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Vincents take it easy at Hever rally
Numbers were down at this year’s Vincent HRD Owners’ Club rally at Hever in Kent but the selection of bikes, solos and sidecars still included a couple of prewar HRDs…
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Straightliners at Ramsey
Part of the Manx Classic Festival the Straightliners Ramsey Sprint, held on August 30, had as broad a mix as any spectator could wish to see – from highly tuned strokers howling at ear splitting decibel level to classic sprint bikes thundering their way along the sea front at Ramsey…
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Classics at the modern Dirt Bike Show
After the successes of the classic element at the Dirt Bike Show at Stoneleigh last year, the classic element returns and will be better than ever…
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Wroughton Speed Trials
Ideal weather brought out a choice selection of vintage and classic machines for the August Wroughton Speed Trials…
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Old Bike Mart Unearthed – September 2012
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.
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RealClassic 101 out now!
Every month RealClassic features ancient, classic and British and international bikes, with in-depth articles by expert and enthusiast authors, reflecting the old bikes we buy and ride in the real world. But RealClassic isn’t normally available in the shops. So if you want to read the latest issue, you’ll need to buy it here…
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19th Ace Cafe Reunion
Brighton will rock to the sound of hundreds of motorcycles when they converge on the seafront for the 19th Ace Cafe Reunion…
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Royal Enfield solid rear
Specialist Hitchcock’s Motorcycles has unveiled a retro fitted rear end for 350 and 500 Royal Enfield Bullets…
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Mono-cycle pits in
Imagine, if you can, that the motorcycle had just been invented and you look at it and thought, ‘Nah. This is how to do it!’
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Road Test: Yamaha XS1
In the early Seventies the world of twins was simple; Ducati produced V-twins, BMWs were horizontally opposed and the British persevered with pushrod parallels… then Yamaha mixed it all up, with the OHC XS1…
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Road Test: Yamaha XS1
In the early Seventies the world of twins was simple; Ducati produced V-twins, BMWs were horizontally opposed and the British persevered with pushrod parallels… then Yamaha mixed it all up, with the OHC XS1…
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Historic championship heats up
There were outstanding performances from riders of classic British machines at the Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s two day Darley Moor event…
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Classics race launched at Imola
Powerful classic motorcycles will thunder around an Italian circuit more closely associated with Formula One cars when a new race is launched…
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Brough on L-plates
Latest DSA testing proposals are even more bonkers than the last ones. But they could create a boom in affordable middleweight classics… and Brough Superiors…
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Waiting almost over for Stafford Show
Though it is a few weeks before the doors open on the 19th Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show at the Stafford County Showground, on October 20-21, there’s already lots of interesting stuff going on as people prepare for the event…
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Chrome-plated insanity
New proposals from the EU concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals (REACH) will limit the ways in which chromic acid can be used…
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MGP Festival news exclusive!
John McGuinness enjoyed a couple of quick ‘parade’ sessions during the Festival of Jurby aboard the twin cylinder Paton which will be raced by Ryan Farquhar during the Senior Class race, fuelling speculation that McGuinness will compete in the new look 2013 Classic TT…
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First MGP result
A popular podium for Chris Palmer as he wins his third Manx Grand Prix title with classic 350cc victory while Peter Symes takes the honours in the 250cc race…
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Motorcycle Live
Visitors will be able to view the wares of all the major motorcycle manufacturers and rub shoulders with celebrities and legends of the racetrack at this year’s Motorcycle Live…
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Sidecars at Spa
By the time the continental circus reached Spa Francorchamps, high in the Ardenne, in July 1956, the season was in full swing and the championships taking shape…
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Folding MX kick-start
Change footrest position and you can run into problems with the kick-start lever, in which case this tough fold-away MX lever may be the answer to your troubles…
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Profile: Lawrie Watts part one
If you cut your teeth on The Motor Cycle or its sister magazines The Autocar or Flight International, you will recognise Lawrence Watts’ signature immediately as the name on those marvellous cutaway drawings which showed ‘the inside story’
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New products
Sidestand extensions to prevent the bike falling over on soft surfaces and a new tyre pressuring monitoring system, which keeps you legal and is a great safety aid, too…
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Workshop: Yamaha XT500 part one
Rod Gibson dons his workshop overalls and reveals the engine assembly procedure for Yamaha’s big single cylinder trailie, the XT500, then turns his attention to restoring the frame and running gear…
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Workshop: Starter motor overhaul
Starter motors on Japanese motorcycles can have a pretty hard life, and we do take them for granted. Rod Gibson brings one up to scratch…
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Workshop: Yamaha XT500 part one
Rod Gibson dons his workshop overalls and reveals the engine assembly procedure for Yamaha’s big single cylinder trailie, the XT500, then turns his attention to restoring the frame and running gear…
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Workshop: Starter motor overhaul
Starter motors on Japanese motorcycles can have a pretty hard life, and we do take them for granted. Rod Gibson brings one up to scratch…
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Last chance to get a Hi-boy!
During the 1970s trials legend Sammy Miller made excellent frames for Bultaco trials bikes under the Hi-Boy name. Advantages included less weight, an integral bash plate and a plated finish…
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Gearing up for trials running
Not long before the Manx Two Day Trial on August 25 and only a few months before the Scottish. Both these trials have a few things in common – excellent sections, great scenery, good company and a high mileage…
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Manx GP kicks off
First qualifying session for the 2012 Manx Grand Prix Festival got underway yesterday evening on the Isle of Man with conditions reported as good on the Mountain Course…
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Reference: Norton-JAP ‘Thor’
‘Thor’ is an appropriate name for this thundering V-twin. This historic JAP-powered V-twin sprinter was rescued before it was dismantled for its engine. James Robinson takes up the story…
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Reference: Norton-JAP ‘Thor’
‘Thor’ is an appropriate name for this thundering V-twin. This historic JAP-powered V-twin sprinter was rescued before it was dismantled for its engine. James Robinson takes up the story…
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ISDT Run 2012
Despite the weather – and how many times have I written that this year? – the Kendal Classic MCC Ltd’s ISDT road run went off successfully…
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Classic Motorcycle Mechanics
In this issue, confessions of a bike tester, profile on Ducati’s 851 – a legend built by a legendary team of engineers – Suzuki’s super X5-based commuter, the SB200, tested, Yamaha RD350, plus project Yamaha TDR250, finished at last! On sale now…
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Bike security scheme aims to cut theft
The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCI), has launched the first ever official and national security marking scheme, which will be introduced by major bike manufacturers…
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Control issues
During the vintage days of motorcycling, designers endeavoured to make the rider’s role easier, with slick control design and cleaner handlebar. Recent generations of motorcycle design boffins have more than re-cluttered the handlebars with switchgear. Now that is progress… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of…
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On guard for alloy
Motorcycle mudguards are the first items to suffer damage, but these rust-resistant alloy replacements will save weight and improve the looks of your classic. Most sizes are available…
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Classic Racer app
The brilliant Classic Racer app means you can download every single magazine onto your iPad or Android tablet days before Classic Racer reaches the news stands, and you can take a virtual stack of back issues of your favourite magazine with you wherever you are in the world, or download the very latest edition without…
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IoM pre-TT Classic Billown
Registering the first MV double in the Isle of Man for precisely 40 years, Alan Oversby made a perfect return to the Pre-TT Classic after missing the 2011 event with a broken wrist…
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Classic Dirt Bike on sale!
Issue 24 of Classic Dirt Bike has just gone on sale. Features include Ariel HT5 and BSA A65 tests, focus on Talon Engineering, Bultaco Frontera buying guide, CR 380 Moto Villa, all the usual regulars and part one of our Armstrong project bike rebuild…
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Triton 500cc
Think of a Triton and the engine unit will invariably be 650cc, or bigger. However, the general consensus is that most British vertical twins are at their sweetest at 500cc. Nigel Clark reviews a combination that forgoes outright performance for an altogether nicer ride…
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Moto Guzzi Lodola
Moto Guzzi’s Lodola, made from 1956 to 1966 initially as an overhead cam 175, is physically a small machine, which is the attraction to some owners. Brian Crichton takes flight on this Italian Lark and is charmed by the machine’s forgiving handling and ride…
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Classics return to Stoneleigh show
Proof, if proof were needed, of the interest in older off-road bikes comes with the news that classic, twinshock and Evo machines will feature again at the International Dirt Bike Show, November 1-4, 2012, at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire…
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New GP carbs from Amal
The world famous Amal GP racing carburettor is back in production again, which will bring your bike engine a new lease of life if the existing carb’s worn…
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Boxing clever
Open bike trailers are fine for transporting your pride and joy around but hardly weatherproof and vans are expensive. Classic Dirt Bike editor Tim Britton tries out the best of both worlds – a box van trailer…
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Product news
Latest accessories in the bike world include a sophisticated new brake disk lock, a mini video camera to capture those special ride-out moments and protective tank pads to avoid damaging your tank’s paintwork…
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New Classic tour bike company
Motorcyclists tired of all the British summer rain can now ride a selection of immaculate classic bikes in sunny Mallorca with Albion – a classic motorcycle tour company founded and run by British classic biker Hugh Birley…
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Cropton fresh start
Another victim of the interesting weather we’ve been having of late is the Cropton Classic Enduro. We gave the club a decent plug last issue and interest in the event is high… but the original start point is no longer available due to water so the club has had an enforced venue change…
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Imola’s golden revival
What happens when a bunch of notable names from the motocross scene of the ‘golden era’ get together? Well, tales are told, bikes are looked at, races are rerun, mistakes corrected and then they all climb on bikes and ride the things…
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Dream come true
Radio and TV presenter and lifelong bike enthusiast Andy Kershaw fulfilled a lifelong fantasy when he got to ride a TZ Yamaha at the Festival of 1000 Bikes…
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Bike identity crisis
When John Montgomery picked up this unusual machine he had no idea of its colourful identity-swapping history. Now he is hoping Old Bike Mart readers can help fill in the blanks in the motorcycle’s background…
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Alton eKit
Latest from Brittany, north-west France based Alton is this ‘eKit’ electric start conversion for the Norton Commando, taking the strain out of firing up the big twin with the conventional kickstart mechanism…
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Seventies hero: Ron Haslam
John Brown reflects on the 35-year racing career of Britain’s race hero, ‘Rocket’ Ron Haslam
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Germot International Trials Jacket
This German trials jacket is made from British waxed cotton and comes with Forcefield’s CE approved armour in the shoulders and elbows…
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Banbury ‘mystery’ artist is revealed
A young artist was pictured hard at work sketching classic motorcycles at the 64th Banbury Run in last month’s Old Bike Mart, and we can now reveal who it is…
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RealClassic 100 out now!
Every month RealClassic features ancient, classic and British bikes, with in-depth articles by expert and enthusiast authors, reflecting the old bikes we buy and ride in the real world. Unlike most classic motorcycle magazines, RealClassic isn’t available in the shops. So if you want to read the latest issue, you’ll need to buy one online,…
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Old Bike Mart out now!
The latest issue of Old Bike Mart should be landing through letterboxes anytime now. Packed with the usual mix of news, features, classic workshop advice and classified motorcycle and accessory advertisements, OBM’s invaluable to the classic biking enthusiast…
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The way we were: September 1987
An early September announcement confirmed Suzuki factory bosses had pulled the plug on the British-based Heron Suzuki 500cc GP race team. Poor track results and a slump in motorcycle sales meant budget strings were tightened…
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Treasure trove of classics uncovered
A large collection of historic motorcycles and other vehicles discovered in the grounds of an old rectory is to go under the hammer. The Linegar Collection auction will take place in September,,,
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BMCRC – Brands Hatch
This year, the British Motor Cycle Racing Club (Bemsee) championship trail involves three visits to Brands Hatch. However, the July meeting was exceptional, as it took place over the venue’s full 2.61-mile Grand Prix circuit, which is permitted only limited use as a result of environmental restrictions…
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The way we were: September 1937
Leicestershire runner Maurice Cann completed a double victory in the year’s Manx Grand Prix as he took his 490cc Norton over the line, beating like-mounted Rochester clubman Ken Bills by over a minute…
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Classics take centre stage at Manx TT
Organisers of the Manx Grand Prix have agreed a provisional schedule for the rebranded 2013 event. The fortnight long Manx Grand Prix Festival will retain the existing Manx GP races but from next year will also include a new Classic TT which will form part of a three day classic meeting…
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Jim Morrison’s Honda found
The Doors’ Jim Morrison’s 1968 Honda 305 Scrambler found and up for sale. But you’ll need deep pockets as the estimates value the bike between $50,000 and $100,000…
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Reference: BSA Bantam D1 – back to basics
To many, the BSA Bantam is familiar and often overlooked – though it still makes an excellent, enjoyable, value for money classic, as explained…
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Reference: BSA Bantam D1 – back to basics
To many, the BSA Bantam is familiar and often overlooked – though it still makes an excellent, enjoyable, value for money classic, as explained…
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The way we were: September 1962
Finally Wilhelm Herz’s (499cc NSU) motorcycle world speed record of 211.40mph set in 1956 was broken on Wednesday, September 5, 1962, at the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah….
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Side-to-side
Deciding to do their own coast to coast, east to west ride, a group of eight intrepid riders on elderly machines – the oldest being a 1929 Norton ES2 – left the beach on the Suffolk coast at sunrise (about 4.40am), to be on the sand in Wales for sunset…
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Dremel 3000
Unarguably one of the best tools to have in your workshop, the Dremel has been around for a good few years – often copied, but never bettered…
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Old Bike Mart Unearthed – August 2012
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.
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BSA Bantam D1 – back to basics
To many, the BSA Bantam is familiar and often overlooked – though it still makes an excellent, enjoyable, value for money classic, as explained… 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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Reference: NVT rotary
It’s fifty-five years since the first practical Wankel rotary engine was built by NSU in Germany. John Nutting was one of the first journalists to ride a rotary-engined motorcycle when Norton-Villiers-Triumph revealed its ultra-smooth prototype in the 70s…
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Reference: NVT rotary
It’s fifty-five years since the first practical Wankel rotary engine was built by NSU in Germany. John Nutting was one of the first journalists to ride a rotary-engined motorcycle when Norton-Villiers-Triumph revealed its ultra-smooth prototype in the 70s…
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Seat re-covering
When it comes to restoring motorcycles, you can almost bet your hat that the seat is going to be a bit tatty around the edges and requiring a bit of tlc. This month Steve Cooper brings us a guide to re-covering them… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe…
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Road Test: Velocette LE/Valiant Special
This Velocette Special takes the engine from the LE and slots it into the rolling chassis of the Valiant, creating a tidy little lightweight…
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Road Test: BSA B30-4
Mike Dixon’s rare, tuned example of the BSA B30-4, denoted by a small star red star stamped onto the crankcase, was described to him as being similar to the machine campaigned in competitive trials by Marjorie Cottle during 1930…
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Road Test: Velocette LE/Valiant Special
This Velocette Special takes the engine from the LE and slots it into the rolling chassis of the Valiant, creating a tidy little lightweight…
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Road Test: BSA B30-4
Mike Dixon’s rare, tuned example of the BSA B30-4, denoted by a small star red star stamped onto the crankcase, was described to him as being similar to the machine campaigned in competitive trials by Marjorie Cottle during 1930…
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Take a ride to the codebreakers’ mansion
Classic motorbikes will take over Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes, the home of the codebreakers during the Second World War, on Sunday, August 5…
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Buying Guide: Buying a sports bike
These are the bikes with the unfinished business. The machines we bought as cocksure young things. Kings of the road, winners of the 1991 Whitby TT. Back then we were fast and reckless and we needed the bike to match. Back then we could almost get our knees down – some of us even wore…
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Buying Guide: Buying a sports bike
These are the bikes with the unfinished business. The machines we bought as cocksure young things. Kings of the road, winners of the 1991 Whitby TT. Back then we were fast and reckless and we needed the bike to match. Back then we could almost get our knees down – some of us even wore…
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CMM trackday spaces almost gone!
Book now if you want to attend the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics trackday at Donington Park on August 4, as places are going fast…
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Hyde gears up
Following the success of his replacement oil pumps for classic Triumph and BSA triples, Norman Hyde has produced the gears that drive the pump…
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Brooklands Reunion
The Brooklands Society Reunion is an annual celebration of the organisation’s achievement in preserving as much of the Brooklands site as was practical after British Aerospace, the last owners of the site, pulled out in the sixties…
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Bikers ‘will benefit’ from closures
Motorcyclists will receive a better service from the DVLA under wide-ranging reforms announced by Roads Minister Mike Penning, it is claimed…
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Graeme celebrates bike win
Most raffle prizes tend to be bottles of wine or boxes of chocolates but the Vintage Motorcycle Club does things a little differently. The grand prize for its January to June 2012 raffle was a 1977 Triumph Bonneville T140 Silver Jubilee 750cc…
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Sammy’s Rennsport BMW
Sammy Miller proudly displays his latest museum exhibit, a ‘short stroke’ Rennsport BMW. This will accompany Sammy and a couple of Guzzies to the Isle of Man for the Manx…
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Good buys at Castle Combe
Despite poor weather, the marquee was pretty full for Richard Edmonds’ Classic and Vintage motorcycle auction on Saturday, June 30 at Castle Combe racetrack, near Chippenham, Wilts
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The way we were: September 1912
A W Wall Ltd, Dartmouth Street, Birmingham unveiled its redesigned Roc two-speed hub gear for the 1913 season, aimed at sidecars at more powerful motorcycles than the previous version…
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Bonneville blast off
With Morgo having been making a big bore 750cc kit for the T120 650cc Triumph Bonneville for many years, we wondered how such an aftermarket conversion compared with the factory built 750cc T140. Would it trounce it?
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Reference: The Hesketh story
British Bike enthusiasts were willing Lord Hesketh to fulfil his dream of building a competitive all-British superbike, but it was not to be. The bikes were badly received and suffered from noisy transmissions and production faults, forcing the company into receivership during the summer of 1982…
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Road Test: Yamaha RD twins
Motorcyclists who grew up in the Seventies and had more than hint of fire in their veins would have had to try a Yamaha two stroke twin. In whatever size they came – 125cc, 200cc, 250cc, 350cc or 400cc – they were fast and furious and could punch much more than their weight…
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Jimmy Shaw’s success
Jimmy Shaw leads team-mate Alec Bennett in the 1925 Ulster GP. Shaw was to go on to win the 205-mile handicap race, claiming the Ulster GP Trophy, aboard his 490cc pushrod Norton, though he wasn’t the fastest…
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Reference: The Hesketh story
British Bike enthusiasts were willing Lord Hesketh to fulfil his dream of building a competitive all-British superbike, but it was not to be. The bikes were badly received and suffered from noisy transmissions and production faults, forcing the company into receivership during the summer of 1982…
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Road Test: Yamaha RD twins
Motorcyclists who grew up in the Seventies and had more than hint of fire in their veins would have had to try a Yamaha two stroke twin. In whatever size they came – 125cc, 200cc, 250cc, 350cc or 400cc – they were fast and furious and could punch much more than their weight…
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Road Test: BSA A7
Some motorcycles are the ruffians of the two-wheeled world. The BSA 500 twin is instead one of motorcycling’s gentlefolk…
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BSA Gold Star video
The Classic Motorcycle reader Viny Parkinson celebrates BSA’s Gold Star with ‘Halcyon Days’, a song written and performed by him on YouTube…
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Vincent Super ‘D’ Black Shadow for sale
Johnnie Sawyer died last year, aged 82, and now his family has decided to sell his Vincent Black Shadow, built in 1955, one of the last from the Stevenage factory…
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Road Test: Suzuki GT500
When Suzuki’s 492cc two stroke twin was revealed in 1967 for the domestic Japanese motorcycle market it looked like a 250cc T20 Super Six on steroids. But it was 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…
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BMW: sixty years of flat twins
One of BMW’s first satisfied customers was none other than Manfred von Richthofen. The legendary first world war German air ace, nicknamed the ‘Red Baron’ because he painted his aircraft scarlet, wrote in 1917 to thank designer Max Friz for the
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