Historic 1923 motorcycle returning to Shropshire village more than 100 years later

A hand-built motorcycle produced at a North Shropshire garage in 1923 will be returning to the village more than 100 years after it first hit the road.

The bike was originally made in Prees by Billy Grindley at his garage, the Grindley Motor Company.

Now the 1923 Grindley Sporting will be exhibited in the Grocott Heritage Centre on Station Road during October.

The motorcycle has been loaned by kind permission of the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull, its usual home, and will be transported under special conditions.

Billy Grindley built a number of special sports motorcycles over a long period of time at his garage in Shrewsbury Street, all constructed to his own exacting specifications.

In 1922, Billy rode the original 250cc Grindley Sports Model in a six-day long distance trial to prove its ruggedness and reliability.

It was fitted with a 249cc sv JAP engine, using a two-speed Burman gearbox and all-chain drive.

After this Billy produced machines for the public on a small scale and priced at £75 until the outbreak of war in 1939.

From then on, and throughout the Second World War, Billy and his machines were famous amongst serious enthusiasts.

A plan to return the Grindley Sporting to Prees was hatched in November last year when Harry Copnall and Gerald Dakin, who both grew up in the village, and Gerald’s son, Jon, visited the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull to view the 1923 bike housed in the museum.

Harry, a lifelong motorbike enthusiast, was on a mission to locate the Grindley and a conversation with the head restorer at the museum during their visit began the Grindley Sporting’s journey back to Prees.

Following a subsequent discussion with the Grocott family, it was decided to exhibit the motorcycle in the Grocott Heritage Centre so that local people could have the opportunity to see the spectacular Grindley Sporting back in the village it was built.

Harry Copnall worked as fleet engineer at Grocontinental in Whitchurch for many years and when he retired, the company’s owner Ray Grocott was aware of Harry’s passion for the Grindley Sporting and he tried to buy it as a retirement gift for him.

However, the motorcycle’s popularity meant that it had changed hands quickly and wasn’t available.

It was later sold to the National Motorcycle Museum at a price believed to be £12,000.

Speaking about succeeding in getting the Grindley Sporting back to Prees, Harry Copnall said, “It’s extraordinary that one man’s expertise and passion for motorcycles, speed and racing produced such iconic machines – all in a small village in Shropshire over 100 years ago.

“From his garage in Prees, Billy Grindley built around 25 to 30 Grindley motorbikes. As well as selling petrol, building motorbikes and fixing cars, Billy was a wizard with fixing radios. He had about 20 to 30 motorcyclists meeting at the garage at weekends.

“In the 1950s, from the age of 10, I spent most of my time at the Grindley garage. It was down to the time I spent at the Grindleys that nurtured my love of motorcycles and the sport. I learnt an awful lot from Billy Grindley and he was like a second father to me. They would often take me to Oulton Park to watch the bikes being raced.

“I feel immensely proud that we’ve been able to bring the Grindley Sporting back home. I’m sure that many local people will enjoy having the chance to see it.”

Billy Grindley’s sons, Alan and Jack, achieved great success competing in local scrambling and grasstrack competitions.

Jack became a world-class grasstrack and road racer, competing at the famous TT Races in the Isle of Man during the 1950s and 1960s.

As well as the Grindley Sporting being on display in the Grocott Heritage Centre, there will a display of photographs relating to the Grindley family and their work, and racing success.

There will be a special launch event from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday, October 3, at the Grocott Heritage Centre for people to view the Grindley Sporting, with no booking necessary.

The exhibition can be viewed Tuesday to Saturday between 10am and 3pm from Tueaday, October 6, to Friday, October 30.

Access is via The Old Piggery Café.

The team at the Heritage Centre would also be interested to hear from local people with connections to the Grindley family or memories of the Grindley Sporting.

For any enquiries about the exhibition, call 01948 840700 or email [email protected].