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 Manx Grand Prix in September, 2005.
He had competed in the event seven times but lost control of his 400cc Honda on a bend.
After his death his collection of bikes, 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 life-long interest in motorbikes and old cars.
One he bought is a 250cc Suzuki on which Don Leeson raced and which still has his name on the fairing.
“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 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.
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.
