An exhibition of some of the rarest motorcyles in the world has gone on show at Cliffe Castle Museum, Keighley.

The display of 23 machines, dating from 1910 until 1982, is the inspiration of motorcycle fanatic, Dale Keeton.

Mr Keeton, who rides a 1982 Kawsaki Z650 and owns a 1961 Triumph 500 -- in bits in his garage -- is the museum's conservator.

The majority of the machines are on loan to the museum from a collector who lives in Derbyshire.

"I can't thank him enough. He doesn't want any recognition but wants people to enjoy the machines," said Mr Keeton.

"They could have gone anywhere and to places where people would have had to pay, but this exhibition is free."

The show, open until the end of September, also includes exhibits from Bradford Industrial Museum, including an example of a Scott, the former Shipley-based manufacturer.

Angus Scott was a motorcycle innovator, inventing the kick start and the side stand.

"He was a genius and a lot of the innovations he made are still on modern bikes," said Mr Keeton.

It took Mr Keeton three days to transport the machines in a van, six or seven at a time, from Derbyshire.

"It was hard, hot work but absolutely worth it. Some of these machines are literally unique," he said.

Taking centre stage are three Humbers made in the late 20s and early 30s, one of which, the overhead valve, is the only one in existence.

"I had the privilege of riding this several years ago at a rally in Hull. It was such a thrill and very different from a modern bike," he said.

But Mr Keeton's favourite is the Brough Superior SS80, the smaller version of the model on which T E Lawrence -- Lawrence of Arabia -- died in the 1930s.

"It was built in 1936 and was the Rolls Royce of motorcycles. It's so comfortable, you could ride it for miles.

"It cost £170, a huge amount of money when you consider you could buy a house for £300," he added.

The oldest machine is a 1910 Kerry Abingdon, with a wicker sidecar, and the youngest a 1982 Hesketh.