My Bike, Stafford Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show 2025

 A Weekend with the MBX: Memories, Motorcycles, and Magic at Stafford

The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show at Stafford is always a highlight of the year, but this October 11th and 12th felt different. This time, my little Honda MBX80 wasn’t just another bike on the floor – it was part of something bigger: the Retro Mopeds Club stand.

A bit of backstory: I co-admin a Facebook group called ‘Retro Mopeds 70’s–90’s’ with my friend Andrew Longley. The page is a haven for enthusiasts of all bikes under 90cc, whether standard or wildly modified. Last year, Andrew and I displayed our bikes as private entries, and while sharing stories with fellow fans, we hatched an idea – a club stand. Fast forward to this year, and our vision had become reality.

The stand was a small but mighty showcase. Andrew brought three bikes: an MT5, MB5, and RD50. Steve Mawson contributed a jaw-dropping custom MBX80, and my own MBX80 completed the lineup. Standing back and seeing the five machines together, I felt a surge of pride – this wasn’t just my bike, it was part of a movement celebrating a generation of two-wheelers.

I’ll admit, I had a twinge of doubt. The MBX had been on show the past two years – would people still care? From the moment the doors opened, all doubts vanished. Enthusiasts flocked to the stand, eager to chat, share stories, and snap photos. Conversations flowed – memories of rides, modifications, and teenage adventures – and for the first time, my MBX wasn’t just a display piece; it was a bridge connecting strangers through shared passion.

Then came Sunday morning – a moment I’ll never forget. The winners’ names were posted, and my friends Tony and Steve nudged me excitedly. Could it be? Scanning the list, my heart leapt. There it was: 2nd Best 1980s Bike, runner-up to a Kawasaki Z1300! My MBX80, a humble 80cc two-stroke, would be receiving recognition on the main stage.

The day became a blur of excitement. Andrew’s MT5 and my Aprilia AF1 each received a ‘Highly Commended’ award. And then it was time. Walking onto the stage, the buzz of the crowd mixing with my racing heartbeat, I was handed my award by none other than Wayne Gardner, 1987 500cc World Champion and one of my heroes. When he asked about the bike, I replied, “It’s a little Honda MBX80 2-stroke.” He grinned and said, “Ripper!” – and just like that, a childhood dream collided with reality.

This year’s show was more than just an exhibition; it was an experience, a celebration of community, passion, and the joy of two wheels. The club stand added a layer of camaraderie and fun that I’ll be chasing for years to come. Stafford 2025 wasn’t just another show – it was a weekend of memories I’ll cherish forever.

For more on the Aprilia on display, see here:

shaking hands with Wayne Gardner

Dan Jones, Steve Mawson, Tony Mawson, Andrew Longley

Stafford Classic Motorcycle Mechanics show preview

The Stafford Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show is fast approaching and I realised I hadn't given an MBX update!

As previously posted this year my MBX80 will form part of the Retro Mopeds Club stand and my time and energy has been split between the Retro stand and also completing my Aprilia build which will be on display in the Retro Hall. 

There is not much to report on MBX updates for the show, apart from it will be clean and shiny and I am immensely proud of it ;-)

Firstly the Retro Mopeds stand. This Facebook group has been going for a few years now and is for all makes and models between 50 and 99cc, my friend and fellow enthusiast Andrew Longley got full control of this last year and asked me to come on board as an admin to help steer it. I still run the facebook groups Honda Classic 2 Strokes and Honda MBX80 as well as the new page Aprilia AF1 and Andrew runs a few additional pages as well, I like to think it's our Classic Facebook multi verse and maybe we can find away of connecting the pages under an umbrella club, but maybe that's for another day and a few beers...

Starting a facebook group is one thing but making a club stand is a whole another ball game, we have a blank space and zero assets, apart from motorbikes to fill it.

My first port of call was a backdrop, I didn't want to look through bikes to see blank wall or worse still a couple of small banners looking lost, the second problem is how to hold it up. Fortunately I have some expo stuff I could borrow from work, this is a pop up wall which I can add spot lights to the top. For the pop up wall I created a collage of bikes with a big stand out logo and clear call to action to join the FB club. It should look like this....

 Next I wanted a table which needed a branded table cloth, Temu had that covered. Andrew also made some op up elements which he used with great effect at the Oh so Retro show.

Lastly I will make a small stage area to give a bike a little height on the booth to give it some additional depth. 

This is year one, it may work it may not but you don't know until you try. Please come and visit the stand, we do have stickers and goodies but more so to chat and see if you want to get involved in the future, whatever form that may look like!

Here is where to find the Retro Mopeds booth and also my Aprilia

My MBX sneaks in to the magazine's preview!

Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show 2024 report, part 2

 Part 2 of the Classic Bike show report is a video run through of the two days. 

See part one here 

Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show 2024 report, part 1

Saturday 12^th October

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 13^th 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 2024 - show prep 2

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...

I hope to see you there!

Links

To get tickets visit here https://tickets.mortonsevents.co.uk/event/11 

Show prep 1, view here https://www.mbx80.co.uk/2024/08/the-classic-motorcycle-mechanics-show.html

Stafford 2023 show report, view here https://www.mbx80.co.uk/2023/10/show-report-classic-motorcycle.html

The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show 2024 - show prep 1

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.

info card V1

Lastly if you want more show info or to buy tickets, you can do so here:

My bike is on the classic bike show's feed again!

 My bike featuring in the Classic Bike Show's feed again plus one of another one of my bikes...

We were talking 80cc recently - here's The MBX80 of Classic Bike Shows follower @danjones34

Any more 80cc bikes out there?#classicbikeshows #motorcycle #motorbike #motorcyclelife #classicmotorcycle #classicbike #motorcycleclub #classicmotorcycles #motorcycleevent pic.twitter.com/Ba4aKEiWTI

— ClassicBikeShows (@classicbikeshow) June 3, 2024

 

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From Classic Bike Shows follower Dan Jones:

"1963 Triumph 3TA with matching numbers. Restored by my Dad, and re-commissioned by myself"

How about that!#classicbikeshows #motorcycle #motorbike #motorcyclelife #classicmotorcycle #classicbike #motorcycleclub #classicmotorcycles pic.twitter.com/wb7WxeG8Dt

— ClassicBikeShows (@classicbikeshow) March 6, 2024