Our show
started relatively early as we needed to get the bike on the stand before the
show opened, the hall opens to exhibitors at 7:30 so we were there ready to go.
After collecting our pack and security done I set about cleaning bike as it was
raining a little outside, I came prepared with clean cloths for the bodywork
and a dirty one to wipe the tyres and it didn’t take to long to get the MBX
looking great.
Like last
year the standard of machines and restorations are exceptional, in fact there
are some many fantastic bikes you cant help but feel like you have imposters syndrome.
This year there was some direct competition from Steve Mawson’s lovely black
MBX80, Andrew Longley’s original MT50 and a super nice AR80 from the AROG.
strapped down and ready to go
its wet outside!
inside the hall looking for our spot
cleaning
flash....
all set up and show ready
Steve Mawson's MBX80 on the VJMC stand
Andrew Longley's MT5 - private entry
Minty fresh AR80 on the AR Owners Group stand
the place to be
Sunday 13th
October
We got to
the show at around 8:30 to check out all the rosette winners but the judges
were only just putting them out, it didn’t look like we were in for a shout so
we decided to go off and check out the bikes that did win. After launch we got
caught up in the GP paddock listening to Carl Fogerty and Frankie Chili talk
and Foggy’s Ducati start up. We popped back to see the MBX and catch up with
some people and there was a ‘Highly Commended’ rosette on the fuel tank. Initially
I thought we were being pranked by Mr Longley, but thankfully it was the real deal and the bike had won an
award two years in a row, feeling very proud and humbled.
At the end
of the show we were just removing the bike from the stand and two judges came
over and shook my hand and said, ‘well done, we had to give it an award as it’s
such a lovely bike and you just don’t see them anymore’. That was the icing on
cake and to be praised like that truly made my day.
winner!
Me, William (my son) and Andrew Longley
the MBX with its info board
GT550 - Best in Show
William celebrates!
Next year?
Will be
back? Absolutely, we have lots of ideas but in whatever way that might look like we will be there. It is
the best show with the best bikes with some great people, the classic bike
scene is where I want to be. My goal next year is to be there with my Aprilia
but if there is room for my Honda either as a private entry or on a club stand it will
be there as I have a few more improvements lined up to make it even more original… 😊
The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show is almost here and will be at the Stafford Showground on the 12-13th October 2024.
I am really please to say my MBX80 will be in a prime location next to the main stage opposite the VJMC main stand, here is how to find me:
This year as well as small detailed improvements in the bike and prep I have mostly been working on the bikes presentation.
To display the bike at a better lean angle I have been working on a side stand 'puck', this holds the bike at a more vertical angle which looks a lot better visually. Bellow is version 1 as proof of concept, currently I am refining it to look a bit prettier!
Secondly I have invested in a A3 display board which many other machines had, here I can better detail a little about the bike, about me and about the restoration.
I also have some 'Stafford 2024' edition MBX decals to give away to adorn your tool boxes, I dont have many but they are very high quality!
Lastly to make me (and my son) easier to spot if you want to have a chat (and get a sticker) you will see us in some new MBX80 merch...
Great news! Once again I have been invited to display my MBX80 as a private entry at the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, Stafford Showground on the 12-13th October 2024.
Show prep 1 is a little different than last year, although there will be a list of mods in-coming to get show ready. This time I have been thinking about how the bike is displayed, the show information and any potential goodies I can give away, not for bribes (!!!) but to friends for their own show memorabilia collections or tool boxes.
First off I have been playing around with some new logos based of a scan from the actual side cover graphic and also a graphic version of the bike set to a back drop of body colours. To commemorate the Stafford show I have made a small batch of 'Safford' edition decals which I will give away to friends at the show. If there is any demand I have also made a black bike version of the graphic as well that I could print to sell, not to make any money on but just because they are nice! Leave a comment or message me if you are interested?
everybody loves a sticker!
Secondly I did miss a few people at the 23 show so I have decided to make myself a little more obvious this time... This is the MK1 t shirt, but I have a better idea for the front graphic so I will be making a MK2 t shirt. If you see someone in a MBX80 T shirt, its me, so hit me up! Again if a T shirt is of interest I can get these printed with either the white bike or black bike depending on preference. Leave a comment or ping me a message if you are interested?
T shirt time
Lastly I wanted to up my game with the machine info card, so instead of an A4 stand I have opted to use an A3 (basically 2 A4), this way I can show a few resto progress images as well as include bike and 'about me' info.
Now with the bike in a pretty good condition we loaded it into the van and made our way to the Stafford County Showground. Getting in is fairly painless with the pass the organisers send you (which has your stand allocation number on it), the security gave us a couple of wristbands and we were in. As soon as the bike rolled down the ramp out of the van a guy flew over on his Raleigh Burner and said 'I knew what that was as soon as it came out and wanted to get a better look'! It turns out he had several M Honda's so was definitely in to the bike.
We made our way to the main hall and found our spot and picked up the welcome pack, this had the security tag and a neat metal show badge to prove we done it. After a quick clean and set up the rope went across the front and we were show ready.
The first day was really great meeting a few new people and some facebook connects including the serial Honda restorers and www.mb5.co.uk guys Tony and Steve Mawson. These guys have restored more MB/X bikes and won more awards than you can shake a stick at, but very approachable and very encouraging for a first timer like me. I also met up with Andrew Longley who still has his Honda MT5 from when he was 16 amongst a fleet of mopeds and manages a few facebook pages including Retro mopeds of the 70's and 90's. I also managed to touch base with Phil Holme of Holmetech whom Id previously sold a bike to and was there with his Kawasaki AR club. I got to say everyone was super-nice and catching up with everybody made the whole day feel like you were definitely a part of something.
Day two is when the awards and rosettes are given out to the winning machines. Honestly, the standard of bikes is so high I had no expectations and was just happy to be a part of the show, but to my delight the MBX had won a 'Highly Commended' award! The show gives out 30 of these as runners up, so to win one at the first visit to the show was pretty special. The rest of the day was spent checking out all the other winners and marvelling at the quality of their bikes.
At the end of the show after a security check we wheeled the bike of the booth where somebody immediately asked if it was for sale, obviously not!
Overall the show was a fantastic experience, from the organisers to the fellow exhibitors. It was an extremely welcoming and inclusive experience and makes you feel part of the classic bike scene, which is a nice place to be. I will very much look forward to next year and will try to get a couple of bikes in!
If this inspires you to give it a go keep an eye on the Stafford Classic Bike Shows website for updates and how to apply to exhibit.
a least it wasn't raining!
into the hall
and in to its allocated space, PE7
Day 1
Day 2, time to find out who won an award
Day 2
Henry Cole, Allen Millyard and Skid on stage
Day 2, with award
me
Holmetech's AR80
the only other MBX80 (or M Honda) at Stafford in the auction
The final pieces for the show prep turned up, in my eyes its not perfect and there are a few things I would still like to change, but the bike is good and I'll keep chasing those last few things.
Firstly tyres. The original tyres are Bridgestone and long out of production, so the choice is some replica tyres made in the far east or a branded modern tyre. After going round in circles on this I opted for a modern Metzler ME22. Demon Tweeks has 30% off these at the moment and you can get them here: My friend at a local garage fitted them for me.
While the wheels were off I took the opportunity to fit a NOS mudguard piece.
Next some official Honda parts from CMSNL.I ordered new handle bar grips, handlebar clamp bolts, tank warning decal, mirror and also a new speedo worm gear and oil seal which goes back to the 'noise' project.
Lastly I ordered a new old dealer number plate from Retro Plates to finish the look.
Getting my bike ready for the Stafford Bike Show is actually a little daunting, to be judged and compared against so many amazing bikes makes you second guess everything. My bike genuinely looks great but I can see faults everywhere, stuff you wouldn't notice or see, but I see....
First off is a good clean,
Secondly the tyre pressure warning decal turned up
Next I removed the front wheel to give it a proper clean behind the spokes, but getting into the tightest point near the rim proved very difficult.
Next I used some old petrol and a tooth brush which seemed to work.
I have recently applied for a private entry for the Stafford Classic Bike Show in October, fingers crossed I get accepted but regardless of if I do it is good motivation to finish a few niggling jobs.
Here is my to-do list to get my bike show ready.
1/ replace the handle bar clamp screws for Olive green bolts - CMS
