Scrambling in the 1950s meant big bikes being used on open tracks, and the riders who used them to their full potential going down in history as their exploits filled the weekly press.
One such a rider is Dave Curtis, whose name is synonymous with the Matchless make, not that he started on the Plumstead machine and nor did his early scrambling successes come on one either – those honours go to machines from Selly Oak’s Ariel concern.
The Matchless connection came after Hugh Viney had taken on the role of AMC’s competition manager. Viney was a top off-road rider, winner of the SSDT and ISDT team man, who knew a good thing when he saw it. The good thing at the time was Dave doing well on an HS Ariel.
“The Ariel was a good bike and I enjoyed riding it,” he said, “but they would only give me a 500 and it had to go back to the factory after every race. Viney offered me a 350 and a 500, plus they could stay with me and the factory would only have them back before big events to make sure they were right.”
Their confidence in the Oxfordshire man was rewarded when Dave won the 1958 British Scrambles championship. He said: “The deal with AMC was just for two bikes, which they looked after and I rode just exactly what was provided for me.”
It’s easy to forget how long just travelling to events took then.
“Luckily, in those days we often travelled together and I had friends or fellow racers to share the driving with. Les Archer, for instance, was a frequent travelling companion and it’s really his influence that got me into GPs in the first place.
“Yes, it was tough going at times, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
What’s your full name and how old are you?
I’m David George Curtis and I’m 88.
Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av The Classic MotorCycle.
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Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av The Classic MotorCycle.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Runs should be fun
The club run is an integral part of the old motorcycle scene. During 2020, a variation on the usual theme emerged, enabling people to ride in the company of like-minded souls.
Hybrid chicken
BSA Bantams come in many forms, and the ability to interchange parts between different models permits an almost endless number of variants.
Green WITH ENVY
Life aboard a 1950s 350cc British single is perhaps as good and as uncomplicated as it can get.
Worth the wait
Captivated by sight of one as a small boy, finally our man has the chance to try an NSU Max.And a ‘Spezial’ one at that…
The Motorcycle: DESIGN, ART AND DESIRE
The concluding part of a two-part feature, in which the history of motorcycle evolution is examined and a new book’s author interviewed.
Cream rises
There were several ‘star performers’ at Bonhams’ winter sale, as the choice machines achieved huge sums.
The Giant of Provence
With so few events to report from, it’s time to look back over a spectacular French event and look forward to its hopeful resumption.
Store cupboard special
A big box of presents? Must be Christmas! More deliveries keep the project on track.
By 1929, CJP Dodson was a bona fide top level road racer, pretty much unbeatable on the sand, too.
The diminutive Charlie Dodson was the last man to win a TT, the 1928 Senior, on a ‘flat-tank’ machine, then the next year became the first (and only) winner of a TT on a saddle tank Sunbeam, as well as recording the last ever success in the Island for the Marston maker.
Cassandra the Canadian Commando
After landing a new job and with time on his hands, a young man in Vancouver decided to restore a British motorcycle considerably older than him.
