'Iconic' motorbike returns home after 100 years

A 103-year-old handmade motorcycle has returned home to the village where it was made.

The Grindley Sporting bike was built by Billy Grindley at his garage in Prees, Shropshire, in 1923 and since then has changed owners several times, eventually being bought by the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull.

It has now been allowed out on loan and will be exhibited in the Grocott Heritage Centre in Station Road during October.

Local motorcycle enthusiast Harry Copnall helped bring the bike to the village and said: "It's a wonderful opportunity for the people of Prees to have a look what was produced or manufactured in Prees in those days."

Grindley made a name for himself by building between 25 and 30 sports motorcycles at his garage in Shrewsbury Street.

In 1922, he rode the original 250cc Grindley Sports Model in a six-day long-distance trial to prove its ruggedness and reliability and continued building the bikes until the outbreak of World War Two.

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."

Copnall worked as an engineer at Grocontinental in nearby Whitchurch and said in the 1950s, from the age of 10, he spent most of his 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."

He said he learned a lot from Grindley and that he had been like a "second father".

The Grindley family competed in scrambling and grasstrack competitions and Copnall said they would often take him to Oulton Park to watch the bikes being raced.

When Copnall retired from Grocontinental, the owner of the company Ray Grocott attempted to buy it for him as a retirement gift, knowing about his passion for Grindley Sporting.

But the company said the motorcycle's popularity meant that it had changed hands quickly and was not available to buy at that time.

Eventually it did return to Prees though and it was Copnall and his friend Gerald Dakin who were involved.

They both grew up in the village and said they had visited the bike at the museum a number of times.

The pair ended up talking to museum staff on one visit, after it had been moved to a new location, and through a "series of coincidences" it was agreed to loan the bike back to Prees.

Copnall said: "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."

The bike will be on display in the Grocott Heritage Centre, alongside a display of photographs relating to the Grindley family and their work, and racing success.

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