-
Opinion: Shed-Dwelling Again
The workshop (shed, garage or whathaveyou) is an essential part of classic biking life, it seems. John R Kerridge (aka Yorkie) explains why every man should have one…
-
Opinion: Shed-Dwelling
Classic bike enthusiasts can often be found in garages and workshops. How can you make the most of your spannering? Karl Bentley muses upon sheds and other places of violence…
-
Opinion: AMC Anorak 34
It’s sometimes easy to get carried away with AJS and Matchless CSR twins and comp singles, but there’s lots of charm in something a little less exotic. Frank Westworth has been rediscovering gentle charm…
-
Opinion: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways
A while back, RealClassic message board regular Martyn(CB750) pondered on his love of classic motorcycles of all shapes and sizes. We thought it was worth repeating…
-
Ariel VB600: Slogger!
The Ariel VB is a plodding old sidevalve single, with plenty of torque but with no power and no brakes. Right? ‘Borrow mine…’ suggested Tony Page. Frank Westworth took up his offer…
-
Daisy’s Diaries: ‘An Adventure Too Far’
There’s no doubt that readers adored Graham Ham’s adventures aboard Daisy, his Triumph Speed Twin. In fact, they like the cut of his jib so much that they demanded a sequel to the original ‘Daisy’s Diaries’ book. And now it’s just been published…
-
AJS Model 31 CSR
Malcolm Arnold runs and rides AMC bikes; among them is a favoured 650 twin from 1963…
-
1965 AJS Model 18
Traditional British singles tend to be solid, dependable workaday machines. Paul Whitney’s AJS 500 is a little bit more lively…
-
Opinion: AMC Anorak 33
Last time Frank Westworth was dreaming about dream bikes. This time he’s wondering about owning just a single motorcycle. Which would you choose if you could have only one?
-
Opinion: AMC Anorak 32
Have you ever found your ideal classic bike? Frank Westworth has… and more than once!
-
Opinion: AMC Anorak 31
Numbed by the current obsession for producing shiny fake motorcycles where there was previously rust and ruin, Frank Westworth reveals a talent in the opposite direction…
-
Travels with Top-Box
Jim Peace has taken his Top Box halfway around the world. It’s been close to the North Pole, crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and been frozen solid in Cumbria. Is it time for retirement?
-
1958 AJS Model 30
Some classic bikes stay with you for life. Tony Ayliffe went a-courting on his Ajay, took it on honeymoon, and doesn’t seem to think they’ll ever be parted…
-
AJS Model 18S, 1958
It’s probably good news when the only item you need to fit to a 44 year old British bike is a bicycle bell. John Whapshott tells a rider’s tale
-
Yamaha FZR1000 Road Test Portfolio
Was Yamaha’s ground-breaking FZR as good as its reputation suggests? A new collection of old roadtests helps to place it in perspective…
-
Opinion: AMC Anorak 30
Have you ever ridden a real, genuine, internationally successful competition Matchless? Frank Westworth has ridden several, strangely…
-
Yamaha RD400
Before there was Elsie, Yamaha built an equally memorable two-stroke tearaway. Anarchy shows us his 400C…
-
Opinion: AMC Anorak 28
Maligned by many, AJS and Matchless lightweights can be a lot of fun. Frank Westworth, no lightweight, tries to convince himself…
-
Opinion: AMC Anorak 27
Riding old bikes produces many wonderful moments. Frank Westworth dredges through his memory for some memorable AJS and Matchless rides…
-
Paradise Lost
How do we define ourselves? By our jobs, the way we dress, or the music we like? By the bikes we ride or lust after? Episode two from Trevor Oz Brooks…
-
1973 Yamaha TX650
John (Midnight Mouse) Downie rides a 650 twin which has never let him down, and he normally rides it on a continent where rain is almost unheard of. So…
-
Yamaha XS500
Andy Sochanik likes unusual bikes — which is just as well, seeing as his go-to-work motorcycle is one of the least-loved members of the XS family. Not that it’s given him any trouble, you understand…
-
Yamaha 1.1S / XS1100
Honda and Kawasaki fours tend to grab all the glory, but Steve The Toaster reckons there’s a very strong Yamaha contender for Best Japanese Classic Bike…
-
‘The Case for Working With Your Hands…’ by Matthew Crawford
If you’re happy to mix your classic motorcycling with a little personal philosophy, then this book, subtitled ‘Why Office Work is Bad for Us and Fixing Things Feels Good’, could be just the job…
-
The British Two-Stroke Conundrum
There came a point when both Panther and Ariel stopped building their traditional four-stroke motorcycles and switched over to two-stroke production. David Bullivant has a theory which explains why…
-
That Was Then. Is It Still Now?
Do you prefer cappuccino, or is builder’s tea more your style? Rowena Hoseason wonders if there’s still room for all sorts in classic biking…
-
Opinion: AMC Anorak 26
There was once a time when folk rode their AJS and Matchless motorcycles all over the place! Frank Westworth reflects…
-
The Perfect Motorcycle
In a recent issue of RealClassic magazine, reader Roger Bibbings asked for nominations for the perfect modern motorcycle to suit classic bike riders. And lots of people answered him…
-
Where BSAs Dare! by Norman Vanhouse
Back in 1952, three workaday BSA A7s beat the world to win gold medals in the ISDT and secure the Maudes Trophy. This new book tells the inside story, written by one of the competitors…
-
Way to Go, by Geoff Hill
Two of the world’s great motorcycle journeys involve riding an Enfield Bullet from India to Belfast and a Harley-Davidson down Route 66. Dave Blendell enjoyed this entertaining tale…
-
Norton Prototype Racer
The first part of the story of Waltzing Walter the Rotor-Racer appeared in issue 28 of the magazine but was cut somewhat short. So here’s the whole thing: from drawing board to TT triumph to the National Motorcycle Museum…
-
Vroom with a View by Peter Moore
How would you handle a mid-life crisis? This author set off on a classic scooter to see life in rural Italy…
-
When Choppers Were Cool
That’s no way to treat a classic bike! John Kane revisits a simple land before heroes emerged from the back streets…
-
Pride And Clarke
In the heyday of the British bike industry, everyone had heard of (or bought a bike from) Pride and Clarke in London’s Stockwell Road. Our readers remember them…
-
Opinion: AMC Anorak 25
Great Things Are Afoot. Is Frank Westworth really going to sell a classic bike? Or even two classic bikes? Stranger things have happened. But not many…
-
Opinion: The BSA OC: Behind The Scenes
Want to know what an Owners’ Club is really like? A65Bill dishes the dirt with the inside story of the BSA Owners’ Club recent AGM…
-
‘Vincent Motorcycles since 1955, the continuing story’ by David Wright
Jacqueline Bickerstaff, acknowledged expert on HRD-Vincent and an author on the subject herself, finds plenty to fascinate in this new hardback…
-
Vincent Black Knight and other twins
There never had been a motorcycle so packed with original design and high speed stamina. Old legends like this, says Dave Minton, never die. They simply race away…
-
Velocette Motorcycles, MSS to Thruxton by Rod Burris
There’s a new hardback book available, covering the later models of Velocette singles in great depth. Rowena Hoseason enjoys turning the pages…
-
Velocette 350 Mac
‘Just give me the facts, ma’am, just the facts’. In that frame of mind, we present a new, rapid-fire format of real classic bike guides for your delectation…
-
Opinion: AMC Anorak 24
Did you know that lots and lots of the very best, British-built AJS and Matchless motorcycles were exported to the USA? It came as a surprise to Frank Westworth…
-
Opinion: Vive La Rivet-Counter
You might not want to rebuild your classic bike to standard spec, but sometimes it helps if someone else has. Karl Bentley’s BSA A50 may have been modified. Or not. Who knows?
-
Opinion: AMC Anorak 23
Art for art’s sake; isn’t that what they say? A devoted student of the art of motorcycling, Frank Westworth has long been a fan of old adverts…
-
Opinion: AMC Anorak 22
A famous motoring writer and a few Matchless motorcycles appear in this month’s musings, but mainly Frank Westworth mourns the troubles of a roadside friend…
-
1969 Velocette Venom
You might think that taking home a trophy would be enough excitement for one day. But Ian Pointon’s Velo Venom attracted more attention than he expected at the Post-TT meet…
-
The Lively LE
There once was a day when an everso ‘umble Velo LE overtook an Enfield Interceptor. Mick Merrick was there, but rather wishes he hadn’t been…
-
Triumph Pre-Unit Twins by Matthew Vale
From the Speed Twin to the first Bonneville, this glossy hardback tells the story of Turner’s iconic twins…
-
Opinion: A Bug’s Life
Jim Peace has made many friends on his motorcycling travels. Meet Nebraska, the bug…
-
Opinion: AMC Anorak 21
Different strokes for different folks. Frank Westworth remembers a great British stroker…
-
Opinion: First Rides on Classic Bikes
Dave Wooding started his riding career with a Triumph 3T. He also rode a Bantam-based Villiers-engined oddity and a BSA B31, but it’s the Triumph 350 twin which he remembers the most fondly…
-
Opinion: London Bike Shows – Excel vs Ally Pally
This year – this week, in fact – there have been two competing motorcycle shows in London. Martin Gelder tries to pick a winner while making
-
Triumph Experimental by Mick Duckworth
Even now, more untold tales of the original British bike industry still surface. This hardback book focuses on the efforts of Doug Hele and his Meriden development team in the late 1960s and early 70s…
-
Triumph Bonneville Celebration
This two-disc DVD set re-lives the weekend of the Bonneville’s 50th birthday, and offers an overview of the world’s most famous classic motorcycle. Matt Vale spent an evening by the box…
-
The Road Racing History of the Triumph 500 Unit Twin, by Claudio Sintich
A true enthusiast’s book, this one; packed with technical information and racing recollections. Dave Minton discovers how the competition Triumph Daytona 500s performed so well in the late 1960s…
-
Triumph 650 & 750 Twins by Matthew Vale
The Triumph Bonneville is probably the world’s most famous classic bike. RC writer Matt has produced a splendid book on the subject…
-
Opinion: AMC Anorak 20
If you want to ride your classic bike roughshod, then you simply can’t beat the real thing! Frank Westworth’s been playing in the dirt…
-
Famous Last Words 29a: On Knowledge, Power, BSA C15s and Anoraks
Power is knowledge, apparently. This may be important if you intend to own a BSA C15, as Frank Westworth explains…
-
Famous Last Words 29: On Classicness
If a bike from yesteryear was rubbish when it was a new bike, does that mean it’s still rubbish now it can claim to be a classic bike? Frank Westworth contemplates classicness and other fantasies…
-
Triumph T120R Bonneville
In years gone by, young men dribbled and young women swooned at the very mention of the name. Bonneville. Can the T120 live up to its reputation, even today? Rowena Hoseason examines an icon
-
Triumph Motorcycle Restoration, Pre-Unit, by Garry Chitwood and Timothy Remus
Chris Spaett of Venture Classics has restored several classic Triumph motorcycles, so he seemed like the ideal chap to review this new book for us…
-
Triumph 3TA “Bikini”
Shock-horror! After much online debate, a RealClassic.co.uk reader splashes some cash on a shiny Triumph twin! Paul Webb explains how he’s fallen in love with his second-ever Britbike, and now all his thoughts are golden…
-
1961 (or 1962?) Triumph T100A
Kevin off of the RealClassic Message Board ponders the origins of his 1961 Triumph 500 twin, originally registered as CSU 662. Maybe…
-
Famous Last Words 3
Old bike clubs are right at the core of the classic bike scene. Frank Westworth has belonged to many clubs, but wonders whether the excitement is all too much…
-
Famous Last Words 13: A Little Knowledge
A little knowledge is supposed to be a dangerous thing. Frank Westworth has a little knowledge, but worries about those with less…
-
Famous Last Words 4
What are journalists for? Should they always tell it as it is? Or as they see it? Frank Westworth fears a breakdown but Sandra Saves The Day…
-
Famous Last Words 30: Nortons New and Old
If his choice of bikes isn’t terrible enough, the fact that he can afford one is worse! Frank Westworth is as bemused as ever…
-
Triumph T100A – Part 7
After 14 months of hard labour, Dave has turned a miscellany of motorcycle spares into a real live classic bike. But now he has to make it legal…
-
1975 Triumph T160
It’s a winner! Stuart Bidwell’s Trident collected a pretty prize during the 2004 summer show season. But when he bought it, Stuart thought it was ready to roll…
-
Triumph T100A – Part 6
So Dave had just taken his first ride on his rebuilt Triumph Tiger… and then he stopped to look at it. Ooops…
-
Triumph T100A – Part 5
The end of the project is in sight, and Dave isn’t going to let little things like the lack of a saddle and dodgy ignition timing stop him. Pass the bubblewrap, and he’s away!
-
Famous Last Words: New Year Resolution
You’re reading a website about old bikes, so presumably you like old bikes. But do you ride one? Frank Westworth is dazed and confused…
-
A Classic Introduction
What bike would make the perfect introduction to real classic motorcycling? Vague familiarity or character-building oddness? Paul Miles conducts a scientific experiment on a man called Simon…
-
Duller than a Deauville
Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. “These large corporate companies won’t force their vision of motorcycles for the masses on me”. Anarchy goes to test ride a new Honda…. On any Sunday, well actually this last one, I rode over to my…
-
Are Retro Replicas Good Value?
Martin Gelder goes to Motorcycle Live at the NEC and comes back with a head full of questions and a camera full of inspiration and distraction in equal measure…
-
Triumph T100A – Part 4
It’s the Moment Of Truth for Dave’s rebuild project. The Tiger is back in one piece and he’s got to get it going. So. Will it start?
-
Triumph Rocket III
After a day’s escapades, Steve The Toaster reckons this is one Triumph which is a classic straight from the crate. Martin Gelder, on the other hand, says it might be big but it’s not clever…
-
Triumph T100A – Part 3
We’ve followed Dave’s rebuild from the day he brought home a box of bits, as he attempts to fulfil his dream of owning a top-notch Tiger. Next items on the agenda: paint, and brakes…
-
Triumph T100A – Part 2
In the first instalment, Dave found and bought his dream bike (or a large box of bits depending on how you look at it). This time: wiring and shocks and going for a bus ride…
-
Riding Reminiscences 2
Ian Caswell recalls more of his early riding years at the Paddock, and one particular episode which became a local motorcycling myth…
-
-
Racing Days at Mocheck, Part 3
John Ryan shares a final selection of his classic motorcycling photographic memories from the days when South London dealer Mocheck developed competitive production racers…
-
Racing Days at Mocheck, Part 2
By 1976, Mocheck were enjoying enough success on the circuits that the company produced and sold a proddie race replica. John Ryan rode less and spent more time spannering, and shares a selection of his classic photographic memories of the era…
-
Triumph T100A – Part 1
You know how it goes: always wanted a classic bike, never could quite afford one. Dave (aka Molster96) risked domestic distress in order to fulfil his dream…
-
Triumph T100 Bonneville
When the need arises for a modern-but-traditional motorcycle, Mike Powell didn’t quite know which one to choose. So he let his Better Half do all the deciding for him…
-
1950 Triumph Thunderbird
1950’s Britain was very different to today. So what was it like to run a classic bike then, a Triumph Thunderbird, when it was brand new? David Gambie remembers…
-
Triumph Bonneville Versus Kawasaki W650
If you’re talking about modern classically-styled twins, then which is actually better? Brady Davis rides both regularly, and so take us down some parallel lines…
-
Racing Days at Mocheck, Part 1
Back in the 1970s, Mocheck of Clapham fielded an array of racers. John Ryan shares a selection of his photographic memories of the time, from the track and back at the shop…
-
Famous Last Words 9 – Ignorance is Bliss
Motorcycling and music fit together as well as grease and grit, says Frank Westworth. Possibly…
-
SatNav Savvy!
Andreas Ganzera responds to Rowena’s recent grumbling about not using GPS or modem navigational aids. Andreas reckons SatNav makes much more sense on the European mainland…
-
Great White Hope or Giant White Elephant
We’ve just received a press release about the launch of a new British Motorcycle Brand, complete with tantalising computer generated images of a range of Buell Blast based singles. Martin Gelder isn’t sure whether to laugh or cry…
-
1959 Triton T100
George Wilshaw’s Triton defied classification at the 2004 Stinkwheel RealClassic Bike Show. As we couldn’t figure out which class it belonged in, we had to invent an award on the spot for it…
-
Triumph T150 Trident
Roy Bacon gave the early T150 a 5-star rating (otherwise reserved for the pre-unit twins and Thruxton Bonnie). We met two T150 owners who explain what’s so special about their three-cylinder machines…
-
1955 Triumph Speed Twin
When is CB350 Paul not CB350 Paul? When he’s Speed Twin Paul, of course. The Speed Twin route to classic motorcycle contentment is not necessarily a straight- forward one, however…
-
1970 Triumph TR6C
Ever bought more than you bargained for? Jerry Fiford did when he fell for a classic 1970 Triumph Trophy, and he explains how and why to Rowena Hoseason…
-
Where Are They Now?
In the grip of nostalgia, you may be tempted to try to find your P&J from years gone by. We’ve found that strategic enquiries works better than the scattergun approach…
-
Riding Reminiscences
What did lads get up to, back when BSA Bantams were the motorcycle of choice for youthful despatch riders in the City of London? Daniel Hicks spins a story which might have a sniff of the truth in it…
-
Famous Last Words 7
‘It’s very nice, but…’ Journalists ride other folks’ bikes all the time. Frank Westworth has just loaned his Number One Favourite Motorcycle to someone else…
-
Famous Last Words 10: Facing Facts
Fiction is a wonderful thing in its place. That place shouldn’t really be in the description of a motorcycle, says Frank Westworth…
all
Advert
Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines.
