Tag Archives: Motorbike

Late Vicar’s Classic Motorcycle Collection For Sale

Harley Davidson Those of you with an interest in classic motorcycles may want to consider getting along to the National Motorcycle Museum by Junction 6 of the M42 on the outskirts of Birmingham on the 9^th November 2018 where an auction is to take place run by H&H Classics. There are numerous motorcycles being offered for sale including the prized collection of the late Father Robert Edward Hampson who sadly passed away from cancer back in May.

Father Hampson had an interest in motorcycles from a very young age and had built up a collection of 12 classic bikes that are being sold at the above auction. It is estimated that these classic vehicles could fetch in the region of £140,000. Not only was he a keen collector but he also enjoyed getting in the saddle and taking them for a ride.

The classic motorcycle that may well attract the most attention is a restored 1951 Vincent Black Shadow with a 998cc engine that has an estimated price of between £40,000 to £50,000. Apparently, this particular bike was renowned as a high performance vehicle so some may feel it a little unusual that the likes of a vicar would own one.

The other motorcycles in the late vicar’s collection are: –

1921 Royal Enfield Model 180 986cc with an estimated sale price of £11,000 to £13,000.

1921 Sunbeam Model 7 500cc with an estimated sale price of £7,000 to £8,000.

1922 Sunbeam Model 1 350cc Sports with an estimated sale price of between £5,000 to £6,000.

1929 BSA Sloper 500cc side-valve with an estimated sale price of £5,000 to £6,000.

1929 Sunbeam Model 9/90 500cc with an estimated sale price of £7,000 to £8,000.

1932 Raleigh MH32 500cc OHV with an estimated sale price of £3,000 to £4,000.

1931 Sunbeam Model 9 Sports 500cc with an estimated sale price of £7,000 to £9,000.

1932 Sunbeam Lion 600cc that has no reserve

1932 Sunbeam Lion 500cc that has no reserve

1938 Sunbeam Model A26 with an estimated sale price of £8,000 to £9,000.

1947 Harley Davidson WLA 745cc Vee Twin with an estimated sale price of £9,000 to £11,000.

If you are an avid collector of classic motorcycles then why not give us a call on 02380 268 351 and we will be happy to discuss your requirements and provide a competitive quotation to insure your cherished vehicle with one of our panel of reputable insurers.

High Percentage Of Tyre Treads Below Recommended Limit

As a motorist, you will hopefully be aware that the tyres on your car plus the spare wheel must have a tread depth of at least 1.6 mm to make sure that they are legal. However, the recommended minimum tread depth on a tyre is considerably more at 3 mm.

Research shows that the stopping distance increases significantly when comparing a car that only has a tyre tread depth of 1.6 mm than if the tyres had a tread depth of 3 mm.

According to a Road Safety Factsheet published in October 2017 by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Back in 2016, there were 120 serious injuries and 8 deaths due to road traffic accidents believed to have resulted from either under-inflated, defective or illegal tyres.

Well, you may find it of interest to read that some research has been conducted on behalf of the price comparison website Confused.com relating to tyre tread depths between the 27^th March 2018 and the 29^th March 2018 and the information revealed will no doubt concern you.

The research was undertaken in 10 cities in the UK with 100 vehicles being spot checked in each city making a total of 1,000 vehicles. The cities in which this research was carried out were Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Ipswich, Leeds, London, Manchester and Newcastle.

Of those vehicles inspected, 20.9%, over a fifth, were found to have a minimum of one tyre that had a tread depth of under 3 mm. Even more worrying was that 3% of vehicles checked were found to have at least one tyre with a tread depth of below 1.6 mm.

Edinburgh had the highest number of vehicles that had a minimum of one tyre with a tread depth of less than 3 mm – 27%. Manchester was in second place at 26%. Birmingham was in third place at 23%. Brighton and Newcastle were in joint fourth place at 21%. Bristol was in 6^th place on 20%. Ipswich was in 7^th place on 20%, Cardiff and Ipswich were in joint 8th spot on 19%. In 9^th place was Leeds on 17% and in 10^th spot was London on 16%.

In joint first place for having at least one tyre with a tread depth of less than 1.6 mm were Ipswich and Newcastle on 5%. In joint third place were Edinburg, Leeds, Manchester and Brighton with 4%. In joint seventh spot were Bristol and London on 3%. In ninth place was Cardiff on 2% and in tenth spot was Birmingham with 0%.

You may or may not be aware that there are severe penalties for being caught with a tyre that has a tread depth of below the legal limit of 1.6 mm. You could receive three penalty points on your driving license plus a fine of up to £2,500 for every illegal tyre. This in turn could lead to an increase in your car insurance premiums. So, you may wish to have the tread depth on all your tyres checked to make sure that they are satisfactory.

Many Classic Motorcycles Sold At Recent Auction

If you are an enthusiastic collector of vintage motorcycles then you may like to know that there were a number of interesting motorbikes sold at Bonhams The Spring Stafford Sale that took place at Staffordshire County Showground on the 21^st to 22 April 2018. Below we mention some of the highlights of the auction but further details can be found on Bonhams website. Sales totalled £3,37,045.

A 1970 Clymer Munich 1,177cc TTS “Mammoth” motorcycle that had been restored to a very high standard was sold for £154,940. It is believed to be one of only 150 built in the USA so is very rare. It was capable of reaching a top speed of 120mph.

A 1973 MV Agusta 750S achieved a sale price of £96,700. It has an interesting colour scheme of red, white, blue and crimson so it definitely catches the eye. Not many of these delightful classic motorcycles were built which is no doubt a factor in why it achieved the sale price it did.

Perhaps the star of the show was a 1931 Brough Superior 981cc SS100 motorbike that was sold for £264,700 exceeding its estimated sale price of £170,000 to £220,000. Three charities benefitted from the sale proceeds – Salvation Army, Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the Search and Rescue Dog Association. This fantastic classic motorcycle was originally owned by Edinburgh Police and had been in the same ownership for in excess of 50 years.

A rare 1926 Coventry-Eagle 981cc Flying-8 motorbike went for £65,340. It had been restored in the 1980s and its last owner had it in their possession since 2013.

A 1955 Vincent 998cc Black Knight & Steib 501 Sidecar was sold for £63,100. Again, this is an extremely rare vehicle. It had been in the same ownership since way back in 1961 but the individual concerned who is 80 years of age was finding it difficult to start this classic motorcycle.

A 1957 ex-works Cecil Sandford FB Mondial 250cc DOHC Grand Prix World Championship Winning Racing Motorcycle achieved a sale price of £92,220. It was raced by Adamo Tursin who was a national champion on 16 occasions.

If you are the proud owner of a classic motorcycle or are looking to buy one for the first time then why not get in touch with us here at AIB Insurance on 02380 268 351 as we can arrange bespoke, competitive insurance cover for your vehicle through our reputable panel of insurers.

How To Reduce The Possibility Of Your Motorcycle Being Stolen

There are just under 1.3 million motorcycles registered here in the UK and, unfortunately, it is estimated that in the region of 30,000 are stolen every year – that is 2.3%. Regrettably, only about 40% of the motorcycles stolen are believed to be recovered and returned to their legal owners

So, what can you do to reduce the possibility of your motorbike being stolen? Well, it will come as no surprise to read that there is an awful lot of advice on the Internet but below we mention some of the things that can be done to help deter the theft of your beloved bike.

Cover

A thief is often looking for a particular model of motorbike to steal so a cover should act as a deterrent. In view of the additional time taken to remove a cover that should also put off some thieves.

Lock/Chain

A grip lock will secure the throttle and brake controls and a disc lock will assist in securing the front brake disc. Thread a chain lock through the back wheel.

Alarm

A Thatcham approved alarm system incorporating immobilization and tracking devices should help act as a deterrent but also locate the vehicle should it be stolen.

Mark the parts

Property marking the parts should help deter the thief as the parts would be difficult for a thief to sell. The parts can also be identified as coming from a particular stolen bike.

Parking your motorcycle

If you are out and about on your bike perhaps to go for a meal on an evening then don’t park it in a dimly lit side street. Instead park it in a well-lit car park or in a well lit street along which there is a regular flow of pedestrians.

Where to keep your motorcycle at home

Either leave it in your locked garage or locked shed. In addition, why not have a ground anchor fitted.

If you do not have a garage or shed then park it in a visible location in a well-lit place and make sure it is secured perhaps to a lamp post.

Motorcycle Insurance

You will obviously want to make sure that you have quality motorcycle insurance in place. Here at AIB Insurance, we have an extensive panel of insurers so why not give us a call on 02380 268 351 and speak with a knowledgeable, friendly member of our team who will discuss your requirements and obtain a tailor-made quotation for your consideration.

World’s First Mass Produced Flying Car

It looks like it will not be long before we see flying cars either driving around or taking to the air. A firm from Holland by the name of Pal-V International put on display what is likely to be the first mass produced flying car at a motor show in Switzerland a few days ago.

It is a three-wheeled craft that appears to look like a cross between a motorbike and a helicopter. It is called Pal-V Liberty with the Pal-V standing for Personal Air and Land Vehicle. Whilst being driven on roads the blades are kept folded in. It is actually referred to as a gyrocopter. Interestingly, the blades do not turn by power but rely on the air to rotate them.

The craft is able to sit two people and may appeal to a variety of potential buyers such as business executives who spend some time travelling to meetings who may like the idea of being able to get into the craft at home, drive to an airfield, take off, land at another airport, drive to a meeting and do the whole trip in reverse. It could even attract couples who enjoy taking weekend breaks. You will need both a pilot’s license and a driving license to fly/drive the craft.

Of course, this mode of transport comes at a price. It is estimated that you could pay in the region of £440,000.

It is quite a nippy craft. It can travel at speeds of up to 112mph both on the road and in the air. It is estimated that on the road it could travel as many as 750 miles or in the air up to 310 miles on one tank of fuel so it is quite possible to make trips within Europe.

When it is hopefully officially being mass produced in 2019 it is estimated that there will be 50 to 100 craft built in its first year. We are sure you will agree that is a sizeable number.

Anyone looking to buy the Pal-V Liberty will no doubt wish to make sure that he or she has adequate insurance cover in place.

Classic Motorcycles Sold At Bonhams Auction

Those of you owning a classic motorcycle may be interested to read of the sale of a number of such vehicles at the Bonhams New Bond Street, London auction that took place on the 2nd December 2017. More information can be found on the auctioneer’s website but a summary is provided below to “whet your appetite”.

For instance, a 1964 BSA 646 CC Rocket Gold Star motorcycle achieved a sale price of £24,725 including the premium. This delightful motorbike was beautifully restored back in 2001 and has been well maintained. It had a 46bhp engine that was capable of getting to a top speed of around 105mph making it an extremely nippy two-wheeled vehicle. Only about 1,800 of these motorcycles were built making it quite desirable and they are very sought after by classic motorbike enthusiasts.

Those of you interested in the Brough motorcycle will be interested to read that a 1936 Brough Superior 982cc SS80 Special was sold at the above auction for £82,140 to include premium. It was renowned for being the superbike of its era and this one is one of only around 300 that are believed to be still around today. The vehicle went through a full restoration under the ownership of John Coxon before falling into the hands of another owner who took possession in January 2010.

A 1949 Vincent 998cc Black Shadow Series C classic motorbike fell under the hammer for £119,100 including the premium. For around 30 years the bike had been kept in a barn until it was subject to a restoration project in 2016 to a 1949 Earls Court London Motorcycle Show specification. It certainly is a highly desirable classic motorcycle and would be the envy of many an enthusiast.

If you are considering buying a vintage motorcycle or are already the proud owner of one then why not get in touch with us here at AIB Insurance on 02380 268 351 where we will be delighted to discuss your requirements in respect of insuring the vehicle. We have an extensive panel of insurers so we would be able to help source a competitively priced quotation.

One-Armed Motorcyclist Hopes To Take Part In TT Race

Those of you interested in motorcycling will no doubt be aware that the Isle of Man TT Race is possibly one of the most dangerous racing events that a motor bike rider is likely to take part in. There have been numerous fatal accidents during the races as the bikes travel at huge speeds around country roads on the beautiful, tranquil island.

Well, Chris Ganley who is 28 years of age and who used to serve in the Armed Forces is planning to take part in the racing event in 2023. However, it should be noted that Mr Ganley would be doing so with only one arm making him the first biker to do this with such an impairment.

Regrettably, back in 2014, he was unfortunately involved in an accident on a motorbike resulting in him loosing his left arm. However, the tenacious motorcyclist was back riding a motorbike that had been specially adapted a mere six months after the almost fatal accident. Mr Ganley is obviously a very good motorcyclist as he came third in his first race that he took part in after his operation.

The motorbike in question is a Yamaha R1 that has been modified so that the braking and clutch controls are on the right hand side of the vehicle thus helping him operate the motorcycle.

It sounds like he is a determined motorcyclist who loves the sport and we wish him well in his attempt to prepare for racing in the Isle of Man TT Race.

Here at AIB Insurance, we have many years experience in arranging motorbike insurance for a variety of bikes so why not give us a call on 02380 268 351 and speak with a knowledgeable member of our team. Without any obligation on your part, we will gladly look to source a competitive quotation for motorbike insurance from our extensive panel of insurers.

Rare Classic 1930’s Motorcycle Sold At Auction

This 1933 Matchless Model B Silver Hawk 593 cc classic motorbike with the registration number YD6392 was one of only 500 that were sold between 1931 and 1935. Furthermore, it is believed that only around 60 of these wonderful bikes are in existence today making it a rather rare motorcycle.

It is interesting to note that, back in 1933, brand new Matchless Model B Silver Hawk 593 cc motorbikes sold for the princely sum of £72. When production ceased four years later in 1935 you would have had to pay a little more for a new one as they had gone up in price to £79 – an increase of £7.

Well, earlier this month, this motorbike was offered for sale through auctioneers Dee Atkinson & Harrison at an auction in Driffield, East Yorkshire. It was sold for the sum of £43,000 – a substantial increase in value.

This vintage motorcycle had a number of owners from March 1933 when it was registered in Taunton, Somerset to Mr AC Thomason. There is a gap in its ownership history until 1949 when it was bought by Mr E Randall from Bexley, Kent. In 1954 it was sold to Mr R Hooker residing in Crayford, Kent. In 1957 it was purchased by Mr PF Smith-Stafford. Up until then the motorcycle had been registered as a Sidecar Bicycle but later that year its registration was changed to it being a Bicycle. Following Mr Smith-Stafford’s death in 2009 the Silver Hawk motorcycle was sold at a Bonhams auction in Harrogate, North Yorkshire to Mr D Law who lived in Hull achieving a sale price of £28,000.

Whilst in Mr Hull’s possession, restoration work commenced on the motorbike but, unfortunately, he passed away whilst this work was underway. A Mr P Autherson took over the restoration project. Having completed the work the Silver Hawk was then auctioned achieving the figure stated above.

Here at AIB Insurance, we have insured many classic vehicles. So, if your cover is shortly due to be renewed or you require insurance for a new classic vehicle why not give us a call on 02380 268 351 and speak with a member of our experienced staff.

Wartime Motorbike With Machine Gun Being Sold

Classic Matchless motorbikes often fetch a good price but the following one is expected to go for considerably more than normal when it comes up for auction at Bonhams on Saturday 20th June 2015. The vehicle in question was one of 250 that were built by Matchless way back in 1917 with the intention of being used by the Russian army in World War 1.

Matchless built these motorcycles with sidecars here in the UK with a view to them being transported overseas where they would be fitted out by the Russian army with a machine gun. The machine gun would be operated by the passenger in the sidecar and could be fired in a variety of directions as they would have been fitted with an anti-aircraft machine gun mount making them extremely versatile.

However, Lenin withdrew his country from the war, the motorbike order was cancelled and the vehicles never left our shores back then as they were no longer required by the Russians. Instead, they were auctioned off for £68 each in 1918 to private individuals obviously without any weaponry attached to them.

Apparently, the first owner of this bike lived in Dorchester but the next thing that was known about its history was that it was purchased by Chris Roberts in 1998 when it was in excellent condition. He is keen on things to do with the First World War and is a member of the Great War Society. Mr Roberts spent some time in restoring the motorbike and sidecar fitting it out with a Vickers machine gun.

This is an extremely rare combination as there are only believed to be three motorbikes/sidecars fitted with machine guns left in the UK. Two of them are in museums and the third one is this one owned by Mr Roberts. Furthermore, it is believed to be the only Matchless one left.

Anyway, Mr Roberts has decided to sell the motorbike/sidecar/machine gun. When it comes up for auction, it is expected to go for anything between £25,000 to £30,000.