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  • Great track day action that’s just a Channel crossing away

    The French Ton-Up Club’s annual track day weekend at Lurcy Levis, central France, over the weekend of June 10-11 provides one of the best track time experiences in Europe – but to avoid disappointment it’s important to contact Thibaut Siebert and book your place as soon as possible, writes Tony Page. 

  • Sussex British bike club celebrates 30th anniversary

    In May 1986, a group of motorcyclists decided to form a club to preserve, and ensure an ongoing interest in, British motorcycles as well as undertaking fundraising for local children’s charities.  

  • Brave Dragonists enjoy Llyn Gwynant campsite in the sun

    After riding his 1951 Norton Big 4 to his 19th Dragon Rally, John Wallis reports on this year’s event at Llyn Gwynant on February 13-14. 

  • Tell us what you think and you could win £150!

    We need to know what you think about Old Bike Mart. What do you like or dislike about the features inside?

  • Original and unrestored

    Original and unrestored

    It started off as a nice idea when CDB was offered a totally original Francis-Barnett trials bike to feature. How many other comp bikes had survived unrestored, we asked, can’t be many surely? Maybe we’d get three or four out of the idea… seems there are more survivors out there than we thought. Anyway, just…

  • Lito X-cam

    Lito X-cam

    This bike created a sensation at Earls Court Motorcycle Show in 1966. In a world in which two-strokes suddenly had taken the lead in motocross, there were still lots of sympathies for classic four-stroke machines. Could the Lito X-cam have rewritten history?  

  • Le Mans alike

    You want a bike which looks, sounds and steers like an old Italian. But running a classic as a daily ride might not be entirely convenient… 

  • User friendly

    Forget ankle-snapping big singles with racing gear ratios and agonising riding positions. Try something more civilised from the house of the horse 

  • Motorcycling most fowl

    Motorcycling most fowl

    Mark Williams meets a man whose mission in life is making BSA’s modest little workhouse a force to be reckoned with. 

  • NBBC series 2016

    NBBC series 2016

    As the new year starts and we head to Telford for the Classic Dirt Bike Show, it’s a good chance to mention that our sponsored series, the NBBC, will hold its 2015 presentations on stage at the show.  

  • Highland Classic Two-Day Trial

    Highland Classic Two-Day Trial

    Latest news from way north of the border is that the Alvie estate near Aviemore will play host to the Inverness MCC Ltd Highland Classic Two Day Trial again, on June 11-12, 2016.  

  • Classic British Scrambles Series

    We’re delighted to announce Classic Dirt Bike will once again be associated with the Classic British Scrambles Championship organised by Dave Gittins.  

  • CBG WINTER CLASSIC

    THE CAROLE NASH CBG Winter Classic kicked off the new year at the Newark Showground in bright sunshine, with lots to see and do and with a large number of visitors.  

  • The Three Musketeers

    The Norton works team boasted some of the most prodigiously skilled riders of any era of British motorsport. Preceding the likes of Geoff Duke, Ray Amm, Harold Daniell et al, in the late 1920s going into the 1930s there were such luminaries as Stanley Woods, Jimmy Guthrie, Jimmy Simpson and Tim Hunt. The latter three…

  • Star quality

    This handsome, sporting single has been restored to its original specification. But, despite appearances, it is not a Gold Star…  

  • Stellar Sunbeam

    Stellar Sunbeam

    With motorcycles regularly coming and going, it is a slightly uncommon occurrence for Eric Patterson to label any one machine as “a keeper”. Regarding this beautiful unrestored Sunbeam, however, that is exactly what he did. 

  • Three decades on the pegs

    Often seen tearing around West Country scrambles tracks on one of his trusty BSA Gold Stars, John Trible was never an opponent to be taken lightly throughout his 30-year off-road career. 

  • An achiever passes

    An achiever passes

    The death of the famous race mechanic and motorcycle maker Arturo Magni gives opportunity to reflect on his remarkable career.  

  • Yamaha’s TX500/750 – so right and yet so wrong

    When Yamaha decided to raise its stakes in the four-stroke game, it was with a beautiful-looking and quite radical eight-valve twin which, on paper, should have been an absolute winner. But the truth was rather different, writes Steve Cooper.  

  • ‘Bloody head on a stick’ – Dragon tales and nightmares from 1964

    It’s that time of year again – and John Askham graphically records his journey in a pal’s sidecar outfit to his very first Dragon Rally, the 1964 event at Gwrych Castle, near Abergele. 

  • When sidecar outfits delivered the goods

    When sidecar outfits delivered the goods

    During last year’s ‘Team Katy’ journey to further the cause of the Alzheimer’s Society, Mick Payne came across several reminders of the days when sidecar outfits played all kinds of everyday commercial roles. 

  • It’s dirt bike heaven – and much more – at Telford

    After a year of detailed planning, the Classic Dirt Bike Show at the International Centre, Telford, on February 20-21 is ready to roll – and what a feast is in store! 

  • Vincents star at Bonhams in Vegas

    Vincents star at Bonhams in Vegas

    On Thursday, January 7, 2016, in the ballroom of Bally’s Hotel & Casino on the famous Las Vegas Strip, Bonhams hosted its most successful Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction to date, making over $4.8 (£3.4) million. 

  • MidAmerica Las Vegas sale gets record results

    The annual Mecum MidAmerica Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction achieved $9,054,965 (£6,400,000) in total sales and an 80% sell-through rate in what Ron Christenson, president of Mecum’s MidAmerica Motorcycle Division, has called “an amazing success.”  

  • Friends of the National Motorcycle Museum 2016 activities announced

    Friends of the National Motorcycle Museum 2016 activities announced

    The National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull, Birmingham, has announced this year’s roster of events for those enrolled in its Friend Scheme.  

  • Off to a great start

    The Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic is the first big motorcycle show of the year and, for many aficionados, it’s a chance to really hit the ground running – and this year was no exception. 

  • Beware these bike scams!

    It is hugely disappointing to have to report that, last month, Old Bike Mart received letters from two readers reporting serious motorcycle scams  

  • Fabulous Bianchi racer in Sam’s triple Telford treat

    This fabulous 1964 500cc twin-cylinder grand prix Bianchi is one of three superbly-prepared machines that Sammy Miller will be taking to the Hagon Shocks-sponsored Classic Dirt Bike Show at Telford on February 20-21 (see preview on pages 16-17). 

  • Torrens Trophy awarded to TT hero Hutchinson

    Torrens Trophy awarded to TT hero Hutchinson

    Eleven-time TT winner Ian Hutchinson was presented with the Royal Automobile Club’s coveted Torrens Trophy for the outstanding courage and determination he showed after almost losing a leg. 

  • Lampy is going to L and back!

    Lampy is going to L and back!

    Later this year, Graham Lampkin is planning an epic ride on “an old Royal Enfield he’s built” to raise money for Cancer Research UK . 

  • National Motorcycle Museum’s Friends enjoy hands-on opportunities galore

    Becoming a member of the National Motorcycle Museum’s Friends Scheme brings the chance to take part in some unique activities such as classic bike tours, Try a Classic days and museum workshop training days. 

  • Fifth Newark Winter Classic starts the season in style

    Fifth Newark Winter Classic starts the season in style

    Motorcycle and scooter enthusiasts visited the Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic in droves on January 9-10 to admire the wonderful machines on display and visit the many trade stands and autojumble plots that were packed into the halls of Newark Showground.  

  • WCE extends First-time free pitch offer to clubs

    WCE extends First-time free pitch offer to clubs

     Woodford Classic Events (WCE) has been organising car and motorcycle events for more than 30 years, and, having migrated from a trader background, always has the trader and club in mind.

  • Moto Guzzi museum

    For many Moto Guzzi enthusiasts, a pilgrimage to Mandello del Lario fulfils a lifetime ambition. Take a whistlestop tour with Frank Melling.

  • The great escape artist

    The great escape artist

    Triumph’s desert sled makes a perfect getaway 

  • Square miles

    Ariel’s top of the range tourer is still more than capable of going the distance. If you look after its engine, that is 

  • Cammy Banger

    Cammy Banger

    Three-cylinder Triumphs and four-cylinder Hondas were fighting for the title of Ultimate Superbike in 1970. But one year later there was a new contender for the title – and it was a Single 

  • War baby

    Not everyone loves dogs, but this little Corgi is one that some folk might like to have yapping at their heels 

  • BSA Unit Twins: Brummie beef

    Almost the last advertising slogan for BSA 650 twins was ‘Delicate They Ain’t’. This is almost true. The unit construction machines offer a wide range of practical classics 

  • The Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show

    ARE YOU READY for the new riding season?  

  • The ‘Flying Cigar’

    The ‘Flying Cigar’

    Johnny Allen became famous in 1956 for smashing the absolute speed record for motorcycles in his Triumph streamliner, known to many as the ‘Texas Ceegar,’ or the ‘Flying Cigar.’  

  • Little cracker

    Small capacity classics can offer so much fun as this superb FB Mondial proves. 

  • 10,000 miles on Triumph TRWs

    Eight 1957 Triumph TRWs attempted to cover 10,000 miles over the span of three countries, a motocross track, Britain’s toughest mountain pass, highways, byways and motorways – a tall order for motorcycles that are nearly 60 years old… though the Triumph TRW was designed with challenging scenarios in mind. 

  • A balancing act

    A balancing act

    If in 1922 the IoM TT races were regarded as the premier motorcycling speed event, then the ACU Six Days Trials was the leading reliability test. Riders strived for gold medals, makers to showcase new models and organisers endeavoured to run a fair but tough trial. Simple? Well, actually not so simple, and controversy reigned…

  • Collection at Charterhouse

    A first floor flat in Totnes, Devon and a barn has yielded an unlikely collection of classic motorcycles which are entered into the Charterhouse auction on Sunday, February 7 at the The Bristol Classic MotorCycle show. 

  • Broughs of Bodmin on sale

    They were believed to have been destroyed, but earlier this year, eight long-lost Brough Superior Motorcycles were discovered in a Cornish village. 

  • Kempton’s a hot favourite

    The usual varied mix of bikes could be found at the Southern Classic Off Road Show, an event which drew one of the largest crowds seen at Kempton Park.  

  • Rare Henry Body Trio To Light Up Annual ‘Bristol’ Bike Show

    If you are in search of a rarely seen gem, take a trip to the South West this February. The 36th Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show is on February 6-7 at the Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet in Somerset. 

  • Winter wanderer

    No great shakes as a superbike, Enfield’s 700 is instead an oddly competent practical classic  

  • Bevel heaven

    Bevel heaven

    Ducati’s first production bevel-drive bike was hot stuff in 1956. And, phew, it’s still a little scorcher… 

  • It ain’t heavy

    History has all but forgotten the 350 AMC single which came immediately before World War Two. Turns out, it was a pretty nifty performer… 

  • Smooth operator

    Smooth operator

    An aerospace engineer took BMW’s brick and transformed it into an utterly upscale West Coast custom 

  • Custom classics

    Custom classics

    CONFRONTED BY A HALL crammed full of automotive ingenuity, you might wonder what could possibly unite the 100-plus bikes that formed the central display at Kickback Chelsea in December.  

  • Whit’s winter classic

    JAMIE WHITHAM IS the extra-special guest confirmed for the Carole Nash CBG Winter Classic at Newark, January 9-10.  

  • Southern classic off-road show

    Southern classic off-road show

    THE CROWDS CRAMMED in to Kempton Park just before Christmas for the now regular Southern Classic Off-Road Show.  

  • Honda’s CB500 – the four that shaped the future

    Honda’s CB500 – the four that shaped the future

    Inspiring, viceless and utterly reliable – Honda’s CB500 four made so much more sense than its larger-capacity brethren that those same virtues still hold true today, writes Steve Cooper.  

  • Honda’s CB500 – the four that shaped the future

    Honda’s CB500 – the four that shaped the future

    Inspiring, viceless and utterly reliable – Honda’s CB500 four made so much more sense than its larger-capacity brethren that those same virtues still hold true today, writes Steve Cooper.  

  • Rally to the Isle of Man this year!

    Rally to the Isle of Man this year!

    As well as all the spectacular racing over the legendary Mountain circuit, 2016 promises to be a truly vintage year on the Isle of Man, with the Diamond Jubilee TT Rally in June and, thanks in no small part to the Isle of Man Section of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club, the late-summer Classic TT…

  • ‘All makes’ emphasised on Sunbeam MCC’s new logo

    ‘All makes’ emphasised on Sunbeam MCC’s new logo

    Broadcasting the message that the club is for all makes of veteran, vintage and post-vintage motorcycles up to 1939, the Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club has added a banner to its logo stressing the fact.  

  • ‘Broughs of Bodmin Moor’ will be offered at Bonhams’ Stafford sale

    They were believed to have been destroyed, but last year eight long-lost Brough Superior motorcycles were discovered in a Cornish village and, unveiled for the first time in 50 years, will be offered at Bonhams’ Sale of Important Collectors’ Motorcycles at Stafford on April 24. 

  • James Whitham stands in as special guest at Newark Classic Bike Guide winter show

    Race ace, TV commentator and thoroughly decent all-round bloke, James Whitham will be the star guest at the Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic at the Newark Showground on January 9-10. 

  • The parallel twin lives longer still!

    Triumph’s new Street Twin is everything the Meriden Bonnie might have been, writes Frank Melling. 

  • Ealing Council blames Government cutbacks for financial threat to London Motorcycle Museum

    Like so many others, the London Motorcycle Museum, located in a historic building close to the A40, is the result of one man’s drive, determination and, it could be argued, obsession in collecting Triumph machines, writes Ian Kerr. 

  • Fans’ Favourite Whitham Set For Newark Show

    Fans’ Favourite Whitham Set For Newark Show

    Race-ace turned TV commentator James Whitham will be the star guest at the New Year classic motorcycle event at Newark Showground.

  • A life less ordinary

    Few men in motorcycling led as full a life as the genial, pipe-smoking Italian designer Leopoldo Tartarini, who passed away on September 11 at his home in the hills outside Bologna, at the age of 83. 

  • Big day out

    Big day out

    There was a stronger than anticipated attendance at this season’s National Motorcycle Museum open day. 

  • All about the timing

    All about the timing

    The Brighton Speed Trials, one of the oldest events in the calendar, returned on September 5, 2015, with a varied and competitive entry.  

  • The H1 triple: Kawasaki’s outrageous game-changer

    It drank like a fish and reared up at the drop of a hat, but Kawasaki’s crazy two-stroke triple certainly got the firm noticed, writes Steve Cooper.  

  • A fabulous ride – but understanding Alzheimer’s is vitally important too

    Mick Payne looks back on the first part of Team Katy’s eventful ‘4 Corners 4 Alzheimer’s’ journey on a Jawa/Velorex outfit – including a stark reminder of the kind of things the awful disease can do to a much-loved partner.  

  • When 200 Lucky Strike would keep a bike secure!

    When 200 Lucky Strike would keep a bike secure!

    Geoffrey Le Marquand fondly recalls the time when, as a merchant seaman, he had to find ingenious ways of putting his BSA twin into safe storage while he was away at sea. 

  • Vincent twin’s lucky winner

    The National Motorcycle Museum’s summer 2015 raffle to win a 1947 Vincent Rapide was drawn by road racing superstars Carl Fogarty, Jamie Whitham and Phil Read at the Museum LIVE open day on October 31. 

  • Desne Dodkin (1927-2015)

    Desne Dodkin, the former Veloce employee and wife of well-known Velocette dealer Geoff, passed away on September 16.  

  • Redman stars at RealClassic

    Redman stars at RealClassic

    ELK Promotions’ final event of the year was the RealClassic Show at the familiar Ardingly showground venue, on October 25, 2015.  

  • Offham Steam Rally success

    While few of the traction engines that originated at the Offham Steam Rally now attend, it remains an annual get-together (on October 18, 2015) of all sorts of older transport that dominates the Kent village. 

  • Foggy gets his first bike back at NMM’s second free ‘Museum Live’ open day

    Foggy gets his first bike back at NMM’s second free ‘Museum Live’ open day

    Attracted by the free museum entry and many family-friendly activities, huge visitor numbers attended the National Motorcycle Museum’s second annual ‘Museum Live’ open day on Saturday, October 31 and made it another outstanding success. 

  • Classic treasures discovered in a single-bedroomed, first-floor flat!

    A first-floor flat in Totnes, Devon, together with a barn, have yielded an unlikely collection of classic motorcycles which have been entered into a Charterhouse special auction on Sunday, February 7.  

  • The amazing life of Olga Kevelos

    The amazing life of Olga Kevelos

    Colin Turbett, who lives on the Isle of Arran, is writing a book about the extraordinary life of Olga Kevelos, who was a champion British trials, scrambles and racing motorcyclist from the 1940s to the 1960s. 

  • 1938 BSA Empire Star shines in Beamish Trophy Trial

    The long journey from Witney, Oxfordshire, to take part in the 43rd Beamish Trophy Trial, organised by the South Durham section of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club on Sunday, September 20, was well worthwhile for Andy Glading, who took home the Richard Hore Memorial Trophy for the best overall performance on his 1938 BSA Empire…

  • Chestnut woods make perfect setting for Sidcup’s Jack Thompson British Bike Trial

    The emphasis will be on British rather than Classic or Pre-65 trials irons when the 26th running of the Jack Thompson British Bike Trial is organised by the Sidcup & District Motorcycle Club in the delightful chestnut woods surrounding the Canada Heights international motocross course on Sunday, December 6, writes Brian Edwards.  

  • RE 250 Crusader MX

    If the family business is based around Royal Enfield then there’s only one choice of machine for your scrambles debut… we check out Daniel Hitchcock’s Crusader 250 scrambler. 

  • A Triumph of ingenuity

    A Triumph of ingenuity

    A stint as deputy manager for the Vase team in the 1973 ISDT gave Chris Oliver first-hand experience of the Triumph Adventurer based team bikes… handy when he came to build a replica. 

  • 2015 Vets MXDN: Farleigh Castle

    2015 Vets MXDN: Farleigh Castle

    Speak to any EVO or Twinshock motocross fan and they will probably say the highlight of their season is undoubtedly the Vets MXDN at Farleigh Castle. 

  • Cholmondeley Pageant of Power: Classic Scramble Demonstration

    Cholmondeley Pageant of Power: Classic Scramble Demonstration

    The Annual Cholmondeley – pronounced ‘Chumley’ – Pageant of Power takes place every June in the beautiful grounds of Cholmondeley Castle near Whitchurch in rural Cheshire where the Cholmondeley family have lived since Norman times. 

  • Miller’s ‘other’ Ariel

    It was well known in the 1960s that Sammy Miller ran two almost identical Ariels –though 786 GON was often sidelined in favour of the more famous GOV 132. 

  • Cantilever Beezer

    These days a monoshock or cantilever suspension system is considered ‘normal’, but in 1962 John Wilkinson must have caused a bit of a stir when he turned up at a scramble with this Goldie. 

  • Over-shadowed

    Vincent’s single is inevitably eclipsed by its twin cylinder siblings. Yet it’s the better bike for real world riding 

  • Family fun

    Big Brit single cylinder sloggers were built to haul sidecars. So what’s their purpose in the modern world? 

  • Quaint BUT PRACTICAL

    “These are bespoke machines for the refined rider.” All those fabled ancient virtues in a rigidly simple machine which provides a refreshing change of classic clothes… 

  • TWINSHOCK TRAIL FINDER

    TWINSHOCK TRAIL FINDER

    Well, it’s that time of year again! The entry gates are open for Austin Vince’s epic Twinshock Trailfinder event out in the Pyrenees.  

  • CLASSIC BRITISH MX SERIES

    Round 7 (final); Llanthony Classic MCC @ Llanthony, nr Abergavenny, September 20. 

  • 2015 CLASSIC MOTOCROSS des NATIONS

    2015 CLASSIC MOTOCROSS des NATIONS

    The best of the best join forces to represent their countries in one of the biggest classic MX team events of the year. Dave Gittins was there. 

  • Brand new Bonnevilles

    A four-year project was revealed last month, when Triumph unveiled its family of five new retro-roadsters. Two engines, tuned for torque or power, incorporate all types of high-tech enhancements, while the bikes’ revised styling finally gives them the clean, uncluttered appeal that’s so in vogue. Looks like the new Bonnies will be the ones to…

  • The Classic Dirtbike Show

    It is almost time for the big event of our classic year, the one event that kick-starts the season for us.  

  • Keeping a warm Welsh welcome for everyone

    Dave Harrison tells the story of the South Wales Sunbeam Motorcycle Club, founded 37 years ago.  

  • Long live the vertical twin!

    Long live the vertical twin!

    Concluding his two-part feature about four-stroke vertical twins, Brian Sanderson brings the story right up to date as he traces the development of such engines from the 1960s to the present day.  

  • Alpine star! 2500 miles on an MZ Trophy

    After buying an MZ ES250 Trophy like the one he once owned many years ago, Harry Stanistreet wasted no time in entering it in the 50th anniversary Stella Alpina Rally this year – it was a journey to remember.  

  • ‘Distinguished gentlemen’s’ outing raises £7000 towards prostate cancer research

    The worldwide Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride to raise funds for prostate cancer research on Sunday, September 27 was supported by a Bournemouth Ride organised by James Page in which almost 200 bikes took part. 

  • Chinese ‘takeaway’ fails to sell

    A 1947 1000cc HRD Vincent Rapide made £30,000 at Richard Edmonds Auctions’ sale at Allington, just outside Chippenham, on October 24.  

  • Another record-breaker!

    Another record-breaker!

    More visitors and two outstanding bike sales make the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show one of the best yet 

  • Riding high: fourth Colombres Rally is another winner

    This year’s Colombres Rally, organised by the Moto Club Indianos among the Picos Mountains of northern Spain from October 4-11, attracted another full entry of 350 pre-1980 classic motorcycles, writes Tony Page, who also took the photos. 


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