Year: 2017

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A Brief History of BSA

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Coming out this month is the fourth season of the hit BBC show Peaky Blinders. The show takes place in Birmingham, England after the First World War and follows a gang through all their debaucherous endeavors. One of which, featured in the first season, was the accidental stealing of arms from a BSA factory. Not many know of the military sector of the Birmingham Small Arms Company, but many do know the name through their history in manufacturing British Motorcycles.

Many of BSA’s factories were situated in Birmingham, also known as the workshop of the world. The company manufactured just about everything from military and sporting firearms, to bicycles, to cars, to tools, and of course to motorcycles. The first motorcycle officially manufactured by BSA was the 3 ½ H.P. Built in 1910, this bike was first displayed to the public at the 1910 Olympia Show in London, with the bike being made available for the 1911 season. Needless to say, this unique bike led to entire production being sold out.

As the brands motorcycle division grew, the company began to market their bikes as affordable and easily handled by beginners. Additionally, reliability, availability of spares, and dealer support were emphasized. A majority of BSA motorcycles were used for commuting; the models having a mixture of side valve and OHV engines. However, BSA made a push to have their motorcycles recognized in the racing realm as well. In 1954, in an attempt to improve U.S. sales, BSA entered a team of riders in the 200-mile Daytona beach race. In the end, they won 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th.

At its peak, BSA’s motorcycle division was the largest motorcycle producer in the world, owning smaller motorcycle companies such as Triumph, Ariel, and Sunbeam & New Hudson. Unfortunately, the company did not take seriously oncoming competition from the Japanese motorcycle companies. With Honda overtaking the company in 1959, BSA saw a dramatic decline in the 1950’s and 1960’s in sales. Inability to foresee Japanese competition and poor management led to the downfall of the company’s motorcycle division in the 1970’s. In 1972 there was a last-ditch effort to save the company by combining it with Norton-Villiers and Triumph, but that plan failed, with the last official BSA motorcycle being produced in 1973.

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Preparing Your Bike for Winter Storage

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As the days get shorter and the nights get longer; as the leaves turn to orange and you dust off your coats, it’s time to start thinking about preparing your bike for winter storage. Of course there may be a few more months of good riding left, but these days, the weather is unpredictable. It’s a tough call to make when to tuck her away, but when you’re ready, here is a checklist for prepping your bike for storage.

  • Wash your bike
  • Wash thoroughly, making sure to dry the bike very well after. Don’t forget to lube the chain and wax any chrome afterwards as well.
  • Remove and clean the spark plugs, change them out if necessary
  • Change the oil – This helps to ensure your bike is ride ready come spring.
  • Fill the gas tank – This helps prevent rust from forming inside the tank
  • Remove the battery and connect it to a charger – This maintains the battery life through long periods of inactivity
  • Make sure to store the battery in a clean and dry place away from any heat sources or chemicals
  • Cover the exhaust pipes – This prevents moisture from collecting inside, as well as keeping out any curious critters
  • Find a dry storage location and cover up the bike
And lastly,
Sigh with longing for the spring when you can ride again!

 

 

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10 Things to Keep In Mind While Planning Your Corporate Event

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Organizing a seminar, conference, brand promotion, or the launch of a product is not a cake walk. In such a situation, paying attention to the minute details is very important to make an impact on the customer or other corporate houses. This article aims to acquaint you with the know-how of planning a corporate event.

The devil resides in details they say, and it is this devil you need to cater to when planning a corporate event. Such an event, unlike an informal event, needs a lot of prior planning and proper execution to avoid losing out on customers. This means, one has to begin ahead of time and get everything in order before the D-day approaches. Well, that is a whole lot of work at hand for the one planning the event to make it a success.

The success of a seminar, conference, or even a customer appreciation day depends on the details. As a planner, the responsibility of making it a memorable event depends wholly on you and your proper execution. These are the following points you need to bear in mind.

1. DECIDE ON THE THEME

The most important point to be taken into consideration when planning an event is to decide on the theme. This just means that you need to first conceptualize your idea. You also need to bear in mind the targeted audience for the particular event. Based on these two main aspects, i.e., the audience and the theme, you need to plan and accordingly execute the corporate event.

2. CROSS-CHECK THE CALENDAR

To make an event successful, ensure you cross-check the calendar to rule out any clashes with other events. For a better turnout for your event, assure that your guests are not preoccupied with another event. Collaborate the event in such a way that it does not hamper your guests’ routine; rather make it convenient for them to remember your event. Take care that it does not clash with a holiday or festive celebration when the turnout for your event is sure to dwindle.

3. VIEW POSSIBLE LOCATIONS

After drawing a rough estimate of the number of people you expect at your event, venture out to hunt for the possible locations. Make it a point to discuss the cost pertaining to room rentals, the number of hours you can have access to it, and the added benefits of the place in question. Do make sure to visit a couple of places and talk to a handful of competitors to get the best deal for the event. Also, see to it that you book the caterers, bartenders, and security beforehand.

4. BOOK THE SPEAKERS

Book your key speakers, guests of honor, and other important people well in advance. Doing this will ensure that you are not let down at the eleventh hour, and your guests are not left hanging in thin air. Besides, those attending the event would benefit from knowing who would be addressing a particular subject, thereby, increasing the turnout if the speaker is well-known.

5. ADVERTISE

Once you have your location and guest list ready, make it a point to advertise your event. Send out the invitations, reach out to your guests and the media if need be, and book them in advance. Getting your audience interested in the event beforehand is of utmost importance to have a good turnout.

6. GET SPONSORS

Sponsors are an important part of any event―they not only fund the event, but are also crucial for the success of the event. Treat your sponsors like royalty, and at the same time, be sure of what you want from them and of what they can expect from the event.

7. DELEGATE RESPONSIBILITIES

It pays to know your resources well, and it will only help you delegate the responsibilities well in advance. Remember, it is always best to have designated people to do respective jobs rather than taking it all on your shoulders. Distribute the work evenly, and keep backups just in case there is a last-minute slag. Most importantly, collaborate the event with them at all times.

8. REGISTRATION

The only means to generate revenue for your event is to set up a registration fee. Ensure you have enough registration forms sent out along with the invitation cards. It will help collect data that’s necessary for marketing and promotional activities after the event. Make sure you have incentives ready for the early birds who register. You can set up a site for online registration to have an idea of the turnout. Giving discounts to those who have participated in earlier events is sure to attract and keep the customer satisfied. If possible, keep a counter at the entrance for last-minute registrations.

9. BADGES

A corporate event requires the attendees to sport badges. Hand out customized badges to everyone who is attending your event. Make sure to keep extra badges just in case you need them on the day of the event.

10. D-DAY MANAGEMENT

A day prior to the event, make sure you have everything in place. You could visit the venue a couple of hours prior to the event and check the sound and light system. Ensure that the arrangements are proper and everything is looked into. Handing out programmed brochures to the guests is sure to make the event seem more organized. Remember, the first impression is sure to leave a lasting impact on your guests. To do this, you would have to ensure that the entry management is efficient and well-organized.

Last but not the least, ensure there are no snags and delays in your event that will put off your guests. Also, remember to place your guests’ safety and satisfaction at the helm of all your efforts. By keeping all these things in mind, you are certain to leave your guests with a smile, which will translate your event into a huge success!

 

 

 

Thanks to Buzzle for “10 Things to Keep In Mind While Planning Your Corporate Event”

 

 

 

 

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Bringing Honda to Canada

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Many know Trev Deeley through his connection to Harley Davidson and the legacy he brought to the company by being the first distributor of the Milwaukee company in Canada, but not many know that he was also the first distributor of Honda motorcycles in the English-speaking world. In 1957, four years after being appointed general manager of Fred Deeley Motorcycles, Trev came upon an article about a U.S. soldier who had fought in Japan who brought back with him a 250 cc motorcycle made by the Honda Motor Company in Tokyo.

Intrigued, Trev sent a letter to the president of the Honda Motor Company indicating that British Columbia and Japan shared some similarities which could make for a profitable market for the company. This led to a correspondence with the company that resulted in Honda sending Trev a free 250 cc Honda Dream. Regardless of struggling to convince Fred Sr. and Jr., Trev was impressed with the craftsmanship and performance of the bike and became the first distributor of Hondas in the English-speaking world, primarily ordering 50 cc Honda Cubs.

With the Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition’s new exhibit “100 Years of Motorcycling”, we hoped to highlight motorcycles that have made some sort of mark over time, and both the 1960 Honda Dream and the 1963 Honda Super Cub are glowing examples, being the first two models of a Honda Motorcycle  tested and distributed by Trev Deeley to an English-speaking market.

Although the 1960 Honda Dream holds significance for being one of the first models of Honda motorcycles to come to the Western world, the Honda Super Cub, which Trev first began distributing, has made great strides, becoming the most produced motor vehicle in history with production passing 100 million units in 2017.

Come check out these incredible bikes and learn a deeper history at the Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition’s newly installed display, “100 Years of Motorcycling”!

 

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100 Years Later

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July 2 marks the 1950 grand opening of the East Broadway location of Fred Deeley Ltd. Previously located on West Broadway, Fred Deeley Limited actually got its start all the way back in 1914 with the opening of “Fred Deeley, The Cycle Man,” on 1075 Granville Street. Continuing the same business he had in England, Fred Deeley initially sold bicycles before starting the sale of motorcycles in 1916 with imported BSA’s. Before long, motorcycle business was booming and the sale of motorcycles and bicycles were separated, with a distinct motorcycle shop opening on West Broadway run by Fred Deeley Jr. It wasn’t long until a young Trev Deeley joined the team in 1935 as a mechanic, eventually becoming an integral member of the team. It was Trev’s decision to move the shop’s location in 1950 to its iconic spot at 606 East Broadway.

The Deeley family name has not only been influential in Canadian motorcycle history, but also holds great significance in the history of Vancouver. A racer, a collector, and a philanthropist, Trev Deeley’s distinguished personal collection of motorcycles can be appreciated at the Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition.

2017 marks 100 years since the Deeley family placed their faith in an almost unknown motorcycle company from Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Harley Davidson, thus becoming the first distributor of the brand in Canada. To celebrate such a milestone and the evolution of other motorcycle brands throughout the past 100 years, the Deeley Exhibition will be opening its new exhibit, “100 Years if Motorcycling,” on July 5 2017 and we cordially invite you to stop by. With all types of brands and models, there is something for everyone!

 

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Yes, Motorcycle Chariot Racing Is a Thing

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Mirrored after ancient Roman chariot races (the kind that tripped horses and sent men flying into the path of oncoming hooves as in Ben Hur), motorcycle chariot races followed the same principle, and the same level of danger and thrill. The sport of motorcycle chariot racing caught on during the 1920s and reached their peak in the 1930s. It’s not quite clear where the sport began: Australia, New Zealand, America, and parts of Europe all claim to have been founders, however an article from the United States in 1922 is the first real record about motorcycle chariot racing.

The first records of the sport indicate that only one motorcycle was being used, often carrying a chariot constructed from large wine barrels. However, the sport since grew in popularity and the amount of motorcycles pulling the chariot grew as well: four motorcycles appearing to be the pinnacle. Early versions of motorcycle chariot races included riders on the motorcycles themselves, simply pulling along the chariot which features a rider dressed in finery befitting the Roman Empire.

However, a majority of the sports’ brief history did not include a rider, with the charioteer driving the motorcycles themselves. This was done using a couple of methods: One method saw the charioteer using a leather chord as reigns which was attached to each individual motorcycles throttle, controlling both motorcycles simultaneously and at different speeds if need be. Other designs included rigid extensions that came off the handlebars, only allowing the rider to go forward in one gear, with the issue of braking unaddressed.

Although motorcycle chariot racing eventually died out in popularity, there are still some enthusiasts around trying to keep the sport alive, even using choppers as their steel horses.

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Featured Female Rider – Anke-Eve Goldmann

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A fashion icon, a racer, a journalist, and a writer, Anke-Eve Goldmann was a pioneer for female motorcyclists, both in Germany and in the United States. In most images, the over-6-foot, dark haired German beauty can be seen riding atop a BMW R69, at the time the fastest Bavarian flat-twin roadster, sporting a leather cat-suit. Although she was never officially sponsored by BMW she almost solely rode bikes produced by the company, displaying the flashy letters of BMW on her classic pudding basin helmet. Her riding gear was designed by herself, with the help of the German manufacturing company Harro, winning her the title of the first woman to wear a once-piece leather racing suit, and aiding female riding fashion in the process, as her designs were approved for public distribution.

 

Goldmann was often ridiculed and barred from racing due to her sex but that didn’t stop her from competing wherever she could. She participated in speed circuits and endurance races, with her modified for speed BMWs. Unfortunately, she was barred from competing at higher levels or in Grand Prix’s, possibly driving her to help found the Women’s International Motorcyclists Association in Europe in the late 1950’s.

Her passion for racing fueled her journalism career, with articles written for motorcycle magazines such as Cycle World, Moto Revue, and MotorRad. Most notably, Goldmann broke social taboos of the time by crossing into East Germany in 1962 while the Berlin wall was under construction, to document soviet women’s racing. Cold war tensions stopped articles written during this time from being published in European magazines, but they were accepted in American magazines, despite the growing tension of the Cold War Era. Rumor has it that due to her connections and mobility in East Germany, Anke-Eve was approached by the CIA to be a spy, but she refused and stopped traveling to the Soviet Union.

Goldmann’s fast paced and fashionable persona became the influence for André Pieyre de Mandiargues 1963 novel, The Motorcycle. The novel later was adapted into the 1968 cult classic The Girl on a Motorcycle.

Although Anke-Eve stopped riding following the death of a close friend from a riding accident and has stayed out of the public eye since, her legacy lives on through riding fashion, equality, and film.

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