Doug
Mitchenhall, who sadly died on 14 December aged 78, was one of the great pioneers
of the modern bike industry. He gave us both styling and weather protection
by introducing GRP - glass reinforced plastic - to produce motorcycle fairings
that were both functional and attractive.The fairing as we know it was born in the 1950s. Early attempts weren't always successful, but Mitchenhall - a keen motorcyclist -had the ability to understand riders' requirements as much as those of manufacturers. As a result, the first really successful fully - enclosed fairing was his, fitted to BSA A10s equipped for the Birmingham Constabulary under his trade name of Avon Fairings.
The list of the famous whose bikes sported his tanks and GRP fairings included Paul Dunstall and the BSA factory. And his fame also spread to Germany, where BMW installed Avon Fairings' GRP front mudguards on its bikes for many years.
Still seen on British machines is the so-called handlebar fairing, another Doug Mitchenhall innovation. This was followed by the Dolphin and then Avon Fairings' Streamliner 'dustbin' in the period when racing bikes had similar full fairings - another arena where his expertise was employed.
Doug Mitchenhall became a leader of the field, and his development of fairing designs took into account key factors such as engine temperature, fuel consumption, all-up weight and the effects of side winds. And to share his experience in retirement, he wrote a treatise on design considerations, manufacturing techniques and the commercial possibilities for GRP.
After Avon Fairings came a long partnership in MIRID (Mitchenhall Rickman Developments), making GRP bodies for Rickman Zundapp 125s and Rickman Metisse 250s.
A kindly, polite and friendly man, Mitchenhall nevertheless defended his opinions with vigour. At the time of his death, he was serving president of the industry's own motorcycle club -that he helped to found in 1963 and which celebrates its 40th birthday in May. On the twice-yearly club run, his recent mount was a Ducati Monster - despite his rather compact stature - and, latterly, a Guzzi California.