Credits, souces & links

I hope some of the following may be of use to you.

Web material

Cute File Transfer Protocol

There were a lot more here until I found nearly all the links were dead. Apologies for any material I have ripped off without credit but if the trail has gone cold......

chain

Motorcycle sources

Acme Stainless. Stainless fittings for AJS/Matchless, Ariel, Norton and Triumph Cub plus standard fixings and one offs. 01526 861991

Allan Horner Photography 01423 889154. Official Auto 66 Club Photographer. Photography of Scarborough events and he's photographed a lot better riders than me!

After my Ashman Goldtops started showing their age (20 years), I looked at what was on offer an settled on these Altbergs - very comfortable and water proof.

Autocycle Engineering. Source of hard to find Amal carburettor parts. 01384 253030

My favourite bike tyre both for road and race

Andrew Brock (Bulb Supplies) can supply Halogen bulbs in all sorts of fittings in 6V and 12V. 020 8699 0299th

Anglo-Nihon make badge/safety bars as fitted to my AJS in small batches. 01384 392916

replacement exhaust fitted to my Burgmansupplied by

US based supplier of custom parts for modern Bonneville

Bri-Tie make an anti-wet-sumping valve I use to stop all my oil finishing up in the crankcase or on the floor. There are reservations about using spring loaded valves in the feed but so-far-so-good and I did forget to switch the oil tap on on the MAC once! 01558 668579

AJS and Matchless Owners Club Brilliant spares scheme, better than when new?

Bike Revival: Very helpful source of a large range of suspension units for British, European and Jap classics.

Bruce Main Smith publications. Copies of sales brochures, manuals and parts lists for just about every year of everything. If it was available then, it's probably available now. Plus books and posters.

I have found this company provides very reasonable cover for both my classic and modern machinery

All my older bikes road bikes run on Castrol Classic oils. Nice people to deal with and free UK delivery at 01954 231668

Cetem Supplies for metal polishing

One of the makes of plugs and plug caps I use.

Classic Brake Services First class, fast service for brake relining 01663 732025

For years I have used Climax 510 and now 500 goggles with my open face helmets. Available along with a wide range of other goggles from Davida

D Middleton Stainless fittings. Absolutely top quality and seriously fast service.

Dave Cooper Bike Racks. Don't slow you down like a trailer does. Very good value for money

Dave Lindsley This company provides a long established refurbrishment service for mags and dynamos and a wide range of spares if you want to undertake the work yourself. (44) 01706365838

I have used ESP for a lot of my blasting and powder coating work. The results are very impressive and the owner is a serious bike enthusiast and takes care of your bits.

Colin Farrington , although specialising in AJS and Matchless can supply wiring harnesses to suit a wide range of British classics.

Corbin saddles. Long delivery time but worth the wait and your bum will thank you!

UK agent for Beringer brakes.

The best brake material, always used by Classic Brake Services

A. Gagg & Sons . Wide range of AJS, Ariel, BSA, Matchless, Norton & Triumph spares but what impressed me was they were able to supply a chronometric 2:1 rev counter for the G3 plus the required drive gearbox. All at a reasonable price & with first class service

Giali make a fine range of protective casual clothing and electrically heated under-garments but make very little on thir web site of one of their best products, the Turismo one piece suit. This waterprrof suit is fully CE armoured and waterproff yet can be put on or off in a couple of minutes thanks to full length zips. Fitted with lots of weather proofed pockets it is suitable for touring or commuting. Not cheap, but superb quality and one of the cheapest of this type of suite. Excellent value.

Their hard luggage does not fit the Bonnie but their very neat and secure windscreens do.

John Hemmings Engineering 01547 530759. Sprockets retoothed, specials made. Can tackle the notoriously hard AMC sprockets.

Top class hard luggage, supplied in UK by the very helpful Moto-Bins who are also independant BMW spares stockists

Hitchcocks Motorcycles: Amal carbs and spares, taps and fittings. That's what I use them for but they are also main stockists for Royal Enfield manufactured in Britain and India.

Make jeans with built-in armour. Good quality at very keen price.

Peter Jenks has a great way of testing the quality detail accessories he produces for the New Bonnie - he tries them out on his own machine!

UK based supplier of custom parts for modern Bonnie, including parts

knox

Although I hope never to test their gear, I use a comfortable Knox back protector racing and their armour in my road jeans.

M. Bratby Pistons, rings, carbs. Cyclaid piston - need I say more? 01543 572583

I changed the Suzuki over to Metzeler tyres and appreciate the extra grip over the originals.

I used their M38 tyre on my racer for years only replaced now because I have changed to a race compound. My Honda Civic also ran on Michelins

Millers Oils They produce the VSP lead replacement and octane booster I use on my classic road bikes.

Excellent insurance rates for classic and modern bikes.

Another British based company specialising in the Bonnie and building up a good reputation for their range of parts and excellent service.

Custom parts, including specially made bits for the new Bonneville

Goodies for classic Triumphs and the modern Bonnie

plugs and caps. OK, they are Japanese but they are very good, particularly in "difficult" engines. A wide range of racing types are readily available.

P & J Powder Coating. Most of the paintwork on the AJS and bumpers etc on the Disco, also do alloy wheels. 0141 620 1652

podtronic Manufacturers of solid state regulators. Highly recommended

Renntec make carriers and engine guards including fittings for the new Bonneville

Russell Motors . London based source of AJS/Matchless parts. Always a helpful source of parts, paticularly good for rigid and WD, they now have a web site.

For racing I prefer a full face helmet and find the Suomy very comfortable and stable

Trade Direct Mail order parts at very good prices. Wide coverage of recent models but also quite good stocks for earlier Japanese bikes. 08705134859

Scott leathers The leathers I use for racing

So long as fashion dictates we run with exposed rear chains we have to do something to keep them clean and lubricated and the Scott Oiler is one of the best solutions and - hey - they're made just down the road from me.

Serco best known for their special bits for Ariel and Triumph Cub trials irons, the gizmo they supplied for me was an adjustable sprocket to enable the mag to be timed accurately, on my Matchless racer and my road Ajay 01484 715288

Strathclyde Auto Tune Ltd., Hamilton. It can be difficult to find a bike MoT station. I can recommend this establishment - not if you want a half done job abd a certificate at all costs. They are fair, know their job, very obliging, efficient and will MoT the bike while you wait if you make an appointment. 01698 282038.

Spares Direct Amazing stocks of current and early Suzuki parts. Excellent service.

Sprockets Unlimited. Excellent source for all types of drive chain. Very knowledgeable and able to advise on correct application

Tony Surbey has taken over the Richard Gaunt stock of used AJS and Matchless parts.

The Vintage Bearing Company : A source of replacement bearings for standard and obsolete fittings.

Clubs

AJS and Matchless Owners Club If you've got one you just have to join! See also the Club sites Denmark, New Zealand and USA.

Organise races at Oliver's Mount, Scarborough, Carnaby and Elvington.

BMF British Motor Cyclist's Federation Motorcyclist representative group

Middlesborough & District Motor Club Organise Saltburn and Ormesby Hall meetings 01642 595316< /P>

mrc Morini Riders Club

MAG (MAG UK) Motorcyclist representative group

NACC National Autocycle & Cyclemotor Club

We not only have our own Scottish Parliament, we have our own governing body and, like the parliament, they have their own website.

Scottish Classic Motor Cycle Club The club behind classic racing north of the border, including the Bob Mac Memorial meeting 01294 833320 (Secretary)

Suzuki Owner's Club of GB

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (UK)

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (USA)

and the racing section

Magazines

Cyril Quantril founded it back in '62. The late and much missed Richard Stevens resurrected it a few years ago and it goes from strength to strength as the "thinking biker's" mag. I have every issue from '69 - I think! Now changed ownership again

Excellent for news, ads and sources of parts and services

Quality monthly and a fitting memorial to its founding editor, Bob Currie

All the news on all the racing.

Initially web based but now published as hard copy - Real Classics with Frank Westworth and the rest of the team

Cycle sources

Leisure Lakes Moutain Bikes made up the special Kona for my daughter.

St. John St. Cycles Excellent source of specialist bikes and parts, particularly those hard-to-get classic bits

Wheelcraft The best wheels in the known universe - possibly; the best range of quality cycle parts in the Strathclyde area - probably; the best welcome for cyclists anywhere - definitely. Good coffee, chat, advice and just about any cycle part.

Tandem Club

Slot car sources

MRE

Pendle Slot Racing

Scale Models

chain

Accomodation & travel info

On our travels we have had to use many hotels and B & B's and the proprietors have had to put up with some pretty tired and/or wet cyclists or motorcyclists. Here are some we would highly recommend.

Baleshare, North Uist: Taigh Mo Sheanair ("My Grandfather's House", in case you weren't sure). Very reasonable but very comfortable hostel

Barbon Kemps Hill - Comfortable and welcoming

Barra: Aros Cottage B&B It is impossible to describe the atmosphere on the Hebrides or the warmth of welcome -just go and see!

"Heishival", Castlebay. 01871810438

Isle of Barra community site

Belsay: Bounder House - a farm B&B between Newcastle and the Scottish Border at Carter Bar.

Crakehall, Bedale: Waterside - an excellent friendly, little B&B ideally situated for the Yorkshire Dales and with a lovely village pub just across the green

Cheadle, Staffordshire: Park View Guest House . Very comfortable, not far from Stafford Showground. "Normal" people will also find it close to Alton Towers theme park, the Staffordshire potteries and the Peak District.

Crieff: Largybeg (garaged our classic bikes overnight) Berneray

Croft, Leicestershire (by Mallory Park). Arbor House (01455 283013). Very friendly, comfortable accommodation and really tuned in to getting folk out early in time to get to Mallory.

Gatliff Hebridean Hostels Trust Basic but fun. Bearnaraigh and Gearrannan particularly are idyllic. Several of the hostels are restored "black houses"

Glossop: Avondale - Nice comfortable B&B ideally situated for the Peak District

Kirby Lonsdale: Burr Tree Cottage Comfortable and friendly in converted farm buildings. Full of character and the breakfast is superb.

Madeira: OK, probably not a lot of use on a regular bike tour but we were very taken by Madeira on holiday, especially by these organisations

Jango Restaurante, Rua Santa Maria, Funchal Old Town. Food was good in Madeira but this was the best! Specialises in sea food. 291 221 280

Joyride . We did not have time to hire a bike but we would have no qualms about hiring one from this company. Wide range of well prepared scooters and larger bikes. Roads are a bit intimidating but standard of driving seemed good.

Mallaig: Western Isles 01687 462320 Very nice accomodation at very reasonable rates.

Northwich, Cheshire: Ash House Farm . Very comfortable with a picturesque courtyard that has been used for a photoshoot by Classic Bike Guide

Scalpay: Margaret and Kenny Morrison 01859 540394. Scalpy is now joined to Harris by a bridge.

Snaiton: Jasmine campsite - probably the best kept site I have camped on in the UK. Nice but a long walk to the pub with grub!

Skye: Loch Aluinn , Sconser. 01478 650288. Comfortable, evening meals and the view!

and in the US of A we found these excellent motels in New England:

Boothbay Harbour, Maine: Flagship Motor Inn

Rangeley, Maine: Saddleback Motor Inn Telephone: 1-207-8643434

Intervale, NH: Clarendon Motel - telephone 1-800-433-3551

and now my first link in Australia and appropriately enough a Matchless Owner ( of a rather tasteful clubman's single)

Cooma: Ellstanmor Country Guest House

Not accomodation but a couple of restaurants:

The Cabin, Mallaig 01687 462207. Seafood is their speciality and my mouth waters even at the thought.

Windmill Inn, Brascote - a few minutes from Mallory Park. Very reasonably priced but superb menu and excellent cuisine with a particularly friendly staff. If you are going to take your wife to Mallory for your 30th annivesary this is a good place to score brownie points. (How do I know?.......)

The main ferry operator to the Hebrides. Fast modern ships and a daily service on most routes.

Sound of Barra Ferry . Even passengers must book and they do carry vehicles now. The handiest way to get from Barra to South Uist (via Eriskay). 01870 602425

Lots of useful information about travelling to and about the Hebrides and accommodation