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Marjorie Cottle
In the 1920s, with the enthusiastic support of Raleigh (a major manufacturer at the time) Marjorie Cottle became one of Britain’s best-known motorcyclists. Her ready smile brightened press photos, captured as she engaged in all sorts of motorcycle activities or displayed her considerable talent as a trials rider…
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Pope’s H-D auctioned for charity
To mark the 110th anniversary of the motorcycle brand, Pope Francis was presented with the 1,585cc Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide in June 2013. Now the machine is to be auctioned for charity by Bonhams at the Grand Palais on February 6, 2014…
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Five-valve heads
To get more ‘oomph’ out of a motor, you need to get the air and mixture in sharpish and then get the exhaust gases out as quick as you can. But which valve layout is best? For some manufacturers, five valves is the way to go…
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Classic Motorcycle Mechanics on sale – February 2014
Focus on Honda’s NS400R, Triumph Daytona 900 and Yamaha AS3 reviews, plus looking back on Honda’s mighty marvel – the CBX – and Garelli Tiger Cross buyer’s guide, Yamaha TZR rebuild plus all the usual regulars. On sale now!
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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… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe…
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Newark Winter Classic, January 2014
A selection of photos from the Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic 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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The National Motorcycle Museum appoints director
Former VMCC CEO James Hewing has been appointed as Museum Director at the National Motorcycle Museum, based in Solihull…
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Track legend John Surtees to attend Stafford show!
Legendary motorsport champion John Surtees will be in attendance at the Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show in April, and he’ll be bringing two historic machines with him…
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Buying Guide: Honda CB175
Some while ago we covered the dogged CD175 twin but there’s a sporty side to this dependable Honda; say hello to its non identical twin, the CB175…
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Buying Guide: Honda CB175
Some while ago we covered the dogged CD175 twin but there’s a sporty side to this dependable Honda; say hello to its non identical twin, the CB175…
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Triumph Quadrent
With a triple being developed in the wings Triumph was embracing multi-cylinder motorcycling whole heartedly… then those chaps at Honda pulled a fast one and produced an ohc-four for the road…
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VMCC Banbury Run 2014 dates announced
The Vintage Motor Cycle Club (VMCC) has announced its 66th Banbury Run will take place on Sunday June 8, 2014. With 600 entrants the VMCC Banbury Run is the biggest gathering and run in the world for machines manufactured before 1931…
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Prize winners at Newark – scooter style!
It’s not just the motorcycles that came out in force this weekend, the scooters have rocked up too. Find out who won the prizes…
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RealClassic 117 out now!
New year: same old bikes. Actually, some very different old bikes appear in this month’s RealClassic magazine, real rarities like a 350 AMC trialsbike, Enfield’s first 500 twin, Kawasaki’s 250 SG, Triumph’s TT flat-tracker, the Egli Vin and a one-off Norton Dominator…
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Roger Marshall interviewed by Steve Plater
Lincolnshire racing legend Roger Marshall is interviewed by fellow racing star Steve Plater
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Scooter World Hall 2014
Here’s a mini tour through the Scooter World Hall at Newark (January 2014).
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Replica Norton firing up at Newark
Chris Hawksley’s 1961 replica Norton fires up at Newark (January 2014). Just listen to that roar!
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Roger Marshall, Malc Wheeler and Steve Plater Interview
Three racing legends chat at Newark on stage (January 2014).
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Newark prize winners
Here are the prize winners from this weekend 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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Reference: Norton Works 30M
Officially sanctioned by Norton, the Works Racing 30M is a top quality classic racer, built to exacting modern standards…
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Road Test: BSA A10 café racer
Building a bike from bits is an expensive way to do it these days, but it makes sense if half the bits are already in your possession – and if it’s done properly, the results can be very tasty indeed, as Jim Reynolds discovered…
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Road Test: BSA A10 café racer
Building a bike from bits is an expensive way to do it these days, but it makes sense if half the bits are already in your possession – and if it’s done properly, the results can be very tasty indeed, as Jim Reynolds discovered…
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Reference: Norton Works 30M
Officially sanctioned by Norton, the Works Racing 30M is a top quality classic racer, built to exacting modern standards…
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Crowds flock to the first classic show of 2014…
Thousands of classic motorcycle enthusiasts have descended on Newark Showground for the opening day of the first classic event of the new year…
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Air ambulance makes flying visit to classic bike show…
The Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance dropped in on the Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic this morning to collect funds raised by the event’s organising team…
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Prize winners at Newark
The rosettes have been dished out and the winner’s names have been announced. We give you the Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic show winners of 2014…
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Farewell from Newark
What a way to kick-start 2014! The Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic Show is over for another year, but what a cracker it has been…
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Hitchcock’s spares haul
Hitchcock’s Motorcycles Ltd has recently acquired former Enfield importer Watsonian Squire’s entire stock of Royal Enfield spares…
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Classic motorcycling show delivers a happy new year
The year’s classic bike calendar is now underway in style as a 12 time British champion and legend of the race track regaled showgoers with his tales of past glory at the Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic…
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THIS WEEKEND: Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic
The Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic Show at Newark takes place this weekend, January 4-5, and has hundreds of beautiful classic and custom bikes to admire. With a healthy mix of trade stalls, dealers and autojumble plots it’s the perfect place for your next project…
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And we’re off…
The 2014 calendar is well underway for fans of the older models with turnstiles now open at the Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic.
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Million-mile test: Ariel Leader
Yes, it’s here at last – Britain’s biggest do-it-yourself road test! Sixty-seven Ariel Leader owners answered our call for considered opinions on the famous two-stroke twin. Most gave their mileages: added up, they came to 857,000! Allow for the dozen who missed out and the total must be somewhere around the million mark…
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The London Ladies Club, March 1936
From 1936, this picture shows members of the London Ladies Club lining up on their motorcycles before embarking on a club run. Though the photograph appeared in The Motor Cycle of April 9, 1936, with no further information, the lady on the left is the then Jessie Hole, founder member of the club and works…
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The Classic MotorCycle on sale – February 2014
Forgotten treasure: the oft-overlooked 500cc Matchless and AJS parallel twins. Also, Ariel’s stunning SG31, BMW R50S restoration, Cotton Street Scrambler, New Imperial and all the usual regulars and archive material. On sale now!
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Westland Classic MCC Charity Awards Evening
Every year the Westland Classic Motorcycle Club, based in Yeovil, Somerset, raises thousands of pounds for local charities by organising road riding events for owners of vintage and classic machines…
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Countdown to Newark
Racing legend and 12-time championship winner Roger Marshall will be the premier attraction at this weekend’s Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic at the Newark Showground…
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Triumphant book launch
Many of the great and good from the late 1960s/early 70s halcyon days of Triumph’s experimental department gathered at the National Motor Museum late November 2013, to celebrate the launch of a new book, Triumph Experimental: Doug Hele and his development team 1962-1975…
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Bryan Goss opens new shop in Yeovil
Talking with Bryan ‘Badger’ Goss in the showroom of his new shop in Yeovil, Somerset, we’re surrounded by all the hi-tech riding gear, parts and accessories that we associate with the modern sport of motocross…
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Old Bike Mart Unearthed – January 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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Road Test: Royal Enfield Constellation
Royal Enfield’s heavyweight twins never enjoyed the success or the popularity of their contemporaries but Jim Reynolds reckons they were equally as good, if not better. Here he gets all star-struck about a Constellation…
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Road Test: Royal Enfield Constellation
Royal Enfield’s heavyweight twins never enjoyed the success or the popularity of their contemporaries but Jim Reynolds reckons they were equally as good, if not better. Here he gets all star-struck about a Constellation…
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Phase one European Classic Series success
A decade on from winning the World Endurance Championship, Phase One Endurance Team has clinched the new FIM European Classic Series…
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Kempton Park Classic Off Road Show
As well as dry weather, EGP Enterprises’ December event at Kempton Park offered some interesting displays for those who could drag themselves from bargain-hunting in the jumble…
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Classic Bike Guide on sale! January, 2014
Three 1957 Triumphs, British trials irons, Dresda Triumph, BSA Thunderbolt restoration, British two-stroke buying guide, plus all the usual archive material and guest columnists. On sale now!
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Ventz arm vents
It’s cold and windy outside, we know. But cast your minds back to last summer. Remember? Balmy rides where you got all hot and sticky…
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Fireside Tours, 1924: exploring the highways and byways of Somerset
In the winter of 1924 The Motor Cycle carried a series of called ‘The Fireside Tours’ – essentially UK touring guides – ideas to warm the hearts of the readers during long cold, nights…
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Save the Brighton Speed Trials!
We hear the Brighton Speed Trials is under threat from the Brighton and Hove Council and the Brighton and Hove Motor Club, event organisers, is urging motorsport fans to sign the Council’s e-petition and register their views at their earliest…
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Classic TT programme confirmed
The Isle of Man Government, Department of Economic Development has confirmed details of the race programme for the 2014 Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts…
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International Dirt Bike Show on Motors TV
Don’t miss your chance to relive all the action from the 2013 International Dirt Bike Show when Motors TV screen a special programme on December 28 that was filmed at the Stoneleigh Park spectacular…
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TT Milestones
A pedigree budgie, a toilet, several laps of the TT course and a very patient photographer – Milestones TT calendar is back, with more wittily-illustrated TT anecdotes. Also new book from Classic Racer contributor…
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Survey says Festival is an Island booster
A study by the Isle of Man Government’s Treasury Economic Affairs Division into the contribution the Festival of Motorcycling made to the Island’s economy has shown an increase in visitors of almost 50% over a four-year period…
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Road Test: BSA A65L Lightning
This A65L, the last of the line as far as BSA twins were concerned, makes a good case for being the firm’s best ever model…
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Road Test: BSA A65L Lightning
This A65L, the last of the line as far as BSA twins were concerned, makes a good case for being the firm’s best ever model…
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Scott celebrating centenary
Off roaders will know that the greatest one day trial in the world ‘The Scott’ will be 100 years old in 2014. Though no longer exclusively the preserve of Scott motorcycles the Yorkshire two-strokes are the reason for the event in the first place…
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Recognition at last: Stan Dibben
Sixty years on from winning the sidecar World Championship, as co-driver with Eric Oliver, Stan Dibben was finally presented with his FIM certificate at the inaugural Classic TT. The honour was carried out by Dave Molyneux…
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The way we were
Looking back at the significant motorcycling milestones which occurred during the month of January, starting with an announcement from Les Harris that his agreement with John Bloor to build Bonnies under licence had run its course…
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Jan/Feb 2014 Classic Racer on sale now!
Happy go lucky Marco Lucchinelli; Frank Weeink tells the Italian’s colourful story. Plus classic racing’s young guns, Ewen Haldane, Bob McIntyre Royal Enfield, Triumph project and all the usual archive material, news and paddock gossip. On sale now!
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January Classic Motorcycle Mechanics on sale now!
Ducati 916 buying guide, Honda CBX 550, Kawa GPZ750, Honda VTR250 guides, plus Yam TZR250 tuning, part one, a crazy Yamaha TDR500, Kawa H2A buying guide, plus all the regular workshop articles and columns…
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Road Test: Honda VF400F/VF500F
Honda’s 400cc and 500cc V-four sport bikes that appeared in 1983 were exotic high-revvers with a luxury feel – but they concealed a nasty secret. John Nutting delves into his MIRA files to find out what they were like…
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Road Test: Honda VF400F/VF500F
Honda’s 400cc and 500cc V-four sport bikes that appeared in 1983 were exotic high-revvers with a luxury feel – but they concealed a nasty secret. John Nutting delves into his MIRA files to find out what they were like…
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Jack Thompson Trial
The dry conditions for this year’s 24th Jack Thompson British Bike Trial for pre-1967 machines resulted in some low scores. Paul Edwards and Colin Mote, both riding 500 Ariels, carded zero marks lost, but Paul’s quicker laps in the Special Tests clinched the premier trophy…
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Two pedigree racers added to Las Vegas auction line-up
Following the recent news of the Pierce Museum collection of Harley-Davidsons and collection of Italian thoroughbreds from the Silverman Museum Racing at its Las Vegas auction in January, Bonhams, has announced two further, historically important auction additons…
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History of the modern superbike
If you want to know more about the history of the modern superbike then you could do a lot worse than consult Superbikes and the 70s by Dave Sheenan. Also, a new product for treating lacquered surfaces…
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Motorcycling tradition at the Bath and West
One of the showpiece events of the classic calendar is set to once again cater to the legions of motorcycle enthusiasts in attendance as the 34th Carole Nash Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show once again descends on the Bath and West Showground in Shepton Mallet…
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Calendar corner
As Christmas approaches (where did the last 12 months go?), moody classic motorcycle calendars come our way. Here’s our pick of the crop…
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Indian Four
Few of us will have had the good fortune of being given, as a birthday present, a motor cycle – especially something as exotic as a pre-Second World War 1265cc in-line Indian Four. Yet that is exactly what happened to Peter Sparkes when his wife decided to give him something extra-special…
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Brough at Brooklands
The Vintage Motorcycle Club has chosen Brooklands Museum as the place to display its Brough Superior SS80…
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VMCC British Historic Racing dates announced
British Historic Racing is an integral part of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club (VMCC) and it holds more than 20 championships over a calendar of six meetings at venues across the country, incuding the recently re-opened Mallory Park!
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Roadrunner reunited with Norman Hyde
Norman Hyde has been reunited with his record-breaking sidecar outfit ten years after it was almost totally destroyed in the fire that devastated the National Motorcycle Museum…
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Date set for 2014 VJMC Cardiff show
A date has been set for the VJMC’s hugely successful Cardiff show in 2014…
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Jake’s new forks
Exact replica cast steel lug prewar Triumph Speed Twin forks, priced at £2200, are being produced by Jake Robbins Vintage Engineering, mostly for export…
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Wild child of motocross at Telford
Californian motocross legend of the late 1970s, Brad Lackey, will be the guest of honour at Alan Wright’s 2014 show…
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Classic Camera: Returning traveller, December 1950
Theresa Wallach returns to London in the first week of December 1950, having covered 30,002 miles in the USA and Canada on her Norton International…
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Glass Plates: 1923 Grand Prix, Circuit de Touraine
France hosted the 1923 Grand Prix, on a 14 mile long circuit, and although the French contingent provided a strong challenge, British machines and riders won out…
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The Classic MotorCycle out now – January 2014
BSA A7 restoration, Velocette MSS, a young man’s motorcycle, Triumph Tiger Cub, AA and RAC outfits, plus BMWS ranging from £650 to £100k, Cyclemaster restoration and the usual blend of archive imagery and your favourire columnists. On sale now!
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Road Test: Velocette Street Scrambler
The Goodman family – manufacturers of Velocette – stopped making motorcycles circa 1970, right? Well, not quite. In 1998, Simon Goodman, the great grandson of the firm’s founder, made one last machine, and thanks to Neil Redley we’ve scooped a test on this unique machine…
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Road Test: Velocette Street Scrambler
The Goodman family – manufacturers of Velocette – stopped making motorcycles circa 1970, right? Well, not quite. In 1998, Simon Goodman, the great grandson of the firm’s founder, made one last machine, and thanks to Neil Redley we’ve scooped a test on this unique machine…
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Autobyk to Brighton
Among the many rideouts supporting the recent London to Brighton Veteran Car Run on November 3, was one organised by the East Surrey Section of the NACC (National Autocycle and Cyclemotor Club)…
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Road Test: Norton Ariel Four
‘Specials’ are in a class of their own, particularly when it comes to taking on someone else’s unfinished project. Mike Lewis looks at the marriage of Ariel’s 997cc four-cylinder motor with Norton’s fine-handling wideline ‘Featherbed’ chassis…
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Road Test: Norton Ariel Four
‘Specials’ are in a class of their own, particularly when it comes to taking on someone else’s unfinished project. Mike Lewis looks at the marriage of Ariel’s 997cc four-cylinder motor with Norton’s fine-handling wideline ‘Featherbed’ chassis…
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Sammy Miller Museum visit
Brooklands Museum volunteers had a recent outing to the Sammy Miller Museum in Hampshire. Also making the journey was an exhibit that does not often leave the confines of its Surrey home, the 1927 172cc Francis-Barnett raced to great effect by Tommy Meeten…
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Old Bike Mart Unearthed – December 2013
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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RealClassic 116 out now!
This month RealClassic magazine features classic bikes from Britain, Italy, America and the Czech Republic. Two-strokes, four-strokes, twins, triples and sporty singles. Here’s how to read all about them…
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Crowds flock to Lancaster Classic
Early indications show just under 65,000 people – 5000 up on 2012 – attended the 2013 Lancaster Classic Motor Show, at the NEC from November 15-17…
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BSA Bantam frame
What d’you think of this bonnie Bantam eh? It’s built from a kit of parts manufactured for Alan Wright and the lightweight frame comes with a comprehensive range of bits that mean you’ve only got to source the engine, wheels, tank and forks…
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Gorgeous Street Tracker
Check this out – a Street Tracker based on the Honda NX650 Dominator, built by our friend Daryll Young at IDP Moto…
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Road Test: Suzuki GT380
Rod Ker is reminded of breezing along through a blue haze of burnt two stroke oil when he rides the smallest of Suzuki’s three-cylinder trio…
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Road Test: Suzuki GT380
Rod Ker is reminded of breezing along through a blue haze of burnt two stroke oil when he rides the smallest of Suzuki’s three-cylinder trio…
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Do it digitally
Get your favourite classic magazine digitally. No more queuing at the bookstalls, hoping that your favourite bike mag hasn’t sold out…
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New president for TT Riders Association!
Congratulations to Classic Racer editor and Associate Director at Mortons Media Group, Malcolm Wheeler, who has been made the TT Riders Association President for 2013-14, one of the greatest honours in motorcycle sport…
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Sunbeam singles star in dirt track racing success
It wasn’t just England, Australia and America discovering the delights of dirt track racing in the 1920s. They were at it in the Dutch East Indies too…
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December’s Classic Bike Guide on sale
New Brough Superior, review and pics, Bonneville Broughs, plus Japanese cafe racers, Panther Model 120, winter lay up tips, the usual archive material and columnists and the CBG buyer’s guide: British 650s. On sale now!
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Meteor sidecar back in production
Watsonian relaunched its Meteor sidecar at this year’s Motorcycle Live show, more than sixty years after production of the original version ceased…
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Look at life: 1960s scrambling
Atmospheric look at the rising popularity of scrambling during the sixties, complete with behind-the-scenes footage at the Greeves factory. Eamonn Andrews narrates….
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Bling and Heaven at Telford
Have you gone to town on your twinshock or Evo? If so then Alan Wright wants your bike at Telford. The Bling and Heaven at the Twin Shock, Classic & Road Racing Show is open to all makes with any amount of modification…
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Yamaha TZ750
Between testing road bikes in the 1970s and 80s, John Nutting was occasionally invited to try racing machines, such as Yamaha’s stunning TZ750 two-stroke four. It was a sobering experience…
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Future classics
It’s interesting to see what bikes are becoming modern classics and what bikes people are beginning to restore. Last month’s Showstopper was a 1986 Kawasaki GPz1000RX and this is its successor the ZX-10…
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VMCC CEO to step down at end of year
Vintage Motor Cycle Club CEO James Hewing will step down from his role at the end of this year. James has been at the helm of the VMCC for nine years and is a regular and popular visitor at the classic bike shows…
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Hot exhausts from Higgspeed
That legend from the tuning world Higgspeed is now producing a range of gorgeous pipes with modern-looking end-cans for your two-stroke…
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Moto memories: 1971 British 500cc MX championship
On the hottest day of the year so far in the UK, Swede Ake Jonsson tackled the 1971 British 500cc MX championship at Farleigh Castle in Wiltshire with grit and determination to blow the series wide open…
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