Newsletter No 29 - VMCC - Isle of Man

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Contents
Chairman's Chat
Secretary's Notes
Yellow Belly Notes - "The Eagle has Landed"
Bert Houlding: TT Pioneer
Manx Motorcycle Museums
Book Review - Excelsior - The Racing Years
New Members
Forthcoming Events
The 2011 Trials Season
Stanley Woods
Page 28 Tommy Wood - Rider Profile No. 15
Page 29 Sons of Thunder - Pt3 - Allan Jermieson
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Motorcycles - Part 4 - Bob Thomas
Editor: Job Grimshaw
Sub Editor: Harley Richards
Cover Pic - Bob Thomas Racing the ABC at the VMCC Chalfont Hill
Climb. In Bob's own words …. This is a rare works Sport/racing model. As far
as is known only one other example exists. This one was raced successfully at
Pendine by Luther Davies of Swansea (There is a rumour that it was also raced
at Brooklands by well known ABC rider Stephen Bassett, but this is not
confirmed).
It differs from all other models of the ABC in having a special frame, this has
stiffer and stronger suspension. The front spring is shorter, the rear springs
have extra leaves, also the rear springs are secured by “U” bolts against the
small bolts of the standards machines. It has shortened cylinders giving higher
compression, a larger bore induction pipe, and a mechanical oil pump. It is
believed the crankcase has been replaced at some time, but when acquired in
1959 it still had a lot of sand on it. This suggested it had been raced in its
present form. The straight-through exhaust pipes are those fitted before I
acquired it. It is quick and handles very nicely. It uses Castor based oil.
Pic & words Courtesy The Milntown Trust
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