult to make) but turned out to be better in every way!
Velocette were among the most inovative manufacturers, inventing throttle controlled oil pumps for two strokes and positive stop gearboxes. They also pioneered stroboscopic timing lights, heady stuff in the 1920's!

Cheers!
Si.

edit: My dad always claimed the MOV was "Fast, for a 250". I just looked it up and top speed was in the low 80's. Nearly eighty years later the new liquid cooled, fuel injected 250 from Honda has a top speed in the low 90's. Maybe dad had a point?

[1MPH]

WOW!!!
Wonderful photos Simon. Beautiful church.
You never fail to entertain. Thanks so much.

[Sir Limpsalot]

Jack, you're too kind. Thanks.

Talking of "patina" what would you do with this one? Still wearing it's original paint after 100 years, retore it? Ride it?

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Early Americana.

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One for Dave.

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If I'd joined the AA in 1950 instead of 1990, I'd have spent my working day on one of these.

http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac323/mgf1800/DSC_0003.jpg

Still looking good after all those years.

http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac323/mgf1800/DSC_0014.jpg

That's about it..
Si. :)

[DarthRider]

Talking of "patina" what would you do with this one? Still wearing it's original paint after 100 years, restore it? Ride it?

That's easy!
Assuming you're talking about grand old No. 9 survivor, I'd certainly not restore it. Instead I'd ride it gently once a week, keep it properly fettled, clean it often with a dry, soft rag and never, ever wash it.
And love it of course!:ricky:
What stories that old boy could tell of where he's been, who has owned & ridden him, what he did in two World Wars, the crashes, the rebuilds, the fun...it boggles the mind!

[vintagemxr]

Early American bikes are pretty rare over here, but have a good following. We seem to have a lot more Indian twins than Harley's, but I'm damned if I know why that would be!


Indian had some success the early Isle of Man TT races so maybe that attracted some early buyers. Not sure if H-D every won at the IoM and I'm too lazy to look it up.

the other Doug

[panthercity]

That's easy!
Assuming you're talking about grand old No. 9 survivor, I'd certainly not restore it. Instead I'd ride it gently once a week, keep it properly fettled, clean it often with a dry, soft rag and never, ever wash it...
The Martinizer would disavow you!

[Arby]

Simon, thank you for an excellent post! I enjoyed it!

RB

[Sir Limpsalot]

Doug, for the record, an Indian won the 1911 TT and is the only American machine to do so. Interestingly no American rider has ever won a TT, which might prove something or other..

I don't think either Indian or Harley ever really tried to "crack" the UK market. Back then we were the worlds largest producer of motorcycles, (BSA was the single biggest motorcycle manufacturer untill Mr Honda came along) so selling American iron here probably seemed like selling sand to Arabs or snow to Eskimos. Who knows?

I have plainly mellowed with age, I used to find things like the fringed saddle on the Indian somewhat laughable. Now, as I ponder the huge difference in riding conditions between "here" and "there" I find them interesting! I'm not saying I would have an Indian in preference to (say) an SS80 Brough, but there is certainly room for one in my (dream) "collection".

Cheers!
Si.

[vintagemxr]

Doug, for the record, an Indian won the 1911 TT and is the only American machine to do so. Interestingly no American rider has ever won a TT, which might prove something or other..


Si, It proves that you guys are still crazier than we are! It would be great if one day an American won the Sr. TT but there doesn't seem to be any likelihood of that. As for fringe saddles, I've always accepted those as part of the Indian image, less so for the Harley. On my list of bikes I'd love to own but never will would be an Indian Chief and also a silver Velocette Thruxton in full cafe mode. My tastes span a wide range!

the other Doug

[FryDaddy]

Simon, I'll add my $.02 worth. Thank you for posting this excellent report. I have been exposed to so much interesting historical places and moto-history since coming to the Cafe. You are a great 'European Correspondent'. I am going to have to figure out a way to meet you when you come over in September.

Terry

[Sir Limpsalot]

I am going to have to figure out a way to meet you when you come over in September.

Terry

Terry, that would be great. And the pleasure would be all mine I assure you.

Doug, a silver Thruxton Venom would be part of my collection too. A friend of mine had one back in the early seventies and I was priviliged to ride it. Every inch the thoroughbred it exuded class from every casting, tube, weld and component. A much nicer ride than the harsh and over-rated (in my view) Gold Star.
I ordered a black and gold Thruxton from the factory in 1970, but the bastards went broke before I got it. I've never quite forgiven them for that!
Si.

[SV Andy]

Thanks for the link Si great stuff sorry i missed it cheers Andy.