A motorbike which is believed to be the only one of its kind in the world will be among the star exhibits at a North Wales show next month.
The machine, a 500cc Corah built in 1910, will be shown in tribute to its previous owner at the Motorbike Show at Llangollen's Royal International Pavilion on August 2-3
It was one of a large collection owned by biking enthusiast Don Leeson from Bryneglwys, near Corwen, who was killed while racing on the Isle of Man three years ago.
He was 57 when he died during the Isle of Man Grand Prix in September, 2005. He had competed in the event seven times previously but lost control of his 400cc Honda on a bend.
Mr Leeson's interest in machines did not develop until relatively late in life but he soon became an accomplished rider, and also wrote authoritatively about the history of the sport and machines.
After his death his collection of bikes of 40-50 machines was sold at auction at Kempton Park racecourse last year.
Two of them were bought by his friend Gareth Williams, from Garth, near Froncysyllte, who has had a lifelong interest in motorbikes and old cars.
One of the bikes he bought is a 250cc Suzuki on which Don Leeson raced and which still has his name on the fairing. He was a founder member of the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club and an avid collector of Suzukis.
"I intend to take it to track days at Oulton Park and Ty Croes, Anglesey," said Gareth.
But it is the other bike, the Corah, of which he is most proud. "I always told Don that I fancied having it and I was determined to get it in the auction," said Gareth, 65, a retired electrician.
Built in Birmingham, the machine is still in superb condition despite never having been restored.
"Don said it was the only one in the world, but I know that's tempting fate," he said. It still has its original pedal-bike-style brake system and acetylene headlamp."There's no clutch and you have to pedal like hell to get it going," said Gareth, who plans to ride it next March in the annual Pioneer Run for pre-1915 models from London to Brighton.
Gareth is pleased that he will be able to display both bikes at the Motorbike Show, especially as the venue is so close to his own home and to his late friend's home.
"It's great that there's a show being held in this area. I don't know if it's true, but I've heard that there are more old British bikes in the Dee Valley than anywhere else, most of them kept hidden well away, so there'll probably be a lot of people going there," he said.
The Motorbike Show is being organised by David Green whose Xuberance event management company already runs the hugely successful Balloon Show, Gardening Show and Llangollen Food Festival.
David said: We are absolutely delighted that we are able to provide a platform to display such a rare bike as a tribute to Don Leeson, who was something of a legend in motorcycling circles.
It is a terrible shame that he died so tragically on the Isle of Man but we are pleased that we can help his memory live on.
Not only is Llangollen close to where he lived but it is also a mecca for bikers with thousands and thousands of them coming to Llangollen and the nearby Horseshoe Pass.
One thing that still amazes me is that we have so many leading motorbike figures who live in the Dee Valley.
The reaction since we unveiled our plans for the Motorbike Show has been beyond our wildest expectations both from riders and exhibitors alike.
original article
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