Letters – Page 2 – Old Bike Mart

How I fell for those useless bike gadgets

11th April 2018 ndevereux Letters

In response to ‘Pete’s Prattle’ about useless accessories (OBM February), many readers out there must recall the many gadgets that were offered temptingly in the motorcycling magazines of the 1950s. I fell for most of

A well-used Greeves Ranger

31st March 2018 ndevereux Letters

After reading about the Greeves trail bikes in OBM (February) David Hamsley emailed us to say that maybe readers would like to see a photo of the Greeves Ranger that he brought back from the

Like mum, like daughter – but Kitt did the ‘ton’ over the Cat and Fiddle

31st March 2018 ndevereux Letters

May I introduce your readers to Kitt Stappard, a friend and neighbour who gave up smoking after a year when she realised she could buy a Vespa with the money instead? This lasted a short

A snowy day in the Clevelands, 1953

24th March 2018 ndevereux Letters

It’s that time of year when motorcycling magazines feature snow scenes from yesterday, so here’s one from 1953 that was taken on the Cleveland Hills in Yorkshire. From the left, it shows Peter Martin on

Pullover, tie and brown polished shoes!

24th March 2018 ndevereux Letters

I found this photo of Rod Coleman, which I took around 10 years ago, during a sort-out after replacing my computer. The event was the annual classic bike meet at Pukekohe in New Zealand, where

Royal Enfield GP5 – still the apple of many people’s eyes

17th March 2018 ndevereux Letters

After the recent letters and articles about the Royal Enfield GP5 raced by John Swannack in the 1960s, I felt it appropriate to contact OBM. I still have programmes from Cadwell Park showing John in

Those flat-tankers outside the Hunter’s Lodge Inn

17th March 2018 ndevereux Letters

The photo in last month’s OBM of a group of flat-tank enthusiasts outside a Hunter’s Lodge Inn was taken at Priddy, Wells, Somerset BA5 3AR, and the chap on the far right is the late

Who can identify this motorcycle?

6th March 2018 ndevereux Letters

I’m writing on behalf of a friend to see if any OBM reader can identify the motorcycle in the accompanying photo. I apologise for the picture quality, but the original is only about passport size.

Victor Horsman – one of the greatest riders and tuners of his time

21st February 2018 ndevereux Letters

I noted with interest the Victor Horsman photo sent to OBM (December) by Bruce Preston, but was rather surprised by the apparent lack of response to the statement that Victor was a “Brooklands exponent and

So much for the Royal Enfield GP5 being a failure!

21st February 2018 ndevereux Letters

From 1963 until 1968, I worked for Henstock’s of Mansfield, a large motorcycle dealership employing around 15 staff, as manager of their well-equipped workshop, and as part of the deal Don Henstock agreed to buy