Since its savage
fire on September 16th 2003, The National Motorcycle Museum has worked
to restore the museum to its former glory. In total around 500
motorcycles were either damaged severely or beyond repair. Around a
third of the collection, some 250 motorcycles were saved.
The total cost of
restoration and its exhibits is likely to exceed £20 million. The
complex re-opened again on 1st December 2004 with a larger gift shop,
conference facilities for over 5000 delegates and better access for the
disabled. The cost of rebuilding the complex also includes the
expensive and skilled work of restoring many of the damaged bikes.
There is also a sprinkler system in place.
The fire was started
by a discarded cigarette left near a pile of old air conditioning
filters at the side of the building. The fire spread very rapidly and
rescue attempts were hampered by a shortage of water at the site and
heavy traffic on the A45. Delegates at a business venue helped to
rescue many of the motorbikes. No one was injured in the fire.
More information and updates can be found at their
website:
Team Obsolete to run the Motorcycles of the UK's
National Motorcycle Museum: www.teamobsolete.com
N.B. Birmingham UK
Com have a collection of over 250 quality images taken only a few
months before the fire at the Motorcycle Museum. Many of the motorbikes
photographed were destroyed in the fire.
Who are those famous
motorcycle manufacturers of years gone by? It is said that there was
once a British motorcyle manufacturer for every letter of the alphabet.
Take a look at this website: www.ianchadwick.com/motorcycles/
The British Biker Co
operative ( BBC ) is a unique group of individuals dedicated to the
preservation of the British Motorcycle. Take a look at their website
at: www.britishbiker.net
British Only - Motorcycles and Parts Inc.
We have the world's
largest inventory of new old stock, reproduction and used parts and
specialise in Triumph, BSA and Norton motorcycles. www.britishonly.com
The London Motorcycle Museum have collected and
preserved and now display some of the finest examples of British
Motorcycles.
www.motorcyle-uk.com
More information on transport in general which
includes other transport related websites and museums can be found at
our
transport section
National Motorcycle Museum
