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End to end run aims to make £100k for charity
Final preparations are now in hand for Bob Fisher’s sixth John o’ Groats to Land’s End Charity Extravaganza…
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Buying Guide: Suzuki GSXR750
Following the success of the GSX series and Katanas, Suzuki upped the ante with the first GSXRs. A thinly disguised street legal race bike, the GSXR750 was an instant success…
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Buying Guide: Suzuki GSXR750
Following the success of the GSX series and Katanas, Suzuki upped the ante with the first GSXRs. A thinly disguised street legal race bike, the GSXR750 was an instant success…
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Borders, bikes and beer
Borders Classic Bike Show stalwart Jim Reynolds has had his very own ‘show beer’ brewed for him to celebrate 25 years of running the show…
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Road Test: Norton International Model 30
The overhead camshaft Norton is one of those motorcycles; it looks fast standing still. It could go a bit, too…
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Road Test: Kawasaki A7SS
Tighten up your chin strap, slip on some cool shades and politely advise your cardio-vascular system that it’s about to get a good sized dollop of adrenaline; it’s Kawasaki 350cc street scrambler time…
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Road Test: Norton International Model 30
The overhead camshaft Norton is one of those motorcycles; it looks fast standing still. It could go a bit, too…
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Road Test: Kawasaki A7SS
Tighten up your chin strap, slip on some cool shades and politely advise your cardio-vascular system that it’s about to get a good sized dollop of adrenaline; it’s Kawasaki 350cc street scrambler time…
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Celebrity Santa Monica sale
A 1968 Husqvarna 250 T Commando owned by Dennis Hopper and Steve McQueen’s 1931 Harley-Davidson and 1971 ‘Husky’ 400 Cross are three of the lots at this weekend’s Mecum auction in Santa Monica…
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Douglas Special
Back in 1953 people who customised motorcycles were known as ‘bitza-builders’ but as John Mills, writing in the August 20 issue of The Motor Cycle noted, the term didn’t always reflect the quality of machine built from various bits…
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Ducati TT2 part one
In a cross between a fairy story and a romantic novel Malc Wheeler tells the tale of the Moto Cinelli Ducati TT2 and his reunion with it 25 years on. Rose tinted spectacles are required to enjoy this story to the full
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David Dixon
Well known and respected motorcycle journalist, racer, dealer and racing school proprietor David Dixon passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 20…
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August Classic Bike Guide on sale!
Norton Jota, the ultimate hand-built Italian stallion, 22 pages of Triumphs, Moto Guzzi Falcone Sport, plus all the usual regulars and colunists. Don’t miss it!
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Classic TT: sensational rider line-up for 500cc race
The inaugural Classic TT Races is set to open with a sensational line up in the Bennetts 500cc Classic Race with multiple TT and Manx GP winners and world-class teams from across the globe…
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Reference: Triumph Ricardo
A four-valve sporting single seemed out of character for Triumph in 1921. Bob Currie explains the background
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Reference: Super Onslow Special
SOS machines of any age are few and far between, as they were built in such limited numbers. So the even rarer vintage-era machines fall into the ‘hen’s teeth’ category…
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Buying Guide: Moto Guzzi Airone Sport
Mick Walker is to blame, apparently. Before browsing through one of Mick’s Moto Guzzi books, RealClassic reader Roger Slater had been perfectly happy owning and riding bigger V-twins like an 850 Le Mans, a 650TT trail bike and a 500cc Monza. Then Roger was led astray by the printed page…
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Reference: Triumph Ricardo
A four-valve sporting single seemed out of character for Triumph in 1921. Bob Currie explains the background
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Reference: Super Onslow Special
SOS machines of any age are few and far between, as they were built in such limited numbers. So the even rarer vintage-era machines fall into the ‘hen’s teeth’ category…
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Henderson guide
Rare, sought after and well engineered. The Henderson was a fast motorcycle, adopted by police forces in vast numbers…
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Ace Triton and cafe racer day
Bikes and bacon butties on a sunny Sunday afternoon, late June in in North London. There can’t be any better place to host a Triton and Cafe Racer day than the Ace…
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Pre ’65 Scottish Trial
Following several meetings in the aftermath of last May’s washed out and subsequently cancelled pre-’65 2013 Scottish Trial, the Committee has agreed that the riders from 2013 will be offered the chance to guarantee their entry into the 2014 Trial if they complete the entry form which has been posted to them…
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Road Test: Brough Superior combination
Fast, tough and comfortable, the 11.50 combination was designed by its maker George Brough as a fast road train. Over 70 years later, it’s still capable of that role, if given the chance…
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Road Test: Brough Superior combination
Fast, tough and comfortable, the 11.50 combination was designed by its maker George Brough as a fast road train. Over 70 years later, it’s still capable of that role, if given the chance…
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Lotus to make 200bhp superbike
British car maker Lotus is getting ready to release its first ever motorcycle, named the C-01. Details are scarce at the moment, but Lotus is making the bike in collaboration with German car racing team Kodewa, the Holzer Group and designer Daniel Simon…
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AJS Model 16: bikes you must ride
A term I don’t particularly care for is ‘badge engineering’ but it pretty much covers what AMC did with AJS and Matchless motorcycles. Acutely aware of marque loyalty in the market place AMC was careful to have an AJS or Matchless equivalent of each model in its range…
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New Yamaha FS1-E film to debut
It’s not every day a film about the iconic FS1-E is made, but a new movie called Fizzy Days is due for release early next year…
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Full Yamaha SP is rare
You don’t see many of these around any more. ‘Crotch rocket’ haters may sneer but with the YZF750 being 20 years old this year, the sight of this SP is getting rarer…
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Life with a Brough Superior
Witley and District MCC member Derek Prior brought his regularly used Brough Superior SS100 to the recent Ton-Up Day at Brooklands, Surrey…
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Road Test: Sunbeam S7
Shaft-driven Sunbeams were a gentlemanly alternative to the rufty tufty vision of 50s motorcycling, when young men supposedly roared across the countryside on Nortons, Triumphs and BSAs with not a care in the world…
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Road Test: Sunbeam S7
Shaft-driven Sunbeams were a gentlemanly alternative to the rufty tufty vision of 50s motorcycling, when young men supposedly roared across the countryside on Nortons, Triumphs and BSAs with not a care in the world…
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The Spirit of LeMons
It’s not every day you see a converted aeroplane on the roads. Jeff Bloch had an old plane and a van and decided to weld them together – the result is what he calls “The Spirit of LeMons
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Road Test: Norton Old Miracle
Museums are often criticised for having lots of static exhibits. Luckily the Beaulieu collection is more enlightened and actually allows historic machines to run. Jim Reynolds gets on with a legendary Norton…
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Road Test: Norton Old Miracle
Museums are often criticised for having lots of static exhibits. Luckily the Beaulieu collection is more enlightened and actually allows historic machines to run. Jim Reynolds gets on with a legendary Norton…
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August Classic Motorcycle Mechanics on sale now!
Honda CB350 review, Nial Mackenzie’s Yamaha RD350LC’s completed at last, Ducati’s 916 mould breaker, working on starter motors, project Stinger, Honda CBR400RR ‘Baby blade’ and all the usual columnists and regulars…
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New venue for Lancs event
The VJMC Central Lancs section will be running the VJMC North West Motorcycle Show on August 4, which is taking place in the exhibition hall in the Princess Royal stand and will be the first time the VJMC has held an event here…
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The way we were: August 1963
Craig Breedlove became the fastest man on wheels at the Bonneville Salt Flats with his jet propelled three-wheeler, but initially the authorities wouldn’t recognise the vehicle rather than the record…
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Reference: Norton Navigator
The Norton Navigator was never that popular in its day, though then – as now – it had its devotees. One of Norton’s last truly new designs, the lightweight twin thrived on revs – just like another range of small lightweight four-stroke twins soon to emerge from the east…
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Reference: Norton Navigator
The Norton Navigator was never that popular in its day, though then – as now – it had its devotees. One of Norton’s last truly new designs, the lightweight twin thrived on revs – just like another range of small lightweight four-stroke twins soon to emerge from the east…
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Overseas trail riding
If you’ve got a dirt-bike, a brain and don’t fancy the ‘eat my dust’ world of guided trail rides then this two day, old-school, non-GPS map reading event is for you…
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Road Test: Kawasaki GPZ1100
Kawasaki’s GPz1100 cracked the 150mph barrier in 1983, and that alone gives the bike a place in the history books. But was the last and most potent of the big air-cooled Kawasaki fours the best of the bunch? John Nutting reports…
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Road Test: Kawasaki GPZ1100
Kawasaki’s GPz1100 cracked the 150mph barrier in 1983, and that alone gives the bike a place in the history books. But was the last and most potent of the big air-cooled Kawasaki fours the best of the bunch? John Nutting reports…
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Sprint revival’s a national treasure
Aintree Racecourse is set to host the Aintree Sprint and VJMC Northwest Motorcycle Show on August 4. The event is supported by Blackline Sprinting and the Central Lancs VJMC section, and Blackline has taken on the challenge of reviving the Aintree sprint after its demise in 2011…
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Reference: BSA A65 Spitfire MKIV
The Spitfire was BSA’s range leader through the years 1966 to 1968. This is a US market last-season version…
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Reference: Matchless G45
The twin-cylinder Matchless G45 was a slightly bizarre departure for AMC, its conception defying what seemed, to many, basic logic. Instead of boring out the existing 350, the company based the bike on a production 500…
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Reference: BSA A65 Spitfire MKIV
The Spitfire was BSA’s range leader through the years 1966 to 1968. This is a US market last-season version…
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Reference: Matchless G45
The twin-cylinder Matchless G45 was a slightly bizarre departure for AMC, its conception defying what seemed, to many, basic logic. Instead of boring out the existing 350, the company based the bike on a production 500…
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Brooklands Double 12
The Double 12 is a major event in the Brooklands calendar. It was held over the weekend of June 15-16, the weekend closest to the anniversary of the opening of the track, and aims to recapture the atmosphere of the Brooklands events when long distances were raced in two 12-hour sessions…
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Mallory Park: dialogue encouraged
Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council has confirmed it WILL press ahead with court action over alleged noise level breaches by Mallory Park, unless pre-court discussions can resolve issues amicably…
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Norton Domiracer
These are the first pictures of Norton’s new Domiracer, taken inside the Norton factory. The cover was pulled off as Classic Bike Guide visited the Norton factory last week and we managed to grab these snaps… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines.
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Buying Guide: BSA B31
In a world of ever increasing technology, there is still much to be said for mechanical simplicity, if only for ease of maintenance. Andrew Wilson reckons that’s why he found this BSA B31 so endearing…
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Road Test: Velocette 250 MOV
Though there may be more glamorous, exotic 1930s Velocettes, few are as capable all-round as the 250cc MOV, an excellent commuter – and surprisingly sprightly sportster, with handling and performance to put many younger bikes to shame…
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Road Test: Velocette 250 MOV
Though there may be more glamorous, exotic 1930s Velocettes, few are as capable all-round as the 250cc MOV, an excellent commuter – and surprisingly sprightly sportster, with handling and performance to put many younger bikes to shame…
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Inaugural Classic TT television deal
ITV has confirmed that it will screen a two-hour special covering this year’s inaugural Classic TT meeting on the Isle of Man. North One TV will produce the programme, which will be aired on ITV4 on Wednesday, August 28 from 9pm…
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New Norton Domiracer uncovered!
These are the first pictures of Norton’s new Domiracer, taken inside the Norton factory. The cover was pulled off as Classic Bike Guide visited the Norton factory last week and we managed to grab these snaps…
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Norton International
Enthusiast Bob Chapman is reluctant to reveal what sacrifices he made in order to purchase this 1954 350 Clubman’s TT International Norton, but he was happy enough to tell Tim Oliver the story…
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Gurston Down hill climb
Gurston Down is a semi-permanent hill climb course, in the Downs near Salisbury. Car events are regular occurrences, but twice a year the National Hill Climb Association (NHCA), joins the car entry to enliven proceedings…
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The way we were: August 1938
While unable to break the late Eric Fernihough’s Gatwick sprint trials record, the 11.87 seconds recorded in his first run in the standing start quarter miles ensured Noel Pope (998cc Brough Superior) was fastest man of the day in the Sunbeam MCC event to secure the Bickell Cup…
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McGuinness and Triumph among Federation award winners
The winners of the first ever British Motorcyclists Federation awards have been announced…
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Bikes central to South West’s largest festival of transport
One of the UK’s biggest transport shows, the annual Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza, will be the place to see a host of superb bikes this summer…
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VMCC Sprint, Thorney Island
The Sprint Section of the VMCC recently held its first event of the season at a new venue, Thorney Island, an airfield near Chichester. The VMCC’s liberal approach to eligible bikes ensured there was a variety of machines, from the twenties right up to date…
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Reference: Triumph Speed Twin test
Triumph’s Speed Twin was restyled in the late 1950s, its demure appearance suggesting life at a much slower pace…
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Dealer visit: Ace Classics (London) Ltd
Bursting through a paper ‘curtain’ covering Ace Classics (London) Ltd’s shop door was the ever youthful John Giles…
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Reference: Triumph Speed Twin test
Triumph’s Speed Twin was restyled in the late 1950s, its demure appearance suggesting life at a much slower pace…
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Straight from the plate: JABS March 1951
By 1951, the racing machine of choice was the Featherbed Manx Norton – but there were too few of those to go round and they were only made available to the select few anyway…
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Hong Kong quay,1956
The crowded quayside area of Hong Kong bay in 1956. The rider of the fairly new Golden Flash BSA pauses to look across the bay. Near to the rider, fisherman aboard their small craft go about their business…
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The Classic MotorCycle on sale – August, 2013
Best buy ever? AMC’s rigid 350 singles had it all, plus Moto Guzzi V8, the ultimate Grand Prix racer, dirt track Douglas, Vincent Black Shadow and all the usual regulars, columnists and archive articles. Plus FREE 1939 TT supplement. Don’t miss it!
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Durham event correction
The Durham autojumble recently advertised in Old Bike Mart will take place on Saturday July 13, NOT as printed in the current issue of OBM…
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Eurojumble celebrating two decades of bargains
One of Britain’s most popular motorcycling autojumbles is gearing up to celebrate a significant landmark…
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Old Bike Mart Unearthed – July 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
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Classic Camera: Paso at Brands, August 1968
On May 20, 1973 – coincidentally 40 years ago to the day that this is being written – a dreadful accident at Monza claimed the life of Finnish star Jarno Saarinen and experienced Italian Renzo Pasolini, after Pasolini crashed and Saarinen simply had nowhere to go…
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Dr James Kelly Swanston 1908-2013
The motorcycling fraternity has lost one of its oldest and most accomplished racing competitors with the passing of James Kelly Swanston, who would have been 105 years of age on March 26, 2013…
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Exciting duels at Oulton Park
The second race meeting of the Lansdowne Classic Series was at Oulton Park on May 31-June 1, where Bemsee were the hosts. It was a Friday-Saturday meeting with practice an qualifying on the Friday and a morning warm up and two eight lap races on the Saturday…
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VMCC raffle results
The VMCC held its Jan-June 2013 raffle draw last week and has just released details of the winners. Lucky winner of the top prize, a 1959 Velocette Venom, was Carl Storer from Leeds…
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Reference: Ariel Cyclone
Rock and roll pioneer Buddy Holly went for an Ariel Cyclone just like this one. You can see why. James Robinson reports…
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Road Test: Brough Superior SS80
Just about every classic bike fan knows a little about the Brough Superior SS100. But what of its forerunner, the SS80? Dave Minton introduces us to George Brough’s stylish sidevalve V-twin…
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Honda XL250
Forget Barry Sheene’s RG500, forget Eddie Lawson’s YZRs, forget even Valentino Rossi’s Yamaha or Foggy’s Ducati. This almost standard-looking Honda XL250 cost just £100 and is the most successful race bike in the history of motorcycling. By miles…
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Straight from the plate: Thruxton 500, June 1963
The former Second World War airfield in Hampshire became a buzzing hive of frantic activity once again, with spectators and riders ready for the 500 mile endurance race…
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Reference: Ariel Cyclone
Rock and roll pioneer Buddy Holly went for an Ariel Cyclone just like this one. You can see why. James Robinson reports…
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Intrepid trio go ‘end to end’ in BSA Goldie run
Three members of the BSA Gold Star Owners’ Club launch a special fundraising ‘End to End’ challenge on July 11…
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The way we were: August 1913
In an exclusive feature published on August 7 The Motor Cycle detailed a full description of Triumph’s first twin-cylinder motorcycle engine…
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Classic motorcycle rally at Staffordshire landmark
A diary date reminder for the forthcoming classic motorcycle rally at the Mill Meece Pumping Station in Staffordshire on July 14, NOT July 8 as recently advertised…
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Reference: Triumph TR6SC
Triumph’s TR6SC was ostensibly a single carb version of the TT Bonneville, sharing many of its basic components, and this is probably the best example you’ll set eyes on…
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Road Test: BMW R12
This mid-30s BMW, despite being 80 years old, has earned an enviable reputation for its capabilities as a touring machine and is still more than capable of covering vast mileages, just as its maker intended when it was originally produced…
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Iconic engines: BSA Bandit
As the British industry struggled for survival it needed a new power unit to replace the vertical – or parallel – twin engine design it had relied on for goodness knows how many years…
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Road Test: BMW R12
This mid-30s BMW, despite being 80 years old, has earned an enviable reputation for its capabilities as a touring machine and is still more than capable of covering vast mileages, just as its maker intended when it was originally produced…
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Reference: Triumph TR6SC
Triumph’s TR6SC was ostensibly a single carb version of the TT Bonneville, sharing many of its basic components, and this is probably the best example you’ll set eyes on…
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RealClassic 111 out now!
British twins, singles and two-strokes sit alongside an awesome example of the archetypal UJM, an affordable Italian V-twin and BMW’s hard-to-beat Boxer. All this and more in the pages of this month’s RealClassic magazine…
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Alldrive sockets
A great little socket set from Laser Tools looks perfect for those tight and hard-to-reach spots on motorcycles…
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Road Test: Ariel-JAP special
There are those among us who prefer practicality over aesthetics and are skilled enough to be able to make something from ‘a mishmash of unrelated parts.’ What’s more, said parts don’t necessarily have to have originated from another motorcycle… but a rotavator?
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Road Test: Ariel-JAP special
There are those among us who prefer practicality over aesthetics and are skilled enough to be able to make something from ‘a mishmash of unrelated parts.’ What’s more, said parts don’t necessarily have to have originated from another motorcycle… but a rotavator?
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Freddie Spencer joins line up for Classic TT
Three times motorcycle Grand Prix World Champion Freddie Spencer is the latest star name to be added to a glittering cast list for the inaugural Classic TT Races due to be held in August this year…
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Ago to star at the Belgian Bikers’ Classics
Giacomo Agostini will be one of the star attractions at this year’s GP500 Parade at the Belgian Bikers’ Classics at Spa Francorchamps over July 5-7…
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Astralite wheels
Astralite wheels are back, thanks to classic racer Paul Allender, and available in most popular classic sizes…
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Buying Guide: Douglas LB special
This Douglas special has a fascinating history, including input into its construction by Triumph…
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Buying Guide: Ariel 500cc
The history of British motorcycling is littered with what-might-have-beens. Jim Reynolds gets to grips – briefly – with one
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Buying Guide: Kawasaki Z650
Kawasaki’s Z650 set the standard for four-cylinder middleweights, but the company did it the hard way. Confirmed Suzuki GS750 fan Rod Ker concedes the Z was the bike to beat in the performance wars
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Buying Guide: Yamaha DT175MX
Everyone has had a Yamha DT175, ridden one, borrowed one and/or abused one. Given a diet of petrol, half decent two-stroke oil, the odd plug and sundry consumables these machines have rewarded their owners with dogged reliability and unstinting service…
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Road Test: Indian Model 741
They say that old Indians never die, and a thorough makeover does seem to have given this old warhorse a new lease of life…
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Buying Guide: Douglas LB special
This Douglas special has a fascinating history, including input into its construction by Triumph…
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