London

LONDON

SHOW TIME

B. R. NICHOLLS

FIRST IMPRESSIONS of the 1962 London Motor Cycle Show were of a resurgence in the British industry and that the predominance of machines were either genuine vintage models or fifty cc. For this Show was a departure from the usual practice and proved to be a popular change. Never had there been -such a choice of bikes up to the 250 range with the "nifty fifties" impressing themselves on the minds of youngsters about to get their first machine.

Ducati offers a beautiful model in this class, complete with streamlining, looking every inch a motorcycle. On the other hand Honda and Ariel both showed an attractive moped. The former was proved by a seven days and nights continual running test of three machines held at the Goodwood motor racing circuit; a convincing demonstration of reliability which resulted in large orders. The Ariel has been given the name Pixie and has a bigger brother of 75cc in the BSA range called the Beagle. Both are unit construction push rod overhead valve four-stroke models with four-speed gearboxes; externally there is a marked relationship to the Triumph 199cc engine. Ever heard of Garelli? Back in 1911 this Italian firm produced a machine that gained over 20 world records — now they concentrate on under lOOcc models; in particular the 50cc has that racy Italian look about it. The L. E. Velocette is now the Vogue with a luxury fairing that has twin headlamps.

The Lambretta owner with the feeling that his scooter was under-powered could feast his eyes on the remarkable 250cc overhead camshaft transverse V-twin racer which was on show. This was built merely as a warning to Italian motorcycle manufacturers not to enter the scooter field. But race enthusiasts' one regret is that this handsome bike constructed over a decade ago never raced for it looks really great.

The Aermacchi-Harley-Davidson stand has a brand new enclosed model that only just made the Show in time. Termed the Chimera it is a 250 of most handsome appearance, in fact almost futuristic. In duocolour scheme or bright red like the usual 250 it would be a wow, for the Show bike was a metallic grey. Capriolo showed a trials model which must be one of the lightest available. The 124cc four-stroke engine would leave it under-powered for our National trials but if someone starts a bit of tuning on it they could easily end up with a winner.

Jawa has a strong following which is not surprising when one remembers their wonderful success in the International Six Days Trial. Biggest model is a 350cc twostroke twin tourer but they also make a scooter which is becoming very popular; the capacity is lOOcc and it has an electric starter as standard. Staying overseas for a moment the Puch concern has brought out a new model called the Scrambler although it is not basically a competition model. It is fitted as standard with silencer, lighting and fully enclosed chain case and is powered by a hotted-up version of the Cheetah engine. It also has cross braced moto-cross handlebars and competition rear tire. It looks a winner all the way but though it is easily converted to serious competition work there is little if any opportunity to use it for that purpose over here as yet.

Besides the machines shown that the manufacturers hope the public will buy there were displayed many vintage and sports machines in special sections where one could see the four-cylinder Gilera and M.V. machines, specials like the lOOOcc Vincent housed in a Norton frame, but topping the poll in this field was the record breaking Triumph built by Joe Dudek and ridden by Bill Johnson. I was lucky enough to meet both of these gentlemen and was very impressed by their quiet sincerity and dedication to the sport. In these two the United States have ambassadors of the highest sporting tradition.

Another British manufacturer turned up at the Show with a 250cc production racer. This time it was D.M.W. who call their model the Hornet — could anything be more appropriate for a buzzing twostroke? This makes three British production 250cc racers. The Hornet and Cotton Telstar are both powered by the new Villiers "Starmaker" engine which features two carburetors working in conjunction to give better performance at each end of the scale than the single carb can give. Greeves, however, uses the square barreled scrambler engine for the road racer which will be developed next season by ace tuner Francis Beart and ridden by Manx Grand Prix winner Joe Dunphy. Derek Minter's Cotton Telstar will be tuned and prepared by Ray Petty, whose four-stroke tuning was evident in Minter's highly successful 1962 season. Norman Surtees will also ride the Cotton racer next season and in the meantime is keeping fit riding a scrambler of the same marque.

Incidentally, Greeves had a prototype moto-cross model at the Show utilizing the new Villiers engine. Perhaps the most professional looking of the two-stroke production racers was the Yamaha. After a miserable showing in Europe in 1961 when they returned home halfway through the season, reports indicate that they have got a bike that motors really well. Exracer Geoff Monty has taken a keen interest in this machine and his lifetime of racing experience could put the Yamaha well to the fore in the new Formula 1 class in 1963.