Welcome to the world of vintage motorcycles, where the sound of revving engines and the smell of petrol create an atmosphere of pure nostalgia. If you’re a fan of classic bikes, then you’re in for a treat as Bonham’s Spring Stafford Sale 2023 is just around the corner. This is the place to be for collectors and enthusiasts who are passionate about vintage motorcycles and want to add some rare pieces to their collection.
Bonham’s Spring 2023 Auction of classic Motorcycles to include the 1951 Triumph 500cc Trophy ISDT bike of Jim Alves (courtesy Bonham’s)
One of the highlights of this year’s Spring Stafford Sale is the impressive selection of bikes that have been specifically curated for the ISDT / International Six Days Trial enthusiasts. For those who are unfamiliar, the ISDT is one of the most historic motorcycle events in the world, dating back to the early 1900s. This grueling competition, which tests the skill and endurance of riders and machines, has a rich history and a loyal following of enthusiasts who are always on the lookout for rare and unique pieces of ISDT memorabilia.
At Bonham’s Spring Stafford Sale, you’ll find an incredible selection of motorcycles that were used in the ISDT competition, including some rare and sought-after models that are sure to catch the eye of collectors. Whether you’re looking for a vintage BSA, Triumph, or a more obscure brand, you’re sure to find something that will spark your interest.
So, if you’re a fan of classic bikes and are looking for something special to add to your collection, then make sure you don’t miss out on Bonham’s Spring Stafford Sale 2023. With its impressive range of ISDT-related motorcycles, this event is sure to be one of the highlights of the year for vintage motorcycle enthusiasts.
Date 22 – 23 April 2023 Staffordshire County Showground, Stafford.
A recent video posted on Facebook suggesting it was in 1953 is clearly taken at an ISDT which after cross referencing the entry list after a suggestion on our Facebook page confirmed it most likely to be 1963. Whilst I have been unable to identify a copy anywhere on YouTube to share it can be seen on our Facebook page.
Keeping busy trying to track down more new and lost old footage of the ISDT for our page dedicated to preserving the moving image of the event – ISDT Tube our latest trawl has turned up these gems from past years well worth cracking a beer (Alchohol and Gluten free included) open and enjoying.
ISDT 1973 – USA
This sextet of fine home movies were made by Dave Sleeper and have been posted on Youtube by Julie Sleeper
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Previously unknown film from youtube from Czechoslovakia of the ISDT in 1973 featuring some interesting images of the America seen during the teams visit.
1975 – Isle of Man
A duo of movies produced for Penton Motorcycles recording the ISDT of 1975 in the Isle of Man
Part 1
Part 2
1977 – Czechoslovakia
Found on Youtube original material from RDR TV
1979 – Germany
Additional material including the BMW footage from the above movie but with more coverage or the BMW and other manufacturers in the event
1983 – ISDE Wales
More footage of the ISDE of 1983 taken by local film maker / journalist Derek Pugh
Our Remembrance Sunday article. We always pay respect to those that took part in war and made the ultimate sacrifice when asked. Many of these were keen and active off road motorcyclists who in civilian times were keen competitors in events. With this year being the 100th anniversary of the end of the first world war we no longer have those who were there to remind us of the great sacrifices made by even those who survived it.
With 24/7 access to information of where in the most remote corners of the world we can get a map of where we are , we can find out where our friends are and get messages in text audio or visual form from whoever we need speak to its going to be hard to convince the children of tomorrow that people would often wait hours or days to get details of what they were to do next or what might be happening outside their line of site. At War communications has been as important as keeping troops fed and fit.
Photo – Dispatch riders of the Royal engineers on service in the Dardanelles Campaign at Gallipoli against the Turkish Ottomans 1915-16
At an early stage of the development of the motorcycle it was evident it could get from point to point rapidly and getting it over the most difficult of terrains, whilst not easy created competitions that developed skills and and developed machinery that excelled better every year. It was an obvious component that would help in the necessary hand delivery of hand written messages that were necessary to enable military planners deliver their next tactical move. We saw in World War One across all campaign war fields the motorcycle taking a leading role replacing horses to help keep communications moving. The Army initiated the Royal Engineers Signals Service which eventually years later morphed into the Royal Signals Regiment delivering both messages and technology for delivery of messages. In many cases the motorcycle riders were already keen motorcyclists who would be racing in competitions testing the speed and off-road capability of their bikes. In August 1914 the War Department asked Motorcyclists to volunteer with their bikes. Many Owner-riders were recruited and asked to bring their bikes along to help form this new service 400 saw service in 1914.
Photo – WW1 Dispatch rider collecting message
The story of one of these groups of volunteers, with bothers Cecil and Aleck Burney and Oxford undergraduate WHL Watson who joined the British Expeditionary Force is given in the recent book Two Wheels to War by Martin and Nick Shelley (Helion Publishing 2017.
‘British Pathe‘ News newsreel below of the testing of Motorcycles in the Midlands for the British Army
The role of the ‘Dispatch Riders’ became vital to the success of a campaign where their speed, agility and stealth meant they were often less prominent than vehicles or horse riders as well as being able to tackle a wide range of ground conditions. Later companies such as BSA, Royal Enfield and Triumph made machines specifically constructed and modified to serve this purpose and the military motorcycle is a common site even today
‘British Pathe‘ News newsreel below with some more testing of Motorcycles in the Midlands for the British Army
DR’s as they were know had a tough job requiring supreme handling skills whilst also active at the front line they were vulnerable to enemy fire such as snipers. It required resilience and stamina along with navigational skills at any time of the day they are required. Service was often exposed to more treacherous conditions and were paid accordingly higher than an infantryman
Whilst the ISDT was stopped in its tracks when its 2nd edition fell victim to the global conflict in 1914, after the war the Army quickly saw the benefits in rider development with reliability trials and the Army teams were regular entrants to many national and international reliability trials as well as running their own events to test riders ability for speed and self reliance.
‘British Pathe‘ News newsreel below featuring an Army organised reliability trial that was the forerunner of modern army organised events such as the Natterjack Enduro held on Army tank ranges in the South of England
For more information on how the Dispatch Riders help win at war can be found in this article recently published by the British Motorcyclists Federation.
Fitzroy Allen’s original BSA Bantam from the ISDT 1952 has been recovered recently from a garage by reader of our facebook page. After put into storage in 1953 this immaculate original ISDT bike was recently brought from the Fitzroys’s family and now resides in comfort in South West Wales. The new owner is keen to share it’s history and would welcome any advice or guidance from any ISDT fans about how best to restore this bygone classic….. am I envious.. you better bet.
The bike was shown at the recent Swansea Classic Motorbike show and attracted a lot of interest including a number of people familiar with its history as a unique one off bike built by the BSA Works factory race shop to be campaigned by Fitzroy Allen. All images are copyright Steven Beavis the lucky owner of this rare gem from this history of British Motorcycle manufacturing.
Photo – Fitzroy Allen’s Works BSA Bantam at Swansea Classic Bike Show Oct 2018
Bike detail images
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam – Quick release front wheel axles
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam – front brake lever
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam Twin cable clutch lever
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam handlebar mount and steering damper
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam clock with 10,431 miles recorded
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam – Fuel Tank
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam – Tool bag and map / check card holder
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam Spark plug and decompressor
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam – Engine
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam – Compressed air bottle
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam Quick release rear wheel axles and suspension
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam – rear number plate
Fitzroy in the ISDT
Image: Clipping from US ‘Cycle’ Mag from 1951 featuring gold medal winning Fitzroy Allen on his BSA Bantam
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA Bantam #30 ISDT 1952
Photo – Fitzroy Allen BSA BantamWelsh Three Day Trial 1952
As part of the preparation to trying to create a digital map of the original route in the modern times we are publishing a print of the event route for the event should any Polish readers or speakers be able to help us in locating a number of the places and tracks. More information can be found in the program for the ISDT 1967 event on the event page.
H & H are holding their beloved auction at the National Motorcycle Museum on the 9th December 2017.
A number of worth period pieces for the inter war years can be seen including a BMW R35 from 1939 and a Velocette MOV from 1938 which appears to have had only two owners since new.
photo – NSU OSL 251 Sport 1938 – (HH Auctions)
My attention was however drawn to Lot 33, this delightful German NSU in the above photo and very much a dream ISDT machine of the inter war year German motorbike industry. From Germany there is little detail of its heritage but it clearly could have given a good performance in the ISDT with an estimate of £7500 – 8500 with bidding starting at £3750 I can see it being a popular piece for any off-road heritage collectors
Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends, come inside come inside.
The ‘Great Escape’ as it was known amongst UK ISDT fans, possibly the ‘Great Escape 2’ to those who are most familiar also with the events around the ISDT 1914, is one of the iconic events in the international off-road motorcycle reliability series dedicated to testing motorcyclist and motorcycle endurance where they did not expect machines to excel for a mere continuous 24 hours but a full 6 days to test their mechanical stamina and that of the riders mounted on them. You will find an embedded copy of the video down underneath the below photo of a British Norton.
image- frame clipped from the NSU promotional movie of a British team Norton ISDT 1939
Thank you to our Euro correspondent SB for digging up a route map for the 6th day of the ISDT 1956. We have now loaded it into Google Earth to protect it’s history and provide a copy of the scanned map here for those studying the 1956 event held at Garmisch Partenkirchen.
Image – The route of the 6th and final day of the ISDT 1956 to the east of Garmisch PartenKirchen
If any readers have any experiences or photos of this route please drop a line so we can add them to the events route profile.
With great thanks to our Euro ISDT expert we now have a scanned copy of the event programme for the ISDT 1956 which has been hand annotated to record the final starting list on the first day.
The program can be found at our issue.com library along with other programmes and magazine reports from the original events