- Needs work—Hoping that potential buyers won't think it's as bad as it is.

Hopes and Dreams in the Shape of a Motorcycle

A trip to the Stafford Motorcycle Show - April 2018

I recently visited the Stafford Motorcycle Show for the first time. I say 'recently' it was the 21st April, but I've been a bit busy. Anyway.

It was an unexpectedly sunny Saturday and the event was so busy it took 45 minutes to crawl the last 2.5 miles to the show ground, which was packed. I've been to a lot of car and bike shows, mainly at the NEC and in London in the past, but this was the busiest I'd attended. Throngs of motorcycle enthusiasts queued to get in, the car park alone was a show of motorcycles of all types and ages and the atmosphere was jovial. These photos are just some of the bikes and related things which caught my eye on the day.

Tangerine (and New England White) Dream - No 20 of only 25 Triumph Americas produced.

Tangerine (and New England White) Dream - No 20 of only 25 Triumph Americas produced.

The show had something for every one from those who harbour fervoured hopes of restoring a bike and the dream machines (yes, I know, soz) of the people who have finished a project, to newer bikes shining temptingly on the marque stands, classics from the history of motorcycling and motorcycling paraphernalia.

You could have a devil of a time with this old 'un

You could have a devil of a time with this old 'un

Dreams

The concourse entrants all gleamed in the bright lights of the large hall at the showground, some beautiful bikes which have no doubt cost time, money and tears of their owners to get into the required condition, like the 1967 Honda C72 (I love its red seat for some reason) and the Triumph Bonneville below.

Two bikes from the early 1960s caught my eye in particular, the first was this rather lovely blue and gold Ducati 125 Monza, a type only imported into the UK between September 1962 and March 1963. It's owner told me this type was sports tuned with a 'hot' cam and other modifications which gave it a top speed of 75mph, which was extremely good for a bike of that size in that era. It's always the aesthetics for me and this one had been restored based on a bike owned by Carlo Salterelli, the Ducati works test rider.

The second was the Ducati's neighbour on the stand, this Moto Parilla GP 125. Described to me as having a super light birdcage frame and new generation 2 stroke racing engine with disc valve. It's always a pleasure to talk to the owners as their enthusiasm is infectious.

This one had been bought in from Italy recently.

This one had been bought in from Italy recently.

Not in the concourse competition but still catching my eye were a Honda CB 160, this one a 1969 vintage ....

Then this unrestored 1972 Suzuki GT750 J known as a 'kettle' or 'waterbuffalo' depending where you are from, in the rather stunning Candy Lavender colour, though it looks like hot pink to me, but vehicle colour names are often odd. This one had been imported from Ohio, and the paintwork and chrome gleamed like new.

Steamin' hot

Steamin' hot

Hopes

Outside lay a vast array of obviously at least potentially restorable bikes and piles of parts of bikes which seemed to me to offer a triumph of hope over...well, over everything really.

Abandon all hope ye who purchase here

Abandon all hope ye who purchase here

There were some bikes being sold in used but perfectly working (possibly, honestly it started last time guv) order. Though I did wonder if the sign on the seat of this Y reg yellow Triumph, insisting that you ask for help before touching it, was more a caveat emptor than protecting the bike from damage.

Seek assistance before touching

Seek assistance before touching

There were other things to keep the show goer... um.. going...outside, and other things to restore, which it seems are an oft shared interest of people who like to restore motorcycles....

The Older Model

I read a lot about Lawrence of Arabia when I was younger, and his description of riding his Brough Superior is one of the first pieces of motorcycle literature I can remember, it drew you into the moment. As a result I like them, and there were several displays of older model motorcycles, and many included in the auction run by Bonhams which took place over the weekend.

Nice Helmet etc.....

The show also had some accessories, paraphernalia and ephemera, with a colourful display of custom helmets, the Davida stand certainly attracted some attention 'that's a reet Bobby dazzler ...' Of course safety equipment, including this inflatable protection solution, getting quite a few enquiries.

Here are a couple more bikes I liked, a Honda Super Four and a the 1963 marsh MR4 which I though was very, very nice indeed.

Finally for something slightly odd, this Winn City tiny electric scooter, from 1968/9 and described by the owner as 'ahead of it's time'. It was probably just about the right size for Richard Hammond. Currently being restored, it was interesting as a historical piece in these days of a move to electric vehicles.

So that's my overview of a very enjoyable day out at the 38th Carole Nash Spring Motorcycle show, at the Stafford Showground. I really enjoyed it, hope you've liked my photos and observations, it was well worth a visit and I'll definitely go again next year.

Photos my own with the exception of the one showing the auction bikes, which is from Bonhams.

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Comments (26)

  • Ooh, I want that green glittery helmet. I'll just wear it at home, around the shops, etc.

      3 years ago
  • Hopes and Dreams, but we all keep dreaming!

      3 years ago
  • Great Post!

      3 years ago
  • Hi congratulations - your post has been selected by DriveTribe Women-of-DriveTribe Ambassador for promotion on the DriveTribe homepage.

      3 years ago
  • It's like being there with you! Fabulous. BTW: www.facebook.com/dtrlounge/

      3 years ago
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