REPORT - 2026 All British Rally
Words and Photos: Mike Ryan
Already the largest gathering of British-made and British-branded motorcycles in the Southern Hemisphere, the All British Rally went bigger in 2026. The 48th edition of this annual event once again turned the small central Victorian town of Newstead into a hive of new and old British two-wheel machinery.
Organised by the BSA Motorcycle Owner’s Association (BSAMOA), the All British Rally (ABR) is a three-day event, held on or around the Anzac Day Weekend each year. For 2026, the ABR straddled the most important date on the Australian calendar – held from 24-26 April.
This year’s 48th edition followed the familiar and popular pattern set by past ABRs, with arrival and set-up at the Newstead Racecourse, plus an organised ride, on Friday 24 April. Following an Anzac Day observance at dawn on the Saturday, 25 April, the second organised ride – a short 30-minute trip to Maldon – saw riders park up, allowing the public to see the bikes, talk to riders and soak in the atmosphere. Back at the Newstead campsite that afternoon, it was time to stoke the campfires and grab dinner, along with a beer or two, ahead of the evening’s entertainment from a live band.
Sunday, 26 April, was time for packing up and farewells.
Resolve on Wheels
In the lead-up to this year’s Rally, the BSAMOA revealed that ticket sales were slow. A big factor in this was the fuel crisis caused by the US-Iran war that kicked off in February, compounded by some long-range forecasting for grim weather over the Anzac Day weekend. However, as the event drew nearer, it seemed Brit bike owners were determined to exercise their bikes, catch up with old mates and savour the occasion – costs and conditions be damned!
The fact that entry numbers this year set a new record of 800+ was evidence of that determination, with the BSAMOA pleasantly surprised by the turnout. The weather gods smiled on the event, too, with dry and sunny conditions throughout.
Welcome BSA
A keenly anticipated attraction at the 48th ABR was the public presentation of the all-new BSA range for Australia. As announced by JUST BIKES back in March, BSA is making its return to the Australian market this year, with Leisk Moto Imports (LMI) appointed as local distributor. Headed up by respected motorcycle industry veteran, Jeff Leisk, LMI chose the ABR for BSA’s official public debut in Australia after a few dealer events earlier this year.
The Bantam 350, Gold Star 650 and Scrambler 650 on show at Newstead – the only examples in Australia at the time - attracted plenty of attention across the ABR’s three days. Speaking to JUST BIKES, Leisk revealed that interest in all three of the Indian-made models had been strong, but perhaps a little surprisingly, Rally participants were particularly drawn to the Scrambler 650.
Combining heritage styling with modern tech, safety and reliability, the new BSAs are expected to reach dealerships soon. Both the Gold Star 650 and Scrambler 650 are powered by a 652cc single, producing 33.6kW (45hp) and 55Nm (40.5lb/ft). A five-speed gearbox, tele fork front, dual shock rear and disc brakes with Brembo calipers are common to both models, as are analogue gauges (with classic reverse-sweep needles), a 12-litre fuel tank and ABS.
The new Bantam 350 has a 344cc single at its heart, producing 21.3kW (29hp) and 29.6Nm (21.5lb/ft). Curiously, it runs a six-speed gearbox against the 650’s five-speed, and has a larger fuel tank, too, at 13 litres. Alloy wheels (instead of wire spoke) also set the Bantam 350 apart from its larger siblings. It’s worth noting that all three of the new BSAs are LAMS-legal for learner riders.
Alongside BSA, other stallholders at the ABR included Royal Enfield, Shannons Insurance, Tri-Spark, Get Routed, Zorros/Crazy Horse and the Women Riders World Relay. The swap meet was humming all weekend, too.
Maldon goes Mega
Whether you’re participating or spectating, the ride and street display at Maldon is always an ABR highlight. This year once again saw part of Maldon blocked off for the display, with bikes lining the sides and middle of the street under perfect autumn skies. The display was so big, it spilled over into side streets, too.
A display of this magnitude draws other riders, so there was plenty of American, Japanese and German bikes parked nearby. A couple of ringers made their way into the all-British enclave in the form of a C1902 Otten’s Motor from the Netherlands and a German-made Fafnir of similar vintage.
The ABR always features a strong turnout of Vincent motorcycles, and this year was no exception. More than half a dozen examples of these beautiful beasts were present at Maldon, along with some Vincent-engined customs. Rivalling a beautiful ’55 Rapide outfit for impact and size was a modern Triumph Rocket 3 trike conversion.
Outstanding historic metal could be found up and down the Maldon street display, covering all the well-known British marques, plus a few that left punters scratching their heads.
Numbers at Newstead
Back at the Newstead Racecourse, bikes were lined up on the campground’s main throughfare for judging, presenting an equally tasty selection of new and old. There was also this year’s raffle bike, a C1950s BSA A10 Golden Flash, that was to be won by one lucky ABR entrant.
If you were in the market for a classic Brit to add to your stable, the ABR was the place to be, with several bikes wearing ‘For Sale’ placards, including a fully-faired Triumph Thruxton and a rare, Triumph-engined Wasp motocross outfit.
Beer brewed for the occasion – ABR 48 Super Rocket Fuel - was sold out before the weekend was over, reflecting the turnout that’s believed to be a record in ABR history.
The raffle bike draw was held on the Saturday evening, followed by the judged prizes on the morning of Sunday 26 April. Highlights among the 26 different awards for ABR entrants included Best Original/Unrestored that went to a heavily patinated 1926 Triumph outfit, while Best Bike this year was won by a beautiful 1930s BSA J12. Further proof of the determination of ABR entrants mentioned earlier was Geoff Ingram, who rode his 1924 Douglas to and from the Rally – a three-day journey each way - without support. That earned Geoff the Spirit of the Rally award.
Roll on 49
With the 48th ABR completed, the BSAMOA are already planning for the 49th. That’ll be big, but the 50th in 2028 is expected to be huge!
For more details on the next ABR, go to: bsa.asn.au
48th ABR Highlight – Triumph Thruxton replica
The Thruxton name has popped up a few times in Triumph’s recent history, as a variant of the modern Bonneville, as well as a LAMS-legal 400. It was first used more than 60 years ago, taken from the Hampshire, UK, circuit that held endurance races from 1958 to 1973, and applied to a small number of Bonneville T120R-based production racers.
The bike featured is a road-registered replica of a 1960s Thruxton, based on a 1970 TR6R. Owner additions include a 750 big bore kit, stronger con rods, Thruxton-spec camshafts and 3-inch cam followers, three-stage exhaust silencers, drop-down handlebars (instead of clip-ons), rearsets, a modified kicker and twin leading shoe front brake.
The fairing (an Avon unit) and ducktail are fibreglass, while the owner handmade the fuel tank in aluminium, also adding scallops in the oil tank and toolbox cover to accommodate Amal Concentric carbies.
For sale at the ABR, contact 0438 704 830 (text only, NO CALLS) for more information.
48th ABR Highlight – Vincent Rapide outfit
Vincent’s Black Shadow gets all the attention – and the highest prices at auction – but that model owes its existence to the Rapide.
Released in 1936, the Rapide was defined by a v-twin engine of 998cc capacity, designed by the legendary Phil Irving. Along with engine parts already developed for the Meteor single, the Rapide used a frame modified from the Comet sports single.
Produced until 1955 across Series A, B, C and D versions, key changes included the adoption of unit construction for the engine and gearbox, using the engine as a stressed frame member, and adding hydraulic damping – Girdraulic – to the girder fork front suspension.
The example featured comes from 1955, the final year of production, and is fitted with a Watsonian GP700 sidecar that’s wide enough to fit two passengers, as well as luggage, both behind the passengers and on an external rack.
48th ABR Highlight – Norton Commando Hi Rider
Debuting in May, 1971, the ‘Hi Rider’ was Norton’s attempt to cash in on the chopper craze that had been brewing in the USA throughout the 1950s and ’60s, then went mainstream after ‘Easy Rider’ was released in 1969.
Based mechanically on the existing Commando 750, the Hi Rider’s additions included a small fibreglass fuel tank (shared with the Commando SS that launched at the same time), ape hanger handlebars, a smaller headlight and a seat that was ostensibly for two but made pillion accommodation virtually impossible.
Despite its odd looks and impracticality, the Hi Rider sold well enough to earn a return for 1972. Production continued into 1973, when a disc front brake was available, along with indicators and a more powerful engine. When the base Commando gained an 850 twin in late 1973, the same engine was applied to the Hi Rider, which remained in production until 1975.
48th ABR Highlight – BSA Rocket 3 Hyde Harrier
At first glance, this bike looked like it didn’t belong at the Rally, but it was British – very British in fact. Based on a 1972 BSA Rocket 3, this bike had been reimagined as a ‘Hyde Harrier’. Designed by Norman Hyde and with a frame from Harris Performance, the Harrier was made to accommodate classic British twins or triples.
Debuting in 1987, most Harriers were in the café racer style like the bike pictured, which is believed to be the same unit that was for sale in the UK in 2015.
Fitting larger barrels and lengthening the stroke has increased capacity from 740cc to 988cc, with plenty of other engine mods, too. Öhlins suspension, Brembo calipers and PFM rotors have been fitted, along with carbon fibre bodywork. Local additions and alterations appear to be limited to a pair of small headlights in the fairing, plus bar-end mirrors and tank pads.
