35 Velocette KTT
Velocette introduced their Support staff: the backbone of classic events They do it for the love of it – and we should give the love back. made, with a huge finned cylinder barrel overhanging narrow crankcases and an overhead camshaft 350 at the 1926 TT, and by the time of the introduction of the MkVIII version in 1939 it had evolved into one of the best-looking bikes ever unusual combination of girder forks and swingarm rear suspension. It was effective too, winning five out of five Junior TTs between 1938-49.
34 Event organisers
Let’s hear it for the extraordinary people who give up their time so the rest of us can just get on and enjoy the ride. To the track marshals, the trials observers, the clerks of the course and the scrutineers. To the people that speak to the landowners, that organise the venue and sort out the insurance. The people that sit there, listening to excuses as to why you haven’t got the right licence. And the partners, friends and relations that they bring along to help them. That lady who’s interrupted her knitting to take your signing on form doesn’t really have any interest in bikes, but she’s given up her day, so let’s make sure we thank her for it.
33 Modern two-stroke oil
Many myths have grown around two-stroke oils, chief among them being that you should use the same oil type that was available when your classic stroker was new. Not so. Modern semi or fully synthetic oils offer far better protection for two-stroke engines of every age, air or liquid-cooled. They also obviate the need for regular removal of sticky build-up because they burn more completely. Some users of modern oil increase the ratio of fuel to oil too, which is possible but risks reducing the sealing ability of piston rings, compromising power. The best advice is to use the best oil you can afford, taking care to choose the correct type for pump or pre-mix set-ups.
32 BMW Rennsport
When BMW built a new engine to suit the post-war rules in GP racing, they couldn’t have guessed how successful it would be – even if the wins didn’t come where they expected them. The Rennsport made its racing debut in 1953, when rider Waler Zeller only completed one lap of the Senior TT. But while there were some solo successes for the
Rennsport in the 1950s, it was as a sidecar power unit that it excelled. Between 1954-7
