Bikes, bikes and more bikes

Hi Sheal
What a beauty , How can you restore these and not ride especially on the Isle ?.
micky

 

Mike, as I said my brother restores them but doesn't live here and he's never visited T.T. As with the rest of my family we're Essex born and bred, I moved to the island 22 years ago with my husband and children.

The numbers are up 20% for this practice week at TT. Everything's slowing down on the roads as it's so busy out there, and there's a continuous rumble around the course on open roads.

 

That's worse than me somewhere to stay and never been to the T.T. . Must be a fantastic sight and atmosphere ?. Anyway he does a lovely job on the bikes .
micky

 

Have I had a great day today!

The Manx Grand Prix is on here at the moment, this is like a mini TT for the older bikes. I spent time in the paddock behind the Grandstand photographing many old bikes and also a 'one off' display of 28 of Joey Dunlop's bikes in group pictures. I took 30+ pictures at the paddock and will post some of them in the next few days after I have collated them.

 

I'm sorry to hear their trip had to be cancelled Marley and more sorry to hear about your other halves mishap. I hope he is on the mend now.

 

Manx Grand Prix paddock shots.

Edit: I'd just like to add that when I was photographing in Joey's marquee the bikes were starting up in the pit lane, ready for racing only a few yards away. Can you imagine the noise and rumble? The ground was vibrating from these 'elderly' bikes!

The following two pictures are the start and finish of Joey Dunlop's special display of bikes. There were twenty eight on display and selfishly I will not be posting the rest, wanting to keep my collection of photo's off the internet.

The first bike on the left in the picture was built by Joey. It is considered to be priceless.


This, the end of the display, shows the last bike (on the right) that Joey rode here before he lost his life racing in Estonia.


A rear view of the Grandstand


Close to the start line, the pit stop area for refuelling etc.


A bike in preparation for racing.




More to follow.....

 

All bikes have to go through inspection before racing.


A number of bikes on display around the paddock.








Edit: I've removed the last picture, it wasn't mine and I have reason to believe it was copyrighted.

 

Glad the weather came up trumps Sheal. Looks a great day and smashing piccies,
thanks for sharing them with us,
Jenny

 

Great pics Sheal

Isn't the sound just amazing...
Mr Loli has a Gold star and it sounds fabulous to me

 

Thanks all. You're right Loli, there's nothing like the sound of bikes!

I'm going back to the paddock during TT next year for more shots and hopefully I may spot some 'big' names too. Now I wonder if I can track down the man with the smouldering eyes!

 

For those of you that like a classic my brother has been restoring this Norton for a few years now, he bought it as a box of bits. Not quite finished with parts like foot pegs, kick start and such like to be attached, my brother has left those as he's about to move house and doesn't want them damaged. He's also removed the tank again for the same reason.



The tank that came with the original box of bits was not the one that fitted the bike so he had to scout around the country for one. The one below he came across at a parts fayre and was in a pretty bad condition. Having had some tlc and a re-paint by a specialist it's now fit for use.