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Road Test: AJS H1
This AJS V-twin combination has benefited from a number of tweaks by its owner, classic motorcycle restoration guru Robin James…
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Road Test: AJS H1
This AJS V-twin combination has benefited from a number of tweaks by its owner, classic motorcycle restoration guru Robin James…
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Stafford opens its gates!
The chains have come off the gates and the eager punters are flooding into Stafford’s Show Ground for a weekend of classic motorcycle celebration. Today is the first public day of the Show’s two-day duration…
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Classic Dirtbike experience
Trial legends Mick Andrews and Finn Yrjo Vesterinen will be sharing the benefits of their trials experience with Classic Dirtbike editor Tim Britton hoping to pick up a tip or two and improve his riding, followed by a trials demo…
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Phil Read comes off stage at Stafford show
Our guest of honour at the 33rd Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show is race legend Phil Read and he’s just come off the stage from his first interview with Stafford compere Dave Craggs…
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£1 million Bonhams auction at Stafford
This weekend’s Stafford show also hosts a £1 million Bonhams Auction, which is a huge international draw for buyers. Viewing is today and first thing tomorrow, with the sale commencing at 10.30 on the Sunday…
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Snow-Mann test day
The VMCC East Sussex Section’s annual Snow-Mann Test Day took place at Bo-Peep Hill on the South Downs. The initial test, the slalom course in the farmyard, was eased this year as conditions were extremely muddy…
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NEW VIDEO: Setting up for Stafford show
The Classic Bike Shows team is at the Stafford Show Ground, setting up its stand and organising the traders, ready for a prompt public opening at 09.00 hours Saturday morning. The show runs this weekend, April 27-28…
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Reference: AJS Model 22
The 250cc AJS Model 22 is quite a rarity, though its combination of ‘big bike’ feel and dimensions, plus a willing little engine, should make it a winner…
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Reference: AJS Model 22
The 250cc AJS Model 22 is quite a rarity, though its combination of ‘big bike’ feel and dimensions, plus a willing little engine, should make it a winner…
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Classic Bike Guide on sale!
Ace cafe 1200CR street special, American built Bonneville and Commando specials, stunning Ducatis, Suzuki GT550 buyer’s guide, supercharged 250 DKW, Yam XS650 and all the usual regulars and columnists. On sale now!
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Phil Read, guest of honour at Stafford Classic MotorCycle Show
Phil Read, one of the world’s most successful Grand Prix racers, with eight world titles and eight Isle of Man TT wins to his name, is the guest of honour at the 33rd Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show, which takes place at Stafford Show Ground this weekend, April 27-28…
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Road Test: BSA C15 v Royal Enfield Crusader
Taking a humble 250cc unit four-stroke and turning it into a successful trials machine takes a bit of knowledge and ability. Classic Dirtbike compares two different specialist approaches to the same end – a BSA C15 and Royal Enfield Crusader…
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Road Test: BSA C15 v Royal Enfield Crusader
Taking a humble 250cc unit four-stroke and turning it into a successful trials machine takes a bit of knowledge and ability. Classic Dirtbike compares two different specialist approaches to the same end – a BSA C15 and Royal Enfield Crusader…
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Bonhams Auction at Stafford Motorcycle Show
Bonhams Auction will be its usual busy self at this year’s Stafford Show, and it has the usual rare motorcycling jewels to tempt home and international buyers to dig deep…
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Road Test: Rickman Street Metisse
The components for this Rickman Metisse were all bought in the classic period, but never assembled into a complete machine until 2003. It shows that though Don and Derek Rickman were off-road specialists, the twosome also made high quality road kit too…
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Road Test: Rickman Street Metisse
The components for this Rickman Metisse were all bought in the classic period, but never assembled into a complete machine until 2003. It shows that though Don and Derek Rickman were off-road specialists, the twosome also made high quality road kit too…
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Stafford show ticket money saver!
Come and join us at this weekend’s The 33rd Carole Nash International Classic Motorcycle Show at the Stafford Show Ground. But if you want to save money on tickets, act FAST, because the advanced online sales cease at midnight tonight, April 23…
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Just like Dunlop
If you’ve followed the development and success of Trident Engineering’s Suzuki XR69 replicas, and marvelled at Michael Dunlop’s winning rides in the Classic Manx Grand Prix, now you can own a road-going version…
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Storm conversion kits
US based Phil Little’s Storm conversion kit fits Yamaha 650 twins – specials and standards – from 1974 to 1981 and are well worth a look…
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TH1RTE3N MOTOS
Remember this name – TH1RTE3N MOTOS – as it’s a new bike restoration company specialising in truly awesome one-off streetfighters based on any model and the popular cafe racer and flat trackers based mainly around the Yamaha XS650…
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Coupes Moto Legende
The 21st Coupes Moto Legende, Europe’s largest gathering of collector bikes, will be held over the weekend of June 1-2 at the Dijon-Prenois racetrack in France…
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Roger Marshall surprise
It was while restoring the ex Machin and Saunders Yamaha TZ750 that Lincolnshire racer and restorer Pete Boast had the idea to unveil his handiwork at a special, invitation only, evening in the Cadwell Park clubhouse, and give the machine’s former rider, Roger Marshall, something of a treat…
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Road Test: Triumph T120 Bonneville
The 1968 Triumph Bonneville was the culmination of the company’s quest to marry ‘precision, power and performance’ and is arguably its best ever twin…
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Road Test: Triumph T120 Bonneville
The 1968 Triumph Bonneville was the culmination of the company’s quest to marry ‘precision, power and performance’ and is arguably its best ever twin…
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Classic Racer news in brief
Sammy Miller at Thundersprint, the lightest ever motorcycle wheel from Dymag, sidecars celebrate and news of the Riders for Health Ball, planned for May 26…
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Last gasp victory
Things couldn’t have been tighter in the third Anglo-American Match Races, run over a cold and sometimes damp Easter weekend in 1973…
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Classic Racer on sale!
Looking back on the radical Britten racer, Dick Creasley and Reg Everett profiles, testing the Scott Russell Kawasaki, recreating a twin cylinder 50cc Honda plus all the usual regulars and archive material. On sale now!
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Buying Guide: Yamaha RD350-YPVS
It’s now 30 years since our lives were transformed by Yamaha’s 350 Power Valve. You’d be rightly forgiven for thinking the average RD350-YPVS had a short, frantic but happy life but we’ve found an example with 156,000 miles on its clock!
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Buying Guide: Yamaha RD350-YPVS
It’s now 30 years since our lives were transformed by Yamaha’s 350 Power Valve. You’d be rightly forgiven for thinking the average RD350-YPVS had a short, frantic but happy life but we’ve found an example with 156,000 miles on its clock!
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Classic Motorcycle Mechanics on sale!
Ducati M900, Maico MD250, project Yamaha FZ750, Honda CBR400RR, LC350 restoration, plus Stan Stephens on tuning two strokes, drum brakes explained plus all the usual regulars. On sale now…
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Nick Nicholls photography comp entries
The Nick Nicholls photography competition has just closed and Nick is poring over the entries. And they were to a very high standard, so congratulations to all who took part. Below is a small selection of entries… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading…
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The way we were: May 1963
What attracted makers, traders and the public to the year’s Northern Motor Cycle Show at Blackpool? With its 500ft tower and seven miles of beach many happy holidaymakers declared it Britain’s ‘brightest, breaziest and brassiest seaside town’ making it an ideal venue for the mid motorcycle season show…
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Nick Nicholls competition winners announced!
The Nick Nicholls photographic competition has closed and Nick has been poring over the submissions, to pick the top three. The standard of entries was extremely high…
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200 Miglia di Imola Revival 2013
An Italian flavour will be in evidence at the fourth edition of the 200 Miglia di Imola Revival, which will take place at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit over April 19-21 2013…
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All geared up for Gaffers Gallop
In October 1953, Edward Turner and two colleagues successfully completed the ‘End to End’ (Land’s End to John o’Groats) aboard brand new 150cc Triumph Terriers, and under the watchful gaze of the ACU…
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Bikes to ride but can’t — Rennsport BMW
With Germany readmitted to motorcycle sport’s governing body, the FIM, in 1951 the world could see the BMWs in action again. The factory had not been idle of course and despite very trying circumstances had managed to field teams for a national race series for the previous six years…
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Bright sparks
This is the latest electronic magneto from BT-H Components. The OBM editorial Triumph has had a BT-H early version on for years and it has been superb but it doesn’t look like the original magneto. But that has changed…
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Sunbeam 3½ hp
Sunbeam always had an image of being a machine for ‘gentlemen’ – and this three-speed veteran single certainly fits the bill… 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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McGuinness and Molyneux immortalised on TT course
TT organisers have taken the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of today’s two most successful competitors, John McGuinness and Dave Molyneux, by naming locations on the Mountain Course after each of them…
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Mile munching Francis-Barnett
The Francis-Barnett Owners’ Club was pleased to welcome Dave Shaw as part of the club’s display at the Elk Promotions Show at Ashford Cattle market on Easter Monday…
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Win a professional tool kit worth over £740!
We’ve teamed up with Draper Tools to offer one lucky reader the chance to win this fantastic professional tool kit worth more than £740…
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Triumph Tiger 110
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… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to…
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Workshop: Camshaft teach in
Rod Gibson gets to grips with the science of camshaft design, and enters a world full of ramps, overlap, lift and durations. But will it make the bike go faster?
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Pioneer Run
With the route under a blanket of snow, the Sunbeam MCC’s Pioneer Run was cancelled, so let’s look back to the first run in 1930 and wish them well for 2014 when all eligible bikes will be over 100 years old…
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Workshop: Camshaft teach in
Rod Gibson gets to grips with the science of camshaft design, and enters a world full of ramps, overlap, lift and durations. But will it make the bike go faster?
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Honda CB750/4 – spotter’s guide
The original Japanese superbike, Honda’s CB750, shook the motorcycling market upside down when launched and ran for nine years almost unchanged. Here’s how to tell them apart…
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Classic Camera: Matchless motorway mile-eater
British ISDT team manager and AMC’s competition guru Hugh Viney wasn’t prepared to give away any details to The Motor Cycle when it went calling looking for stories to do with that season’s competition…
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The way we were: May 1938
‘Perseus’ of The Motor Cycle proved the value of cheap economical transport in the hard pressed times of the late 1930s. Riding a Villiers powered Cyc-Auto, which he cruised at 18-20mph, Perseus travelled from his home to Brighton for a planned late afternoon swim…
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Buying Guide: Ducati 900SS Final Edition
There’s an honest simplicity about the Ducati 900SS and one which wasn’t lost on me as a bike-mad teen heading into his twenties…
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Buying Guide: Ducati 900SS Final Edition
There’s an honest simplicity about the Ducati 900SS and one which wasn’t lost on me as a bike-mad teen heading into his twenties…
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Vincent and Broughs to headline Bonhams sale
Pick of the Bonhams auction at Stafford this year will be, again, V-twins. There’s the Montlhery ‘record breaker’ (tested TCM November 2002) Vincent Black Shadow, a hugely desirable piece of kit estimated at £110,000 to £130,000, which will get the Vincent enthusiasts all aflutter…
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Ariel Square Four special
Ray Steer is totally steeped in Ariel Square Fours. Some years ago, his imagination was captured by a photo that appeared in a few publications, showing the mayor and police of Monterey Park, California, taking delivery of two appropriately specified Square Fours…
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Hailwood Honda replica on track
Though legendary in the off-road world, Sammy Miller was more than a dab hand at Tarmac stuff too. A top GP runner in the late 1950s, with Mondial, the Belfast lad mixed it with the best and proved himself equal to the task…
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Reference: Healey 1000/4
A brave attempt to update and reintroduce the Ariel Square Four in the early 1970s led to an undeniably handsome and interesting machine…
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South African sojourn, November 1965
A record crowd of 4000 congregated at Isipingo, near Durban, South Africa, on Sunday, November 21, 1965, to watch British scramblers Derek Rickman and Jerry Scott completely dominate the local opposition when they competed in the second meeting of their South African tour…
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Reference: Healey 1000/4
A brave attempt to update and reintroduce the Ariel Square Four in the early 1970s led to an undeniably handsome and interesting machine…
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The Classic MotorCycle on sale!
Detailing Norton’s famous cammy, Royal Enfield’s two-stroke turbo twin, Phil Read interview, BSA C10/11/12 restoration guide, racing Gileras, Vincent/HRD singles, Bristol show report, plus all the usual regulars and archive material. On sale now!
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Top TT riders head to Isle of Man
Top TT riders are heading for the Isle of Man for the launch of the 2013 TT Races. The leading riders will all be appearing at the free Fan Party hosted by Manx Radio TT’s Chris Kinley and Tim Glover, which kicks off at 7.30pm at the Villa Marina on April 10…
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Beasley Velocette to star at Stafford Show
There’ll be plenty of star exhibits at the 33rd International Classic MotorCycle Show at Stafford on April 27-28, of course, but this freshly restored Beasley-framed Velocette-engined racer will be worth pausing and having a look at…
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AJS Model 18
This 1947 AJS Model 18 has been owned long-term and, though originally used for trials, now finds itself at work on the hard stuff… 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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Superfast Velocette shatters Mighty Mouse record
Stuart Hooper has established his overhead valve Velocette as possibly the world’s fastest British single, surpassing Brian Chapman’s legendary 156mph Vincent, Mighty Mouse…
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Relaunched Classic Bike Guide!
Classic Bike Guide is the monthly motorcycle resource for petrolheads with an appreciation of old motorcycles, whether they are enthusiast owners, restorers or collectors…
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Classic British Legends: Vincent V-twins
Few motorcycling icons can hold a candle to Vincent’s incredible V-twins. A revelation when they first appeared, these classic British machines have stood the test of time and their high-performance engines are still held in the highest esteem worldwide… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of…
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Old Bike Mart Unearthed – April 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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RealClassic 108 out now!
This month’s RealClassic magazine features three BSAs, three Triumphs, five singles, three twins, two triples, two Nortons, an Enfield and a really weird Moto Guzzi. How can you resist?
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Classic Dirtbike experience at Stafford Show
Since its inception a couple of years ago this minor sideshow to the main event at Stafford has taken on a life of its own with live action displays, the best of off-road bikes and even better, the guys that ride them..
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Road Test: Ariel KH
The Ariel KH perhaps lacked the glamour of some of the other 500cc twins available in the 1950s, but it had a lot going for it. It’s possible to get too hung up on the colours of classic bikes, you know. Roy Poynting tells the tale…
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Road Test: Ariel KH
The Ariel KH perhaps lacked the glamour of some of the other 500cc twins available in the 1950s, but it had a lot going for it. It’s possible to get too hung up on the colours of classic bikes, you know. Roy Poynting tells the tale…
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Killin beginning for MacGregor event
Starting off the pre 65 Scottish week will be the Bob MacGregor Road Run organised by Kendal Classic MCC for April 30…
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Beezumph’s Cadwell return
The Beezumph Rally returns to its spiritual home at Cadwell Park on July 27, the event having been held at Anglesey for the past four years…
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Win Panasonic’s flagship Lumix DMC-FZ200 super-zoom digital camera!
Capturing a thrilling image of racetrack drama or an instant of motorcycling pleasure on the open road could earn one talented photographer a top-of-the-range Panasonic digital camera worth nearly £600 (including kit)…
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The way we were: May 2013
Nothing had been heard from fledgling motorcycle maker Sparkbrook since it took a stand at the previous season’s London Show, but instead of being idle it’d been designing and testing…
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Watsonian kick-starts Bullet business
You’ll still be able to buy spares and commission specials from the former Enfield importer?. Watsonian Squire might have cut its ties as the UK Royal Enfield importer, but its relationship with the brand is far from over…
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‘Prince of Darkness’ wears Davida
Davida has chosen to show the film Hell For Leather as its contribution to the 2013 international ‘Art and Moto’ exhibition being held at the LX Factory in Lisbon, Portugal on April 27-28…
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Classic Bike Guide April issue on sale!
Relaunched CBG includes an in-depth BSA Gold Star profile, Honda 400-4 buying guide, flat trackers at the Ace, BMW R5 restoration, ultimate Norton custom, V-twin cafe racer project and 100s of classics for sale…
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Pip Harris 1927-2013
Leading sidecar exponent of the 1950s and 60s Pip Harris passed away in February 2013…
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Own a piece Isle of Man TT history
Isle of Man TT fans are being given a unique chance to get their hands on unique pieces of TT memorabilia in an online auction…
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Reference: Norton Dominator 650SS
By the early 60s, Norton was beginning to make engines which were capable of exploiting the performance of its world-renowned frames, and the 650cc Dominator was one such bike…
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Reference: Norton Dominator 650SS
By the early 60s, Norton was beginning to make engines which were capable of exploiting the performance of its world-renowned frames, and the 650cc Dominator was one such bike…
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TT hero Conor Cummins at Stafford Show
Manxman Conor Cummins will be at The Stafford Show on Saturday, April 27 to get a close-up look at the Tony Dunnell 350cc and 500cc Manx Nortons he’ll be racing at this year’s Classic TT on August 23-26…
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Buying Guide: Suzuki GT550
At the time Suzuki’s GT550 was probably the ideal two-stroke triple but has somehow become one of the 70s most overlooked machines. We take another look…
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Buying Guide: Suzuki GT550
At the time Suzuki’s GT550 was probably the ideal two-stroke triple but has somehow become one of the 70s most overlooked machines. We take another look…
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Friends Reunited
Ever wanted to trace your first ever motorcycle or a bike you wish you’d never let go back in the day? Most of us have at one time or another…
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Honda CBX750
Hedging your bets is never a bad thing to do and if you happen to be Honda reeling from the shock of getting your first V-four spectacularly wrong it might almost look like a lifeline…
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Road Test: BSA B25S Starfire
Despite a few minor niggles, and the motorcycle trade’s reference to bike as the ‘hand grenade’, because it went a short distance then exploded, the BSA Starfire was a capable 250. But just a shame that it was 10 years too late…
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Road Test: BSA B25S Starfire
Despite a few minor niggles, and the motorcycle trade’s reference to bike as the ‘hand grenade’, because it went a short distance then exploded, the BSA Starfire was a capable 250. But just a shame that it was 10 years too late…
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Suzuki RGV250 discount parts on offer
Owners of RGV250s can benefit from a discounted parts rate for their machines, thanks to Suzuki’s Bike of the Month scheme…
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Red Marley cancelled
Sadly, after a course inspection on yesterday, the Red Marley Hill Climb Club have reluctantly cancelled the popular Easter Monday spectacular in Worcestershire…
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Road Test: Triumph SD
Triumph’s SD was based upon the despatch rider’s favourite, the Model H, but used Triumph’s own three-speed gearbox rather than the H’s Sturmey Archer and had chain replacing the belt final drive…
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Road Test: Triumph SD
Triumph’s SD was based upon the despatch rider’s favourite, the Model H, but used Triumph’s own three-speed gearbox rather than the H’s Sturmey Archer and had chain replacing the belt final drive…
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Brough and Vincent at Duxford auction
The H&H Duxford Motorcycle Auction taking place April 17 will be headlined by a very special Superior Brough and a stunning Vincent Black Lightning…
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Road Test: Royal Enfield Interceptor
As the Americans are reported to say ‘there’s no substitute for cubes’ and Royal Enfield’s Interceptor range was aimed at this important market. Tim Britton has a ride on some export examples…
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Road Test: Royal Enfield Interceptor
As the Americans are reported to say ‘there’s no substitute for cubes’ and Royal Enfield’s Interceptor range was aimed at this important market. Tim Britton has a ride on some export examples…
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CMM: news in brief
Hire a classic bike at Isle of Man this year, news of the annual Classic Speed Week and free bike slots on Motorail…
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Harley-Davidson wants your clothes!
Yep, you read that right – Harley-Davidson really need your old, unwanted clothes. Thereafter they’ll be re-distributed to the needy…
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Road Test: Norton Dominator 99SS
The Norton Dominator 99SS is a rarity anyway, so an original and unrestored one is quite possibly unique, if there’s such a thing. Roy Poynting explains…
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Road Test: Norton Dominator 99SS
The Norton Dominator 99SS is a rarity anyway, so an original and unrestored one is quite possibly unique, if there’s such a thing. Roy Poynting explains…
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Phil Read stars at Stafford Classic Bike Show
One of the world’s fastest men on two wheels will be the star guest at Britain’s top international classic motorcycle showcase event…
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The way we were: August 1988
Marco Lucchinelli raced his 851 Ducati to a first ever World Superbike round win at Donington Park in the two leg event. In broken English, Lucchinelli said: “My bike is so fast, it’s like Concorde!”
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