Destinations: The Lone Star Motorcycle Museum, Texas

Destinations: The Lone Star Motorcycle Museum, Texas


I know, this is a lazy way of doing things by putting a link thing up to go to. But I promise, there are more words and pictures to go with it that I actually write and put on here, I swear!

Anyway, you can get some of the background off the link thing from Motorcycle Classics which does tell a little about the museum. But of course you'd rather hear it directly from someone who's been and spent some time there wouldn't you? Of course you would, I would!

The museum is located aboot 120miles west of me out in the Hill Country of Texas. It looks a little isolated at first glance and you think that is no possble way that a classic motorcycle museum can be out in the middle of this area.

Well, that's what I thought too a few years back when I stumbled across the place whie goingto some place nearby. I was going out to a State Park, Lost Maples, and took a roundabout way of getting there (translation: I had no clue if I was in the general area or not).

Anyway, I finally get to an intersection that has a sign saying to go to the right. Directly across the intersection was a chainlink fence with a banner telling all about the museum. As mentioned above, I thought someone was joking.....until I passed by it on the left a mile from the park.

However, the place was closed. Come to find out that it was only open on the weekends or by appointment and this was a Thursday. So a few months later I finally managed to make another trip out there, on the weekend.

I go there before opening time and tried the door which was unlocked so I went in. I saw the owner and asked if he was open and more or less said yes as I was already in.

I paid my admisssion fee which was an earth shattering $5 and proceeded to spent the next three hours enjoying the place.

It's not on the scale of the National Motorcycle Museum in Brum (Birmingham, UK), but has a nice collection in just the same.

Just to get an idea, here's a couple examples:

The Royal Enfield I was told by Allan Johncock the owner was bought from the previous owner on condition that it not be restored and Allan agreed to it. It's a 1917 model with a sidecar.

Just in case you can't read it, that's a Royal Enfield lawnmower.

The last time I was at the museum, Allan had just gotten a French Soyer and a Douglas fore and aft for display as well as an Ariel 500 that had just been beautifully restored and I unfortunately didn't have my camera with me that day.

He also showed me the parts that had just been rechromed, primered and gathered for the start of the rebuild of a Triumph Thunderbird with a sprung hub I believe.

As well as the above, there's several different types of Nortons, a Brough SS100, four different Vincents, a Norton Commando with Combat motor, and a few old Indians and Harleys. Sorry, no Cubs there.

There's also a cafe named after a famous one in London to get some grub at as well as a TV with DVD/VCR player to watch some race movies while looking and eating.


The place is tucked away out in the middle of nowhere, is only opened Friday to Sunday and is closed for the winter, but surprisingly, Allan and his wife Debbie get loads of visitors. Allan also organizes the British Singles Run that has been talked about already.

This is my idea of getting away for the day and I look forward to the times that I can.

Ivan Rhodes

GBC of GBC fame has posted an earth shattering piece of info that those of you who are followers of the classic bike world will appreciate.

On May 22 of this year tht we're in right now, Ivan Rhodes will be at Alford up there in sunny Scotland to do a meet and greet type of thing. For those not quite sure, he's Mr. Velocette for the world. He has more knowledge about Velos than most people even know about themselves.

As GBC has the info and you're interested, go to her blog, linky thing is to the right over there---->, clicky it and then read up on the details. There's also a YouTube video there of "The Roarer" which is about as famous a bike you'll ever get to know.

If you can make it to Alford on the day, fantastic as you'll not be disappointed. But if you're like me and won't be able to attend, GBC has said that she'll post plenty of piccies for us (good on ye girl).

New Ulm Part Dos

A continuation of the last posting, more piccies:

There were loads of other interesting bikes there the two times I've been, but these are a fair showing of most that were there.

Hope you enjoy them.

Oh and ignore that one geezer at the top, he pops everywhere it seems.

 

New Ulm Rallye (their spelling, not mine)

OK boys and girls, in keeping with what the classic scene is like here in the Colonies, I'm gonna show you some pics from the British Motorcycle Owners Asscociation (BMOA) rallies from 2007 and 2009.

It's not a huge event such as the BSAOC World things, or even like some of the UK autojumbles, as there aren't that many British classics on the road in Texas to speak of, but it's held outdoors, has a few field events  and for the most part has a good showing of British bikes and enthusiasts.

To fill you in a little, the Rallye (and this is their spelling of it not mine) is held in a small town about 15 miles north of the town of Columbus which is on Interstate 10 between San Antonio and Houston. The event has been held for 25 years to date and is organized by the BMOA and held in Firemans Park.

It's held the weekend after Mothers Day here in the US which is basically the end of May and is nearly three days in duration. Admission is about $30 for the entire weekend with space to camp, BBQ, vendors, modern conveniences and even a meal supplied.

There are awards given in various categories for field events as well as showing off your pride and joy(s). There are even a couple of organized ride outs in the local area which is mainly farming with a sprinkling of smallish towns thrown in.

There are a couple of small general store type places very close by that have on hand the all important supplies of beer, ciggies for the smokers, food and curiosities such as a Jackalope of which I think I have a picture of and if so, it will be posted.

So without further delay, here's some pictures of the Texas classic bike scene:

As you can see, here in the Lone Star state, classic British bikes are out and about being ridden no matter what they are, whether the wee Cub, the vetern Beardmore (pay no attention to the reprobate next to it), the trials Matchless or the high piped Commando. Oh and the furry creaqture is the promised Jackalope.

Real men ride British singles

Real men ride British singles

To piggy back on the last post about rides here in south Texas, here's a linky to the article I mentioned in Motorcycle Classics magazine.

There should also be a little link to the photo gallery and that shows some of the scenery in west Texas which is pretty desolate to say the least.

Laterr on there'll be another link to the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum which is where the starting point of this particular article.

Hope you like it.

BSA-Best Scrap Available

That's pretty much what it comes down after stripping the rolling chassis down to just a few parts remaining.

Everything else that was taken off seems to be OK though the wiring has seen better days and is now gonna see the inside of the bin.

Before:                                                                                            

This is what Vicky looked like when I first got her and brought her home.

This after getting her up on the bench and taking a couple of parts

off of her...not a pretty sight is it?  

Every so often I'd go out to the shed and take a few parts off, but would forget to take the digi camera or had dead batteries, so there's no shots during work in progress. Sorry about that, put it down to enthusiasm.

But everything you see from the front on has been stripped off. Even did some sanding of the battery tray, tool box, footrest hangers, head steady and a couple of small brackets before spraying with primer.

On Sunday, I'll get in and take some piccies of how it looks now as well as the primered parts.

I mentioned last about a classic bike magazine from here in the US. I saw it on the newstand at the local chain bookstore and had a quick look see.

The mag, Motorcycle Classics, surprisingly isn't too bad. I thought that it'd be full of Nipponese faire but was pleased to see an article concerning BSAs. Last month on the cover was a Triumph X75 Hurricane, one of the most beautiful creations known to man. This month there was a write-up about....drumroll....BSA B44 Victor Specials.

So this looks like it might be something to compliment the other mags that I pick up each month.

Also related to this magazine is a linky thing in the on-line version. I'm not to savvy on doing the cut-n-paste of links and what not so you'll have to follow along with this part.

Anyway,  in one of the heading, "Destinations" (I think), click  on that and then scroll down to "Real Men Ride Singles". Click on that and read a write-up by Phillip Tooth (from England) about the 2009 British Singles Run.

This is something that I mentioned earlier at the beginning of the blog that happens every October. Read the story and look at the photo gallery to get a small idea of what it's like to ride in west Texas. 

Even though it is October, it's still quite warm and some of the pictures can convey the openess and vastness of the area.

I was going to give this years Run a go, but then I got Vicky, so have put participation off until next year when Amelia the  Starfire should be up and running then. 

Eureka....I just had a BRILLANT idea! In an earlier posting I commented on the differences between riding in the UK and here. Maybe GBC or SFB can give nice clear and concise instructions on how to do this but if anyone wants to submit piccies and a brief write-up of riding classics in their own locale and then post them on GBC, SFB or my blogs, we can all maybe "see" where and how we all ride. A comparison of sorts between the Highlands and west Texas or California and England, that type of thing. That's if it's agreeable with them and anyone reading of course. 

Strange sights

Theres not been much doing here at Casa Cambeul and Thrash 'em Motorcycles of late. However while out and about doing things I came across two things that caught my eye that have to be shared.

The first, I unfortunately have no pictures of as I didn't want the subject to know I was taking a picture but imagine this in your mind if you can;

I was getting a new pair of glasses made and was told that it would be a few hours before they would be ready. So instead of home, which is 15 miles away, I went to the local Home Depot DIY place and nosed around. After getting there I had to answer a nature call so went off in the direction of the WC.

Just before entering, I spy a bloke who was loading some building materials onto a cart. OK you say, it is a DIY place after all?  Well my dear, and I'm no follower of fashion, I see this geezer wearing a black Stetson cowboy hat, a long sleeved t-shirt, and cowboy boots with spurs.

Now you're thinking 'So what, you're in south Texas after all.' He was also wearing a pair of SHORTS along with the rest of his attire. Not quite what you'd see a "cowboy" wearing now is it????

The other thing was something I saw a couple of days ago at the supermarket. I had to stop in and get some food for the three alarm systems I have...the dags.



As I walked through the doors I saw the following:

Looks like a modern take on SFBs wee Ariel 3.

And how's that coming along SFB?

Anyway, either tomorrow or Saturday there'll be an update to work onVicky, plus a mention about a classic bike mag here in the US.

Until then....

Terminology

While reading The Gorgeous Bikeer Chick's (GBC) Blog recently, I saw a question asked in one  of the comments that seems a little daft, but then when you think about it, maybe not.

"Hairy Larry" who hails from Sacremento in that strange land known as California asked what a "numpty" was and brings up the reason for this line of nonsense for today.

Someone once commented that the US and Great Britain has a shared culture that is divided by a common language.

So to help with TransAtlantic communications, here's a quick guide to English/US word usage and what they mean, more or less:

Numpty-pin or airhead, fool, idiot
Prat-see above
Midge-similar to a gnat
Bitsa-a bike or other object that has been assembled from various unassocciated parts, eg parts from
        different motorcycles added to a BSA
SMIDSY-Sorry mate I didn't see you..said by the numpty who pulls out in front of you causing an accident.
Chav-those who drive around in little street racing cars acting like boy racers. Also dress different that most
          people
Knackered- tired, exhausted, worn  out, trashed or broken
Shagged-see above
Club run-similar to a US poker run, but for actual club members without the "poker" game
Autojumble-swap meet
Petrol-gas (most know this but thrown in anyway)
Gaffer tape-duct tape
Mole grips-vise grips
Lump hammer-small sledge hammer
Tyres-tires
Motorway-Interstate
Bodge-to jury rig, improvise
Chips-french fries
Crisps-potato chips
Roundabout-traffic circle
Zebra crossing-pedestrian crossing/crosswalk
Scrambles-motocross
Gudgeon pin-wrist or piston pin
Silencer-muffler
Mudguard-fender
Car boot- trunk
Car bonnet-hood
Windscreen-windshield
"Zed"-"Zee"
Spanner-wrench
Parts factor-parts stockist

There's more to the list, but you get the idea. To help you with your lessons, read Classic Bike, The Classic Motorcycle, Real Classic, Classic Bike Guide magazines,  Classic Motorbikes.net forum, North Staffs Exhaust Notes forum, GBCs blog,  and as well as this drivel.

By the by, speaking of magazines, which ones do you favor and which ones are only fit for using as fish wrap and yes, I do want to know your thoughts on this.

Have a dry, warm and safe day out there me dearios. (Guess who used that catch phrase!)

Coming apart

Today I spent a while in the shed taking parts off Vicky in order to get her down to nothing at all.

Started with a slight tug on the forks and they came out of the headstock with no problem. All the bearings went hither and yon but that's OK as there's a bearing place that I can got them for about 5 cents each, or less than a US fiver for the upper and lower races.

However getting the stanchions out of the lower yokes is going to take longer as they seem to be frozen or rusted in place. More of the penetrating fluid I think is in order.

All the rest of the bits from the front end to came off with no problem, to include the tool box and the oil tank. Just as well as there isn't that much in those areas anyway.

The tool box as a small bracket that the weld as broken slightly and I think I may leave it as is as a sort of "battle scar". Other than that, it's in good shape.

Also have the rear fender/mudguard and wheel out. If I can't find a fender in good shpae, I'll see what can be done to this one.

Other than that, so far so good.

Been doing some reading

The other day I received a package from home containing a load of old Classic Bike (CB) magazines and as today was my day off and with it being a wet, miserable day I decided to have a gander at them and the old articles.

I subscribe to CB at present and though it is a good mag, I at times find it a bit lacking compared to say Classic Bike Guide (CBG) or even The Classic Motorcycle (TCM) as far as the content of articles.

A case in point is that compared to today, the articles in the older copies spanned a few pages whereas today's articles cover a page or two depending on the sbject.

I've noticed that the articles on how to do your own painting, set timing, electrics etc in the older rags seem to go a lot more in depth while todays features seem to skim over things.

Perhaps as there is a vast "industry" set up for classics now, it's easier for those who are strapped for time or space to do their own work, while back in the old days, a person was more inclined to do it themselves.

And perhaps that is a bad thing as nowadays, people such as myself aren't to savvy on things they really should be. I admit right here and now that I can't set up timing to, know SFA about electrickery, and can't  tear an engine apart. But from reading some of these old articles, I'll come away with a better undertanding for when I do.

I mentioned CBG at the start and due to what I've been seeing of late with the Triumph Thunderbird, some of the "How to..." articles and just things in general, I may have to look into getting a subscription to that magazine in the near future. Will continue to to get CB though for the Tech articles advice/knowledge from Rick P.

But it is good what you can learn from the past tht can help you with work of today.