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Reference: Triumph Bonneville T120R
Triumph’s Bonneville was, for many, at about its peak in 1969 as it had the twin leading shoe front brake and all the other refinements gradually introduced through the 1960s and was still pre oil-in-frame. This US spec example from that season underlines the point…
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The London to Edinburgh Run, 1914
The London to Edinburgh Reliability Trial was celebrated in the June 11, 1914 issue of The Motor Cycle with a report from a ‘competitor’s point of view’…
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Classic Bike Guide on sale now – June 2014
Lightning Clubman – BSA’s answer to the Thruxton Bonnie. Plus Triumph’s adventure bike, Ducati singles, Hailwood’s A65 and all the usual columnists and archive features. On sale now…
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Island Racer 2014 – digital version now available
Island Racer 2014 is the ultimate Isle of Man TT publication bringing together the greatest images, latest news and superb features from TTs, past and present. Now available as a digital download!
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Tales from the glory days of racing
Want to find out more about the world of 1920s motorcycle sport? The Classic MotorCycle magazine has produced a special 140 page digital edition of archive material from Motor Cycling, called Seen from the Saddle and originally published by editor Graham Walker – dad of Murray…
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CRMC championship
The CRMC (Classic Racing Motorcycle Club) enjoyed dry, sunny weather for the second of its national championship rounds. This time, the club was at Lydden Hill circuit in Kent…
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Brooklands: The 1940s relived
The 1940s Relived is a more recent addition to the Brooklands calendar, but succeeds in encouraging many people to dress up for the occasion, in uniform or period dress, to create a serious helping of nostalgia…
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Bonhams Banbury Run sale
A pair of Brough Superiors, four Vincents and a Nigerian King’s Rudge Multi set to make Bonhams Banbury Run Sale in Woodstock, Oxford on June 7, a motorcycle enthusiast’s dream…
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Bike Shed correction!
An eagle-eyed Classic Bike Guide reader has pointed out we got the dates wrong in the May issue of CBG. The event to be held at Tobacco Dock will be held on May 24-25, this weekend, and NOT May 23-24 as printed in the mag. Full report below…
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Iconic engines: Rotary valve Norton
Though often accused of sticking with the ohc concept, Norton did have the vision to experiment with a rotary valve engine around 1952. This isn’t to be confused with the Wankel-engined rotary Norton of much later but an alternative cylinder head on a Manx unit…
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Classic Motorcycle Mechanics on sale – June 2014
Suzuki’s svelte GT380 revealed and bargain Bandits, plus Yamaha SR400/500, RD350LC special, Niall McKenzie’s FS1-E and all the usual columnists and regulars. On sale now…
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Buying Guide: Yamaha XJ1100
The Yamaha XJ1100 Maxim was the last in a line of hairy chested, air-cooled, inline fours. Great grandfather was the revolutionary XS750, grandpa was the XS850 and dad bulked up to be the XS1100. Steve Cooper takes a closer look…
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Ducati Desmo dynasty
Ducati’s Desmo singles and twins hold a special place in the hearts of red-blooded bikers. Rod Gibson rode the biggest and smallest of the breed…
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Buying Guide: Yamaha XJ1100
The Yamaha XJ1100 Maxim was the last in a line of hairy chested, air-cooled, inline fours. Great grandfather was the revolutionary XS750, grandpa was the XS850 and dad bulked up to be the XS1100. Steve Cooper takes a closer look…
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The way we were in June
Mike Hailwood races his MV four at the Isle of Man, 400 spectators watch racing at Doncaster and a bad year for fatalities at the IoM in 1989. We look back at key events in June…
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In the frame
With the BSA Bantam being the up and coming bike in pre ’65 trials nowadays the little stroker has been the subject of a lot of attention, not least from Rob Homer…
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Road Test: Royal Enfield J2
Royal Enfield’s Redditch factory built a reputation for solid, reliable bikes that could surprise the better known opposition with their performance. But the company was innovative too. Jim Reynolds tastes the solid dependability of the simple single…
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Road Test: Royal Enfield J2
Royal Enfield’s Redditch factory built a reputation for solid, reliable bikes that could surprise the better known opposition with their performance. But the company was innovative too. Jim Reynolds tastes the solid dependability of the simple single…
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Vintage, veteran and classic show, Amberley, Sussex
The annual motorcycle show at Amberley is usually seeen as an opportunity to display a bike (25 years-old at least, please) while wandering off to enjoy the many attractions of the museum in the huge chalk quarry in the South Downs…
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Dusting off the opposition
Derek Rickman, well ahead of the field here in the 1964 Motocross des Nations at Hawkstone Park, was part of the British team that August and helped the home side to its 12th victory in the ultimate team scramble…
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Buying Guide: Kawasaki Z1A
Honda’s CB750 took and shook the motorcycle market but Kawasaki’s 900 raised the bar by a similar amount. More power, technology and performance than anything else. And affordable too. Rod Gibson tells the story…
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Classic Dirtbike on sale – issue 31
Sidecar superstar Nick Thompson interview, BSA Gold Star engine profile, plus sport and tech archives and articles on Bultaco, Montesa, Suzuki, Yamaha TY and AJS special…
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RRL Riders Tour
If you’re quick there’s still time to register for a unique 99km ride across Paris. The exclusive event that is taking place on Sunday May 25 on behalf of Blitz Motorcycles and Double RL…
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New editor for Old Bike Mart
Old Bike Mart has a new editor! Pete Kelly, experienced journalist and avid motorcyclist, has taken the reins from incumbent Tim Britton and began in his new role from the May 2014 issue. Here’s Pete to tell you about himself, and his plans for Old Bike Mart, in his own words…
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Classic Dirtbike to go subscription only
There are a few changes afoot for quarterly publication Classic Dirtbike, which will affect UK readers. From the next issue (32) CDB will be moving to a subscription only format…
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Road Test: Jawa 90 Roadster
Teenagers understand just one style of motorcycle riding – throttle to the stop. The Jawa 90 was designed with such discerning youthful riders in mind. Luckily a few survived this full-on abuse including this plucky example, now semi-retired in the Isle of Man…
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Kawasaki W-series 650 twins
Low sales volume still didn’t stop Kawasaki from selling its own version of the archetypal British bike. Anyone who knocked about on old British iron might reasonably suggest Kawasaki’s original W-series twins were little more than BSA A7/A10s rip-offs…
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Road Test: Jawa 90 Roadster
Teenagers understand just one style of motorcycle riding – throttle to the stop. The Jawa 90 was designed with such discerning youthful riders in mind. Luckily a few survived this full-on abuse including this plucky example, now semi-retired in the Isle of Man…
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Thundersprint 2014
With Scott Redding, Jim Redman, Sam Lowes and Nick Jefferies on the start line the only big star missing from this year’s Thundersprint was Noah – and he was the one with most experience of the conditions!
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Latest products
New three-phase alternator stators, claimed to produce more power at low revs than the single-phase versions, have just been announced by Paul Goff. Plus finding vintage tyres and NSU spares…
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Brooklands ‘outreach’ dates
As in previous years, the Brooklands motorcycle team will have an ‘outreach’ programme, taking a selection of bikes and demonstrating them at a variety of events…
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Barn finds set for Oxford
An unrestored trio are set to headline Bonhams Oxford sale, on June 7, the day before the VMCC’s Banbury Run…
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Your chance to take to the track
The Mallory Bike Bonanza is all about bikes and the Leicestershire circuit is giving motorcyclists the chance to take to the track during the event and ride their own machines alongside racing legends in the road bike and race bike parade laps…
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Villiers mystery solved
Several readers, including Sammy Miller, have kindly solved the mystery of the bike shown with Ron Hockley’s Muc-Off Star Letter (April OBM) and it turns out to be not much of a ‘mystery’ at all…
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Forever Two Wheels digital edition
Alongside the traditional printed publication, specialist classic bookazine Forever Two Wheels is now available as a special edition digital issue with added image galleries, video content and a new ‘no-zoom-needed’ design…
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The Wolds Run, 2014
Around 600 riders converged on East Kirkby Aviation Museum on May 3, 2014, to participate in The Wolds Run, which is an annual motorcycle charity event with proceeds going to the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance service… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading…
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RealClassic 121 out now!
In this month’s RealClassic magazine, owners share their experiences about running, riding and rebuilding all kinds of classic bikes, from Laverda triples to British lightweight two-strokes, military Harleys to Velocette singles. Here’s how to buy a copy
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Grass track racing
Tim Mount is a regular grass track rider in the south east of the country. For some 20 years, he has owned a bike fitted with a BSA C15 engine. Long since out-classed, it its heyday it was cutting-edge for the quarter litre class…
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George Brough plaques unveiled
Plaques commissioned by the Brough Superior Club to acknowledge the life of George Brough have been affixed on two houses in Nottingham…
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Pageant turns red
The Cholmondeley Pageant of Power goes Latin with an Italian theme for 2014 when it opens the gates of the beautiful grounds of Cholmondeley Castle over June 13-15…
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The way we were: May
Selection of motorcycle activities throughout from last century starting with The Motor Cycle advising readers of ferry arrangements for the Isle of Man in 1914…
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Going solo
Although originally aimed at the racing fraternity, Solo starters quickly found a far wider market, and in the last eight years starters have been sold to collectors, engine builders, restorers, motorcycle dealers, and even the MoT Testing Station at Braddan, IoM…
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Hammond a classic fan
BBC Top Gear’s Richard Hammond made a surprise appearance at the recent Prescott Bike Festival, arriving on a classic Norton Dominator…
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Six hour Velocette rewire – in three minutes!
People are prepared to pay for painting, plating, engine work etc, but are often reluctant to spend on rewiring. This is why it makes sense to invest in electrics…
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Cotswold Scrambler, June 1953
Fine weather was welcomed for the 1953 Cotswold Scramble – but that was to be expected for as The Motor Cycle commented it was “almost a tradition” that the “sun blazed down” and this season was no different…
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Corgis at work
Presumably from late 1950 – as it was published on January 4, 1951 – a pair of Corgis are pressed into service as runabouts on an airfield during ‘a big exercise’ over Britain, in which RAF and US Air Force personnel took part…
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Suzuki legends at Classic TT
Three of Suzuki’s top engineers will be joining Steve Wheatman’s Classic Suzuki Race Team at the Classic TT in August. Tadano Matsui, Masaru Iwasaki and Makoto Suzuki are flying in especially for the event…
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The Classic MotorCycle on sale – June 2014
Triumph Tiger 100 – fast fun, smooth and irrestisibly stylish. Also budget Velocette special, Czech engineering, James V-twins, a stunning Manx Norton plus all the usual archive stories and your favourite columnists. On sale now!
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Crowds flock to Stafford show as Brough Superior smashes auction best
Showgoers were abuzz with news of a record breaking sale in the Bonhams auction as another bumper crowd went home happy following the now traditional spring motorcycle event at Staffordshire County Showground this past weekend…
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Forever Two Wheels
From the publisher of Classic Bike Guide magazine, Forever Two Wheels celebrates the hand-built customised motorcycle and the new generation of bike builders embracing this new culture. We know you’ll enjoy it…
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Historics bike auction at Brooklands
Specialist independent classic and sports car auctioneers Historics at Brooklands has a mouth-watering line-up for its classic motorcycle auction on June 7…
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Pioneer Run
For this year’s Pioneer Run, held on April 13, the organising Sunbeam MCC arranged access once again to Handcross Park School. The buildings, set some way back from the road (and the Pioneer route) seem totally appropriate as a backdrop as the late 19th century design predates the visiting bikes by just a few years…
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Bit on the side
Watsonian sidecars has developed a fitting kit for the Triumph Trophy, the British motorcycle manufacturer’s ultimate touring bike…
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Stafford Prize Winners
Congratulations to everyone who bagged themselves a prize at the 34th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show, April 26-27. Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert Article continues below… Advert Article continues below… Advert
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Stafford prize winners
The 34th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show is over for another year, and that means we have another batch of winners for you!
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Legend Surtees proves a hit at Stafford show
Large crowds gathered to hear fascinating tales and long lines formed for signing sessions this past weekend as one of motorsport’s finest kick-started a year of events celebrating his glorious career…
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John Surtees full length interview
Motorcycle Sport and Leisure editor Tony Carter interviews the infamous John Surtees covering the highs and lows of his career on both two wheels and four…
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Surtees Ferrari arrives at Stafford
Watch as we move John Surtees’ Ferrari into the halls of the Stafford Classic MotorCycle Show in less than 60 seconds…
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Classic Dirtbike trials, Stafford 2014
Action from the Classic Dirt Bike Experience at the 34th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show
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Meet the Stafford traders
Meet some of the traders here at the 34th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show, including the National Motorcycle Museum!
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The 34th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show
Pictures and videos from around the Stafford show! Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert Article continues below… Advert Article continues below… Advert
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ON NOW! The 34th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show
Once more, the scene is set for a weekend of classic enjoyment and indulgence, with some of the best old motorcycles in the world assembled, as well as a stellar line-up of clubs, the fabulous Bonhams auction and our star guest, John Surtees…
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1931 Vincent HRD Sports
Every motorcycle show needs a few enigmatic machines, and this Vincent HRD Sport from way back in 1931 is no exception…
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It’s here!
The Ferrari 158, the only championship winning Ferrari that’s not painted red, has arrived for the weekend at the Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show…
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It’s Go, Go, Go at Stafford!
April 26 has finally arrived which means the doors are now officially open to the much-anticipated Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show…
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Spotted at Stafford – 1953 Vincent Rapide C
This stunning 1953 Vincent Rapide C is only half of the class act that entrant Vic Mathers brought along to Stafford this weekend. Nestled alongside this classic 998 cc Vincent V-twin is a Steib 501 sidecar that was used in British sci-fi saga Doctor Who.
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It was a “Rusty Wreck”
When David Pattison bought this 1921 Norton 17C at auction in June 2012, he described it as little more than a “rusty wreck”. However, invigorated by the challenge of restoring such a prestigious motorcycle, David rose to the challenge spectacularly.
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A lovely 1959 Triumph T110
This eye-catching and thorougly British display comes courtesy of entrant Des Price. On top of the union jack, in pride of place, is a lovely 1959 Triumph T110.
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Coventry-Eagle Soars at Stafford
Perhaps the most inconic of the Coventry-Eagle motorcycles is the Flying Eight, and this remarkable 1925 specimen entered by Peter Lancaster is as pretty as it is rare.
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Spectacular Cotton Dart at Stafford
This spectacular 1923 Cotton Dart was lovingly restored by Tony Trueman who (after spending most of his easter holidays holed up in his garage) has brought it to Stafford this weekend…
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Jawa Retro outfit rolls back the years
This here be the new Jawa Retro Sidecar Combination. This uses the new Jawa 350 Retro motorcycle and a purpose designed all steel sidecar…
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Racing legend Surtees reunited with the only F1 winning Ferrari that wasn’t red!
The only man ever to win a Formula One World Championship in a Ferrari that wasn’t red will be reunited with his blue and white machine this weekend…
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It’s bikes, bikes, bikes at Stafford set up!
When it comes to motorcycling, few could argue that right now is the best time of year. A season of great events is nearly upon us and so now’s the time when we get to start plotting our routes for the next few months and work out just how many weekends we are able to…
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Reference: Triumph TR5 Trophy
Though functional-looking, the Triumph TR5 is also arguably one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever made – and this one’s a real stunner…
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Road Test: Rudge Ulster
Retired design and technology teacher John Crispin gives full marks to his 1938 Rudge Ulster as an object lesson in good engineering practice and a design way ahead of its time…
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Road Test: Rudge Ulster
Retired design and technology teacher John Crispin gives full marks to his 1938 Rudge Ulster as an object lesson in good engineering practice and a design way ahead of its time…
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Reference: Triumph TR5 Trophy
Though functional-looking, the Triumph TR5 is also arguably one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever made – and this one’s a real stunner…
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Catalina Grand Prix
Santa Catalina Island is a tropical paradise 27 miles off the southern California coastline and for three years from 1951 to 1953 it hosted the Catalina Grand National – an enduro style event…
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Tokyo Show, 1954
The 36 manufacturers of Japanese-made bikes were represented by 120 exhibits at the first Tokyo Show which opened on April 20…
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John Surtees: a celebration
John Surtees ranks among the most successful and gifted competitors to have ever made motorsport their career, and the fact that he achieved great success in both two and four wheeled disciplines is a feat that is near unrivalled and is surely never to be repeated…
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Classic Bike Guide on sale now – May 2014
The first and new Norton Domiracer, BSA and Triumph triples, Gulf liveried Norton Commando, Benelli six, Haynes museum, plus all the usual columnists and archive material. On sale now!
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VMCC BHR, Anglesey
A dry but windy Anglesey circuit greeted the British Historic Racing competitors for round 1 of the 2014 season. A competitive series of contests unfolded as riders found their feet after the winter layoff…
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Triumph 500 group test
Three’s a crowd! Rigid, sprung hub and swinging arm versions of Triumph’s popular 500cc twins on test. Roy Poynting revs up with great enthusiasm for all three and nominates his favourite steed…
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Photo competition winners!
The Mortons Archive photo competition really caught the imagination of website visitors and print readers, as we received over 500 high quality entries, which make things hard and time consuming for our judging panel. Much midnight oil was burnt!
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Charity Ninja to tackle TT course 30 years after historic win
In 1984 the Isle of Man production TT race for machines up to 1500cc was won by Geoff Johnson on the first ever Kawasaki in the famous Ninja line, the GPz900R…
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Tour on a classic!
You can now embark upon a tour on either a classic German adventure bike or a rip-snorting two-stroke!
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Busy year for Sinclair
One of classic racing’s young guns, Alex Sinclair, has a great line-up of machinery on offer for his third attempt at the Classic TT-Manx Grand Prix…
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John Surtees interview
Motorcycle Sport & Leisure editor Tony Carter sits down and gets the full story on legend John Surtees’ career on both two wheels and four
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South of England Show
Always a popular event, whatever the weather, the RealClassic South of England Show benefited from the spring sunshine to achieve what was probably the greatest ever attendance at the Ardingly Showground. Sunday traders were happy to accept outside jumble pitches and the visitors’ bike park covered a huge area this time…
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Scottish Bike Show needs you!
Clubs and owners are being sought for the bigger-than-ever Carole Nash Great Scottish Bike Show, which takes place on August 9-10…
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Workshop: Velocette 250 and 350
Velocette 250 and 350 ‘iron engine’ service notes. Models covered are MOV, MAC and MAF. Consistent design methods employed by Veloce Ltd over the years make the remainder of the work simple…
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Ulster Grand Prix 1960
Dull with bright intervals, like the weather, was how the Motor Cycling reporter described the 125 race at the 1960 Ulster Grand Prix. But reading his race report it sounds anything but dull…
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Workshop: Velocette 250 and 350
Velocette 250 and 350 ‘iron engine’ service notes. Models covered are MOV, MAC and MAF. Consistent design methods employed by Veloce Ltd over the years make the remainder of the work simple…
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May-June 2014 Classic Racer on sale now!
Wil Hartog, Graeme Crosby, John Surtees, Fred Stevens and Helmut Fath profiles plus, with this issue, a 32-page supplement on the Isle of Man, the riders and machines. Plus all the usual popular regulars and archive images. On sale now!
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Buying Guide: Yamaha 350 YR3
If you think this month’s subject matter looks like it has one foot in the 1960s that’d be a good thing because that’s exactly where it’s from! We dish up the gossip on one of Yamaha’s rarer 350s…
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Buying Guide: Yamaha 350 YR3
If you think this month’s subject matter looks like it has one foot in the 1960s that’d be a good thing because that’s exactly where it’s from! We dish up the gossip on one of Yamaha’s rarer 350s…
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Classic Motorcycle Mechanics on sale – May 2014
Yamaha FZR1000R EXUP, and why it’s a great buy! Plus top tiddlers of the Seventies, Yamaha YDS2, Kawasaki ZXR 750, KR-1S overhaul, rebuilding carburettors for peanuts and all the usual columnists and archive stories. On sale now!
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