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We are a couple of old fat blokes who like riding old motorcycles. We'll try and keep the site updated with useful info, such as upcoming events, how to look after your old dunga and hopefully some photos/articles of what we've been getting up to on old bikes. Enjoy.

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A BSA called Arthur – 1929 S29-19 2 Port Light

By Knobby, on July 16th, 2012 1,003 views

Following on from the article about Arthur Elmer, Les, his son, shared with the Barnstormers Boys a little history of himself and his 1929 S29-19 2 Port Light BSA.

 

1929 – 1972 A BSA called Arthur

My Dad, Arthur, had a good mate, also called Arthur, who I guess to avoid mistakes, was always referred to as Artie. As my middle name is Arthur, and in memory of both of them, my BSA is also now known as ‘Arthur’. In 1931 Artie’s older brother, Reg, bought the BSA second-hand from Bennett & Wood (BSA agents in Sydney), and rode it North 600 miles (960km) to Brisbane.

In April 1932 this picture was taken(below) with Reg in the saddle and Artie on pillion, about to leave Brisbane to ride down to Sydney and return, to be among the first to motor across the newly opened Sydney Harbour Bridge. This was a 1200 mile (2000km) round trip on gravel roads, following which the bike was in daily use in and around Brisbane.

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Arthur Elmer 1918-1983

By Knobby, on July 16th, 2012 528 views

We here at Barnstormers love hearing from, and about those who rode before us. Here’s an article written by Les Elmer about his Dad, Arthur, and a couple of his exploits as a pioneer motorcyclist. Les also kindly provided us with an article on the history of his S29-19 BSA here. Thanks Les

My Dad, Arthur, was born in September 1918. During the 1930′s, like many young men of his era, Dad rode a motorbike. Bikes were then cheaper to buy and run than the relatively more expensive motorcar.

Arthur Elmer (20yrs Old) with Levis in 1938

In 1938 prior to WWII, Dad rode a Levis 350 cc of which he was inordinately proud, as can plainly be seen from the snappy suit and his stance in this photo. Prior to this Dad owned an Indian Scout. Of course motorcycles were, and still today considered by many, inherently dangerous, although probably more so for the bike rather than the rider in the 1930′s, when speeds were slower and the mostly gravel roads less forgiving.

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