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The Birmingham Tester's Run

 

THE END!

 

This years run (2011) was the 13th and last and final Birmingham Testers Run and was started from the site of Alex's Former Pie Stand, opposite the Holiday Inn (off Smalbrook Ringway) to Aberfan and Big Pit Mining Museum, South Wales - September 18th 2011

 

The original aims of the Birmingham Tester's Run

The original aim of the Birmingham Testers Run was to promote an interest in the former Birmingham motorcycle industry which has now sadly completely disappeared.

In 1998 the organiser (JP) was involved in helping with the getting together of former Norton employees for the Norton 100 years celebration. In conversation with John Hudson, the then president of the Norton Owners Club and a former Norton tester, it was decided that it would be a fitting 100 year tribute to build a Norton motorcycle in the Bracebridge Street factory. Very kindly the then owners of the factory, T.A. Savery, allowed, John Hudson and fellow former Norton worker, Graham Saunders, to build a Norton special, which was called the Centenary Special, virtually alongside where it would have been originally constructed.

One of the earliest bolt on rear end Featherbed frames (1954) was married to one of the last 650SS engines to be built before the factory ceased production at the end of 1962. Ken Sprayson did all the welding and repair work on the frame. A E Hariss Ltd laser cut some engine mounts and many other suppliers gave us discounts. There were many teething troubles and what seemed like an easy job took much longer that usual.

Following on from this it was decided that it would be a good idea to celebrate the Birmingham motorcycle industry every year by way of a Testers Run. The first run was held in 1999 with John Hudson in attendance, chauffeured by JP's wife in their car! The destination was the Motor Museum at Bridgnorth and the route taken was more or less exactly the same as used by John Hudson when he tested the Norton Jubilee in 1957. Some riders, lead by Jim Reynolds, even went over the railway crossing which they used to jump at Tenbury but of course the railway is sadly no longer there. After the event John Hudson returned to Birmingham as a pillion passenger on JP's bike!

In 2000 the run went to Baskerville Hall, near Hay on Wye, from Norton, BSA, Ariel and Velocette.

In 2001 The Cambrian Transport Festival at Welshpool via The Long Mynd from Norton, BSA, Triumph and Velocette

In 2002 The Forest of Dean railway via Malvern

In 2003 The Elan Valley via Knighton (Norton Jubilee test route)

In 2004 The Big Pit coal mine museum from Villiers, Wolverhampton

In 2005 The National Cycle Museum at Llandrindod Wells from New Imperial

In 2006 Cyfartha Castle from James

In 2007 The Elan Valley Visitor Centre from Velocette.

In 2008 from Copes former motorcycle shop, Bearwood to Welshpool Transport Festival

In 2009 rain stopped play but a good day out was had at Sarehole Mill.

In 2010 from Hercules Cycle factory in Aston to went to the Trimpley Transport Festival near Kidderminster

In 2011 the final run started from Alex's Pie stand.

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