laird387 Posted January 10, 2014 Report Share Posted January 10, 2014 (edited) Hi, Just an appetiser for those riders preparing for the forthcoming Talmag trial. The Talmag Trophy is the culmination of a gem of an idea by members of the Territorial Army London Mobile Armed Group, principally a keen sidecar trials rider, John Allaway, to create a trial for classic machines on the old training grounds in the Aldershot area. But years earlier Army motorcyclists (Don R - despatch riders) had been encouraged to enter reliability trials on their WD issue bikes, which were primarily BSA M20 sidevalve-engined girder forked monstrosities or the far more popular Matchless G3, with no rear springing, admittedly, but at least they had teleforks. Here Warrant Officer John Day is seen bravely competing in the Frome Valley club's 1959 Lulworth Castle Trophy trial on his Matchless. The Matchless contract had come about when the main WD contract had been awarded to Triumph to build their machines in their Priory Road factory in Coventry, but one fateful night in August 1941 Priory Road was destroyed in a German bomber raid. The Matchless formal offer for the contract had been rejected because their factory was in Woolwich and the War Department thought that was too close to Woolwich Arsenal which they expected would be a prime target for the German bombers!! Matchless stepped in and the 41G3L was awarded the replacement contract. Enjoy the attached image. Edited January 10, 2014 by laird387 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted May 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 (edited) Hi, Waiting in the 'scrutineering' line at the 1993 Talmag Trophy, second in line is Maurice Arden, riding his Enfield Crusader that year and behind him his son, Andrew, with the ex-works AJS ridden at one time by Gordon McLaughlan. Andrews won the Talmag one year riding his Dad's ArielHT5. In the background is my white Range Rover with my Ariel HT5 still on the trailer. Photo by Mary Wylde, enjoy. Edited May 12, 2014 by laird387 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted May 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 Hi, One of the rigid Ariels seen so often at the Talmag, this one looks fairly original, still with the ankle crunching wide Ariel clutch fitted. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.