January to December, you’ll find a lot to read about in 1920. The first tax discs and logbooks, the first BruffSup, the first fuel station (no petrol run by the AA), combo taxis, magnetos that produced light, tales of adventure, tales of new bikes (including a Superb British four)…oodles of motor cycling miscellania to keep you amused, informed and entertained. Go on, treat yourself.
Three features have just been added to the 1920 Features section covering the ACU Six Days Trial, the Scottish Six Days Trial and the Anglo-Dutch Trial, complete with shedloads of pics. These yarns give a smashing flavour of motor cycling at the start of the 1920s; enjoy. Loads more material has also been added to 1920 including a number of launches and a canoe sidecar.
Just posted in the 1920 Features section is a compilation of previews, reports, reviews and gossip from the 1920 TT. There’s a basic report in the main 1920 listing but the material and pics in the feature are worthy of your attention—as well as thoughtful appraisals of the latest technology there’s an appraisal of the various marques of flapper to be dallied with on Douglas prom. Yep, we’re roaring into the twenties.
There’s plenty more material to be added to 1920 (a feature on the TT is in preparation) but I just came across a report of the first motor cycle ride from Land’s End to John o’ Groats. Ixion referred to it in his review of the End-to-End run (which you’ll find in the 1911 Features section); now you can enjoy the whole story, as written by the rider. Also added to 1901 is a rider’s call for a club to be started for motor bicyclists, and a roadtest of a Singer Voituretts that was equally at home carrying people or goods, years before the advent of the tradesman’s sidecar.
Nearly halfway through 1920; lots of new bikes to take a look at, with a report on the London-Edinburgh, an appeal for helmets to be used by TT riders and oodles of good stuff with more being added daily. I really ought to be spending more time in the garage but a chap’s got to do what a chap’s got to do.
You’ll find a fair number of stories in 1920, including Britain’s first proper fuel station (but it didn’t have any petrol); a lightweight that looks more 1950 than 1920; a list of every marque in the Blue ‘Un Buyer’s Guide; a QD topbox; a bicycle powered by the rider’s weight …and a motorbike made by a chap called Guzzi. Watch this space.
‘Captains of industry’, competition riders, dealers, clubmen and pundits took a look at the future and suggested ways to develop the industry. Well worth a look.
