Manky Monkey Motors

Organised by "Classic Shows" in conjunction with AMD who organise the Sturgis event in the States, together with "media partners" Back Street Heroes magazine. The L.I.C.S is in it's 2nd year & is already one of the country's biggest custom bike shows & one of the few indoor ones -which makes it a lot more attractive & a great way of re-charging your building mojo ready for the Spring.
Loony & I were at last year's & will be there again in February. Maybe see you there.

Alexandra Palace, North London.

http://www.classicshows.org/lics2011/

You have no clue how much I hate the term 'media partner'! But yep, its looking to be good...

Precisely why I quoted it Wizzy.   :D

You're not too old for a spank, young Manky.

Spanky Manky!!


Wandering off, chortling at my own wit!!

Spanking your monkey................................hmmmmmmm! :D

Welcome back Wizz -I missed the sparkling conversation.  ;)

That is a lie, but thank you for saying it anyway! ;)

Booked my tickets last week!! ;D

Look forward to seeing you there, Rob. :)

Yes, it has been far too long since we last bumped into each other, mainly cos your such a busy person these days, having to go over to the states all the time and stuff, must be so hard!!! :D :D

It has been a long time. But yeah, I am away a lot.  ;D

Hopefully going to this too!!!  ;D

Are you there as a trader, Clive? I look forward to see your word 'in the flesh'. :)

Hadn't actually thought about doing that!! Might look into it!! ???

I've always wanted to go to that show but don't fancy driving into London and the train costs a fortune - not even a small one!

Bobbi, I'll be going to this show, if you want a lift into London and back you just have to get to my place (not far from Hampton Court) ;)

Simon, it's lovely of you to offer, but I have to say that as far as I'm concerned, Hampton Court IS London!  - I'm truly one of the hicks from the sticks!

I always drive to Richmond, and then train it from there!!!

Bobbi, I'm about 5 mins from jct1 M3 or 10 mins from Jct11 M25, really easy. ;D

That does make it sound more possible (what a wimp I am!) - I'll have a think and see if I can get a day off, etc.  Thanks.

We're just going to hop on the train, can't stand driving in London!!

Had a great weekend up there. just gota sort some pics out.  Loved the triumph trike but haint won the lottery yet.
Liked it being laid back atmosphere, great paintwork,  a few trolley dollys on the Roland Shaw stand.
Even the locals were there from Krazy Horse!  quite a few HD's there.  but as you know prefer other machines :-)

Glad the forum back and running, many thanks to all involved.

Steve
Bury St. Edmunds

Hi Steve.  ;)
Loony & I spent the afternoon there today.
Definitely not as big as last year -one & a half halls, instead of last year's three, but the quality was as high as ever. The traditional 50s/60s bobber style seems still to be in fashion, rather than the swoopy, super smooth show bikes of the last few years, with attention to detail & careful choice of materials, colours etc taking precendence over big wads of cash & a parts catalogue. If the recession has an up side, maybe it's that people are realising they don't have to take out a mortgage for a cool bike & that imagination & time spent hand crafting a personalised machine are worth far more.
The number of stall holders & exhibits may have been down on last year's show, with several bikes from 2010 there again this year, but Loony & I were happy to take our time, checking out the workmanship. Some stunning engineering on show with superb detailing.
Nice to see familiar faces as always. Hi to Simple Simon, Jacko & the gang & Muffin & Michelle. Missy Blue off of Back Street Heroes, (Wizzkit here on the forum), was also there on duty, sporting a new shocking pink hairdo since we last met.   
The line between cars & bikes seems to be blurring more these days -traditional hotrod influences in the bikes & almost as many "hotroddy" show goers as hardcore biker ones. No bad thing in my book.
Not a bad show at all & worth the 15 quid entry fee I think. As Loony observed as we trudged back down the hill to the carpark, it's more an exhibition than a show. Some of the machinery on display was certainly worthy of being tagged art, rather than mere transport. Creativity & imagination are definitely still alive & well in the custom world.

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This little black 45 trike was gorgeous. One of my favourites of the show. So simple, yet so stylish.

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Art?
Useable transport?
You decide.

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Beautiful.
Beautiful -no, not Loony, (in the chequered shirt & cap).

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The "Milkcow" magazine rockabilly stage.
Stoopid name for a trad lifestyle mag, but the 3 piece band on stage when we passed by sounded pretty good.
The pipe organ belongs to the show hall, not the band, by the way.

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Very funky XS650 Yam.

Lovely little Triumph Thunderbird bobber was there last year I believe.

Gorgeous colours -& not a traditional skull or flame in sight.

My personal favourite of the day. A Zero Cycles style bobber. Stunning craftmaship. This was one of quite a few there for the second year in a row, but still looking amazing.

Loony's favourite.
"Son of a Gun", a BSA engined ...bobber? Chop? Cafe racer? Not really sure. Again, the detailing was superb. If this didn't win Best in Show I'd be very disappointed.
Reminds me of an old FS1E Yam moped. Maybe it's the shape of the tank, or the colour.
Chain operated rear suspension, tiny pulleys on the bars turned by the twistgrip to operate the throttle etc, etc. Truly a work of art.

We'll post a full gallery once the main website's back online, but a rainy Sunday afternoon well spent in our opinion.

I agree with you on that one manky monkey, The picture of the son of a gun does look like a yamaha FS1E, They used to be quite nippy as well for a moped. My friend bought  the one that came with the racing fairing on it,  At the time when he let me have a go on it i could'nt believe how fast it was for a little 50cc ??? ::)

Nice piccies Andy...........

Impressed by the concept/workmanship of the 'snake trike' - the term 'original' actually seems to fit.

Spiffing Terry Thomas tee shirt!!  ;D

A couple more then.

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That Beeza one more time.

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Son of a gun - clever!   Quite apart from totally wonderful!

Love the workmanship and finish but i think the bike looks hideous

As Manky was saying, as a bike, yes it does.  As a work of art it's something else!

So, Manky, why were you ignoring me?  :(

Probably cos he wasn't looking for someone with pink hair?   Last time I saw you I think it was black amd I was looking for Blue.............

You were surrounded by your evil henchmen, fine young chaps, as always -& I was trailing after Mr Lunatic, who was on a mission to photograph more marvelous mechanically motivated ...stuff.
Nice to see you though hon, if only from a safe distance.  ;)

Evil henchmen? Not Dick & Del, surely? Spent much of weekend hanging out with them in the hope I'd look a bit cool. You shoulda said hello. I feel bad now.

Ha! Feel bad, pinky blue!
Henceforth you shall be known as Mauve.
Or Mauvis maybe.  :P

I'll be waiting for you to trying that one out in public, hon! ;) x

I shall whisper it, very quietly.
From the other side of the hall.
Or possibly from a different room altogether.

Or maybe a different show.

YouTube video of the show here:

Ally Pally show (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjsTGafUeVU)