Quick Stafford show report

Very short version: Went there in one cage, went in, didn't buy
another SOB, came back out and drove home in another cage.

Somewhat longer version:
The show certainly seemed to be somewhat more spacious again (as in,
fewer stands) but it was rather packed and people where buying bits
and pieces as if they were going out of fashion tomorrow. Funnily
enough it was mostly engines that were carted or carried away.

My favourite were the two old geezers - one with a rather bad leg who
just seemed to be able to stand upright, leaning heavily on his cane -
pushing a wheelchair with what looked like a SOBB engine in it. That's
dedication for you!

On the SOB front prices seem to have become somewhat more realistic
again, some bikes were nearly cheap enough for me to phone TOG to see
if he needs another project bike...

However, a common denominator seemed to be that most project bikes
(remember, this was the Japanese show) were in rather dire need of
cosmetic attention and mechanically mostly fine. In other words, it
was the expensive work they needed. Like last year, there were a lot
of dirt bikes for sale in various states of "just dragged out of a
field" that had just been imported from continental Europe. Most of
them seemed to have come pre-crashed and IMHO required a little bit
too much work for the prices.

Another thing I noticed was that the Harley crowd (with assorted,
mostly Christian backpatch clubs). Nothing wrong with this, but it
suggests to me that a lot of people are cutting back noticeably on the
money they spend on their hobbies, which leaves the hardcore bikers
are a more viable target audience. And yes, TOG, I know you've been
predicting exactly this for the last n years...

Didn't take any photos this year - I got there a bit late due to
having to pick up the new SOC on the way - and frankly, I didn't find
enough photogenic subjects to warrant loading film into the
camera. The digital compact always wants to use flash in there, and I
don't like flash...

Bikes I noticed this time were:

- A rather nice flip-up light 750 Katana on the Katana owners' club
stand.
- A BMW R69S (yes, I know, somehow they all are), looked well restored
with a slight bit of patina
- A Velocette Viper(? - the 350cc one) looking rather splendid, but
with a fubar'd magneto.
- A few very nicely restored LCs.

It appears that I hadn't know about the hidden meaning of the M6
'Toll' road - fortunately I noticed on the way up that several people
in very clean Volvos painted in funny colour schemes were extracting
additional, erm, tolls...

 

Re the "Tolls". there was a recent urban myth (aided and abetted and spread
by SFmag) that because the M6 Toll is effectively a private road, the usual
speedlimits and law enforcement were exclusive. I think I have seen more
polite activity on that road than any other in the last 12 months.

Regarding the show. I went today. As usual, I really enjoyed it, but it
seemed quieter than last years. I still think prices for SOB's are still too
high. £800 asking for a 98% complete CB550 F2 seemed expensive. And that
seemed cheap compared with others.

However, some really excellent club stands. *Must* get a SOB... either a
thumper or a two stroke..
--
Martyn

(remove the 2nd "Y" to reply)

FJ1200 - 3CV - 1989


http://www.czd.org.uk/moto
FJ1200 pages at
http://www.czd.org.uk/moto/fj1200

 

KM was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

What a surprise - on the way up, I was doing something like 75 mostly
and was overtaken by just about everybody. On the way back in the
'nick me' cage I was *definitely* overtaken by everybody.

Wasn't that quiet yesterday afternoon...

TBH, my impression was that most of the bargains had sold within five
minutes of the show's opening. There were a few bikes that were
reasonably priced, but no real bargains.

The 'merican spec Black Bomber in my sig may well be for sale...

 

I took some, just got to transfer them from the phone [1] to the PC
sometime. Missed Mr Bob Scott of this parish, who I saw from the
gallery munching grub on the ILOC stand (saw the top of Aileen's head
too), but he'd gone by the time I'd got round to there and that was
the only visual contact I had with him.

[1] It's remarkable how much better the phones of today are for taking
photos than those of 20 years ago.

 

Ah, yes - I'd very carefully taken a note of your mobile number & then,
er, left it in the car :-(

I think the only photos Aileen took were of other idiots on the ILOC
stand.

I'm now desperately resisting the temptation to buy a Morini. I don't
need another SOIB. Really I don't.