The London Motorcycle Museum have on display some of the finest examples of British motorcycles, to include prototypes and rarities, such as a 1902 Ormonde and a 1903 Cycle (with unique SIMS Magneto). There are racers and road bikes from ABC to Zenith to whet your appetite, not to mention the last Triumph T140 to pass through the gates of the Meriden Factory in 1983, through to 'media stars' that you will not see anywhere else!
One of the latest acquisitions is a 1985 Austell 1000cc superbike, designed and built by Chris Castell & Paul Woodley. Weighing in at 680 pounds, It has an automatic gearbox, and was hand-built to order...not in 2007, but 22 years ago! The machine is an outstanding example of the sort of special that British engineers and enthusiasts have put their hearts and minds into since powered two-wheelers hit the streets over a hundred years ago.
Officially opened in 1999, following lengthy negotiations and false starts, Ealing Borough Council eventually granted a ten year lease at Ravenor Farm. The museum has gone from strength to strength, and now houses in the region of 80 machines and other exhibits, with a further 50/60 machines in reserve, waiting to be displayed in the new barn extension. Work on the new barn is progressing well, with part of the wide frontage blocked in, awaiting the daunting task of hanging a pair of heavy 8ft wooden doors, sourced from a Nunnery in Ealing.
The first two fund-raising autograph boards are now full and three more have been ordered, so if you would like your name screwed to the barn wall, visit the museum and hand over a fiver - a small price to pay for our heritage and your motorcycling fame! You can also give that as a gift by either calling in and signing for the recipient or if it's a birthday present, you can send £6 and they will write the name and date for you and send a photograph. All funds raised this way are used on the barn project.
It is anticipated that the new extension, complete with air-conditioning, will be finished and filled with enticing new exhibits by 2nd September. The Museum has recently been given Charitable Trust status (Charity No. 1118119), and is currently hunting down grants and donations, so check out the capitals friendly focus on Britain's biking history and heritage.
Related Links
www.london-motorcycle-museum.org
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