Monthly Archives: August 2013

VMCC Festival of 1000 Bikes

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Brough Superior SS100

A fine sight indeed. And the Brough looks good too. Kenny had a fine time on the SS100, taking no prisoners on track and making the most of the fabulous weather. The Brooklands cans were made especially for the day and gave the bike a magnificent bark to match its bite. Of course Archie couldn’t be kept off track completing all the sessions on his 1928 Sunbeam Model 90.

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One or two other ‘beams were spotted around the paddock, for example this tidy Model 8 saddle tank looked purposeful and is presumably an easy starter without its decompressor. Not sure of the year but druid forks and saddle tank would could mean 1930 or so.

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I also spotted this gentleman seemed once or twice having fun on his twin-port Model 9 but didn’t manage to get any on-track photos.

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With lots to see both on and off track, this really is an event for all the family.

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But for me, the day really belonged to Nottingham’s finest. The Brough just never fails to impress and it is a credit to Archie and Kenny who use it in the way that they do.

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ex-Graham Walker 1927 Sunbeam Model 90

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Carsten was kind enough to send me some photos and information about the history of his fascinating Model 90. The eagle-eyed may spot that it is the same bullnose 90 featured in Robert Corden Champ’s book “The Sunbeam Motorcycle”.

This fine looking machine is reputed to be the one ridden by Graham Walker at the German Grand Prix. I presume this would have been the Grand Prix d’Europe at the Nurburgring in 1927 as Walker left for Rudge at the end of the year. As it happens, amongst other successes Sunbeam did go on to win the German GP in 1928. Bought from the UK in the early 60’s by race bike collector Dr. Helmut Krackowizer, the bike then did time in Austrian Walter Brandstetter’s Race Bike Museum before moving to the Hockenheimring Race Museum in the mid-1980s.

It seems Carsten has had a few issues along the way and, although outstanding a few parts, the bike is now running with a spare 1927 gearbox. I really hope we get to see Carsten’s bike over here in the UK one day soon.