February 2024
WINTER CLASSIC SHOW JANUARY 6-7
With the new year just a few days old, the first major classic show of 2024 was a feast for the eyes and ears of enthusiasts of every era
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Garry Wells, 1982 Honda CBX1000C
The Honda CBX Enthusiasts stand certainly had an impressive array of imposing metal. Particularly eye-catching was Garry Wells’ slightly modified 1982 Honda CBX1000C. While some bike owners might buy a scale model to match their motorcycle, Garry did things the other way around, the paint for his CBX being inspired by one of his models. “You won’t find it on any Honda colour chart,” says Garry. “It’s actually a Vauxhall Mokka gold done by Pro Kustom.” It’s a superb job, alright. The deviations from standard didn’t end there.
“I made the DIY exhaust header pipes and matched them to Delkevic end-cans. The wheels are CB1100,” he adds. Garry undertook the overhaul and rebuild of the engine himself – no small undertaking on the 1047cc six-cylinder mill. He also had the half-dozen carbs to attend to.
Not only for show, Garry plans to rack up the miles on the road in 2024.
Simon Freeman, 1964 Francis-Barnett Cruiser 89
Norfolk man Simon Freeman was pleased to discover this 1964 Francis-Barnett Cruiser 89 police bike two years ago, for sale on eBay in Lancashire. It had served local to him in Norwich in the 1960s. When the bike’s active service ended, the 249cc Villers 4T twin two-stroke engined machine had been partially civilianised with a dual seat and standard tank. However Simon, chairman of the Francis-Barnett Owners Club, decided to convert it back to full police spec. “I sourced the correct Cossor police radio set from a friend and modified the standard tank to accommodate it. I made a three-quarter seat and RK Leighton recovered it. The Craven panniers are of the original type. I also rebuilt the engine with the help of Villiers Services. That was all done during the winter of 2022/23. Now the bike is back on the road and used regularly. Last year, I took it on a tour of Scotland with other Francis-Barnett owners.”
Roy Collins, 1960 Maserati Rospo 50cc
Now here’s a bike you don’t often see. Indeed, we aren’t sure if we’ve ever seen one before. ‘Rospo’ is Italian for ‘toad’ – and that extensive front mudguard does give the Maserati some of the attitude of a crouching amphibian. Safe to say that owner Roy Collins is something of a Maserati fan and he had more than one of the exquisite Italians on show at Newark.
