main@AJSMatchless.groups.io | The Motorcycle Magazine (2024)

#57774

#57775

On Mar 23, 2020, at 9:34 AM, S Warner <simon@...> wrote:

All,
I am looking to buy, swap or borrow copies of 'The Motorcycle’ magazine 1944 - 30th March, 6th July, 17th Aug, 30th Nov, 14th Dec

In return I have many spare copies covering the period 1939 - 1948. If you need any for your collection let me know as I may have one or more that you need..
Best
Simon

S Warner
simon@...
(+44) 07787 537 145

#57776

Il 23 marzo 2020 alle 17.34 S Warner <simon@...> ha scritto:

All,
I am looking to buy, swap or borrow copies of 'The Motorcycle’ magazine 1944 - 30th March, 6th July, 17th Aug, 30th Nov, 14th Dec

In return I have many spare copies covering the period 1939 - 1948. If you need any for your collection let me know as I may have one or more that you need..
Best
Simon

S Warner
simon@...
(+44) 07787 537 145

#57777

#57778

On 24 Mar 2020, at 08:27, Pasquale Mesto via Groups.Io <mesto.asms@...> wrote:

Good morning Simon,
if you want some particular pages I can scan them for you.
Ciao
Pasquale Mesto - Italy

Il 23 marzo 2020 alle 17.34 S Warner <simon@...> ha scritto:

All,
I am looking to buy, swap or borrow copies of 'The Motorcycle’ magazine 1944 - 30th March, 6th July, 17th Aug, 30th Nov, 14th Dec

In return I have many spare copies covering the period 1939 - 1948. If you need any for your collection let me know as I may have one or more that you need..
Best
Simon

S Warner
simon@...
(+44) 07787 537 145

#57779

Saddened to hear of Alan Johnson's passing. He was a truly remarkable man. Well done Simon in getting the book out while he was still alive. Anyone who hasn't read the book should do.

Regards

Tim

#57780

Il 24 marzo 2020 alle 13.39 S Warner <simon@...> ha scritto:

Hello Pasquale
I trust this finds you well? That is a very kind offer, thank you.
I am taking the opportunity of these uncertain times to further my research into the founding and development of the Bar-None MCC in the Middle East during WW11. Unfortunately with the public close-down I am unable to visit the two libraries in the UK who hold copies of these magazines.

In the 30 March 44 issue there should be a report of a motorcycle trial held in the Cairo area. This trial was the very first trial organised by the persons that became eventual founders of the Bar-None MCC. Alan Johnson was one of these men. He died two weeks ago aged nearly 100 and I am currently curating his archive. Included are the cups that he won in the first trial (overall winner) and the subsequent trial where he was a member of the winning team.

In these issues of ‘The Motorcycle’ I would be very interested to read any mention of motorcycle trials activity or similar taking place in this region. I doubt whether any of this will be under the Bar-None title. Perhaps it would be better and not clog up the forum if you would you respond to my personal email address?

The issues I do not have access to are:
30 March 44
6 July 44
17 August 44
30 November 44
14 Dec 44

I realise the following is a big ask but… if you have access to any of the following I also need to search these issues for similar information:
4 January 45
1 + 29 March 45
31 May 45
12 July 45
8 + 15 November 45

3 + 10 January 46
7 + 11 April 46

Eventually, when movement restrictions become more relaxed, I will visit the libraries and do the same research in the copies of ‘MotorCycling’ but for now I’m limiting myself to articles from the blue ‘un.
Many thanks for your invaluable help,
Simon

S Warner
simon@...
(+44) 07787 537 145

On 24 Mar 2020, at 08:27, Pasquale Mesto via Groups.Io <mesto.asms@...> wrote:

Good morning Simon,
if you want some particular pages I can scan them for you.
Ciao
Pasquale Mesto - Italy

Il 23 marzo 2020 alle 17.34 S Warner <simon@...> ha scritto:

All,
I am looking to buy, swap or borrow copies of 'The Motorcycle’ magazine 1944 - 30th March, 6th July, 17th Aug, 30th Nov, 14th Dec

In return I have many spare copies covering the period 1939 - 1948. If you need any for your collection let me know as I may have one or more that you need..
Best
Simon

S Warner
simon@...
(+44) 07787 537 145

#57781

Il 24 marzo 2020 alle 20.34 skopek.pavel@... ha scritto:

Hi Pascale

I am the owner of Matchless LS model - I try to complete it, I work hard on this bike during last two yeares - is it correct that you have LS or LR model too?

Regards Pavel Skopek Czech rep. handy phone +420 603 163 750 using Facetime and Whats app

#57782

Simon

On 25 Mar 2020, at 09:09, Pasquale Mesto via Groups.Io <mesto.asms@...> wrote:

Good morning Simon,
no problem. I will do this for you tonight or tomorrow. And later also on Motorcycling, if you wish.
I will send everything to your email address.
Ciao

Pasquale

Il 24 marzo 2020 alle 13.39 S Warner <simon@...> ha scritto:

Hello Pasquale
I trust this finds you well? That is a very kind offer, thank you.
I am taking the opportunity of these uncertain times to further my research into the founding and development of the Bar-None MCC in the Middle East during WW11. Unfortunately with the public close-down I am unable to visit the two libraries in the UK who hold copies of these magazines.

In the 30 March 44 issue there should be a report of a motorcycle trial held in the Cairo area. This trial was the very first trial organised by the persons that became eventual founders of the Bar-None MCC. Alan Johnson was one of these men. He died two weeks ago aged nearly 100 and I am currently curating his archive. Included are the cups that he won in the first trial (overall winner) and the subsequent trial where he was a member of the winning team.

In these issues of ‘The Motorcycle’ I would be very interested to read any mention of motorcycle trials activity or similar taking place in this region. I doubt whether any of this will be under the Bar-None title. Perhaps it would be better and not clog up the forum if you would you respond to my personal email address?

The issues I do not have access to are:
30 March 44
6 July 44
17 August 44
30 November 44
14 Dec 44

I realise the following is a big ask but… if you have access to any of the following I also need to search these issues for similar information:
4 January 45
1 + 29 March 45
31 May 45
12 July 45
8 + 15 November 45

3 + 10 January 46
7 + 11 April 46

Eventually, when movement restrictions become more relaxed, I will visit the libraries and do the same research in the copies of ‘MotorCycling’ but for now I’m limiting myself to articles from the blue ‘un.
Many thanks for your invaluable help,
Simon

S Warner
simon@...
(+44) 07787 537 145

On 24 Mar 2020, at 08:27, Pasquale Mesto via Groups.Io <mesto.asms@...> wrote:

Good morning Simon,
if you want some particular pages I can scan them for you.
Ciao
Pasquale Mesto - Italy

Il 23 marzo 2020 alle 17.34 S Warner <simon@...> ha scritto:

All,
I am looking to buy, swap or borrow copies of 'The Motorcycle’ magazine 1944 - 30th March, 6th July, 17th Aug, 30th Nov, 14th Dec

In return I have many spare copies covering the period 1939 - 1948. If you need any for your collection let me know as I may have one or more that you need..
Best
Simon

S Warner
simon@...
(+44) 07787 537 145

#57783

If I may say.. no need to go off-list. I love to hear these stories!

I got onto this list by a kind of accident in the transition from Yahoo to groups.io. Although I never owned one myself, in the 1970s I worked in a shop that dealt with lot of Norton-Matchless hybrids, and several friends of mine had P11s. So in search of entertainment, I joined the P11 list, which turns out to be a cousin of this one. Now I get to hear about an enthusiast from Italy assisting an Englishman to document a motorcycle club in Cairo during WW2? With a Czech chiming in about a Model LS? In the middle of a global pandemic that isolates us all and has postponed if not cancelled many motorcycle rallies and racing series? Entertainment of the highest sort. Give me more!

#57784

Yes, please keep it comming

From: main@AJSMatchless.groups.io <main@AJSMatchless.groups.io>On Behalf Of Ben English
Sent: Thursday, 26 March 2020 8:59 AM
To: main@ajsmatchless.groups.io
Subject: Re: [AJSMatchless] The Motorcycle Magazine

#57785

Utilizza il link sopra per scaricare i file. Si aprirà una nuova pagina dalla quale potrai scegliere quali file scaricare.

To download all desired files click on the link above. You will be taken to a new page that allows you to pick the files you want to download.

"Good evening Simon,
as promised I am attaching the scans. Not on all the magazines you have indicated to me I found news regarding the trial, in general and not only on Bar-None MCC.
From the dates you can understand which magazines are without news. Or I didn't understand what to look for! Please, give me more precise information.

Ciao"

Pasquale

Il 25 marzo 2020 alle 23.58 Ben English <bengl1695@...> ha scritto:

Thank you Pasquale, you are generous - Could you email me from your private email so we can keep unnecessary chat off of the forum?

Thanks again

S Warner

simon@...

(+44) 07787 537 145

On 25 Mar 2020, at 09:09, Pasquale Mesto via Groups.Io < mesto.asms@...> wrote:

Good morning Simon,
no problem. I will do this for you tonight or tomorrow. And later also on Motorcycling, if you wish.
I will send everything to your email address.
Ciao

Pasquale

Il 24 marzo 2020 alle 13.39 S Warner < simon@...> ha scritto:

Hello Pasquale
I trust this finds you well? That is a very kind offer, thank you.
I am taking the opportunity of these uncertain times to further my research into the founding and development of the Bar-None MCC in the Middle East during WW11. Unfortunately with the public close-down I am unable to visit the two libraries in the UK who hold copies of these magazines.

In the 30 March 44 issue there should be a report of a motorcycle trial held in the Cairo area. This trial was the very first trial organised by the persons that became eventual founders of the Bar-None MCC. Alan Johnson was one of these men. He died two weeks ago aged nearly 100 and I am currently curating his archive. Included are the cups that he won in the first trial (overall winner) and the subsequent trial where he was a member of the winning team.

In these issues of ‘The Motorcycle’ I would be very interested to read any mention of motorcycle trials activity or similar taking place in this region. I doubt whether any of this will be under the Bar-None title. Perhaps it would be better and not clog up the forum if you would you respond to my personal email address?

The issues I do not have access to are:
30 March 44
6 July 44
17 August 44
30 November 44
14 Dec 44

I realise the following is a big ask but… if you have access to any of the following I also need to search these issues for similar information:
4 January 45
1 + 29 March 45
31 May 45
12 July 45
8 + 15 November 45

3 + 10 January 46
7 + 11 April 46

Eventually, when movement restrictions become more relaxed, I will visit the libraries and do the same research in the copies of ‘MotorCycling’ but for now I’m limiting myself to articles from the blue ‘un.
Many thanks for your invaluable help,
Simon

S Warner
simon@...
(+44) 07787 537 145

On 24 Mar 2020, at 08:27, Pasquale Mesto via Groups.Io <mesto.asms= libero.it@groups.io> wrote:

Good morning Simon,
if you want some particular pages I can scan them for you.
Ciao
Pasquale Mesto - Italy

Il 23 marzo 2020 alle 17.34 S Warner < simon@...> ha scritto:

All,
I am looking to buy, swap or borrow copies of 'The Motorcycle’ magazine 1944 - 30th March, 6th July, 17th Aug, 30th Nov, 14th Dec

In return I have many spare copies covering the period 1939 - 1948. If you need any for your collection let me know as I may have one or more that you need..
Best
Simon

S Warner
simon@...
(+44) 07787 537 145

Simon

#57786

And a BIG yes on that from queensland

From: main@AJSMatchless.groups.io [mailto:main@AJSMatchless.groups.io]On Behalf Of John Ready
Sent: Thursday, 26 March 2020 9:04 AM
To: main@AJSMatchless.groups.io
Subject: Re: [AJSMatchless] The Motorcycle Magazine

Yes, please keep it comming

From: main@AJSMatchless.groups.io <main@AJSMatchless.groups.io>On Behalf Of Ben English
Sent: Thursday, 26 March 2020 8:59 AM
To: main@ajsmatchless.groups.io
Subject: Re: [AJSMatchless] The Motorcycle Magazine

#57787

#57788

I’ve been a motorcycle enthusiast all my life.My interests are somewhat eclectic but sort of revolve around motorcycles, engineering, social history etc.

My current project is to properly document the history of the Bar-None MCC which was founded in Egypt in 1944 and I hope that this will result in a short book. I am a fan of Matchless motorcycles and I also like to research events that interest me. One of my great dislikes is the myth that often develops in the absence of solid fact. When I got my first girder fork G3-WO I started to ask all the ’numpty’ questions and I learnt a lot. But, after a few years, I noticed new people asking the same questions… often different answers were given and, although these were offered with great authority, they were sometimes different answers and sometimes wishful thinking. Don’t get me wrong please, I’m not criticising those people who freely offered great information. But I realised myth was developing and I wanted to try and work out that which was true and that which simply couldn’t be substantiated. One of the real bug-bears is that stuff which can’t be substantiated may well, and often is, true. Difficult.

The result of this was my website for Matchless WD motorcycles - www.matchlesswd.co.uk Everything on the site has been substantiated and then written up so that future generations of Matchless owners have a reliable source of material.

Being involved with researching events obviously leads us to the Blue ‘un (The Motor Cycle) and the Green ‘un (MotorCycling). These weekly magazines were published from early 1903 to around 1983 and form one of the most authentic records of the development of motorcycles and all things associated. They are perhapsthe go-to resource!

During the war there was an army of men (and women) stationed in the Middle East with little to occupy themselves. The desert campaign had been won and troops for D-Day drawn from other sources. The chiefs were happy therefore for personal to be occupied by ‘gainful’ means and therefore encouraged and supported clubs and interest groups. Out of this scenario developed the Bar-None MCC - a club to whom anyone could belong - whether he had enough gold braid to sink a battleship or else was a lonely sh*t-house cleaner - where rank had no sway. It was a club for enthusiasts.

If you want to know how I met Alan Johnson you can go to my website and read ‘Bar-None’ Not even Nortons!’ I wrote this article and had it published in ‘Old Bike Mart’. As a direct result of that article I met Alan Rothwell Johnson and that resulted in the book ‘Raising Dust in the Desert’ - you can read an introduction to that also on the website.

After I published ‘Raising Dust…’ I started to research the Bar-None MCC (Alan was a founding member) and as a result I have managed to accumulate lots of original documents relating to the club. Quite amazingly I was given the correspondence file of original carbon flimsy’s (carbon copies of letters) dating from 1944 to 1946. These were bought back from Egypt by a returning official of the club. I also have copies of some of the monthly bulletins which the club distributed. These, and other documents such as event programs, provide much detail regarding the club’s founding and subsequent development. What I would like to do now is to bring this together into one volume so that others can read about what is, to me, a fascinating period in both motorcycle and social history.

And so I end with a plea! If anyone can help with any information, copies of photographs, copies of event programmes, reminiscences of old relatives, ANYTHING, then I would be most grateful to include it in the book. History is only as good as the source material’s authenticity and completeness!

On 26 Mar 2020, at 05:59, rcurrie34 <robcurrie@...> wrote:

Yes !!! from South Africa.

Rob C

#57789

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

I’m glad this subject is of interest and its good to receive such encouragement from around the globe. Thank you everyone. I ought to tell you a bit about myself and what I’m trying to do.

#57799

#57802

On 27 Mar 2020, at 10:12, Don Pat via Groups.Io <leamingpd@...> wrote:

Ordered mine yesterday!
Don in Niagara

#57848

Hello Simon I have read this email and would like to see the conclusion in due course. That is if I am alive of course.

I note from other emails that Alan has now passed on. May he rest in peace.

Would it be possible to send me any copies of Death notices in papers ( if that happens in the UK OR a copy of any part of his funeral notes which refer to his history.

I would like to place these notes inside my book for my family ( who are all motorcycle mad ) to have for the future.

Thanks for now Norm Hart Western Australia.

From: main@AJSMatchless.groups.io [mailto:main@AJSMatchless.groups.io] On Behalf Of S Warner
Sent: Thursday, 26 March 2020 3:53 PM
To: main@ajsmatchless.groups.io
Subject: [AJSMatchless] The Motorcycle Magazine

I’m glad this subject is of interest and its good to receive such encouragement from around the globe. Thank you everyone. I ought to tell you a bit about myself and what I’m trying to do.