Martin Squires Automotive Illustration: VMCC Banbury Run 2014

Well.... possibly my favourite, most hectic event of the year. The Banbury run is the largest gathering of Vintage and Veteran motorcycles in the world, and to say I was spoilt for choice is an understatement. The entry list is huge with over 500 entrants. This is the 3rd time I've attended the event and I now know what to expect. Turn up at 8am and then have 2 hours to scout round and sketch as much as possible before they start leaving at 10am. I then have till 12 to run round the paddock picking bikes that aren't going to immanently disappear! I now only sketch in pencil on the day in order to sketch as much as possible. The ink is done in the comfort of the studio, unless some get left behind. Maybe one day I will be quick enough with the ink, like some sort of Zen calligraphy master, practice, practice, practice...

1926 AJS Model G

(ink sketch)

This AJS was found by Geoff by chance when he displayed another AJS at a show and a couple remarked that they had one like that with a different tank in the garden. Geoff asked how much and they said bring some wine, and so he turned up with 6 bottles and they accepted 4! All that was missing was an engine and gearbox and a few little bits... and here it is.

Geoff plans to ride it as it is, and I salute him for it.

1903 Humber Olympia

(ink sketch)

I do like a challenge and a bit of wicker so this was the perfect combination. The Humber Tricycle Forcar runs an air cooled 403cc engine which was built under licence from Phelon and Moore.

1929 Raleigh 15 Deluxe

(ink sketch)

I loved the character of this bike, it just looked like it had been loved and ridden. On carful inspection I found a small metal bucket catching oil from the carb, a charming machine indeed.

1928 Norton CS1

(ink sketch)

Norton's chief designer definitely got it right when he designed the shaft and bevel camshaft drive on the CS1 it really is a thing of beauty. The CS1 was released the year after Norton entered their first over head valve machine in the 1927 TT with success including Alan Bennett's Senior TT victory.

1923 Duzmo OHV Sports

(ink sketch)

This bike really was a revelation for myself and a lot of other people at the run. If you gave it a passing thought as to where this machine was built you might think Europe somewhere, well you'd be wrong Duzmo were built in Enfield! Duzmo was started by John Wallace who had an apprenticeship with Collier & Sons of Matchless fame production began in 1919 and finished in 1923. This 1923 model was the last motorcycle designed by Wallace and apparently D.J. Sheppard took on Wallaces bankrupt stock, but it is thought none were sold.

Read more about these fascinating motorcycles at www.duzmo.co.uk