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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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A civilised do at the Highlands
The 2014 Scottish Demob Run will start from The Pier on the shores of Loch Leven in Kinross just off the M90 on Sunday, May 18, 2014. The venue has changed every year since its inception so the run is never the same from year to year…
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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… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our…
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Road Test: Triumph Tiger T110
With the Goodwood Revival deciding on introducing a set of rules encouraging the use of early to mid-1950s type ‘club’ racers, Triumph pre-unit specialists Ace Classics and fellow London shop, the Baron Speed Shop, decided to join forces and get involved…
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1983 Husqvarna CR500
This superb looking 1983 Husqvarna CR500 Twinshock was rebuilt from scratch by Scottish dirt bike fanatic Finlay Wright…
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Road Test: Triumph Tiger T110
With the Goodwood Revival deciding on introducing a set of rules encouraging the use of early to mid-1950s type ‘club’ racers, Triumph pre-unit specialists Ace Classics and fellow London shop, the Baron Speed Shop, decided to join forces and get involved…
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Glass plates: Beach racing at Saltburn, 1932
The first beach race to be held at Saltburn was in 1906, organised by the Yorkshire Automobile Club. More than 60,000 visitors came and the event continued to be popular until the First World War halted it. Racing restarted in 1920…
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Hot Honda sells for a song!
A Honda CB750 from 1968 has sold for almost $150,000 in the US. The bike is one of four pre-production machines that were produced by the Japanese factory for dealer seminars in North America and Europe in 1969…
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Golden days at Stafford
A golden era of motorsport, and a fantastic weekend of motorcycling – that’s what visitors to one of the year’s best shows are set to enjoy later this month…
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Buying Guide: Garelli Tiger Cross
With a motorcycle now out of reach until 17 years of age the disaffected yoof wanted, needed and demanded the sexiest moped they could have and here it was, the Garelli Tiger Cross. The best sports moped ever? Many claimed it was…
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Buying Guide: Garelli Tiger Cross
With a motorcycle now out of reach until 17 years of age the disaffected yoof wanted, needed and demanded the sexiest moped they could have and here it was, the Garelli Tiger Cross. The best sports moped ever? Many claimed it was…
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Mallory Park Bike Bonanza
The Mallory Park Bike Bonanza, to be held over the weekend of July 11-13 will have something for everyone, ranging from club stands and parades, an autojumble, on track parades and appearances by top personalities, among them multi world champion Giacomo Agostini…
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Thundersprint is go!
One of the biggest and best motorcycle events in the UK promises to be even better this year – so don’t miss it! The Thundersprint is now firmly established in the biking calendar and this year will take place at the Darley Moor circuit over the weekend of May 10-11…
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National Motorcycle Museum celebrates 30 years
This year the National Motorcycle Museum is celebrating 30 years since first opening to the public by holding a series of events and launching some new initiatives…
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Buying Guide: Suzuki RF900
The 900s were the class of the 1990s but the Suzuki RF900R was in a class of one: rapid, radical looks and ridiculously cheap…
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Buying Guide: Suzuki RF900
The 900s were the class of the 1990s but the Suzuki RF900R was in a class of one: rapid, radical looks and ridiculously cheap…
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I had one of those: BSA A10
Given a handful of more powerful, more modern models in the garage with more street cred, a 1960 BSA A10 Golden Flash wouldn’t instantly spring to mind as the bike of choice for a certain young man and his girlfriend when planning this year’s trip to the Isle of Man for the Manx GP…
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Heritage Transport Show
The Heritage Transport Show at the Kent County Showground at Detling has become established as an early-season event. The income it generates is put towards the costs of the heritage element of the huge Kent County Show, traditionally held at the same venue in July…
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Founder’s Day
Founders Day is set in the beautiful grounds of Stanford Hall near Lutterworth in rural Leicestershire and is arguably one of the best ‘old bike’ events in the UK. It takes place on Sunday July 20th, with this year’s theme being ‘First World War Bikes’, including all manufactured between the years 1914 and 1918…
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Draganfly goods
New from Suffolk-based Draganfly Motorcycles are automatic advance units for all K2F magnetos.These have been manufactured in the UK…
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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… Article continues below… Advert…
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Buying Guide: Suzuki GS400
There are occasions when common sense and practicality out-trump kudos and macho posturing. There are also times when you need a no nonsense, no frills machine that’ll do the job with the minimum of fuss and effort and at low cost…
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Buying Guide: Suzuki GS400
There are occasions when common sense and practicality out-trump kudos and macho posturing. There are also times when you need a no nonsense, no frills machine that’ll do the job with the minimum of fuss and effort and at low cost…
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Superior effort for Comic Relief
Brough Superior owner John Wallis is planning to celebrate his machine’s 90th year and his own 65th with a ride around the coast of England, Scotland and Wales…
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Decoking two stroke exhausts
Is a 25 percent power increase for less than the cost of a takeaway for two really possible? Find out as we delve into the carbon-encrusted twilight zone that is often found in two-stroke exhaust systems… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines.…
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Italian favourites part one
In the seventies the Japanese motorcycle industry was beginning to dominate the bike market, with its high tech performance designs. The Italian response was typically heart- rather than head-led. John Nutting picks 10 of his seventies Italian favourites…
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Island meeting
In the March 2013 issue, The Classic MotorCycle detailed the story of Dutchman Gerard NuBijer and his collection of Nortons, including his beloved Manx, of which he didn’t know the history..
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RealClassic 120 out now!
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of RealClassic magazine, issue 120 features an especially eclectic collection of classic bikes, ranging from BMW to Vincent. All yours for a smidgen over three quid!
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Raby Castle show
The 18th Classic Vehicle Show and Vintage Rally takes place at Raby Castle on June 15, 2014, between 10am – 4pm…
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Iconic HM Plant Honda Stars at Thundersprint 2014
If there is one bike, and one colour scheme, which gets the hairs on the back of every bike racing fan’s neck standing up straight it is the Honda Fireblade in the stunning HM Plant livery of orange and black…
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Classic Camera: Track attack, August 1958
Les Smith prepares to tackle the Sani Pass, a bridle track between Basutoland and Natal in South Africa on his 350cc Velocette MAC, “…a machine of uncertain vintage” as described in The Motor Cycle…
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The Classic MotorCycle on sale – May 2014
BSA’s ZB Goldie – the one to have! Plus John Surtees interview, Triumph twin sprunter, airfield racing at Brough, Harley-Davidson, Vincent Rapide restoration, plus all the usual archive stories and columnists. On sale now…
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Specialist cover for national classic day
Classic car and bike insurance broker Carole Nash has thrown its full support behind National Classic Car & Bike Day by providing policy holders with commuter cover as standard.
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Star lots at the Stafford show
A 1939 Brough Superior SS100 owned by the designer himself, George Brough, goes under the hammer at the Bonhams Sale on April 27 at The 34th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show at the Stafford showground…
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Bumper entries for classic TT races
Event race promoter, The Isle of Man Government Department of Economic Development, has received a total of 329 entries across the three races and four categories and the race organisers will now review the entries and agree the final start lists for the 270 starting places…
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Top 20 two strokes, part two
We continue our second instalment of the top 20 Japanese two strokes….
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Double Inter special
Reproduced in full from the original article in the May 1983 edition of The Classic MotorCycle, this is the tale of a remarkable engineer and his twin-engined Norton…
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Old Bike Mart Unearthed – April 2014
This month’s unearthed readers bikes and finds… 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
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Photo competition teaser gallery
The Mortons Archive photo competition has closed and the judging panel are poring over the entries. As an appetizer, here are a few of the many entries we received. Bit of a mixed bag, but that’s what makes this type of competition so exciting… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here…
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TT for all those tiddlers
If you like life in the fast lane then there’s one event that is definitely not for you. The Scottish TT, or Tiddler Tootle, is a new idea hatched by the Vintage Motor Cycle Club in Scotland, to encourage riders to bring out their lightweights of up to 250cc and made before 1989…
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HB Suzuki RG500/XR45
Factory race bikes that fall into private hands are a rare enough thing. Finding out you may just own one by chance is even more so. But that is exactly what happened to Tony Salt when he bought a RG500 to parade. Malc Wheeler gets the lowdown…
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LAST DAY! Mortons Archive photo competition
Fancy yourself as a bit of photographer? Well, we’re giving you the chance to showcase your favourite snaps with the 2014 Mortons Archive photo competition! Top prize is a custom made motorcycle helmet from specialist supplier Davida!
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Sheene back to Cadwell!
Cadwell Park circuit will be honouring its 80th anniversary on Sunday, August 3 with a special event featuring racing and displays to celebrate the venue’s history and its legendary status within the biking community…
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Road Test: Norton ES2
From early sporting leanings in the roaring 20s, Norton’s immortal 490cc pushrod engine developed into a delightful lusty slogger, fondly remembered by many. The ‘Easy’ 2 was a mainstay of the Norton range for over three decades, and it’s not difficult to see why it had such a devoted following…
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Road Test: Norton ES2
From early sporting leanings in the roaring 20s, Norton’s immortal 490cc pushrod engine developed into a delightful lusty slogger, fondly remembered by many. The ‘Easy’ 2 was a mainstay of the Norton range for over three decades, and it’s not difficult to see why it had such a devoted following…
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Chicago-bound cafe from Kevils
Born in Bavaria, perfected in Paignton and shipped to the USA, Kevils Speed Shop’s latest custom build ‘Vault’ is an ultra-slick BMW R100 in gleaming grey bound for the USA, the custom cafe has been commissioned by Steve, an md of a multinational data security company…
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BMW’s lightweight off-roader
BMW customised classics are all the rage. Go on the Net and you’ll find any amount of cafe racers, street trackers, Brat-style bobbers, and even scramblers but no, this is not another BMW custom classic project – with the photo given some retro monochrome treatment…
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Classic Bike Guide on sale now – April 2014
Clymer Interceptor, 10-page Brooklands special, ultimate Douglas Dragonfly, BSA Super Rocket and Japanese twins. Plus the usual archive material and your favourite columnists. On sale now!
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British heavyweights at auction
British classic motorcycles feature heavily at the forthcoming Vintage Sale at Cheffins in Cambs, and could be the perfect opportunity to secure your next biking project…
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Track legends at Mallory Bike Bonanza
The Mallory Bike Bonanza, held over July 11,12 and 13, promises something for every bike enthusiast, with static displays of the various owners clubs through to on track action with parades for all types of machines, not forgetting the classics, among them a MV Agusta in the hands of the legendary Giacomo Agostini…
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Dunkirk jumble
It may sound like a continental event, but this Dunkirk is a village, north west of Canterbury…
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Suzuki extends Vintage Parts Programme
Suzuki has announced the addition of the iconic GT750 Kettle to its popular Vintage Parts Programme revealing that it has more than 1100 genuine parts still available for the sought after two-stroke…
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Classic British Legends: Barry Sheene
Twice 500cc World Champion, Sportsman of the Year 1977, MBE, model, playboy, you name it, he lived it. 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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Barry Sheene tribute
Barry Sheene, twice 500cc World Champion, Sports Journalists’ Association (SJA) Sportsman of the Year 1977, MBE, model, playboy, showman, you name it, he lived it. Last Monday, March 10, was the anniversary of his passing in 2003. He was 52…
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Reference: A to Z classic reference: Talbot – Thor
Encyclopaedia of Classic Motorcycles: the definitive classic motorcycle guide
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Reference: A to Z classic reference: Buchet – Cazenave
Encyclopaedia of Classic Motorcycles: the definitive classic motorcycle guide
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Mike Hailwood, 1964
Fifty years ago, during the USA Grand Prix at Daytona, Mike Hailwood and MV Agusta rewrote the record book…
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Classic Motorcycle Mechanics on sale – April 2014
Yamaha TDR 250 and XJ1100 Maxim reviews, Suzuki GSX-R750M tests and tips on buying Suzuki’s tiddler, the A100. Also Ducati 860GT MIRA files, Honda CX750 Turbo and getting close with Yamaha’s YZR500 Gauloises Replica. Plus all the usual regulars and archive material. On sale now…
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Cameron Donald to ride for Norton at 2014 IoM TT races
Norton Motorcycles has confirmed that Cameron Donald will contest the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races, with the Australian ace lining up in the Dainese Superbike and PokerStars Senior TT Races for the British manufacturer. Cameron will start both races from the number 19 position, made famous by the late Steve Hislop…
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Road Test: Triumph 6T Thunderbird
The late Pete Sole, who owned this Triumph Thunderbird for over 20 years, was well-respected as a pragmatic restorer with a taste for vintage machinery. The Thunderbird was his first post-war heavyweight and he used it regularly, as a workhorse and tourer…
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Road Test: Triumph 6T Thunderbird
The late Pete Sole, who owned this Triumph Thunderbird for over 20 years, was well-respected as a pragmatic restorer with a taste for vintage machinery. The Thunderbird was his first post-war heavyweight and he used it regularly, as a workhorse and tourer…
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Still time for Prescott
You’ve still got time to attend the splendid Prescott Bike Festival, which takes place on April 6. Even better, you could be one of the lucky winners in our Prescott ticket competition, currently running…
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Road Test: Kawasaki Z1300
Late in 1978, at the Cologne Show in Germany, Kawasaki unveiled its 1300, the most powerful bike yet built and prompted a debate that led to the (short-lived) voluntary manufacturers’ agreement to limit power outputs to 125 bhp. Bob Berry rides one of the last machines off the production line…
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Road Test: Kawasaki Z1300
Late in 1978, at the Cologne Show in Germany, Kawasaki unveiled its 1300, the most powerful bike yet built and prompted a debate that led to the (short-lived) voluntary manufacturers’ agreement to limit power outputs to 125 bhp. Bob Berry rides one of the last machines off the production line…
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National Motorcycle Museum sets stage for Superbike champs
Superbike legends Carl Fogarty and James Whitham are set to make a pit stop in Solihull on the latest lap of their UK chat show tour. Foggy and Whit have been revving up audiences across the UK for the last four years with their popular stage show ‘Foggy and Whit: Givin It Gas’…
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It’s Stafford showtime!
Motorsport legend John Surtees is set to be the star attraction as one of the world’s biggest and most famous classic motorcycle events returns once again to the Staffordshire County Showground this April…
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Workshop: Iconic engines: Villiers 37A
That the Villiers two-stroke engine has been a major part of off-road motorcycling is fairly obvious but what is it like inside? What are the points to look out for? Classic Dirtbike magazine pulls one apart…
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Workshop: Seat re-covering
When it comes to restoring motorcycles, you can almost bet your hat that the seat is going to be a bit tatty around the edges and requiring a bit of tlc. This month Steve Cooper brings us a guide to re-covering them…
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Buying Guide: Kawasaki KE175B
The KE175’s designers undoubtedly put a lot of thought into the design, ergonomics and practicality. When the getting down and dirty is finished the KE becomes a supremely usable road machine that’ll commute all day long…
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Workshop: Iconic engines: Villiers 37A
That the Villiers two-stroke engine has been a major part of off-road motorcycling is fairly obvious but what is it like inside? What are the points to look out for? Classic Dirtbike magazine pulls one apart…
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Workshop: Seat re-covering
When it comes to restoring motorcycles, you can almost bet your hat that the seat is going to be a bit tatty around the edges and requiring a bit of tlc. This month Steve Cooper brings us a guide to re-covering them…
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Buying Guide: Kawasaki KE175B
The KE175’s designers undoubtedly put a lot of thought into the design, ergonomics and practicality. When the getting down and dirty is finished the KE becomes a supremely usable road machine that’ll commute all day long…
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VMCC winter wandering
Organised by the Brooklands Section of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club, we looked in on one of its ‘Winter Wanderings’ road runs, starting from a cool and windswept Newlands Corner car park, on the top of the Downs near Guildford…
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The way we were: April
New Douglas 348cc twins given an outing in 1914 at Brooklands, Royal Enfield announces a new quarter litre model in 1964 and Norton’s new twin-rotor Wankel-engined bike is received by the Press…
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