Motor Me Review: A VISIT TO VERRALLS

I don't often get the chance to stop in Verralls in Handcross, just south of London, but it's a venerable place with a great selection of older motorcycles, and a great pleasure to visit. Ian Hatton, who took over the business when Brian Verrall died a few years ago, has been a pal since 1987, when he was a lowly mechanic on Brian's machines (and about 19 years old, while I was a lofty 25). Ian liked my painted-up Velocette jacket, and I purchased an MZ 250 from his father, which I then rode to the Soviet border and back in a great loop around Western and Eastern Europe, a trip of many thousands of miles - all on back roads, with zero mechanical trouble. That's another story, but we've since remained friends, and I've long been a fan of the business. Ian has continued Brian's policy of looking after machines they've sold - if there's a problem, they'll deal with it, usually for free (unless you run the bike without oil).

Stop in sometime, and have a chat with Gordon Button while he serves tea.

1939 Coventry Eagle 148cc with pressed-steel frame

Greeves trial machine with aluminum I-Beam front downtube, leading link forks, and Villiers engine

BMW R60/2 and Steib S500 sidecar

BSA sidecar attached to a big BSA v-twin

BSA Bantam motor peeks between Post Office legshields

Gorgeous 1926 Rex-Acme with Blackburne external flywheel 350cc motor

The Rex-Acme was a fantastic little hot rod in the day, with a tireless engine and exceptional handling

Brough Superior SS80 JAP sidevalve powerplant - finned magnificence

This crusty Barbour waxed cotton Trailmaster jacket literally stands up on its own

Sunbeam Model 6 with 500cc sidevalve engine; a lovely machine to ride

Sightglass for the oil feed supply to the big end of the engine. Note the Sunbeam's lovely enclosed 'Little Oil Bath' primary chaincase, which holds its grease well