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Colin Seeley: The machines, The magic, The man
There are some people who’ve done little. There are some people who’ve done a lot. There are others who’ve done more than that. Then there was Colin Seeley.
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Return to Arms in Staffs
Last year’s classic motorcycle show at the Clifford Arms in Great Haywood, Staffordshire, surpassed its target with regards to fundraising…
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Inside the March/April issue of Classic Racer…
Classic Racer magazine celebrates the greatest racers and racing motorcycles in history, where motorcycle-racing legends truly live on.
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Sunday best at the NMM
The National Motorcycle Museum has added a little extra feature to the museum’s foyer, with a ‘dressing up’ area to allow visitors to wear some appropriate garb for selfies and photo opportunities. As such, museum
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Norton Motorcyles collapse
British motorcycle maker Norton Motorcycles has gone into administration, following its struggle to pay a £300,000 tax bill – and as a result, the Leicestershire-based factory has faced a winding-up order from the HRMC offices
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Bultaco Revival gets a July datefor 2020 event
Back for 2020 is the popular Bultaco Revival event hosted by Westmorland MCC in Cumbria. Due to a clash of dates, the event has been pushed back a month to July 25, which is a
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Inside Classic Bike Guide’s March issue…
We discover a Ducati dream in the brand new March issue of Classic Bike Guide magazine – on sale now!
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GHR is back
After taking a year out, George Hogton-Rusling is back. Last year George took a sabbatical, and barely sat on a race bike. The popular Yorkshire lad, whose infectious smile never seems to stop, is committed
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Brit duo Triumph-ing at Bonneville
Vintage motorbike racers from Cornwall have achieved their ambitious targets of breaking American Land Speed Records against the epic backdrop of the Bonneville Salt Flats in Western Utah, US. Team Wildcard consists of Phil Betty
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Classic Motorcycle Mechanics/Bridgestone’s bike of the year!
If you’ve built a classic ‘special’ or restored a classic then we want to hear from YOU during 2020.
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2020 AMCA/Classic Dirt Bike: BRITISH CLASSIC MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
This year sees the 25th anniversary of this series. Although changes have been made over the years it is still basically a championship series which allows the best riders to race against each other. There
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FIM Europepresentation evening
Saturday, January 25, saw the FIME presentations during the annual ACU awards evening. Dr Paul King, chairman of the Road Race Committee made the presentations at the National Motorcycle Museum. David Whitehouse won the 250cc
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Classic chronometry with a modern twist
While the oldest of classic machinery doesn’t actually require a speedometer by law, much of our classic bikes do, although it has to be said that many classic bikes don’t have particularly accurate speedos as
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TAKE YOUR CLASSIC ON A TROPHY-WINNING ROAD TRIP
DO YOU WANT to challenge your classic this summer? The National Road Rally on July 4/5 is a navigational scatter rally organised in conjunction with the ACU and the BMF. The event is not a
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Mark, Mortimer and the Moto-chariot
The Southern Off-Road and Racing Show at Kempton Park was held on December 7, once more showing that classic sport is alive, well and thriving. Words and photographs: ALAN TURNER Kempton Park Race Course (horses,
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Racing star STUART GRAHAM to appear as guest of honour at STAFFORD CLASSIC BIKE SHOw
Stuart Graham, a winner on both two and four wheels, has enjoyed a successful and unusual racing career, and will share his stories in front of a live audience at the 40th Carole Nash International
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WIN! Duchinni Sherwood boots worth £129.99
We’ve teamed up with our friends at Duchinni to offer you the chance to win a pair of Duchinni Sherwood boots worth £129.99.
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YOUR OLD GEAR COULD HELPTHE NMM
THE NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM wants your old clobber! The museum has installed a new ‘dressing up’ corner in the foyer, where young and not-so-young visitors can try out gear from yesteryear. Any clothing, especially period
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Les Archer (1929-2019)
Les Archer, European 500cc Motocross Champion in 1956, died at his home in Spain just before Christmas. He was 90. Born on February 27, 1929, Archer was born into a family of racers – his
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Velocette bible reprint on sale
While Ivan Rhodes’ book on all things Velocette, Technical Excellence Exemplified, had been out of print for some time, it’s now been relaunched with new content and a new title. Now called Velocette, Passion of
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Bonhams at Stafford
There’s some interesting machinery already confirmed for Bonhams’ April Stafford sale, in particular, a couple of rare vintage V-twins. One, a 1927 Matchless M3/S, of 990cc, right; the other a 1928 Montgomery, powered by a
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Vapour Honing UK
The removal of unwanted paint, dirt, grease and general detritus is never a problem with sturdy, hefty components, but when it comes to the more delicate parts of a motorcycle’s build, you have to take
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COLIN SEELEY: RACING LEGEND AND GENIUS FRAME DESIGNER
BRITISH MOTORCYCLE RACING legend Colin Seeley has died at the age of 84. Starting out as an apprentice mechanic at 14, he started his own business at 18 and was an AJS dealer at 20.
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What’s inside Issue 54 of Classic Dirt Bike?
Welcome to Classic Dirt Bike magazine, where we celebrate the best in older off-road motorcycles and showcase those who ride them… both now and back in the day.
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Amazing opportunity
Team Obsolete is seeking a skilled race mechanic/engine builder for their Brooklyn, New York, shop. This is a unique opportunity to work on the world’s most exotic ‘Holy Grail’ historic race bikes, such as Hailwood’s
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The Classic Dirt Bike Show: February 15-16, 2020
Welcome, dirt bike fans, to the Classic Dirt Bike Show 2020 sponsored by Hagon Shocks. It’s that time of year again folks, to shake your off-road thing and mingle with your fellow mud warriors! Whether
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Great selection of goodies lined up for Telford
Depending on when you’re reading this spring issue of your favourite magazine, the Hagon Shocks sponsored Classic Dirt Bike Show is either upon us or already over for 2020. Make sure you check out the
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NEW PRE-UNIT ENGINES
WILTSHIRE-BASED LAMB ENGINEERING has released details of a brand-new Triumph twin-based engine. The pre-unit engine will feature a top end machined from aluminium billet on aftermarket crankcases. The new engines have been fitted with a
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Telford off-road show
The Classic Dirt Bike show, sponsored by Hagon Shocks, takes place at Telford over the weekend of February 15/16, and has American trials star and 1979 world trails champion Bernie Schreiber and also 1970 British
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WIN! Wulfsport bundle worth £100 up for grabs!
We’ve teamed up with Wulfsport to offer one lucky visitor the chance to win a set of their Forte race shirt & pant set, plus a pair of gloves – over £100 in total!
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Pinhard Trophy winner
One of the UK’s most prestigious motorcycling awards, as awarded by the Sunbeam MCC, is the Pinhard Trophy, presented by the club since 1950 to the best under-21-year-old sporting motorcyclist competing under ACU or SACU
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Early Stafford news
The Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show, to be held over April 25/26, at Stafford showground, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. 2020 also marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day, so something of a
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Stuart stars at Stafford
April’s Stafford Show – known officially by its somewhat long-winded title, the 40th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show – is not only the 40th iteration of the Stafford Show, but will also be encompassing
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Colin Seeley RIP
While there have been so many people who started their two-wheeled careers by something as simple as messing around with their, and their mates’ bikes, few have gone on to such an impressive career as
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Inside the April issue of The Classic MotorCycle!
Drawing on an archive stretching back to 1903, The Classic MotorCycle provides an unparalleled insight into more than a century of motorcycle design, development, riding, racing and much more.
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From the archive: Born to perform?
Pete Kelly turns to the Mortons Motorcycle Archive once again to see how the reporters of the day saw three entirely different kinds of motorcycles named after famous race circuits.
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Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
Few modern motorcycles have attracted as much attention in the classic world as the Royal Enfield 650 twins. Husband and
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From the archive: Born to perform?
Pete Kelly turns to the Mortons Motorcycle Archive once again to see how the reporters of the day saw three entirely different kinds of motorcycles named after famous race circuits.
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The way out west
The Tour Poitou-Charentes Motos Anciennes sees a fine collection of old machines take to the rural roads of western France. Words and photographs: MIKE DAVIS For those who want more than a day in the
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Dave Degens – The Triton Years and his Triumphs to date
Recognised as one of the UK’s leading tuning specialists, Dave Degens started his racing career back in the 1960s, building Tritons for the café racer tribe, before successfully trying his hand at endurance racing in
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Issue 416 on sale now!
Welcome to Old Bike Mart, the subscription-only newspaper with the UK’s largest selection of classic motorcycle classified ads.
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A brief history of motorcycle sidecars
Uncommon as they are today, sidecars are an interesting footnote in motorcycling history…
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A brief history of motorcycle sidecars
Uncommon as they are today, sidecars are an interesting footnote in motorcycling history…
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Sunny days, simple pleasures
The TUAR Club Rally in September is an example of good, pure motorcycling fun. Words and photographs: MIKE DAVIS What better way can there be to spend a sunny September Sunday than meandering along country
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Hangin’ with the Trailblazers
Every April, the gathering of the extended motorcycle family that is the Trailblazers happens in Carson, California. Last year saw the 75th banquet held to celebrate the most influential characters from motorcycle racing’s past. To
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Classic Bike Guide kicks the New Year off at Newark!
It’s always great to see big crowds at the season-opening Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic Show at Newark. It’s got a down-to-earth feel and has become a bit of a ‘date’ to have
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Motor Museum’s evening talks
Although not all of the evening talks at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu are focused on powered two-wheelers, most of the talks will be of interest to anyone who likes internal combustion engines and
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EVENTS: Vets Motocross des Nations (MXDN) – Fabulous Farleigh
The ‘Vets’ ups its game in Noyce’s anniversary year. Words and Pics: Nick Haskell This year’s Vets Motocross des Nations (MXDN), held at Farleigh Castle in September, commemorated the 40th anniversary of Graham Noyce’s 500cc
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BDK magnesium throttles for2, 3 and 4 cylinder engines
If you admire engineering, these are a thing of beauty. BDK race engineering are fanatical two-stroke experts that practice what they preach, racing anything from TZs, to VFR400s to a Jawa 350 V4 two-stroke in
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The complete book of Triumph motorcycles, 1937-today
This is a new edition of the original book, which was published in 2015. Where it differs from many books on Triumph motorcycles, is the time it covers. Though the introduction gives you the early
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New name, new fresh look… even more bikes
Motorbikes are awesome. And so are the people who ride them. That’s why MoreBikes is getting a major upgrade with more pages and even more content.
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Strong start to the year
If the CBG Winter Classic was anything to go by, then this year is going to be a good, busy one. Words: JAMES ROBINSON Photographs: GARY CHAPMAN With trade stand numbers up, exhibitor spaces full,
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Save 20% on tickets and be the first through the gate with the BRAND NEW SEASON TICKET
Throughout the year, thousands of people flock to the Kempton and Newark autojumbles; and now bargain-hunting jumblers can save money on entry and gain early access with the new Season Ticket.
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Competition Time! Win a pair of Weise Outlast Sirius gloves – worth £74.99!
We’ve teamed up with our friends at Weise to offer you the chance to win a pair of Weise OUTLAST® Sirius gloves rain suit worth £74.99.
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MOTO MORINI GO RETRO WITH TWIN
MOTO MORINI HAVE entered the retro modern classic market by reviving an old look and something close to an old name. The new arrival is a 650cc twin, dubbed the Moto Morini 6½, or Seiemmezzo,
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Rachel’s calendar
Our regular contributor Rachael Clegg has once again put together her Milestones calendar, with pictures shot on location in the Isle of Man, and with each picture comes a TT-based fact or anecdote. The calendar
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From the Archive: Memories of Mike
We asked Racer readers to send us their recollections of the young Mike Hailwood. Sydney Webster and Jock Leyden sent us theirs…
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From the Archive: Memories of Mike
We asked Racer readers to send us their recollections of the young Mike Hailwood. Sydney Webster and Jock Leyden sent us theirs…
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And Cadwell still rolls on!
I have been most interested in the photos that you have been printing over the last few issues of Cadwell Park riders of the early days. Although I can’t with any certainty put names to
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Stunning off-road machines confirmed for Classic Dirt Bike Show
A stunning line-up of classic off-road machines has been confirmed for the Classic Dirt Bike Show sponsored by Hagon Shocks next month.
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Motorcycling to Brighton
Cars were undoubtedly the stars of the show at the London to Brighton Veteran run on November 3, 2019, but this truly classic event, which began in 1927, inevitably attracts numerous spectators on bikes of
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From the archive: The 2015 Sachsenring Classic – 80 years of motorcycle racing in one weekend
A total of 650 riders competed at the ADAC-Sachsenring-Classic in Hohenstein-Ernstthal in former East Germany. Thousands of spectators came to see the stars during the three-day event like in the old days before the iron
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Geoff Duke: First global superstar of racing
Geoff Duke was the first global superstar of Grand Prix racing, the first to win three successive world championships and the first to win two in the same year.
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WATSONIAN’S CLASSIC COMBOS
SIDECAR MANUFACTURER WATSONIAN have launched new sidecars for modern classics from Triumph and Royal Enfield. A Prescott sidecar has been created for use with the 1200cc Triumph Bobber Black. The combo featured the popular Prescott
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Stafford Success
Despite the best the weather could throw at it, making parking a nightmare for the organisers, The Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics show was pronounced a success by visitors and traders alike. The Classic Racer
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International Dirt Bike Show settling in to a new home at Stafford County Showground
Words and pics: Tim Britton Have you ever moved house or workshop? I bet you have and it’s always an uncertain time – you know the move is going to be better, you wouldn’t have
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Book Review
Suzuki motorcycles: The Classic Two-Stroke Era 1955 to 1978 Author: Brian Long Published by: Veloce Publishing Ltd, Veloce House, Parkway Farm Business Park, Middle Farm Way, Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 3AR Tel: 01305 260068 Email:
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From our archive: The BSA Bantam: something worth crowing about
Hands up all those who’ve never owned or ridden a BSA Bantam! Even if your arm’s in the air, you probably know someone who did or still does! With the help of the BSA Bantam
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From the Archive: On the Weekend – 2016 Vets MXdN
Words: Vets MXdN and Pics: Nick Haskell A victorious Team Belgium celebrated a sensational double victory at this year’s Vets MXdN at Farleigh Castle in Wiltshire on September 3-4, as they claimed top honours in
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The Carole Nash MCN London motorcycle show returns to Excel!
London’s largest motorcycling event, the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show, roars back into the capital February 14-16 to celebrate all things two wheeled.
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Goodbye Percy tait
Motorcycle sport lost a true legend when Percy Tait passed away on November 17, aged 90. Percy will be best remembered for the part he played in the success of Triumph in racing and also
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The Carole Nash MCN London motorcycle show returns to Excel!
London’s largest motorcycling event, the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show, roars back into the capital February 14-16 to celebrate all things two wheeled.
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Discovering the beautiful 1961 BSA Super Rocket
When John Foster first laid eyes on this BSA Super Rocket he was actually in the market for a Velocette, but the stunning pre-unit Beezer was enough to sway John’s affections on the spot.
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Suzuki’s recreational vehicle
I really liked Steve Cooper’s article on the TC range. As a bit of a side order I have owned RV 125cc sand bikes since 1974. They came in three sizes – 50cc, 90cc and
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Café Racer Kits announce details of latest bike conversion kit
Café Racer Kits have announced details of their latest bike conversion kit.
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Remembering Pete Rutterford…
Sidecar racing passenger Pete Rutterford lost his battle against cancer on November 24, 2019.
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Muc-off Star Letter: Cleaning up at the Scott
At the celebratory dinner for the 105th anniversary of the Scott Trial at the Spa Hotel, Ripon, North Yorkshire, on November 16, Alan Lampkin was a superb Master of Ceremonies, while Nick Jefferies gave a
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Italian legends arrive in E-Book range
Three genuine icons of Italian motorcycle racing comprise the latest release of new titles in the catalogue of The Motorcycle Files, the range of e-books written by Classic Racer’s Alan Cathcart. They are the legendary
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Motorcycling legend Colin Seeley has sadly died
Motorcycle racing and manufacturing legend Colin Seeley has died at the age of 84. It is understood he had been unwell for some time.
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Dirt Products
Getting a handle on things AJS Motorcycles – Stormer specialists – have reintroduced their ‘SPEEDLINE’ branded classic scrambles handlebar. These are ‘bars which follow the classic shape used by scramblers in the classic period. Hand-made
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From the Archive: A touch of déjà vu
When Triumph’s twin engine needed a better chassis for ISDT use, eyes turned to Hampshire and Eric Cheney’s workshop. On the face of it Triumph’s twin, designed in the 1930s, ought not to have still
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From the archive: What happened to this much-travelled AJS?
Mark Gooding tells the story of his late father-in-law’s 1952 350cc AJS, OMA 859, now thought to be fitted with a 500cc engine, and wonders if any Old Bike Mart reader can help him trace
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Vic Eastwood (1941-2019)
Former scrambling star Vic Eastwood has died, aged 78. A member of BSA’s works motocross team, he was fourth in the 1965 500cc world championship, while he also won the 1968 British Motocross GP, riding
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From the Archive: Pre-TT Classic May 30-31 2015
An emotional Jamie Coward paid tribute to Ted Woolf and the people who had stood by him after a shattered lower left leg ruled him out for much of 2014. John Watterson shares his story
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Lean, mean and lime green Volume Two – Racing with Kawasaki The Superbike Years 1978-1983
The books in the Lean, mean and lime green series are without doubt the most complete story ever told of racing with Kawasaki in the USA and the long-awaited Volume Two covers the important years
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Rob Edwards Tribute
The trials world has been mourning Rob Edwards, who died in October. The smiling Teesider is forever associated with Montesa but rode for AJS and Cotton too. There is to be a tribute to Rob,
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Ogri: Remaining Everybody’s favourite since the 1970s
The immortal Ogri was the proto-rocker that a certain kind of Seventies and Eighties rider wished they were.
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February 2020 issue on sale!
This February issue of RealClassic is packed full of classic machines, tales from the shed, in-depth interviews and striking photography.
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Bristol is nearly here!
The 2020 Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show celebrates the 40th birthday of the event. To mark the milestone, organisers are turning back the clock and throwing a 1970s/80s-themed birthday bash and, of course, everyone
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Missing men
Dear CR It is nice to see the photograph Nick Nicholls took at the start of the 125cc TT in 1961. And it is nice too, to have mentioned most of the riders, some of
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The story of a snowy Colmore Cup Trial in 1932…
Snow and ice are often the bane of competitive winter motorcycling events. But in February 1932, it wasn’t enough!
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In to Europe…
No, not a comment on the Brexit chaos dominating the UK at the moment but a reference to the ECMO classic MX series held in various European countries. Chris Lewis, of Elsinore 74, called up
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Setting it straight
Dear CR Regarding the story in part one of the formation of the CRMC on page 77 of the November/December edition of Classic Racer and the photographs on page 79 – the guy in all
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Ipswich Contis?
I am writing regarding the photo on the front page of issue 412 of Old Bike Mart. Is it possible that the two lads are picking up their bikes from Boltons Motorcycle of Barrack Corner,
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‘A restyled British Vincent with an American accent’
A restyled Brit with an American accent, a long way from home in Stevenage, in terms of looks and in actuality.
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END OF AN ERA: Looking back at the 1938 Senior Manx Grand Prix
As Ken Bills bump-started his 490cc ohc Norton for the 1938 Senior Manx Grand Prix, few would have imagined that he would be the last MGP winner for eight years.
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The original Conti
In response to your Royal Enfield GT 650 report in the 2019 October Old Bike Mart, please find attached a couple of pictures of my much-missed 1965 Continental GT. The bike came my way in
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Autumn extravaganza
Over the weekend of October 19-20, the Stafford County Showground welcomed classic enthusiasts of, predominantly, 1970s and 1980s classics. Words: James Robinson Photographs: Gary Chapman Innovative engineer Allen Millyard first came to prominence with his
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Entry time for Pre65 Scottish
The entry form for the 2020 Pre’65 Scottish Trial is now available to download from www.pre65scottish.com … and this time anyone in the world can enter! Organisers ask that potential entrants please read the guidelines
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