Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Agostini at the Stafford Bike Show this Coming Weekend


Giacomo Agostini flying over Ballaugh Bridge during the 1970 TT festival


Giacomo Agostini is guest of honour at the Stafford Bike Show this coming weekend. 
To mark the occasion I'm issuing a Limited Edition Print Run of 50 of the above painting.
I'm hoping to get Agostini himself to sign the first one (if the queue isn't too long).

Pre orders are available to mailing list and Facebook followers right now, and the remaining orders will be taken at the show. More information on the show can be found here:

Classic Bike Shows 

Monday, April 23, 2012

Prescott Bike Festival 2012


Prescott Bike Festival certainly pulled out the stops for it's second year. A huge turn out of bikes and trikes made it down to the event, making it a very enjoyable show. Unfortunately not much sketching was  done by myself at the event due to the constant on / off rain.

1933 Rudge TT Replica (digitally painted ink sketch)


This Rudge TT Replica is all original (apart from a couple of shiny bits). It was a joy to see an example in this condition. 



The owner a very nice Dutch man now living in France was running another Rudge up the hill (below), which allowed me time to sketch this fine example in between rain showers.





One of two Scotts (unfortunately this one ceased up on the day) both were heavily tuned by Roger Moss and looked very impressive especially off the start line.



A group of Morgan Three Wheelers lined up on the Morgan Stand

 Brooklands had bought a very impressive line up seen here lined up in the Paddock

There Was a nice little line up of BSAs near the bar.



 The Morgan Three Wheeler Club also hosted there Opening run at the event so there was a lot of them there which is always good to see.

 Hang on this one's got an extra wheel!

Morgan Family, which actually arrived caring a family, well done.


There was a wide range of bikes on display here is my pick from the paddock.

 Triton Sidecar Outfit

 Velocette

 One of the race bikes waiting to go up the hill


 






Sunday, April 22, 2012

A quick update

Sorry, I haven't posted in about a month. Fortunately, I have been really busy. Business has been good and I also have been doing some training at a couple of shops. I have been picking up quite a few new shops as well. I am fortunate enough to have networked with some really good people both in and out of the industry. You can never have too many good people supporting you. The best form of advertising in this business is definitely word of mouth. This is why I give free advice. Many times I will get a shop call me and ask me for an opinion or information. I may not get a job from that shop right away. But, usually I get something from them eventually. They remember I was helpful and knowledgeable and tell other shops.
I should have some more case studies posted soon. I have some more catalytic converter codes, misfires using the low amp probe, some GM electronic throttle control, some reprogramming, an arsenal update, and a one year Ottotest evaluation. Stay tuned. Of course, anything you want to see-email me. 

Monday, April 9, 2012

Wheels Day 2012 Report

Easter Friday means Wheels Day!
The day started off pretty cold around 1 or 2 degrees so when the sunshine started to warm up the arena the day just got better and better. Hosted by the Surrey Street Rodders, Wheels Day is one of the first runs of the season and people certainly turned out in their droves. Rushmore arena, just down the road from Farnborough soon filled with an incredible range of cars, bikes, trucks and anything in between. If you didn't make it this year I would highly recommend that if you have something with wheels get it down to wheels day 2013 you won't be disappointed.

Just a third of the main arena and the surrounding banks and woodland were also packed with all sorts of wonderful vehicles.

1939 Ford 4 door convertible
(digitally painted ink sketch)

Mike Payne's (Surrey Street Rodders) latest creation. Only MOT'd the day before the event this wonderful saloon, contains a 350 small block Chevy with a 9" Ford rear. It certainly was catching the eyes of a lot of people whilst I was sketching it and who can blame them.




1935 Standard 12 Delux
(digitally painted ink sketch)

This Standard is a rare car indeed only 5 of these still exist and this one has been lovingly restored and run as a wedding car by Peter of GP Occasional Cars. There are 3 cars in their fleet the other two are a 1932 Ford Model ‘B' and a fantastic 1936 Austin 16 ‘Shootingbrake’woody. To see more of these cars please visit the GP Occasional Cars website and click on the 'cars' section.



Subaru 360
(digitally painted ink sketch)

This fantastic little Subaru cought my eye next. It is one of only three known in this country and is the only on up and running. Victor Sayer does own another of the three but the engine has blown on that one. Half a million were made between 1958-72. This fine example has been restored as 0ne of the three 1964 Japanese Grand Prix Support Cars, hence the black and ahite headlights. The three cars had different configurations of headlights, both black, both white, and one black one white (incase you'r wondering).


1964 Chevrolet Greenbrier
(digitally painted ink sketch)


A Quick sketch before hometime. This is another of the Surrey Street Rodders club cars. Unfortunately I did not meet the owner to find out more about it.

There was such a huge range of cars at this event the selection below does not cover everything but will give you a good idea of what turned up to enjoy the sun.

Chrysler




Hudson Pick Up

International Pick Up


Bedford Truck with Indian on board





BMC "Jobs Better Milk" (enough said)











1934 Nash
Advanced Eight Coupe (model 1282-R)

1964 Panhard PL17











Well if this is the sort of thing that get's you excited then I would strongly advise making the trip next year.

For more photos of the event please visit the Surrey Street Rodders facebook page