Classic & Custom

MINDFUL THAT MARCH in Scotland can mean ice, blizzards, floods or brilliant sunshine, the Scottish Motorcycle Show is now mainly contained in three large, heated halls.

- Marion Thirsk

Thankfully this year’s show broke recent tradition with uncharacteristically mild weather and no snow. As a result the stunt shows and bike fire-ups were very well attended, leaving many attendees more than a bit deaf the following day.

Catering for a wide range of tastes, there were plenty of new machines showcased. Triumph’s Street Cup with its very reasonable 30in seat height, potential 76mpg and 10,000 mile service interval proved extremely popular, as did Royal Enfield’s Continental GT and Himalayan. A wide variety of stands offered services ranging from tools, riding gear, spare parts and gel seat pads, right down to a beard trim and haircut! A rather small autojumble offered a brief glimmer of hope to those trying to source hard-to-find parts, but the classic displays were for many the obvious main attraction.

It’s always reassuring to see machines which are used and enjoyed rather than pure show bikes. Ingliston featured an interesting mixture of both. There was a good selection of club stands, enthusiastically representing most marques and models with impressive and unusual machinery, ancient and modern, to suit all tastes.

Scottish Classic Racing Motorcycle Club members proudly displayed their anniversary tribute to Bob McIntyre, the first man to lap the TT course at over 100mph on a Gilera four during the 1957 Senior race. The Manx Norton attracted a lot of attention, and it was great to hear Bob’s 1951 AJS Works 7R running from a safe distance. The VJMC had a great turnout of fascinating and rare machines on its stand and the VMCC was presented with the prize for best stand by Niall MacKenzie, this year’s guest of honour along with sons Taylor and Tarran.

The next major classic event north of the border is the Scottish Classic Motorcycle Show on Saturday, June 17 at Ayr Racecourse. See ayrclassicmc.com

NORTON SPECIAL