New Additions in June: Pix from Beaulieu 2005 & Voyager to Vence

For photos from the latest gathering of UK FFers, go to 'Events and Meetings' in the Image Galleries section and click on Beaulieu 2005. On a blisteringly hot weekend in June, this entertaining annual event at the historic village of Beaulieu in the New Forest saw most of 'The Usual Suspects' turn up, along with some welcome newcomers. Most notably, Beaulieu 2005 was the first public appearance of Andrew Gibbens' ComforTmax and its superb level of finish was much admired. Originally transformed to FF mode by Royce Creasey way back in 2002, Andrew has spent much of his spare time over the last three years making top-quality bodywork and seating to make a 'proper job' that almost looks as if it could be an official Yamaha option. (For pix of how it looked back in 2002, go to 'Royce Creasey's creations'.)

Beaulieu 2005 was also the first appearance outside the Isle of Man in 20 years for Mo Simpson's Quasar, recently acquired by Paul Blezard and ridden to and from the event in company with Julian Bond's subtly modified Burgman 400K3. John Bruce's Coda 400 came out of mothballs for the first time in years and Bob Wreford rode his extraordinary Bananaskin to the event - a humble Honda 500 V-twin disguised withthe original Flying Banana bodywork and a host of accessories of his own making. As usual, Arthur Middleton came all the way from Ireland on his GPZ500FF and Harry Kroonen brought the amazing Carver Tilting Three Wheeler over from Holland, and was joined on Saturday by the only British-registered one in existence. Graham Robb's recently repaired blue Voyager joined Ian Kew's ex-Duckworth white one for Sunday's parade and you can read about Graham's recent adventures in Europe with his machine elsewhere on the site in 'Voyager to Vence'.
PNB