Classic Brit bikes, exotic continentals, rare contraptions… the wonderful and expansive mix of club stands packed into the halls at Staffordshire County Showground has it all. A quick browse of the A-Z list and all the big-hitters are there from the likes of the multi-interest VMCC and VJMC through to the specialist owners’ clubs covering marques such as Francis-Barnett, Sunbeam, Velocette and Norton among others.

Clubs Celebrations
One the mainstays of Stafford, and one of the most popular elements, is the huge number of clubs that come to the show. It’s not just about the members putting on incredible motorcycle displays but also about being on hand to give advice, help with your restoration and talk ‘shop’ about their favourite bikes.

Some of the clubs are celebrating this year at Stafford and here are just a few.

The Aircoooled RD Club celebrates 50 years of the headbangers bike of choice, yes the RD. The only serious choice for a chip shop Grand Prix. The team will be putting on an incredible display on stand M43A. Check them out online too at www.aircooledrdclub.com

The guys at the BSA Bantam Club celebrates 70 years of this incredible BSA model. The bike that touched the hearts of many was a regular sight in the UK from trails to on the roads. Take the time to check out their stand B115 and take a look at probably one of the largest show gatherings of this game changing marque. www.bsabantamclub.com

It’s hard to believe but its 70 years since the first Greeves motorcycle rolled off the production line and the Greeves Rider Association will be in the Competition Hall with a collection of incredible Greeves machinery.

The Cossack Owners’ Club comes in from the cold to celebrate its 50th anniversary as a club and will be putting together one of the biggest collections of Soviet motorcycles in the UK. Stand B128-129 www.cossackownersclub.co.uk

It’s 60 years since the Sunbeam Owners’ Fellowship came together to form a club, and members will be putting on a proper birthday theme on their club stand P6 in the Prestwood Hall. www.onthebeam.co.uk

Essential Viewing

With summer at a close, it’s time to lay the bike up and get the spanners, spray cans and rags out. If you’re not working on a full restoration, then you’re fettling your pride and joy and tending to all those little jobs.  Here is a selection of just four bikes (private entries in the main hall) that have come out of the garage in 2023 that you need to check out.

Ray Robinson bought his 1972 Honda CB7500 K1 in, well, 1972. He sold it on in 1985 to help a house build and then 30 years later, discovered that the same person who he had sold the bike to still owned it! Unfortunately, the bike was now in bits and had been in a barn for over 20 years.  It took Ray over 7 years to convince the owner to sell it back to him but in October 2022 he collected all bits remaining and began the painstaking restoration in October 202. Some 300 plus hours later the bike was complete!

All we can say, Ray, is wow!!

Who doesn’t love a Yamaha RD350 LC, and David Smith’s 1982 example is just sublime. He’s owned the bike for around 8 years, restoring the bike to concourse condition but, step by step. Why? Just like every true stroker, he wanted to enjoy riding the RD as well as bringing it back to factory standard.

The restoration only used new old stock parts and David spent a lot of time sourcing correct period parts (we feel your pain Dave) as many of the new parts available today are reproduction parts and are not period correct.

All the plastic body panels are new-old-stock and it also has original paint and the original decals Many of the parts have original manufacturers finishes to them too so the bike is pretty damn close to how it would have come from the factory. A proper headbanger!

Nigel Griffiths has faithfully recreated a Suzuki XR 69. He built the bike from scratch, photos and his own intimate knowledge of the Suzuki GS1000 race bikes that he was racing back in the day.

Nigel’s engineering skills were bought to bear making the frame, swingarm, tank, yokes, exhaust, discs and many more parts on this beautiful machine.

Not only did Nigel make a lot of the parts but he actually had to make most of the tools and jigs to do it!  What powers this brute is a GS1000 engine bored to 1085 and with every conceivable upgrade possible.

Lasty, Richard Gibbon’s will be diplaying his 1982 BMW R100 Café Racer. The engine work was sorted by renowned BMW engineer Steve Scriminger and the bike features the later BMW k100 forks, Tarozzi rear sets and clip-ons along with many one-off parts.

This Beemer even has an almost complete history including original sales receipt right through to Richards finished bike.

What a stunner!

Owners spend thousands of painstaking hours ensuring their exhibit is in its best possible condition, ready for display and inspection by the crowds and judges. As would be expected at the October show, there is a focus on Japanese machines and marques such as Suzuki, Honda, Ducati, Kawasaki and Yamaha all feature heavily. But the likes of Norton, BSA, Cotton and Sunbeam – among others – do provide a British flavour, too. Alongside the machines on the show’s club stands, the private entries will compete for a host of show awards including the coveted Best in Show.

Weather-permitting, a select handful of the machines on display will be chosen to head out to the showground’s main ring for our classic bike cavalcade where visitors get to see them in action. Check the timetable and listen to announcements for the times of the sessions.

A full list of clubs and private entries at the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics can be found in the showguide included in the October issue of Motor Cycle Monthly. The newspaper is FREE to pick up from dealers, cafes and other stockists, and will also be distributed at the event.