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Category: Events and Shows
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Suzuki will restore arguably the most important racing motorcycle it ever produced at this year’s Motorcycle Live – which takes place at Birmingham’s NEC 17-25 November – with the rebuild of the G-54, the precursor to the iconic XR14 and RG500 machines that went on to take Suzuki and Barry Sheene to world championship glory.
The bike will be rebuilt over the first weekend of the show and fired into life on Monday 19 November, before being stripped and rebuilt again over the final weekend ready for a second start up on Sunday 25 November, giving visitors two chances to see the iconic machine being built.
The restoration will be carried out by former Grand Prix technician Nigel Everett. Everett worked in Grand Prix racing from the early ‘70s through to 1988, when he setup Racing Restorations, working with the likes of Sheene, Mick Grant, Kevin Schwantz, James Whitham, Roger Marshall, and John Reynolds. He also worked with Suzuki in World Superbikes from 1995 to 1997. Also present over both weekends will be legendary Suzuki technician Martyn Ogborne and former Grand Prix ace Paul Smart.
Suzuki GB’s aftersales co-ordinator, Tim Davies, said, “I think this is the most excited we’ve been for our Motorcycle Live feature build, and that’s saying something as we’ve managed to do some really cool projects in the past, from restoring a Kevin Schwantz RGV500 to building a brand new TL1000S from parts. But this bike – the G-54 – is a really rare and really special thing. It paved the way for Suzuki’s return to Grand Prix racing and spawned the bikes that took Barry Sheene to world championship glory and was raced by some incredible riders in its day. It is probably one of the most important bikes from our history, so to not only be able to restore it using our Vintage Parts Programme but do so with the likes of Martyn Ogborne and Nigel Everett is really special.”
The G-54 concept was born in May 1973, five years after Suzuki withdrew from Grand Prix racing following regulation changes by the F.I.M. But, after competing in the smaller 50cc, 125cc, and 250cc classes, Suzuki had decided to make a return, this time in the premier 500cc class.
The bike – where G denoted Grand Prix use only and 54, strangely, stood for 1974 – was designed and built under the stewardship of Makoto Hase and Makoto Suzuki, who had previously been tasked with converting the GT250, GT500, and GT750 machines into the TR250, TR500, and TR750 race bikes. The project pulled in staff that worked on the two and three cylinder 50cc machines, the twin and V4 125cc machines, plus the square-four 250cc machine.
Barry Sheene got his first taste of the machine in November 1973, but to help keep the weight down the G-54 employed an open cradle chassis with no lower chassis rails beneath the engine. However, despite finishing second in its first ever Grand Prix at Clermont-Ferrand in April with Sheene aboard, by June the chassis had been replaced with a conventional double cradle design. It was raced by Sheene, Paul Smart, and Jack Findlay that year.
The bike will be built and displayed on Suzuki’s stand throughout the show, located in Hall 2.
For more show and ticket information, click here. For information on Suzuki’s Vintage Parts Programme, click here.
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A brand-new, high-tech, high-energy live action stunt show will be debuting at Motorcycle Live 2018. Moto Cirque is the brainchild of pioneering show creators Arena Sports Live and will be the first spectacle of its kind to take place in the UK.
The intensely choreographed daily performances will include world-class street bike stunt riding, BMX, freestyle Motocross and moto trials in an intoxicating mix of lights, lasers and theatrical performances. The show will be set within an amphitheater-style layout of ramps, structures and platforms, and surrounded by 2,000 seats for Motorcycle Live visitors to get a birds-eye view of the stunning show.
Entry to the Moto Cirque arena is completely FREE, with performances taking place at 12.00 and 14.00 from Monday-Thursday, 12.00, 14.00 and 15.30 on Friday and at 11.30, 14.00 and 15.30 at the weekends.
“We like to push the limits on what’s possible with a live performance and Moto Cirque will be the first of its kind,” said Matt Bates, director of Arena Sports Live. “It’s an all-new show in a completely different layout that showcases everything possible on two wheels; but what makes this show stand out, is that it’s all performed in the dark. If you’re visiting Motorcycle Live, you can’t afford to miss it!”
Motorcycle Live 2018 takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 17-25 November. Advance tickets are on sale now priced at just £19.50 per adult, £12 for Seniors, £1 for 11-16 year olds* and FREE for children aged ten and under**. There is also a £25 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and an Oxford HD MAX disc lock worth £25.00.
To book, call 0844 581 2345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk
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The Manchester Bike Show is back for an 8th successful year on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th March 2019 - 18,000 sq m of motorcycle heaven all under one roof.
The Manchester Bike Show delivers an unrivalled opportunity for retailers, our retail village attracts huge numbers of visitors, with leathers, helmets, accessories, parts and services on offer. Make your business part of the 2019 Manchester Bike Show and reap the benefits of meeting over 17,500 potential new customers over the 2 day show.
Stand prices are very competitive, allowing the smallest of small businesses to join the largest of corporations under the same roof. It’s a formula that has proven highly successful, with visitors regularly praising the variety of stands as one of the reasons they love the show.
Whether you are a veteran of motorcycle shows or are looking to exhibit for the first time, our experienced and friendly team are here to help you every step of the way.
The Manchester Bike Show is back for an 8th successful year on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th March 2019 - 18,000 sq m of motorcycle heaven all under one roof.
The Manchester Bike Show delivers an unrivalled opportunity for retailers, our retail village attracts huge numbers of visitors, with leathers, helmets, accessories, parts and services on offer. Make your business part of the 2019 Manchester Bike Show and reap the benefits of meeting over 17,500 potential new customers over the 2 day show.
Stand prices are very competitive, allowing the smallest of small businesses to join the largest of corporations under the same roof. It’s a formula that has proven highly successful, with visitors regularly praising the variety of stands as one of the reasons they love the show.
Whether you are a veteran of motorcycle shows or are looking to exhibit for the first time, our experienced and friendly team are here to help you every step of the way.
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Motorcycle Live is arguably the best place away from the paddock to meet and greet some of the world’s top racers – and 2018 will be no different. The UK’s biggest bike show will open on Saturday 17 November with no fewer than FIVE 2018 world champions gracing the Black Horse Stage, in the Eurosport Entertainment Zone, paving the way for a star-studded week of rider appearances.
2018 World Superbike Champion Jonathan Rea, 2018 World Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden, 2018 World Sidecar Champions Tom and Ben Birchall and 2018 World Supersport 300 Champion – and the first female rider to win a motorcycle world championship – Ana Carrasco, will all appear on the Black Horse Stage with James Whitham at 12.30pm.
2018 British Superbike Champion Leon Haslam and legendary four-time World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty will also appear at the show on the opening day, taking part in Q&As on the Black Horse Stage and signing sessions on their respective sponsor stands. Fogarty and Rea will take part in a chat together with James Whitham at 14.00, comparing notes on the eight SBK titles they hold between them.
The rest of the week will continue in a similar vain, with popular riders, commentators and personalities, such as James Westmoreland, Danny Buchan, Keith Huewan, Steve Plater, Julian Ryder and John Reynolds, all taking part in the non-stop entertainment. Carl Fogarty will return to the show every day from Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 November.
Saturday 24 November will see Motorcycle Live join forces with the Bennetts British Superbike Championship to host the first ever official ‘BSB Day’. There will be special guest appearances from a whole host of Bennetts BSB stars, including 2018 champ Leon Haslam and fellow 2018 showdown contenders Bradley Ray, Peter Hickman and Glenn Irwin. James Whitham will host on-stage Q&As with the riders, getting all the lowdown from another thrilling season of edge-of-your-seat racing.
On Sunday 25 November, TT Day will bring the show to a close with a takeover on the Black Horse Stage featuring all the biggest names from the Isle of Man event, including John McGuinness, Conor Cummins, James Hillier and Ian Hutchinson. The riders will also appear on the Isle of Man TT stand for signing sessions and photo opportunities.
For the full list of rider appearances, visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk/feature/riders-and-celebrities/
Motorcycle Live 2018 takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 17-25 November. Advance tickets are on sale now priced at just £19.50 per adult, £12 for Seniors, £1 for 11-16 year olds* and FREE for children aged ten and under**. There is also a £25 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and an Oxford HD MAX disc lock worth £25.00.
To book, call 0844 581 2345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk
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The Classic Dirt Bike Show, sponsored by Hagon Shocks, will be back with a bang on February 16-17, 2019 with two iconic all-time off-road champs being confirmed as the guests of honour for next year’s crowd-pleaser.
Multiple world, indoor and British Trials champion Dougie Lampkin will be a star guest at the popular off-road show held at Telford International Centre. The off-road legend will be appearing on stage with supreme commentator Jack Burnicle, who will probe into the highs and lows of how Dougie got to the top.
On the motocross side, who is better than John Banks, the mighty BSA warrior, who won four British Championships and narrowly missed out on two World 500cc titles. Once again, Jack Burnicle will interview Banks on stage each day, with a first-hand account of his years in Europe, including how Bengt Aberg beat him to the 1969 crown, and of his experiences with the BSA competition shop until its closure in 1971.
This year the show will be celebrating the off-road machines of 50 years ago. The clock is being turned back to 1969 and show consultant Alan Wright is seeking bikes of that year – contact him with offers of 1969 machinery on 01789 751422. They do not need to be concours; just solid examples of that year’s offerings.
Dozens of clubs and private owners will be showing off their beautifully prepared off-road machines at the show, while hundreds of traders will be offering dirt biking kit - from new bikes, parts and accessories to riding gear and even project bikes if you’re up for a challenge! Plus, why not have a rumble in the autojumble, starting at 9am, and get your hands on an off-road bargain!
Lastly, join us on the Saturday evening where the two off-road legends will recount memories of their exploits to assembled guests during a three-course, sit-down meal for just £33. Exhibition manager Nick Mowbray says: “Guests will hear fascinating tales from legends in the off-road industry during the course of the meal. The Classic Dirt Bike Show dinner is an exceptional evening in the off-road scene not to be missed!”
www.classicbikeshows.com
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