all

It was a simple premise – build a upmarket commuter motorcycle for Everyman, one that would appeal to everyone and be capable of doing all things for all men. And it succeeded when others fell by the roadside. So why was Velocette’s flawed LE so special? Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading,…

Two rotary-engined bikes but they’re as different as chalk and cheese. Bob Berry is surprised to discover that it was the troubled Norton factory that got it right while Suzuki went high tech and high cost and must have lost a packet… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe…

Stories of 750 owners being traumatised by a well-ridden Yamaha 350 are not the stuff of legend, rather, a very well documented fact. It’s realistically now very difficult to convey just what a complete package the Yamaha 350 was. Ostensibly a 350 in a 250 frame, the model was a performance ground breaker… Article continues…

Rod Gibson completes the Yamaha’s engine and gearbox rebuild but it’s not back in the frame – the owner is so pleased with the motor that he’s now going for a full restoration Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below……

Close inspection of the Yamaha twin’s engine internals reveals a relatively happy state of affairs for spannerman Rod Gibson 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

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 Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines.

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 Article continues below… Advert Enjoy…

Maurice Keen’s love affair with his Honda Gold Wing spans 30 years and two countries. We tracked him down at his home in Eire 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

Was Suzuki’s 500cc two-stroke twin doomed to become extinct before its time? John Nutting recalls the bike that started the Hamamatsu factory’s big-bike era and the last of the line. Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

Honda’s CB750 took and shook the motorcycle market but Kawsaki’s 900 raised the bar by a similar amount. More power, technology and performance than anything else. And affordable too. Rod Gibson tells the story… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues…

In the hands of its first owner, this Ariel VB covered over quarter of a million miles, usage which obviously took its toll on the machine, but an exacting restoration has given it a new lease of life Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our…

Billed as the ‘aristocrat of lightweights’, the Ambassador Supreme brought a touch of class to popular motorcycling on several continents Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

The keys to a successful marriage may be hanging in the garage, judging by the longevity of this Velocette-inspired union between two kindred spirits 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

Abingdon King Dick, or the company’s safer internet search name AKD, were early pioneers of the tricycle, motorcycle and took an active lead in the development of its own range of engines, which was unusual and gained the company a lot of respect Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to…

The Yamaha FS1-E has become the iconic symbol of 70s teenage rebellion. But was it ever really that good? We ride a mint example, and speculate… 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

Suzuki was influential in moulding the tralbike concept and this TS125, launched in 1971 and following on from the Trail Cat, continued the theme Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

Eighty years ago, The Motor Cycle took BSA’s Model G on a world tour. This well-used example still clocks up big miles in all weathers 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……

But unlike the prehistoric monster, the Z1300 in still with us. Winner in the power stakes when it was introduced at 120 bhp, fuel injection boosted that to 130 bhp. Bob Berry rides one of the last made Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our…

Examination of a university academic’s Brough Superior proves it to be in a class of its own 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

The 1968 Bonneville was the culmination of Triumph’s quest to marry ‘precision, power and performance’ and is arguably its best ever twin Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

Bling might be what the market requires now, but when this Enfield left the factory it was a different kettle of fish. Jim Reynolds tastes the solid dependability of the simple single Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

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… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert…

After the pre 65 Scottish CDB caught up with Davy Morewood and Pete Yeadon who are respectively the rider and builder of this fabulous Ariel. It carries on with our series of testing the winning bike each year and it�s good to see that a big bike can still win… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy…

After sampling the delights of Bracebridge’s sidevalve twin military prototype a few issues ago, Jim Reynolds rides the Meriden production machine Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

Suzuki’s GT185 two-stroke twin typified Japanese lightweights of the early 70s: conventionally styled but with generous and sporty detailing. But, as John Nutting recalls from when he tested in 1973, the glitter concealed some peculiarities Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article…

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 Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below……

Motorcycles on Ice sounds like one of those Christmas Bank Holiday specials that are aired over the festive season. Tim Britton reviews his own version 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

Conservation is the buzz word in these hard-pressed times, arguably classic enthusiasts are kingpins in this area. Jim Reynolds meets up with such an owner Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

To most classic enthusiasts the hallowed name of BMW is associated with bikes having two cylinders sticking out sideways. Rod Ker puts a different point of view Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

Take an ex-125 racer with a background in the bike trade, an old Triumph engine, a load of shiny new Metisse bits – and stir… 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

For some reason the cost of old bikes is a popular subject among classic enthusiasts. Jim Reynolds says this one is good value Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

The Spitfire was BSA’s range leader through the years 1966 to 1968. This is a US market last-season version… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

The first of Norton’s Commandos was a radical looking machine, as exampled by this stunning specimen Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

The Vincent name has always carried a certain exclusivity and mystique – and the pictures of this glorious Rapide perhaps help illustrate why Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

The pretty Triumph Tiger Cub has always attracted a fair following, which continues to be the case Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

Rock and roll pioneer Buddy Holly went for an Ariel Cyclone just like this one. You can see why Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

Mark Mumford owns one of the very first true British superbikes. And RealClassics gave it an award… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

Last month our Z1 engine was ready for reassembly. Rod Gibson rolls up his sleeves to inject new life into the king of motorcycles 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

Forty-two years after it rolled off the production line, owner Tony Clements reckons that it’s possible to keep an 650 Thunderbolt in better-than-new condition, and he’s got the prizes to prove it… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines.

Last month Rod Gibson stripped the engine on our 1972 Kawasaki Z1, despite a struggle to separate the barrels from the crankcase. Now all the components can be examined 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……

The Kawasaki Z1 is the definitive Japanese four – the bike that launched a thousand clones. Rod Gibson strips an original 1972 model to see what makes it tick… 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……

The AJS (and Matchless) CSR ‘range toppers’ were never quite as revered as the Bonnie or hot Beesa twins, but they were quick machines… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

The TR6SC was ostensibly a single carb version of the TT Bonnie, sharing many of its basic components… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

The Norton Jubilee was launched in 1958, Norton’s Diamond Jubilee year, and though it perhaps wasn’t universally loved, it still has its devotees to this day Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

Kawasaki’s screaming triple two-strokes found a place in most bikers’ hearts. Adrenaline-fuelled power delivery and unsual handling was a recipe for many memories! Here we focus on the baby of the range – the 250… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article…

Suzuki’s rotary-engined RE5 was a high tech but heavy and thirsty alternative to conventional piston-engined superbikes. It didn’t catch on… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

Yamaha’s 350cc YR2C may be rare in the UK, but that’s because the twin cylinder street scrambler was aimed fair and square at the US market. It was another landmark product for Yamaha… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below……

Twenty five years ago, the young Rod Ker always thought the GS750 was a better bike than its 1000cc successor. So it’s with some reluctance that we have to report that this test has done nothing to change the churlish Mr. Ker’s mind… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to…

A motorcycle strip-down will often stall with fasteners stubbornly stuck in situ. Before resorting to the electric drill, a range of agents, planned force and tools often removes all but the most awkward customers… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues…

2003 was the centennial year for America’s legendary Harleys and Rod Ker gets a taste of the unique (and sometimes scary) motorcycling experience that 800 lbs-worth of V-twin provides Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

One of the great charms of the Harley-Davidson V-twin is its simplicity. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to work on these bikes and day-to-day servicing should be easily within the abilities of the home mechanic Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our…

Apart from wooden beer and wine barrels, the majority of fluid containing vessels are one piece structures. Not so engines. Joints are a feature of their design and oil tight seals are essential… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below……

Feared by some, girder front forks were a light, reasonably strong early solution to steering and front suspension. Today, most are at least 50 years old, so need regular checks and maintenance to make sure they remain safe to use… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one…

‘World’s finest standard sports 500’. So boasted BSA… but to some, Gold Stars are overpriced and unnecessary, though to many others – including our scribe – BSA was quite right, and they are simply the best ohv singles ever made… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one…

The Norton Navigator was never that popular in its day, though then – as now – it had its devotees… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

The Clubman Gold Star is one of the most iconic and revered motorcycles ever made. This CB34 is a touch earlier – and rarer – than the more usual Clubman DBDs, but it still has plenty of pedigree… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our…

Sports twins were very much in vogue at the turn of the 60s and the offerings from AMC in Matchless and AJS guise were up among the best Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert

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… 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…

What is the ultimate classic motorcycle? The model that the whole movement is based on? That’s right, the Vincent V-twin. Jim Reynolds rides a brand new Vincent V-twin… 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…

Another batch of ‘spots’ at the 33rd Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle 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