2010 Classic Bikes

Vic Eastwood's SP370 Suzuki
Though most famous for his many successes on factory Matchless and BSA victors in the sixties, Vic campaigned a variety of machines in the seventies. He hailed from Kent, where he still resides today, and in the latter part of his career had a long association with Alf and Martin Hagon of Hagon Products. They were, and still are, innovative engineers and built 40 VE Hagon Yamahas using XT engines, one of which Vic campaigned. Then in the late seventies came a new venture - a Hagon Suzuki. Only one was ever built and this is the machine on show. It was based on the SP370 engine, bored and stroked to 450cc. "Much better than the Yamaha" said Vic, "but I crashed it in France and that was the end of my riding career".

John 'Burly' Burton's last Gold Star
Though final enquiries are still ongoing to prove this is indeed Burton's machine Big John certainly believes it to be authentic. Known as 'Burly' through his strength and height John was a BSA team member in the early sixties on Goldies and represented his country in the M/x Des Nations three times in 1959, 1960 and 1961. He was also runner up on the Gold Star in the 500cc British championship twice - both times to the immortal Jeff Smith. He now lives on the Isle of Skye.

Dave Curtis's G80 and G85 Matchless classics
Curtis, an Oxfordshire farmer of immense strength, campaigned both the earlier G80 and G85 models in British and International meetings in the late fifties and sixties with great success. They were heavy but fast machines and only the very best could tame them! Curtis did so in 1958 when he won his only British championship in decisive style from Don Rickman, accumulating nearly twice Don's points tally. The following year Dave made his first concerted effort on the world series, taking 3 seconds, 2 thirds and 2 fourth placings to finish in 3^rd spot after relinquishing second to Bill Nilsson at the final round . Both machines are fully rebuilt to original specification.

The Dalesman Collection
Dalesman competition motorcyles were manufactured in Otley, Yorkshire by Pete Edmondson between 1968 and 1971. Four models are on display:
- a 1968 Mk1 4 speed trials
- a 1970 Mk2 6 speed trials
- a rare export-only 6 speed Puch engined Enduro
- a 1970 Dalesman Scrambler
Many of the frames for this manufacturer were welded by occupants of the local prison! The firm went into liquidation as a result of non-payment of a large export order to America in 1972.

Dave Bickers' Greeves
Dave still owns the Greeves Hawkstone on which he took the 1960 European 250cc title. It's in the condition as it finished that year's series which he won by 13 points from fellow Brit Jeff Smith. Dave successfully defended his crown in 1961, the last year of the Euro title before the advent of the world series in 1962. He has no idea where his 1961 title winner is!