Chimay - classic bike racing - pics

[The Other PaulG]

Just returned from an absolutely fabulous few days at Chimay, in Belgium, watching the classic bike racing.

It’s a closed road circuit of about 4km and its beauty is the ease of accessing the trackside, and the freedom to wander around the paddock. My biggest surprise was the number of entrants, loads of different classes, loads of bikes.

 

[The Other PaulG]

Firstly, the accommodation. One of our group found this beautiful property. It’s a converted monastery, close to the circuit. What a win.

 

[The Other PaulG]

In the shadow of the imposing chateau, and 400m from the town square.

 

[The Other PaulG]

The racing was tremendous. Really well run, with very short gaps between races, and these valuable old bikes being given an absolute thrashing.

 

[The Other PaulG]

For me the absolute highlight was just wandering around the paddock looking at the bikes being prepped and chatting with their owners.

 

[The Other PaulG]

As you would expect, punters came on a wide range of interesting bikes.

 

[The Other PaulG]

And… my favourite. This beautifully prepared bike caught my eye. On closer inspection, the engine was - I assume - from an XS650. Lots to like!

 

[The Other PaulG]

And this bike, a Koenig, was an engineering marvel. 4 cylinder water cooled boxer 2 stroke. Can’t be too many bikes like that! The tiny rubber belts appear to drive a water pump, but what does the toothed belt do? Anyone?

 

[The Other PaulG]

All in all it was a tremendous trip. Chimay is only 3 1/2 hours or so from Calais, the town is great, the racing is excellent. Eur 45 for a 3 day ticket, what’s not to like?

Thanks Waps for putting us onto this event.

 

[Oldrat]

I’m a fan of the classic stuff and I like the sound of that trip Paul, one for the future, it looks fabulous and as you say, not far away either.

Wow a variety of machines there, love that old green MZ (shown on the tank) although I could have sworn that it was a Suzuki GT500

That XS 660 is a beauty.

Reminds me a little of the Anglesey Classic a couple of years ago. The paddock and old bikes are just as accessible, and it’s a majestic circuit in a truly beautiful setting.

Thanks for sharing

 

[SBD]

what does the toothed belt do?

Supercharger?

Konig Grand Prix Racers - The Build

New page

www.koniggrandprixracers.com

No, it looks like it drives a disc valve between the downdraft carb and the crankcase.

König 500 GP - Outboard-Powered Underdog

The König 500cc Grand Prix Motorcycle - an unlikely contender that threatened to unseat MV Agusta from the podium using a German outboard motor with legendary novice racer Kim Newcombe at the helm. A true motorsports Cinderella story.

www.odd-bike.com

 

[elgringo]

Wow a variety of machines there, love that old green MZ (shown on the tank) although I could have sworn that it was a Suzuki GT500

Lovely looking bike. I just did a quick image search on their name Nix moteren and saw that they have a few pics of it on their Facebook page, so there may be a bit more info about it on there. I haven’t got FB, so can’t be of any more help.

 

[The Other PaulG]

Supercharger?

Konig Grand Prix Racers - The Build

New page

www.koniggrandprixracers.com

No, it looks like it drives a disc valve between the downdraft carb and the crankcase.

König 500 GP - Outboard-Powered Underdog

The König 500cc Grand Prix Motorcycle - an unlikely contender that threatened to unseat MV Agusta from the podium using a German outboard motor with legendary novice racer Kim Newcombe at the helm. A true motorsports Cinderella story.

www.odd-bike.com

Aha, that makes sense. Four cylinders sucking mixture into a common crank case is another interesting challenge.

I wish I had asked about the crank timing.

 

[EVskiy]

Looks like it was fun Paul!

That accommodation looked excellent! Who needs an upmarket hotel room, when you can stay in a place like this and full of character.

Great report, thank you for sharing it Paul, even though, I am far too young to know much about the classic bikes. Still never too late to learn.

 

[timeandtide]

Absolutely brilliant - thanks Paul!

 

[Posh Pete]

MZ racers! Ring a ding ding!

Me, I'd take that Guzzi in a heartbeat.

Great thread and pics . Thanks for posting.

 

[johnnyboy]

In the shadow of the imposing chateau, and 400m from the town square.View attachment 429359View attachment 429361

Great pics with the Guzzi in the foreground

 

[snelly]

Looks like it was fun Paul!

That accommodation looked excellent! Who needs an upmarket hotel room, when you can stay in a place like this and full of character.

Great report, thank you for sharing it Paul, even though, I am far too young to know much about the classic bikes. Still never too late to learn.

We' ve been going to Chimay for years always camping; i had no idea of that accommodation tho; hope you went to the queen Mary for a booze or two; the whole area is stunning and the openess and friedliness of the event drags you back time after time;; glad you enjoyed it all;

 

[The Other PaulG]

Wow a variety of machines there, love that old green MZ (shown on the tank) although I could have sworn that it was a Suzuki GT500

The MZ was interesting, very deep finning on the barrel. I don’t know enough detail about the history, but I did wonder whether this bike might have been from the era when Suzuki arranged for the defection of the Eastern European and effectively stole the design.

This, however, was a GT500 (or possibly the T500), someone here will know!

 

[The Other PaulG]

The MZ