Richard Wheadon – TOMCC Machine Registrar

Richard Wheadon, the TOMCC’s Machine Registrar and a recognised expert on establishing the authenticity and date of old Triumph Motorcycles will be giving a presentation about his work to the TOMCC Berkshire Branch and invited guests on Thursday 30 January 2025, starting at 8pm at the BCSA.

Richard runs the Triumph Motorcycle Dating Service for the TOMCC. If the DVLA does not have records for an old Triumph motorcycle, they will issue an age related registration plate for it if the owner has a certificate from the TOMCC. This means that Richard has dealt with hundreds of application for these certificates over the years and has spotted many examples of “fakes”; bikes that purport to be a model or year that makes them more valuable than they really are. This is a subject which will anyone with an interest in classic motorcycles will find fascinating.

Welcome to 2025

Happy New Year to all our members. We had around 100 activities together last year. Have a look at our Review of 2024  to look back on some of what we got up to during the year. We are planning more fun for next year. Have a look at our Events page to see those that are already confirmed for early 2025 including a Thursday night Bring and Buy Sale and a talk on racing machines. There’s a lot more being planned and we will add them to the events page as they get confirmed. Remember, we continue going on rides throughout the winter and meeting socially every Thursday night. When the weather warms up we expect to have our Lunchtime Bike Meet, our Old Motorcycle Gathering and visit other local shows with the Branch stand and lots of other events like we did this year. Keep on rolling.

Merry Christmas 2024

We wish all our members a Merry Christmas. There will be no Club night on Boxing Day so our next Club Night will be on 2 January 2025. Our last Club of the year was a real cracker with more than 60 members enjoying an evening of seasonal food and fun together.

Our 2024 Christmas Club Night

There are more pictures of our Christmas Club Night here. We had a great year with lots of activities together and out on our Triumphs. See here for a look back at 2024.

See you next year.

Keep on rolling!

Nacelle Report – Jan 2024

Below is the report published in the January 2024 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in November 2024

The first evening event of the off-season took place in November at the BCSA with Bob’s annual quiz.  With about 40 participants the quiz was hotly contested, however, the winning team of only 3, Bod, King Graham and Chairman Nick, took top honours. 

The Quiz winners with the spoils: Chairman Nick, Bod & King Graham

Now I don’t know who shouted “Fix”, just because the team contained two committee members.  I can assure all that Bob would not have any truck with shenanigans such as bribery (I’ve tried in the past!). 

Bob’s quiz night and the quizzers arrive at the BCSA

I’m sure a very enjoyable evening was had by all attendees. If you missed it, don’t worry as there will be further events over the winter months.

The next event will be the Table-top Bring & Buy sale at the BCSA on 16th January.  Our branch AGM will take place in February followed by a presentation on “The development of Ducati Racing Machines” by John Bottomley on 6th March.  Finally, it is hoped that Richard Wheadon, Club Machine Registrar will put on a presentation on “Fakes”.  A fascinating and interesting topic, especially if you’re thinking about purchasing a Meriden classic; a date has yet to be set, but let’s hope Richard manages to fit it in.

Even though the weather has taken a turn for the worst, Sunday ride-outs still persist and some mid-week ones too (for those not affected by that filthy four-letter word, work).  This being for members who just can’t get enough of riding their Triumphs, well what else are they for, really…?

Bibendum

Review of 2024

Our stand at the British SuperBikes at Thruxton this year

Looking back at 2024 we’ve seen lots of new faces at both our ride-outs and club nights. Its been a busy year for the Branch. We’ve met every Thursday with turnouts of 20 plus in the winter months, and 40 or more on dry summer nights. During the winter months we had presentations on touring in India and record breaking at Bonneville salt flats, a quiz night and bring and buy sale. We also adopted a new badge for the Branch and produced a new line of clothing and regalia with it on. We’ve had more 40 than rides organised this year and gone on visits to Cassington Bike Night, Triumph Day at the Ace Cafe, Triumph Day at Sammy Miller’s Museum and to the National Motorcycle Museum. We’ve also gone on the Easter Egg Run and Christmas Toy Run.

The highlight of the year was attending the TOMCC 75th Anniversary weekend at Shelsley Walsh. Another great weekend was spent with our Branch stand at the British Superbike Championship at Thruxton. At our home base at the BCSA we have hosted two lunchtime bike meets, our Old Motorcycle Gathering and a barbecue evening. We’ve also taken our Branch stand to several other shows including MAG’s Easter Show, Dr B’s, Popham Megameet and the Swallowfield Show.

Our Christmas Club Night

We had more than 60 people at our Christmas buffet on our last Club Night of the year.

See the video below to look back photos of the rides we have gone on this year.

Nacelle Report – Dec 2024

Below is the report published in the December 2024 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in October 2024

Winter feels like it’s well on its way since the clocks went back.  However, it’s not all bad news as the Sunday ride-outs are back to normal with the return of our Runs Leader, Collin, fit again after a few weeks out of the saddle.  If only Collin’s bike was in such rude health.  A recent ride-out saw Collin’s bike refuse to start, but with 10 branch members on hand to offer “helpful” advice, he was soon running again.  All he needed was a jump, I know the feeling…

How many Branch members does it take to start a Tiger with a flat battery?

Looking forward through the coming months we have a few events planned and a couple of others in the pipeline.  Firstly, the Christmas Buffet, which will be held on the 19th December, normal venue/time but with delicious food and fabulous raffle prizes.

Next up there’s the annual Table Top Bring & Buy sale on the 16th January.  This is a great opportunity to unload some of those parts, accessories or items of clothing that you’ve been meaning to ditch, but also to buy even more to take home and surprise the other half with!  I’m sure they’ll agree what a bargain purchase you’d made.  Helpful tip: Get there early.

Finally, we have our Branch AGM on the 13th February.  We need more members on the committee, so why not get involved, you may have some good ideas to improve the branch for the membership.  So please, as they say in the good ole USA, “step up to the plate”.

Bibendum

And on the last page of Nacelle, in the 75th Anniversary Year Nacelle Front Cover Competition section was this photo, taken by Collin Fox at our September bike meet.

Celebrating the 75th Anniversary with bikes

Toy Run – Dec 2024

The annual Reading Toy Run organised by Reading Christian Motorcyclists will be on Sunday 1st December 2024. As usual, we will be supporting this in various ways, with some of our members acting as Marshalls or supporting the event at the High Close School destination while others will be joining in the ride alongside thousands of other bikers in the area. Note that this year the ride will set off at 1pm, with riders congregating at the start point from 11am onwards. There is also a new start point, which is at the Thames Valley Science Park near Shinfield Studios.

Rather than organise a ride in, this year we will be meeting up at the at the start point with everyone else. Remember to bring a toy with you. We look forward to seeing you there on Sunday 1st December

See below for information from the organisers.

See here for more information from the organisers.

Branching Out at Thruxton Superbikes

The Berkshire Stand in all it’s glory

This article is about the Branch attending the Thruxton round of the British Superbikes Championship. We had a stand there with a display of bikes for all three days from Friday to Sunday. A team attended the event and took it in turns to man our stand, so we could put on a great display while also giving everyone a chance to look around and see some racing. Everyone had a great time. This article first appeared in Nacelle, the Triumph Owners Motor Cycle Club Magazine in 2024.

To read the article in full, click the button below.

For more information about our weekend at Thruxtong for the BSB, click here.

Nacelle Report – November 2024

Below is the report published in the November 2024 issue of Nacelle, which covered Branch activities in September 2024

With the arrival of September along came the wet stuff, then it rained and when you thought “surely it can’t continue to rain”, it turned to near monsoon conditions with thunder and lightning and the associated flooding.  However, throughout the month we still managed 5 Sunday ride-outs to Avebury, Popham, Petersfield, Bucklebury and Wycombe.  Further, a couple of mid-week trips, one being to Sammy Millers Museum.  Our runs coordinator, Collin, is a bit crook at the moment, so if there is anyone who would like to lead a ride-out please get in touch with Collin and I’m sure he’d help you to arrange.

Armed police attend suspecting Chinese parts fitted to a ’69 Bonneville

So it was with trepidation that we approached the weekend of our Autumn Meet at the BCSA on the last Saturday of September, dreading what the weather might be.  But when the day arrived it was clear blue skies, dry(ish) roads and a warming sun; how the righteous are blessed.

Great weather and a fine collection of bikes at the Autumn Meet

We approximated that over 80 bikes visited with a dozen different manufacturers represented.  The BCSA clubhouse was serving drinks and Natalie’s Catering hot food.  This, apart from on-going Sunday ride-outs, was our last outdoor event of the season and our attention is now looking at Thursday evenings at the BCSA.  The first event being Bob’s Annual Quiz, to be held on 7th November and followed by the Christmas Buffet on 19th December.  In the new year we plan a Table-Top Swap meet, the date of which is yet to be arranged.

Bibendum

Quiz Night – 2024

We’ll be holding our annual quiz night at our Thursday Club Night on 7 November 2024 at the BCSA.

Once again, quiz master, Bob Cromwell will be testing our knowledge with questions on motorcycle related topics and general knowledge. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the evening for the winning team.

You don’t have to form a team in advance, just come along. Teams often get formed on the night, typically around three or four people each. You can also participate as an individual if you want. It’s a great way to get to know other people and have a fun evening.

See here for some photos of last year’s quiz.

Proceedings will kick off around 8.30pm so get there before that so you can get your team together and get yourself a drink from the bar.