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Bonhams Motorcycles Kick Start 2021 with Return to Stafford

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by Ben Walker from https://www.bonhams.com/press_release/31686/ The Summer Sale The International Classic MotorCycle Show (The Postponed Spring Sale) 3 – 4 Jul 2021 Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground The Gentleman’s Collection A selection of wonderfully restored Vincent-HRD’s consigned to the Spring Sale Following a successful year of sales at its Bicester Heritage base – with a 93 per cent sale rate – Bonhams Motorcycles is returning to Stafford for the first auction of 2021. The Summer Stafford Sale will take place on 3 and 4 July, in line with the rescheduled International Classic MotorCycle Show. Consignments are now invited to the auction to join early confirmed lots including two important collections, one of Italian sports bikes and the other a selection of classic Vincent-HRDs, the world’s fastest motorcycles of their time. THE RON CODY COLLECTION A selection of motorcycles offered from the Ron Cody Collection Well-known in MV Agusta club circles, the late Ron Cody, a former sports car racer and engineer, turned to his passion for building up and restoring his collection of Italian machines as a retirement hobby. This collection offers 48 motorcycles, with many examples of MV Agustas as well as other Italian marques. Highlights include: 1964 MV AGUSTA 150CC RAPIDO SPORT, £3,000 – 4,000 Like their larger siblings, the small MVs were very expensive, costing as much as a British 500, which explains why so few of these exquisitely engineered little motorcycles were sold in the UK. This 150 Rapido Sport displays a total of only 125 kilometres on the odometer since restoration. 1953 MV AGUSTA 125CC TEL ‘SPORT COMPETIZIONE’, £4,000 – 6,000 With superb engineering compared with any British contemporary, the MV Agusta’s 125cc TEL ‘stroker’ of 1949 was powered by a neat unitary construction single-cylinder engine which, somewhat unusually for a post-war design, featured detachable transfer […]

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Norton Motorcycles invests in advanced new factory headquarters

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Norton Motorcycles invests in advanced new factory headquarters in Solihull The Norton Motorcycle Co Ltd has moved to a new location in Solihull, West Midlands The new HQ will be a permanent base for all staff and incorporates state-of-the-art design, engineering, manufacturing and quality capabilities Opening of the newly fitted out factory comes after a multi-million pound investment from Norton’s new parent company, TVS Motor Company Commissioning is near completion and opening is expected in Q1 2021 Over 50 high quality, new jobs have already been created and more are expected to follow as the business activity grows providing a welcome boost to the local economy. The site in Solar Park, Solihull is the most advanced facility that Norton has ever had The Norton Motorcycle Co Ltd has announced that the company is moving to a new headquarters. The state-of-the-art production site located in Solihull, West Midlands, will open following a multi-million pound investment by Norton’s Indian parent company, TVS Motor Company. It will be the most advanced manufacturing facility in the 122-year-old motorcycle brand’s history. The premises will be the central hub for all of Norton operations, providing a permanent base for all staff. The new headquarters will be home to design, engineering, purchasing, sales, marketing, and support teams as well as the skilled production team that is resuming manufacture of motorcycles. Some of the specialist tooling and equipment previously used by Norton has been carried over to the new site in Solihull, but the site is benefiting from substantial new investment. The new manufacturing facility will make use of modern-day, quality-assured production processes. Skilled technicians will deploy bespoke bike building techniques and state-of-the-art new manufacturing equipment to ensure all bikes are built with great precision and quality, a hallmark of both Norton and TVS Motor Company. Norton will

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Former home of Triumph Cycles founder up for grabs

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by Elis Sandford from https://www.coventrytelegraph.net The building has been brought back into use. The former home of Triumph Cycles founder Siegfried Bettmann is on the market having been converted into a series of luxury apartments and bungalows. Located in the Stoke Park area of Coventry, the Victorian villa has been transformed as part of a huge development project. The former home was sold by Coventry City Council to property developers three years ago having fallen into disrepair. Since then, it has been restored and now exists as 14 one and two-bedroom apartments and garden bungalows. It is described as being located in a leafy conservation area of the city. According to the developers: “Each property has been individually designed with an emphasis on lifestyle and space. All properties have luxury fully fitted SieMatic kitchens, large living areas, good size bedrooms and fully equipped Porcelanosa bathrooms.” Apartment sizes range from 840 sq ft to 947 sq ft, the bungalows from 430 sq ft to 915 sq ft and the mews range from 431 sq ft to 721 sq ft. All properties come with either one or two parking spaces. Prices range from £180,000 to £360,000 and the Help to Buy Scheme is available for first-time buyers. All properties will be owned on a shared freehold basis. What has been said about the properties? Laura Wilson, New Homes Manager at Loveitts Estate Agents, said: “Witnessing this stunning Victorian villa – notably known as Siegfried Bettmann’s former residence – being restored to its former glory first-hand has been something of a marvel. “Elm Bank’s clear historical significance coupled with its beauty as a property makes it a hugely sought-after location for any home hunter. The combination of the Victorian feel with modern furnishings truly epitomises luxury living – and all are up for

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New Auction World Records Set at Successful Bonhams Motorcycles Winter Sale

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from https://www.bonhams.com/press_release/31428/ The Winter Sale including The National Motorcycle Museum Reserve Collection – Bicester Heritage 11 – 12 Dec 2020 Bicester, Bicester Heritage Offered from the National Motorcycle Museum Collection,1936 Brough Superior 982cc SS100 Registration no. VD 6582 Frame no. M1/1661 Engine no. BS/X 1001 £3 MILLION TOTAL REALISED WITH 92 PER CENT SELL-THROUGH RATE 1936 Brough Superior 982C SS100 from the National Motorcycle Museum Reserve Collection, SOLD for £276,000 Two world auction records for a Sunbeam and Norton F1 motorcycle were set over the weekend at the successful Bonhams Motorcycles Winter Sale at Bicester Heritage, which realised more than £3 million and had an impressive sell-through rate of 92 per cent. A 1928 Sunbeam 493cc TT Model 90 Racing Motorcycle, which had raced at Pendine Sands, powered through its top estimate of £24,000 selling for £41,400, while a 21,188-mile 1990 Norton F1, the roadster inspired by the sporting partnership with John Player Special, made £40,250, both setting new world auction records. However, the name dominating the sale was Brough Superior, with no fewer than five examples featuring in the sale’s top ten, led by a highly original 1936 Brough Superior 982cc SS100, bearing the earliest engine number in a production model, which sold for £276,000. All three machines were offered direct from the National Motorcycle Museum’s Reserve Collection, an exclusive selection of 52 British motorcycles – and motorcycle-related cars – presented on the first day of the two-day sale. A brace of 1937 Brough Superiors offered from The Connoisseur Collection – comprising blue-chip examples from the estate of a late motorcycle enthusiast – also featured in the sale’s top ten, a 982cc SS80 and a 1,096cc 11-50hp which both exceeded their top pre-sale estimates selling for £73,600 and £71,300 respectively. The Connoisseur Collection also offered an example of one

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BSA to be reborn as electric motorcycle

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by Jasper Jolly from https://www.theguardian.com Revived company plans to start assembling motorbikes in UK as soon as next year. An Indian billionaire hopes to “resurrect the British motorbike industry” with a plan to build electric motorcycles in the UK under the venerable BSA brand. Anand Mahindra, the chairman of the Mahindra Group conglomerate, is the main backer of a plan to restart production by the BSA Company, assembling motorbikes in the Midlands as soon as the middle of 2021. The revived BSA Company will shortly begin building a research facility in Banbury to develop electric motorbike technology, before launching motorbikes with internal combustion engines closely followed by an electric battery model by the end of 2021. BSA, which stood for Birmingham Small Arms, was originally founded in 1861 to manufacture guns at Small Heath, a setting for the hit BBC drama Peaky Blinders. Its metalworking factories were later turned to bicycles and then motorcycles. By the 1950s, it was the world’s largest motorcycle maker, but it went bankrupt and ceased production in the 1970s. Anand Mahindra, who is worth $1.7bn (£1.3bn) according to Forbes magazine, said he had chosen to invest in the UK because of its history of motorcycle production. The company also received support from the UK government, which awarded the BSA Company a £4.6m grant to develop electric bikes, in the hope of creating at least 255 jobs. “The UK was the leader in bikes right from the start,” Mahindra told the Guardian. “That provenance is something that we really want to retain.” Mahindra Group is the world’s largest manufacturer of tractors and the 20th largest carmaker by sales. It owns the Reva electric car brand that produced the G-Wiz city car, and it is also the world’s biggest producer of three-wheeled electric rickshaws. Mahindra also has

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Here’s How You Make History With a Headstand on a Motorcycle Doing 76 MPH

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by Elena Gorgan from https://www.autoevolution.com Daredevils love to do daredeviling stuff, that’s a fact. It doesn’t make any of these impressive feats less impressive. It’s that time of the year again, when the Guinness Book of World Records comes out. The 2021 edition was announced the other day and, with the announcement came a brief presentation of some of the new record holders. All of them are amazing in their own right, but not a single one is more relevant to us than one Marco George from the UK, a 31-year-old man who currently holds the record for the fastest speed on a motorcycle while performing a headstand or handstand. To be clear, Marco set this record last year, on August 17, in Elvington, the UK. He hails from Hampshire and is a stuntman by profession, having done work on TV and movies, and even put in an appearance on ITV’s hit televised competition Britain’s Got Talent. Marco has been stunt riding since 2014, so he has plenty of experience. However, training for the Guinness record was an entirely different kettle of fish, as the Brits like to say. He got the idea for it when he was young, reading the Guinness books. Like most kids, he too dreamed of one day being the fastest or toughest or generally bestest, so he could have his name jotted down in the history books. In 2017, Marco added headstands to his stunt competition routines, and this is how he came up with the idea of trying for a record. It would be nearly three years of planning and working hard, and seven full months of intensive training before he was able to set the record, breaking the previous one by double the speed. Even for someone like Marco, who defies death on

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Royal Enfield captures UK motorcycle market with Interceptor, Himalayan

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from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com LONDON: Royal Enfield has made deep inroads in the UK market two of its popular and purpose-built motorcycles – Interceptor 650 and Himalayan. The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is the best selling motorcycle in the UK for June 2020 (in the more than 125-cc category) while the Interceptor 650 is the highest selling motorcycle in the UK in the middleweight segment for the last one year (250cc – 750cc; June 2019 to June 2020). Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is a commuter bike available in three variants in India priced between Rs 2.65 lakh and 2.85 lakh (ex-showroom). Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is powered by 648-cc, double cylinder engine that generates 49 PS of power and 52 Nm of torque. The double cylinder engine of Interceptor 650 has a 6-speed manual gearbox. With both rear and front disk brakes. The Royal Enfield Himalayan has redefined adventure touring and managed to carve a niche within the adventure-touring segment. Inspired by Royal Enfield’s 60 years of enduring history in its spiritual home – The Himalayas – the motorcycle has been an accessible and engaging option for riding enthusiasts. Royal Enfield Himalayan generates 26.3 PS of power and 32 Nm of torque from its 411cc engine. It costs between Rs 1.90 lakh and Rs 1.94 lakh (ex-showroom). Vinod K Dasari, CEO Royal Enfield said “Since its launch, the Interceptor 650 has been gaining momentum among consumers, and has won several awards globally. Dominating the mid-segment in the UK for a year is a truly remarkable achievement that we are very proud of. We are equally delighted with the success of our adventure-tourer Himalayan which has been among the top 5 best selling middle-weight motorcycles in the UK consistently over the last 12 months. This response from our customers in the UK has

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Facing financial crunch, UK based Norton Motorcycle goes into administration; India roll out hit

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by Ketan Thakkar from https://economictimes.indiatimes.com Norton had set up an equally owned joint venture with Pune-based Kinetic Motoroyale in 2017 to start making mid-size motorcycles for India and Southeast Asian Markets by 2018. The project got delayed due to financial crunch at the UK-based entity. UK-based premium bike maker Norton Motorcycle’s India roll out may be hit, as the company has gone into administration after failing to pay outstanding dues to the UK authorities. According to a news report, the company is struggling to pay a tax bill and faces a winding-up order under the UK’s insolvency law. Norton had set up an equally owned joint venture with Pune-based Kinetic Motoroyale in 2017 to start making mid-size motorcycles for India and Southeast Asian Markets by 2018. The project got delayed due to financial crunch at the UK-based entity. When contacted, Kinetic Motoroyale managing director Ajinkya Firodia told ET that Norton was looking to raise funds. Firodia said he would be travelling shortly to the UK to understand the situation better and seek clarity. “Norton Motoroyale (the joint venture) is a separate company and continues to exist and hold its rights in its territories of India and Asean countries. After our visit, we shall understand the extent of impact, if any. The India-side development of all parts is nearly complete for the 650 Atlas. For some parts developed in the UK or Europe for Norton, I shall seek clarity from the administrator,” Firodia added. When queried if the 650cc bike would get further delayed, he said it was “difficult to predict” now. Kinetic Motoroyale had set up a 30,000-unit capacity plant in Ahmednagar in Maharashtra. A range of Norton bikes were expected to be made at this plant for Indian and Southeast Asian markets. According to media reports, Norton, which was

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Motorcycle Touring the North Coast 500 in Scotland

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by Ryan Beitler from https://www.travelmag.co.uk/ With so many great options for motorcycle touring in the United Kingdom, there is likely no better choice than the Scottish Highlands. In the Highlands there is some of the most beautiful scenery and unspoiled wilderness in the county. There are a variety of ways to go through stunning Scottish nature. Going through the region on the North Coast 500 with a motorcycle will not only provide the healing solitude many riders yearn for, it offers things to do and see. The NC500 is the ultimate road for biking, and there are multiple ways to do it. Guided or Solo Depending on your preference, you can ride the NC500 through the Highlands with or without a guide. If you can handle the section of intense riding, you will be fine on your own. Furthermore it can provide a sense of serenity and peace when you are riding through the rolling hills of the Highlands. But if you are looking for companionship or someone to help you know where you are and where you are headed, getting a guide can be fulfilling. It all has to do with what you are looking for. Do you want a sense of adventure or to get where you’re going as safely and peacefully as possible? You have the option. Scenery in the Highlands It goes without saying that the scenery in the Scottish Highlands is gorgeous. Riding through the nature of this region is captivating and spiritual. It is arguably the main reasons to take a tour on the North Coast 500. Along this route you go through the Trossachs National Park, go into a Cairgnorms National Park, and pass by Lake Lomomd. Furthermore, there is the town of Loch Ness, home of the Loch Ness monster also called

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British Prime Minister receives a motorcycle for Christmas

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The PM, who is banned from cycling for security reasons, was reportedly given an off-roader Boris Johnson was given an off-road motorbike by his girlfriend, Carrie Symonds, for Christmas, it has been reported. The prime minister received a second-hand Yamaha TT-R125 from the 31-year-old, according to the Mail on Sunday. The bike, thought to be worth about £1,000, can reach speeds of up to 55mph. Mr Johnson told journalists last week that he would like a new bicycle for Christmas, but said he would have to buy it himself. He was forced to give up cycling around London when he became foreign secretary and then prime minister because of security precautions. However, he may find the grounds of his country retreat Chequers, in Buckinghamshire, the perfect playground for a motorbike. Mr Johnson is currently holidaying on the private island of Mustique in the Caribbean with Symonds. Known for its white sandy beaches, the exclusive island in the archipelago nation of St Vincent and the Grenadines is a favourite of the rich and famous, with Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger owning property there. Pictures released on Saturday appeared to show Johnson and Symonds travelling in economy-class seats on a British Airways flight to St Lucia, before travelling on to Mustique.

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