Stafford bike show

[ogri211]

Me and one of my friends are thinking of driving down on Sunday 22nd for the Stafford bike show, I read somewhere that this show is mostly for old British stuff and the more Japanese one is in Sep, is this so or is it still worth a 520 mile round trip.

[Arch stanton]

That is impossible to answer.
You'll have to go. Then decide for yourself.
Sean.

[royhall]

It used to be that way but these days both shows are exactly the same, even the stalls are the same. The prices are unbelievable, usually for old tat that they can't sell anywhere else. Were not bothering with Stafford anymore, although if your prepared to fight through huge crowds that elusive part can sometimes be found. It's also now part car boot sale with mops and buckets etc, but Silvers sometimes have some nice bits for sale if your there early on a Saturday and go straight to the Silvers stand.

[Rozabikes Tim]

It used to be that way but these days both shows are exactly the same. The prices are unbelievable, usually for old tat that they can't sell anywhere else. Were not bothering with Stafford anymore, although if your prepared to fight through huge crowds that elusive part can sometimes be found.

Well put. I woukd say worth the experience if you did not have such a long drive.

[taysidedragon]

I'll be there with my mate, peteberr. It's well worth a visit if you've not been before. I got some bargains last time and some ideas for my build.

[Tomb]

I used to show a bike on a national club stand, the best bargains are to be had on Friday night when setting up.

[ogri211]

Thanks for the info I will see if my pal is up for it it will make for a good day out as most people worked out my question was was it worthwhile and not all full of British bikes although I don't mind looking at them but would not be worth the drive if there were very little jap stuff but I so have an H1 and a Gt 750 so will be worth a go.

[taysidedragon]

The list of private and club bikes on display is in this month's free Motorcycle Monthly.  That'll give you some idea of what's on show. No trader list unfortunately.

[hondarc166]

the vjmc stand are there not as big as September show +1 on d silvers out side there is on all fours but the chap who runs it is a bit grumpy

[Laverda Dave]

I agree with Roy, go straight to the DS stand first because it gets packed within a couple of hours. Do the main hall first whilst it's reasonably empty. The all fours guy is more expensive than DS (I bought a 400 loom from him only to find DS was £25 cheaper!)
Personally I no longer bother with this or the October show because it is just too busy. OK if you are on a bike but then you can't buy anything big or heavy, driving a car is a nightmare, it took me nearly 2 hours to drive the final 3 miles and park a couple of years ago and that was at 9am.
As most people have already said, there are not many bargains and a lot of tat, good for cheap tools though.
If you have never been it's worth going, the club stands have some great bikes on show, the Laverda stand had the V6 on display and started it up in the paddock area, that personally made my day (apologies for the Italian reference everyone 

[ogri211]

Just one thing I don't really need that much for any of my bikes nor does my friend we were just going for a look around so would it be safe to say that it would be quieter on the Sunday morning, I know the days of finding the elusive bargain are long gone thanks to eBay and yes if your wanting cheap market tools or cheap foreign market jackets etc that seems to be the majority of what is for sale at these events, I would like to meet up with some of the Kawasaki triple boys and the Gt as well as I have been involved with them over the years, is it worth bringing any spares to sell as I have a massive amount of Suzuki GT parts do any of the people at stalls buy?

[Laverda Dave]

Don't get there too late on Sunday as it is a very big show and a lot of the club stands start packing up about 4pm.
Not sure about taking and selling your own spares, you'll have to carry them around with you as you'll be parked a long walk away.
Enjoy it though, take your own flask of tea to avoid the long wait for a £1.50 tea bag thrown into a plastic cup with hot water!

[ogri211]

Thanks if I was going we would be there early on the Sunday as we would need to drive back to Glasgow, I wont take any spares its not worth it if the car park is far away.

[royhall]

Avoid the Columbia coffee stall, it's nats p**s. And as for the burgers near the entrance to the main building "dysentery in a bun". And believe me I'm not picky about food and drink.   Ice creams at the van behind the Columbia are tops though.

[ogri211]

I like a cone or as we call it in Glasgow a pokey hat but if I'm not on driving duties on the way home I may just take a supply of beer with me.