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!