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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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Is it The End? Or maybe the beginning of the end? Frank Westworth rediscovers Fear Of Finishing…

The end is in sight. Or at least it would be if the lights worked. Frank Westworth wrestles with Lucas…

And now for something wheely different. Frank Westworth discovers that you should never think you know everything about Ariels…

In which starting proves to be such sweet sorrow. During the long months of an Ariel Huntmaster rebuild, Frank Westworth encounters a whole new technique for strengthening a single leg…

In which the true virtues of the Ariel Huntmaster gain appreciation and understanding. Frank Westworth remembers why British bikes are very special…

In which things start to go back together. And come apart again! Frank Westworth understands that patience is a virtue indeed…

If you’re going to rebuild a burned-out Ariel Huntmaster, then you’re going to need spare parts. Lots of them. We present Frank Westworth’s guide to autojumbling for idiots…

Is this any way to restore a traditional British classic bike? The story of Frank Westworth’s improbable rebuild continues. Slowly…

Only an expert or an optimist would attempt to rebuild a totally burned-out classic motorcycle. So here’s Frank Westworth’s guide to stripping down for idiots…

How to spend uncounted piles of money over many years in the fond hope that a shiny Ariel Huntmaster will arise from its own ashes. Frank Westworth tells an episodic tale from the shed…

Morgan’s JAP-powered Aero and a James delivery truck are more like motorcycles than you might think…

Team Paton was the most enduring privateer effort in Grand Prix racing, with a presence in the world’s top championship, which began in 1967 with the four-stroke twin-effort and, with a short break, ran through until 2001. Malc Wheeler rides the last of the great privateer GP bikes…

The End. It’s been over a year, but now The End is finally at hand. Frank Westworth rides his rebuild…

This is it. This really is The End. All twelve-part series should have at least thirteen parts, don’t you agree? And this is the last. I think I’d have to commit either ritual murder or ritual suicide if I wrote any more about this once-singed motorcycle. Frank Westworth looks back over the rebuild and considers…

Panther claimed ‘the Perfect Motorcycle’ in its catalogue of 1911, and it had earned a formidable reputation as a sidecar hauler, but popularity was waning as four-wheelers were becoming more appealing to the family motorist. Phil Mather takes a look at a 600cc Model 100 version of the breed…

The pairing of a Vincent Comet with a 1980s LE sidecar isn’t one that instantly springs to mind, but this union has led to an outfit which goes well and handles even better…

University professor Mike Starr admits it was the mystique surrounding the marque which caused him to consider ownership of what must be one of the world’s most famous motorcycles. It’s a stunning example and we can only imagine how our writer felt when offered a test ride…

Suzuki produced a wealth of lightweight off-road machines in the 60s and 70s and the TS250 proved to be one of the company’s most enduring model…

MV Agusta was already becoming a legend during the 50s, with a hugely successful 25-year racing spell. The Modello CS Sport only further enhanced the Italian company’s reputation…

Pricey, but still worth the money because these bikes will continue to go up in value. In 50 years of Japanese motorcycles few machines have genuinely made classic status. These are the elite…

Once the country’s most popular commuter, these days BSA Bantams – especially the early, prettier but slower 123cc engined-ones – are more likely to be seen at static displays. Roy Poynting describes the different versions and focuses on a special D1…

DMW was one of a number of makers that used Villiers engines in the 1950s, though its products were always at the higher end of the market. James Robinson reports…

You might not genuinely believe your garage needs or warrants a Japanese step-through until you actually ride one… and then you might very well change your opinion…

Motorcycle steering head bearings take a lot of abuse and if ignored they’ll make a good machine handle like a cranky mule. We show you what’s involved in keeping things smooth and silky…

Rod Gibson had already dismantled the Suzuki GT750 down in his workshop and we start the online feature at the first stage of reassembly. With the engine to one side, Rod concentrated on the cycle parts, having already arranged for the metalwork to be powder coated…

‘The modern motorcycle’, so proclaimed Ariel advertising slogans. And when the Leader was introduced, the firm could really be considered the makers of such a thing…

November 1971, Yamaha pulls off the coup of the decade by debuting the GL750 at the 19th Tokyo Motor Show. The world is fast realising that the once scorned two-stroke is the way to go; only Honda is championing poppet valves…

Suzuki’s Stinger was a beautiful, radically styled bike with a feisty motor in an unusual frame. It made a great bike, so suggests Classic Bike Guide’s Steve Cooper…

Honda’s CB1100F was the last of its classic air-cooled fours and although overshadowed by the exotic CB1100R production racer still pulls a hefty punch with a 140mph top speed…

South Africa’s first TT races owed little to the Isle of Man events, the organisers preferring to plough their own furrow…

Aintree motor racing circuit opened in 1954 and these pictures come from the first motorcycle race meeting, which attracted a strong entry…

Cotton, as a motorcycle manufacturer, didn’t stray from the ‘straight tube’ frame building philosophy in the 1920s and 30s. That was because it was a design that worked. Best of all, the frame allowed all of the performance to be used. Roy Poynting explains…