N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B R I T I S H

M O T O R C Y C L E C H A R I T A B L E T R U S T

BMCT News

Summer 2012

In This Issue

Stafford Classic MotorCycle Show

FBHVC Ethanol Test Results

64th Banbury Run

British Scooter Exhibition

Diary Dates

1,000 Bikes Preview

LMM Triumph Day

Members’ Page

The BMCT Collection

S t a f f o r d C l a s s i c M o t o r C y c l e S h o w

P a g e 2 B M C T N e w s

Front Cover: BMCT member Pete Burrows makes his final preparations before a successful Banbury Run on his Royal Ruby

Some early Vincents had Rudge power Unusual 1962 Matchless 750cc G15/45 “Specials” was the theme for this year

The Rudge Club put on a good display Triumph T160 in a 1954 BSA A7 frame How a modernised Square Four might look

Best in Show was this Wolverhampton built 1965 DMW Typhoon 500cc Grand Prix racer, one of only two ever made.

the lead replacement additives that protect

against valve seat recession and the

products submitted were either given a

„pass‟ or a „fail‟; we will not grade them

for effectiveness.

The biofuel test regime was different to the

programme used for the lead replacement

additives in that it was purely a laboratory

test for corrosion.

The tests were for additives intended to

provide protection for metallic components

frequently encountered in the fuel systems

of historic vehicles. A table was published

by FBHVC showing lists of materials

incompatible with ethanol in petrol. The

materials listed included coated steels such

as those extensively used to make petrol

tanks, plus copper, zinc, and brass, together

with a number of plastics (seals and

gaskets) and fibreglass composite

materials. The metallic materials listed

were judged to be incompatible because of

potential corrosion by degraded ethanol in

the fuel. The additives tested are designed

to protect metals only, by preventing

corrosion.

There are no known additive solutions for

incompatibility between ethanol in petrol

and plastic or composite materials. As has

been previously stated, where compatibility

problems occur with gasket and seal

materials, or with fibreglass petrol tanks, as

used on some motor cycles, the only

realistic course of action is to replace

incompatible materials with suitable

alternatives. A list of these was given in the

table published by the Federation. At least

one carburettor supplier can now supply

components which incorporate materials

compatible with ethanol in petrol.

The tests carried out used an accelerated

aging process in which ethanol degrades to

become increasingly acidic. One week of

the aging process is equivalent to one

month in normal storage, so the 13 week

accelerated aging process used in the test

method is equivalent to one year in normal

storage. This procedure increased test

severity, and was felt to offer a good

margin of protection to those, for example,

who may lay up their cars in the autumn,

and take them out on the road again in the

spring, having stored fuel in the tank over

the winter. Corrosion tests were carried out

every two weeks to assess the effects of the

aging process on the corrosiveness of the

fuel. The tests compared corrosion

experienced with untreated fuel

against corrosion using fuel treated

with corrosion inhibitor additives.

Rating of corrosion was carried out

visually by trained operators, there

being five performance categories,

from „A‟ to „E‟. To achieve an „A‟

rating, the test sample must show

absolutely no rust at the end of the

corrosion test, whereas an „E‟ rating

corresponds to extensive surface rust.

The results of the tests showed

worsening corrosion as the ethanol

aged for the test sample where no

corrosion inhibitor was employed (test

sample dropped from „D‟ rating to

„E‟), whereas additive treated fuels

continued to provide a very high

standard of protection right to the end

of the test („A‟ rating throughout).

These results should instil a high level

of confidence that additives evaluated

in the test programme, and endorsed

by the FBHVC, will provide excellent

protection from potential corrosion in

fuel systems of historic vehicles,

including those stored for long periods

(up to and including 12 months).

The tests used highly polished mild

steel probes in accordance with oil

industry practice. This method has

been used for decades and is a

recognised and widely used technique

for establishing the performance of

corrosion inhibitor additives. The use

of mild steel as a medium in the

corrosion testing is valid, on the basis

that other metals in the fuel system

(e.g. copper, brass) are less susceptible

to acid-corrosion than mild steel. In

addition, the widespread use of steel in

fuel tanks in historic vehicles creates a

significant potential for corrosion

damage where tanks may be up to 100

years old.

The corrosion inhibitors used within

the oil industry are non-metallic

surfactant products, which have been

proven to be a cost effective solution

to the problem of metallic corrosion in

the oil industry. Some candidate

additive suppliers wished to be able to

combine the ethanol-protect ion

corrosion inhibitor additive with one

already proven for protection against

valve seat recession. This (cont. p 5)

F B H V C B i o f u e l s a n d A d d i t i v e T e s t s

P a g e 3

The FBHVC has responded robustly to

all government consultations on

biofuels. The Federation commissioned

an independent expert to report on

combustion problems and undertook a

lengthy and expensive testing regime

for additives marketed to overcome the

corrosion problem. In addition the

website provides detailed information

about (typically plastics) compatibility

issues, for which there is no cure other

than vigilance and replacement of non-

compatible items.

The problems likely to be encountered

have been summarised as corrosion,

compatibility and combustion.

Combustion and driveability effects:

ethanol has a leaning effect and so

carburettors need to be adjusted or the

air/fuel ratio changes may cause

driveability problems and increase

exhaust temperature. Adopt measures to

restrict heat transfer to carburettors by

baffles, pipe routing, thermal blocks

and breaks.

Materials compat ibilit y: replace

problem materials with compatible

products.

Corrosion: ideally an aftermarket

treatment should be used – added

during refuelling to protect the fuel

system.

The results of the test programme for

suitable stability additives are as

follows:

Additives are available to protect

against the main problems likely to be

encountered for petrol and diesel

fuelled vehicles. A product for use with

petrol has been designed to be added to

the tank when re-fuelling to prevent

degradation in storage in the fuel tank.

It provides excellent protection against

the possible corrosion through

increased acidity which can occur when

petrol containing ethanol is stored for

any length of time. One bottle should

provide a season‟s protection –

although this is obviously dependent on

the vehicle and amount of usage. At the

end of April 2011 the Federation

contacted all known suppliers inviting

them to take part in the FBHVC test

programme. The products that passed

the test were entitled to carry the

FBHVC logo on the packaging. This

endorsement is similar to that given to

6 4 t h B a n b u r y R u n i n P i c t u r e s

P a g e 4 B M C T N e w s

Richard Duffin composes himself before the start with his London made

1922 Chater Lea 350 Sports Model, featuring the ohv Blackburne engine.

This bike’s last Banbury Run was in 1965..

Another BMCT member Chris Oliver sets off with a smile on his 1927 680cc

Zenith. Chris has personally known all the three previous owners of his bike,

and this was his fourth Banbury Run on the machine.

1913 Kynoch, 490cc, made in Aston, Birming-

ham. This is from the final year of production.

This 1904 Rex 3hp looks very smart with its

combined tool and battery box behind the tank

Not the best attire for motorcycling, but it was

good to see competitors enter into the spirit of

the event

Pete Burrows sets off on the Royal Ruby

Once again the Heritage Motor Centre played host to the largest gathering of Vintage and Veteran machines in the

world. Here are a few shots taken at the start, and more can be seen on our website www.bmct.org

FBHVC in the 1999-2000 time frame

after engine testing. There is no conflict

in the view of the FBHVC with the

renewed endorsement of dual-

function additives which have been

shown to perform well in both valve seat

recession tests and corrosion inhibition

tests, on the basis that metal may be used

in the preparation. As indicated above,

there is no EU ban on the use of

manganese, iron or lead in fuel additives.

Those who do not wish to use additive

preparations containing metals can

choose FBHVC-endorsed corrosion-only

packages (which are non-metallic), and if

desired, use a separate valve seat

recession product which does not contain

metal (one effective FBHVC-endorsed

product uses phosphorus).

Questions have also been raised about

bacterial growth in fuels containing

renewable fuel components. The

additives tested do not offer any

protection against bacterial growth,

which generally requires water to

flourish. The main risk of bacterial

growth lies in diesel storage tanks

where water is present, and fuel is

stored for long periods. The solution

recommended by the oil industry is to

improve „housekeeping‟, i.e. to ensure

tanks are clean and dry internally and

therefore do not contain free water. Use

of biocides is not recommended, except

for „spot‟ treatment of severe bacterial

growth. Regular use of biocides runs the

risk of the bacteria involved developing

immunity to the biocide employed.

Furthermore, where free water has

encouraged bacterial growth, and a

biocide is used, the water must be treated

as hazardous waste when it is disposed

of. This may have significant cost

implications.

The stability additives that passed the test

are:

VSPe Power Plus, VSPe and EPS from

Millers Oils

Ethomix from Frost Auto Restoration

Techniques

Ethanolmate from Flexolite

These all received an „A‟ rating in the

research which enables all these products

to carry an endorsement from the

FBHVC. The endorsement is in the form

of the FBHVC logo and the words:

„endorsed by the FBHVC as a fuel

additive for protection against corrosion

in metals‟.

British make of scooter, some 44 models

in total. Robin has featured in a BBC

radio programme to discuss his

collection, and is in the process of

producing a book on the subject. The

exhibition will open on 22nd of October

and run until Spring 2013. See our

website for more details.

Robin Spald ing‟s extraordinar y

collection of British motor scooters will

be the featured attraction at Coventry

Transport Museum this autumn when

the museum holds the BMCT sponsored

British Scooter Exhibition. Through

tireless work and research Robin has

acquired an example of every post-war

July 6-7-8

Festival of 1,000 Bikes, Mallory Park

July 15

Motorcycle Ride-In, Beaulieu

August 12

Graham Walker Run, Beaulieu

August 19

Jeff Clew Run, Haynes Motor Museum

August 26

The Sammy Miller Run, Sammy Miller

Museum

August 26

All Day Breakfast at the London Motor-

cycle Museum

September 16

Annual Car & Bike Show, Sammy Miller

Museum

October 20-21

Stafford Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Show

T h e B r i t i s h S c o o t e r

E x h i b i t i o n

P a g e 5

Cont. from page 3

protection may contain metallic

components, so it is therefore possible

that some dual-function additives

offered for sale will contain metals.

Additives sold entirely on the basis of

corrosion inhibition alone will not

contain metals. Some concerns have

been raised about the use of metals in

fuel, but it is still permitted to sell

leaded petrol in the UK for historic

vehicle owners, and although the

volume of sales is low, this concession

to owners of historic vehicles has not

been revoked by the EU, and indeed

was recently endorsed for the future. In

addition, at least one manufacturer sells

a product containing lead alkyl additive

for historic vehicle owners to dose into

fuel themselves.

A limit has been placed on the

permitted use of manganese in petrol

by the EU, but this material has not

been banned. Manganese is one metal

which has been used in additive

packages to prevent valve seat

recession, and at least one dual-

function package for use to prevent

valve seat recession and ethanol

corrosion was tested. The original use

of the manganese containing additive

to provide protection against valve

seat recession was endorsed by the

D i a r y d a t e s

One of Robin Spalding’s award-winning British scooters, a 1957 Phoenix

The public track sessions for this year‟s “Festival of 1,000

Bikes” sold out within weeks of entries being opened and actually an astonishing 1349 road & race machines will be

taking to the track over the weekend of 7/8 July 2012 at

Mallory Park.

Former 500cc GP World Champion Kevin Schwantz will

be riding a genuine works Suzuki RGV500 and the

incredible line up of Past Masters also includes Carl

Fogarty, Ron Chandler, Frankie Chili, John “Mooneyes” Cooper, Dave Croxford, Alex George, Rod Gould, Mick

Grant, Neil Hodgson, Nick Jefferies, Tepi Lansivuori,

Marco Lucchinelli, Randy Mamola, BMCT member

Sammy Miller (riding his newly acquired Moto Guzzi V8), Chas Mortimer, Trevor Nation, Phil Read, Jim Redman,

Tony Rutter, Terry Rymer, Christian Sarron, Ian Simpson,

Paul Smart, Malc Wheeler and Charlie Williams.

Starting with some great entertainment on the evening of

Friday 6th July the weekend includes:

1,349 Classic Road (Saturday) & Race (Sunday)

machines on track.

A Pre-65 Trial run on Saturday in conjunction with the

VMCC Taverners Section. A Grasstrack run on Sunday in conjunction with the

VMCC Grasstrack Section.

A straight line demo Sprint during the lunchtime of

Sunday on the circuit‟s start/finish straight. Over 50 Club displays in the Avenue of Clubs (where

we look forward to welcoming members old and

new to the BMCT stand), plus a huge new Trade/

AutoJumble area of 100 stalls.

Great entertainment will be provided by a live band on the

“Classic Racer Magazine Stage” within the VMCC “Big

Top”. Prior to the band taking the stage on Friday & Saturday early evening (plus Sunday Lunchtime) the Paul Hanks

Streetbike Freestyle Stunt show will be performing on Stebbe

Straight. Also new for this year, Friday night will join the

traditional Saturday evening slot for an extra“Stars on Stage” interview feature with some of the Past Masters who will be

riding on Sunday. To round off Saturday evening a

spectacular firework display will illuminate the circuit. We

hope to see many of you there over the weekend.

Triumph Day. This year they were

celebrating 110 years of Triumph

motorcycles with the official open-

ing of the new “Home of Triumph”

barn. Former Triumph

W o r k e r s ‟ C o -

Operative Chairman

and BMCT member

John Rosamond was

on hand to assist

museum founder Bill

Crosby with the ribbon

cut t ing ceremony

(left), and there was

entertainment from

l iv e ba nd T he

Daytonas and DJ Fly,

while the Surrey branch of the

Triumph Owners Motorcycle Club

arranged a ride-in (bottom). John

Rosamond gave a talk on Triumph

to round off what the museum‟s

James Crosby claims was the best

attended event they‟ve ever held.

The London Motorcycle Museum

were lucky for once as the soggy

summer weather turned for the

better on June 16th for their annual

F e s t i v a l o f 1 , 0 0 0 B i k e s

P a g e 6

T r i u m p h D a y a t t h e L M M

B M C T N e w s

N e w M e m b e r s

M e m b e r s ’ P a g e

P a g e 7

Here’s member no. 103 Les Hughes with the Royal Enfield Model G he is about to restore for a

friend. By the looks of it there’s not that much to do, so we look forward to a photo of the

finished article in a few months time, please Les!

Real Classic magazine carried an

article on member no. 723 Bill

Snelling in their May edition.. Bill was a handy road racer and trials

rider, and latterly has catalogued

nearly half a million images of

riders in the TT and Manx Grand Prix races, and mounts an

exhibition in Laxey at TT and

MGP time each year. Check out

www.fottofinders.co.uk

David Morton-Jones, Bournemouth

Ray Reader, Winchester

Majella Bushe, Southampton Paul Nappi, Basildon

Marilyn Redman, Addlestone

Peter Redman, Addlestone

Peter Lenton, Salisbury J R Thulborn, Bromley

Nick Rowlatt, Leamington Spa

Mark Rowlatt, Coventry

Jeremy Rowlatt, Southam Tony Gatley, Nailsworth

Catherine Tilley, Southampton

Keith Crouch, New Milton

Mark Ball, Grays Michael Gibbs, Milton Keynes

Arthur Dennis, Southampton

Chris Chandler, High Wycombe

Peter Pyke, Colchester Dr Ian Hall, Salisbury

Glenn Fletcher, Sittingbourne

Darron Hancock, Emsworth

Albert Holmes, Southampton Ken Aston, Onchan, IoM

Michael Norton, Eastleigh

Stan Holmes, Southampton

Alan Wood, Carterton

Stephen Scott, Poole David Barker, Christchurch

Steven Heath, Rugby

Bill Snelling, Laxey, IoM

Claire Morris, Basingstoke Alan Lunnon, Basingstoke

Gerry Kennett, Waterlooville

Kevin Southwell, King‟s Lynn

Jilly Penegar, Horsham Michael Stone, Broadstone

Robert Birchmore, Bury

Rachel Seward, Winchester

David Bramley, Salisbury Michael Head, New Milton

Philip Heptonstall, Twickenham

Mel Stirk, Southampton

David Grice, Southampton C H Taylor, Hemel Hempstead

Alex Harris, Banbury,

David Osenton, Banbury

David Buckingham, Banbury Wayne Wisbey, Cranleigh

Mr Harrison, Nottingham

Alan Richards, Ruthin

Martin Sentence, Loughborough

James Seabrook, Southampton Vivian Bridger, Christchurch

Colin Udell, Devizes

Amicia Ward, Southampton

Melvyn Maskell, Southampton Simon Bumpsteed, Reading

Trevor Banks, London

David Holmes, Southampton

Gordon Parrett, Christchurch Stuart Paterson, Christchurch

Tom Williams, Salisbury

Bryan Crane, New Milton

Roger Sloley, Lyndhurst Chris Scotel, Poole

Keith Lennard, Horsham

Taffy Rance, Littlehampton

Kevin Rance, Littlehampton Rob Barton, Feltham

Christiana Luiza, Coventry

John Barber, Watford

Sara O‟Coy, Bridgwater C A Rush, Bath

Dominic Ford, Taunton

We welcome the following new members and supporters of our case:

latter a mighty V twin. A two speed Burman

gearbox appeared on the 247cc model, and

the Barr & Stroud engine versions featured

all chain drive. This effort must have been

too much for the tiny factory, and the doors

of the Crown Close works closed in 1924.

A Banshee was a kind of female fairy

who, it was said in Irish and Scottish

folklore, attached herself to a particular

house and foretold the death of an

inhabitant by making an appearance,

So a very strange choice of name for a

marque that emanated from the

Worcestershire market town of

Bromsgrove. Or it could have had

something to do with the noise of the

motorcycle resembling the wailing of

the Banshee. Either way, the company

was established in 1921 and entered the

market with a 269cc Villiers two stroke

in standard cycle parts with either a

single or two speeds through an Albion

gearbox, both with belt final drive.

These continued for 1922, plus a three

speed model for sidecar work, and

were later joined by a Barr & Stroud

349cc sleeve-valve engine variant. By

March 1924 the range had expanded to

encompass 147 and 247 Villiers, and

349, 499 and 998cc Barr & Stroud , the

The original side door to the factory is pre-

served in the Bromsgrove Museum, along

with a Barr & Stroud engined machine. Our

early Banshee has the 269 Villiers engine

and has been restored by Sammy Miller, in

whose museum it now resides.

Registered Charity No. 509420

Company registered in England No. 01445196

Registerered Office:

Holly Cottage

Main Street

Bishampton

Phone: 01386 462524

Mobile: 07754 880116

E-mail: info@bmct.org

The Trust was originally formed to

facilitate the building of the National

Motorcycle Museum at Bickenhill, near

Solihull in the West Midlands, but since

1995 the BMCT has been an entirely

separate organisation, a grant - making

Charity dedicated to the promotion of

British motorcycle engineering heritage

through a network of affiliated transport

museums throughout the country.

Membership is open to all, and allows

free entry to all the museums in the

scheme. Our funding comes from

membership fees, bequests, donations

and income from investments.

T H E B R I T I S H

M O T O R C Y C L E

C H A R I T A B L E T R U S T

T h e B M C T C o l l e c t i o n - 1 9 2 1 B a n s h e e

Preserving the past...for the future

WE’RE ON THE WEB! WWW.BMCT.ORG

Trustees: P J Wellings (Chairman), S Bagley, T P V Barnes, J F R Handley, M Jackson, J N Jeffery, J Kidson, I N Walden OBE

BMCT News is edited by Andy Bufton and published by Matchless Management Services, Holly Cottage, Bishampton, Pershore WR10 2NH