A collection of classic British motorcycles with a combined age of over 200 years is being offered for sale following the decision of a renowned Hull enthusiast to call it a day. Alan Clarke bought his first bike back in 1957 when he was just 15 years old, teaching himself to ride on private land so that he was ready to hit the road – legally – on his 16th birthday.
He bought an old Ariel 350, a machine that everyone said he was crazy to waste money on. He quickly found out they were right – “it was a load of rubbish”.
The bike did, though, trigger a passion that would last a lifetime, ultimately involving more than 30 motorcycles, road racing at circuits around the country in the 1970s and attendance at countless rallies and events at home and abroad. Now, 68 years later – and at the age of 83 – Alan has decided that his riding days are over and that the time has come to part with the last machines in his collection.
Harry Atkinson, secretary of the East Yorkshire branch of the Norton Owners Club, of which Alan has been a member for more than 40 years, said: “All of the machines are head-turners. The oldest is a beautiful 1947 BSA C11, an iconic 250cc motorcycle that was first launched in 1939, saw extensive service with the Indian Army during WW2, and then sold well in this country in the decade after the war because of its reliability and durability.
“Alan acquired his example 40 years ago from the deputy headmaster of a Humberside school who had bought it as a gift for his son – only to find out he preferred music to motorbikes. Another bike that is expected to attract a lot of attention is a Norton Model 50 cafe racer special that has a 1960 engine in a 1956 wideline version of the famous ‘featherbed’ frame that produced a revolutionary improvement in handling.
“It got the name after a test run when the TT rider Harold Danielle described it as like ‘riding on a featherbed’. The most valuable bike being sold is a 1962 Norton ES2, a 500cc machine that was fitted with the slimline version of the featherbed frame.
“Alan has owned this machine for 50 years, buying it from his best man who worked for the Hull motorcycle dealers, Jordans, which was at the time owned by Stan Hailwood, the father of the great world champion Mike Hailwood. The ES2 has matching numbers (engine and frame), is in super condition and is now equipped with a host of desirable modern features including 12volt electrics, Boyer ignition, indicators, primary belt drive, Commando clutch etc.”
Harry added: “They are as I say all absolute head-turners but the market for vintage and classic British motorcycles is not setting any records at the moment, so these machines are expected to go for relatively modest amounts. The 1947 BSA is expected to make just £2,750, the Model 50 cafe racer around £3,750 and the 1962 Norton ES2 £4,500.”
Alan is selling the bikes privately. He can be contacted by calling 01482 504519.
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