Classics at Cowes

Briefly mentioned in "Compliments Test" the fun at Cowes last week, thought I'd better expand on it and bung up some more of the pics.

I had contemplated riding up to Cranbourne and joining the GP Run back down to PI last Saturday, but got a text from my mate Doug (Triton) on the Friday night who suggested we go into Cowes in the morning and attend the Classics At Cowes event. Did the GP Run last year on the TRX, so thought I'd do this instead this year on BessieCommando. Was quite a blast!



This was a show of "Classic and Interesting Bikes" and I was amazed to be ushered right in to the show on BessieC - I expected to be parking out on the street and looking at the other bikes rather than being part of the show!

A headlight sticker and a thoughtful piece of MDF sheet to catch any ... ah ... oily incontinence.


A quiet start:


These two belong to a couple I met before, they have a barn-find Laverda triple and I've ridden with them once or twice. This is her effort:


and this is his:


And here's a mock SFC. Could grace my garage any day though:


Don't flame me, but I reckon the fastback look's a just a teeny bit naff, but each to their own:


Knew a chappy that had one of these and by heck was he fast on it. True pocket Rocket with big brother behind:


Tesi 2D for all engineers out there. Origami anyone:


We've definitely met before. Didn't I see a small child get sucked in there one day?


Tasty:


Any MZ fans out there? This was a nice bit of kit:


Very clean, must be a joy to own and ride:


While I was at uni I promised myself one of these when I got my first job - they were the gun bike of the day. Never came to pass, but I still like them:


I had a friend who had one of these. Sadly he's no longer with us, a great loss, but I still remember seeing the grin on his face as he rode it home from purchase oh so many years ago:


Very functional Matchy outfit. Used, not pampered - the way I like 'em:


Fresh from a rebuild and memories of Marco:


Well-deserved centre stage. Can't recall if it was 1928 or '29. Either way, it'll still be running when it's 100:


The GP Run start to rock up:


There's always the lunatic fringe:


Which reminds me. I must get mine finished. Wacky helmet though:


And they rolled in for over half an hour:


And still they come:


Meanwhile, back at the show:


My bruvva had one of these. I had to ride it over to Bob Brown's shop one day to get it serviced. Terrifying for someone who'd only ever ridden a 350 to date:


Kids these days just wouldn't believe you:


Y'know, I still like these and wish I had one, probably a great highway muncher. This is a 650, very rare, don't think we ever got them out here, only a 500 Turbo:


Here's another Lav. This one was actually ridden to the event. I'd have it any day:


Honda's don't leak? Funnily enough, that looks just like BessieC's "signature":


Delicious Darmah:


Back in the main drag, something draws the eye...


Of course:


Think I saw this bike at the Bayles meet 5 months back:


Well, that's it. Noise, colour, people, spectacle. What a day. I even got thanked for turning up by the show organisers and invited back next year!
Had only finished rebuilding BessieC on the Thursday night after an oil tank mount fractured during my last long ride some months back. Glad I did. Truly great day.

Oops, seems I forgot to take this off:

re; "Y'know, I still like these and wish I had one, probably a great highway muncher. This is a 650, very rare, don't think we ever got them out here, only a 500 Turbo:"

If you are referring to the CX650 and are referring to the USA , then it came in different guises ED, Custom, Silver wing type e.t.c
There are quite a few Yank CX650 Customs imported into the UK over the years.

Hi Bernhard,

nope not USA, Cowes is on Phillip Island in Australia. (We have a racetrack on The Island that hosts a round of MotoGP and WSBK). We got plenty of CXs here in various guises and engine sizes, but only a 500 turbo that I'm aware of. First time I'd ever seen a 650 Turbo.