2004 1.5 DCi 80 Dyna
Some important notes that I must say:
This is a working shop, it is still trading and open to the public, the owners gave me permission to document the workshops and trade area as well as everything else. The owners would not like other people coming in asking if they can take pictures, so please do not hassle them.
4 Weeks ago a new guy started at my work, I found out he was the son-in-law of one of the owners of Vale-Onslow Motor Cycles in Birmingham.
History:
Leonard Leslie Hubert Vale-Onslow Snr. rode his first motor cycle at the age of 8 back in 1908.
Around 1926 Len Vale-Onslow Snr. invented the Super Onslow Special (SOS) motor cycle, the first ever motor cycle with a welded production motorcycle frame, the method most companies still use to make bikes today.
Len had a very active life and enjoyed riding bikes up until the age of 102. He was made an MBE in 1995 for his life long services to the motor cycling world.
Unfortunately in 2004 Len died at the fine age of 103. Part of the business is still a shrine to himself and the family still run the shop and repair workshop to this day.
I would just like to thank everyone who allowed me to take the time to document this place, It is one of Birmingham's (If not, England's) more important sites of motor heritage that is still active.
For more reading on the Vale-Onslow company & Len Vale-Onslow Snr. please view the following links:
http://www.vale-onslow.co.uk/
About Len (by Len Himself)...
http://www.vale-onslow.co.uk/LVO_3.htm
The Independant's write up on Len's Life...
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/len-valeonslow-549907.html
Len Vale-Onslow's Funeral, please click the photo galleries for images...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/features/2004/05/vale_onslow/vale_onslow.shtml
As I have taken many images (over 40), I have only included a selection here, the rest can be found on my website: www.photoaddiction.co.uk
Len Vale-Onslow's Workshop, left untouched as a shrine since his death...
The rather vocal guard dog...
D-UK
This is a working shop, it is still trading and open to the public, the owners gave me permission to document the workshops and trade area as well as everything else. The owners would not like other people coming in asking if they can take pictures, so please do not hassle them.
4 Weeks ago a new guy started at my work, I found out he was the son-in-law of one of the owners of Vale-Onslow Motor Cycles in Birmingham.
History:
Leonard Leslie Hubert Vale-Onslow Snr. rode his first motor cycle at the age of 8 back in 1908.
Around 1926 Len Vale-Onslow Snr. invented the Super Onslow Special (SOS) motor cycle, the first ever motor cycle with a welded production motorcycle frame, the method most companies still use to make bikes today.
Len had a very active life and enjoyed riding bikes up until the age of 102. He was made an MBE in 1995 for his life long services to the motor cycling world.
Unfortunately in 2004 Len died at the fine age of 103. Part of the business is still a shrine to himself and the family still run the shop and repair workshop to this day.
I would just like to thank everyone who allowed me to take the time to document this place, It is one of Birmingham's (If not, England's) more important sites of motor heritage that is still active.
For more reading on the Vale-Onslow company & Len Vale-Onslow Snr. please view the following links:
http://www.vale-onslow.co.uk/
About Len (by Len Himself)...
http://www.vale-onslow.co.uk/LVO_3.htm
The Independant's write up on Len's Life...
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/len-valeonslow-549907.html
Len Vale-Onslow's Funeral, please click the photo galleries for images...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/features/2004/05/vale_onslow/vale_onslow.shtml
As I have taken many images (over 40), I have only included a selection here, the rest can be found on my website: www.photoaddiction.co.uk
Len Vale-Onslow's Workshop, left untouched as a shrine since his death...
The rather vocal guard dog...
D-UK
