The 30th Carole Nash Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show - 2010 |
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It is somewhat frightening to find that you have been going to a show for some thirty years and still keep going back. I suppose that goes to show apart from the fact you are much older (and just maybe wiser?) that they have consistently put on an event that makes you want to return. Now in its permanent home of the Royal Bath and West Showground, it continues to attract clubs putting on some superb displays of classic machines spanning over a hundred years. Once all you saw were British bikes, but as this last weekend showed, now Japanese and in fact machines from all over the world, stand handlebar to handlebar to be appreciated by an ever knowledgeable crowd.As the term has never been satisfactorily defined, classics can be anything you want them to be as this show proves. There is literally everything from Pioneer machines from the dawn of motorcycling sitting alongside bikes less than ten years old. Bikes range from immaculately restored to a condition the manufacturers could never have viably sold them in, to oily rag, as found and used condition. In case you get enthused to restore something, a happy band of auto jumblers had not only the parts and tools to do it, as well as a few projects covering all price brackets. For those not too sure, period motorcycle magazines and manuals were on sale along with books to assist in ensuring things end up in the right place. Owners clubs too were in evidence to give advice on what the pros and cons of individual models are as well as selling clothing to match the restored bike. Insurers and many other trade stands completed the whole picture and made it a worthwhile trip. If you have never been make a date for in your diary to watch out for it around February time and if you are a regular attendee you will have already done so given this years offering! But if you cannot wait then the larger Stafford Show will have a lot more of the same plus on the 24-25th April. Article by Ian Kerr
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