23 replies to this topic

[Gary C]

Afternoon all. Being a long-time member at Brooklands Museum, I never go there without a camera on me.
Today was one of my usual Thursday morning visits (which is usually motorbike day), there was plenty going on....being half-term this week, so a few Museum bikes were out being run, here's a few photos.

[Russell Burrows]

Thanks for thinking of us, Gary. Do you happen to know what the JAP engined creation is called?

[ancient]

Thanks for thinking of us, Gary. Do you happen to know what the JAP engined creation is called?

cotton with that frame and the triangle badge.

[Russell Burrows]

cotton with that frame and the triangle badge.

I thought that's a Cotton badge - just didn't write it

[Gary C]

it certainly is, lads, the Cotton-JAP, the 'jewel in Brooklands crown', as some would have it. As was explained to me, it's the epitome of a homegrown pre-war outer-circuit racer. PLUG : see my website for a couple of DVD's that I've produced for the Brooklands Motorcycle Section.

[Gary C]

Currently working on my latest DVD............we filmed the BSA Gold Star Day at Brooklands back in May...............it's looking rather good.

[Gary C]

one pic from Gold Star Day back in May.

Edited by Gary C, 06 November 2012 - 13:56.

[Russell Burrows]

What lovely things they were Do they have bikes on permanent exhibition, Gary?

[Gary C]

they most certainly do........let me check and see if I have a photo somewhere.........................

[Gary C]

Here's one photo that I took for you this morning ......more to follow after lunch.



a general view of most of the bike display. In the foreground is a 1938 (I think) OK Supreme, restored by the volunteers in the Motorcycle Section, a great job, the bike looks fab.

[Gary C]

here's another, a few more to come, too.

[Gary C]

first up here is a Brough combination - lovely stuff.





I think the bike at the far end was donated by journalist Denis Jenkinson, can't remember what it is though - sorry!



nearest the camera in this shot is the Earle Cotton JAP.



finally a racing Brough Superior, lovely stuff!

[Russell Burrows]

Thanks, Gary, most kind. I'll have to drop in there one day.

[Gary C]

............I popped in to Brooklands yesterday morning where the museum volunteers had at least 10 of the museum bikes out for noise tests...............they're going to Mallory Park the weekend after next for the Festival of 1,000 Bikes. They usually have a display and demo some of the bikes on the circuit, if you can make it, please go, it's a great day out.
Here's a few pics from yesterday.

[Yendor]

[quote name='Gary C' date='Jun 7 2013, 09:06' post='6302037']
............I popped in to Brooklands yesterday morning where the museum volunteers had at least 10 of the museum bikes out for noise tests...............they're going to Mallory Park the weekend after next for the Festival of 1,000 Bikes. They usually have a display and demo some of the bikes on the circuit, if you can make it, please go, it's a great day out.
Here's a few pics from yesterday.

Festival of 1000 bikes at Mallory is 12/13/14 JULY 2013 not the weekend after next. You frightened the c**p out of me as I'm riding and I thought I'd got the dates wrong

[Gary C]

LOL! Apologies for that!

Edited by Gary C, 07 June 2013 - 09:53.

[Tonka]

All of the bikes appear to have the same exhaust. Isn't it called a Brooklands exhaust? Is there a reason for that? Noise ??

[Gary C]

Yep, the fishtail exhaust. It was run when Brooklands was still a race circuit, but these days the noise complaints have been so much that the boys don't run many motorbike events at the Museum anymore, which is a shame.

[ivor]

Hi all, the exhaust was specifically called the Brooklands can, and does not necessarily make the bikes quieter ! There were not a huge amount of complaints about our activities at the museum, only as far as I am aware during the 100th anniversary of motorcycle racing at the circuit, and the complaints weren't just about noise, but that bikes appeared to be racing, (which they weren't !). Anyway, for the foreseeable future, the running of bikes properly can only be done at outside events like the VMCC Brands festival in August, and Mallory next month. We also took a number of bikes to Montlhery in April for the Bi-annual Vintage revival, anyone interested in pre-war motor racing should make that event one of life's priorities !
The Norton in Gary's picture is a 1933 500 International, and WAS indeed owned by Jenks, but, NOT donated to the museum ! It was owned after Jenks' death by a VMCC member, who himself sadly died, and is now owned by Roger Bird, volunteer at the museum and librarian. It was one of the bikes we took to Montlhery this year.
The exploits of the volunteers can be followed on FB, just search for 'Brooklands museum motorcycle volunteer team', sorry it's a mouthful
Here is a picture of one of our number at Montlhery on the Inter.

[Gary C]

just a few pics from yesterday at Brooklands ; it was Ace Cafe Ton-Up Day. rather good fun and a really decent turn-out. Here's a few pix for you..........

[Gary C]

 

 the Museum's Scott was out the other week.

[275 GTB-4]

just a few pics from yesterday at Brooklands ; it was Ace Cafe Ton-Up Day. rather good fun and a really decent turn-out. Here's a few pix for you..........



 

 

Ahhhhhhh memories, that initial warm fuzzy feeling, followed by the sizzling, and BBQ aroma, then a second later...Ouuuch!

[Gary C]

correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that the legendary Sammy Miller about to hop on the bike?

[Gary C]

the Earle Cotton-JAP was out again last week...........apparently it's restoration will start in the next few months.