TWO historic Grand Prix motorcycles are set to be sent to France to mark the 120th anniversary of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM).

The bikes are part of the extensive collection at the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum in New Milton.

The FIM asked to borrow the AJS Porcupine and the Mondial Ex Works 1957 250cc bikes from the museum for its presentation of Grand Prix racing motorcycles at the MotoGP race at Le Mans.

The federation will hold the presentation over the race weekend at the historic circuit between May 9 and 12.

The two bikes from the museum will form part of the display, with both having fantastic racing heritage.

The AJS Porcupine is a 1947 500cc Model E90, and was originally designed during the war to be supercharged.

However, after the FIM banned supercharging in 1947, it had to be normally aspirated.

It was ridden by a fine calibre of riders, including Les Graham, who won the World Championship in 1949 on the bike, Jock West and Reg Armstrong.

The Mondial Ex Works was ridden by Sammy Miller himself, with Sammy taking it to 3rd in the 1957 World Championship.

For more information on the museum and the bikes in its collection, visit its website.