NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM “HAS RISEN FROM THE ASHES”
07 December 2004 - The National Motorcycle Museum

Just 15 months after a devastating fire which threatened its future the National Motorcycle Museum opened again for business on December 1.

The museum, near Birmingham, has long been recognised as the largest and finest motorcycle museum in the world.

When the fire tore through the complex on September 16 2003, many feared it would spell the end.

But within hours the owner Roy Richards declared the museum would “rise from the ashes”.

December 1 marked the end of 15 gruelling months for staff and contractors and a £20m-plus restoration.

The fire was started by a carelessly discarded cigarette end which ignited a pile of air conditioning filters and cardboard boxes. The blaze then took hold and spread rapidly. But the 120 firefighters who attended could only put up firebreaks to limit the damage. Fortunately no one was injured, but the damage was widespread.

Even at this early stage people rallied round with business delegates helping staff wheel any bikes they could to safety.

Three display halls were completely burned out, and many of the conference halls were hit. In all around 380 of the bikes were badly damaged.

When the museum re-opened on December 1, there were around 650 machines, and restoration is currently progressing at the rate of about one machine per month. The aim is to increase the number of bikes to around 800 by 2007. When the museum opens, all the bikes will be displayed in their customary pristine condition in the five huge exhibition halls.

The museum is located at the heart of the country next to the NEC, Birmingham Airport, the International Railway Station and major motorways.

Visitors will notice other distinct changes, including an extended reception area refurbished to the highest state-of-the art standard, new displays, and a £1.2m sprinkler system.

Before the fire the museum attracted around 250,000 visitors per year, and the museum bosses believe the new offering will be even more attractive to enthusiasts.

The comprehensive cross section of machines has always been the museum’s biggest attraction. One of the most famous exhibits, the five times TT winning works Triumph – nicknamed Slippery Sam – is back after a total rebuild by the factory race shop mechanics who built it originally. Also present will be all the race dominating works Nortons of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The museum’s development manager Nick Hartland said: “The British Bulldog spirit has run through all we have tried to achieve. The owner, Roy Richards, was determined we would not buckle in the face of adversity, and whilst all the staff have kept their jobs, they have also shown a degree of support and dedication above and beyond the call of duty.

“It is fitting, therefore, that with this spirit we have demonstrated here, that the museum should be testament to the golden age of British motorcycling.”

www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk

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