Classic bike fans - Read and weep. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

jwoody · 09-18-2003, 07:01 AM

Link to BBC story

£14 million bill for motorcycle museum blaze

The National Motorcycle Museum faced its worst disaster yet when, on 16 September, a fire destroyed almost half its rare collection.
Although more than 400 of the 800 exhibits at the attraction were saved in the blaze, those lost are estimated to be worth up to £9 million.
We went to the museum and were saddened by the scenes of destruction.
Spokesman Ken Wilson said insurers had yet to put a figure on the damage, but it was likely that replacing the gutted building would cost another £5 million.
West Midlands Fire Service said that a cigarette butt was responsible for igniting a small pile of cardboard boxes, leading to the massive blaze.
It is possible a member of staff may have thrown the cigarette in the designated smoking area outside the building.
Hundreds of vintage motorbikes, many of them irreplaceable and having been used in world record feats and other events such as the Manx TT, were wiped out.
The machines were part of a collection charting the history of the British motorcycle industry.
Exhibits from the five display halls included BSA Gold Stars, Sunbeam Twins, DMW Hornets and Triumph racers.
Mr Richards, who started his collection in the 1970s and opened the museum in 1984, has pledged to reopen the attraction as soon as possible.

link to images on BBC website.

rockogre · 09-18-2003, 07:10 AM

NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Peryn · 09-18-2003, 08:44 AM

that is a sin against humanity

JStrider · 09-18-2003, 12:31 PM

man... thats too bad...

MoNoXiDe_XXX · 09-18-2003, 07:41 PM

Some really great machines i'll never get to see....

i8one2 · 09-18-2003, 08:44 PM

When I saw that Vincent, I go chills.

merkerguitars · 09-18-2003, 09:38 PM

Holy shit....that is just terrible...norton..triumphs..bsa....shit......

Damn..the first pic is a triumph tr6c....at least that is fixable...
3rd is a bsa rocket three...goddamn....

Moonduck · 09-25-2003, 10:05 PM

I read about this on one of the bike boards I frequent. Some of the bigtime Brit-bike fans I know were in tears. Hurts to see that much sweet steel get slaughtered like that.

09-18-2003, 07:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
jwoody Shackle Me Not Location: Newcastle - England.	Classic bike fans - Read and weep. Link to BBC story £14 million bill for motorcycle museum blaze The National Motorcycle Museum faced its worst disaster yet when, on 16 September, a fire destroyed almost half its rare collection. Although more than 400 of the 800 exhibits at the attraction were saved in the blaze, those lost are estimated to be worth up to £9 million. We went to the museum and were saddened by the scenes of destruction. Spokesman Ken Wilson said insurers had yet to put a figure on the damage, but it was likely that replacing the gutted building would cost another £5 million. West Midlands Fire Service said that a cigarette butt was responsible for igniting a small pile of cardboard boxes, leading to the massive blaze. It is possible a member of staff may have thrown the cigarette in the designated smoking area outside the building. Hundreds of vintage motorbikes, many of them irreplaceable and having been used in world record feats and other events such as the Manx TT, were wiped out. The machines were part of a collection charting the history of the British motorcycle industry. Exhibits from the five display halls included BSA Gold Stars, Sunbeam Twins, DMW Hornets and Triumph racers. Mr Richards, who started his collection in the 1970s and opened the museum in 1984, has pledged to reopen the attraction as soon as possible. link to images on BBC website. __________________ . Last edited by jwoody; 09-18-2003 at 07:04 AM..

09-18-2003, 07:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
rockogre I aim to misbehave! Location: SW Oklahoma	NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! __________________ Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American G. I. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom

09-18-2003, 08:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
Peryn Junkie Location: San Diego, CA.	that is a sin against humanity __________________ Dont cry kid, It's not your fault you suck.

09-18-2003, 12:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
JStrider Poo-tee-weet? Location: The Woodlands, TX	man... thats too bad... __________________ -=JStrider=- ~Clatto Verata Nicto

09-18-2003, 07:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
MoNoXiDe_XXX Psycho Location: Thunder Bay	Some really great machines i'll never get to see.... __________________ ------------------------ I may be ugly, But at least I aint got no money!

09-18-2003, 08:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
i8one2 COMPLETED and A TRAINER Location: BEAN_TOWN	When I saw that Vincent, I go chills. __________________ LEATHER, LATEX and LACE "SSC" "Nothing That Gives Pleasure is Bad" Quality is for those who know what they want and are at peace with what they have. "S/M is about emotion; the erotic tension between my impulse toward something and my resistance against it."-- Virginia Barker

09-18-2003, 09:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	Holy shit....that is just terrible...norton..triumphs..bsa....shit...... Damn..the first pic is a triumph tr6c....at least that is fixable... 3rd is a bsa rocket three...goddamn.... __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985 Last edited by merkerguitars; 09-18-2003 at 09:40 PM..

09-25-2003, 10:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
Moonduck Junkie Location: SE USA	I read about this on one of the bike boards I frequent. Some of the bigtime Brit-bike fans I know were in tears. Hurts to see that much sweet steel get slaughtered like that.