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When 200 Lucky Strike would keep a bike secure!
Geoffrey Le Marquand fondly recalls the time when, as a merchant seaman, he had to find ingenious ways of putting his BSA twin into safe storage while he was away at sea.
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Vincent twin’s lucky winner
The National Motorcycle Museum’s summer 2015 raffle to win a 1947 Vincent Rapide was drawn by road racing superstars Carl Fogarty, Jamie Whitham and Phil Read at the Museum LIVE open day on October 31.
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Desne Dodkin (1927-2015)
Desne Dodkin, the former Veloce employee and wife of well-known Velocette dealer Geoff, passed away on September 16.
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Redman stars at RealClassic
ELK Promotions’ final event of the year was the RealClassic Show at the familiar Ardingly showground venue, on October 25, 2015.
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Offham Steam Rally success
While few of the traction engines that originated at the Offham Steam Rally now attend, it remains an annual get-together (on October 18, 2015) of all sorts of older transport that dominates the Kent village.
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Foggy gets his first bike back at NMM’s second free ‘Museum Live’ open day
Attracted by the free museum entry and many family-friendly activities, huge visitor numbers attended the National Motorcycle Museum’s second annual ‘Museum Live’ open day on Saturday, October 31 and made it another outstanding success.
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Classic treasures discovered in a single-bedroomed, first-floor flat!
A first-floor flat in Totnes, Devon, together with a barn, have yielded an unlikely collection of classic motorcycles which have been entered into a Charterhouse special auction on Sunday, February 7.
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The amazing life of Olga Kevelos
Colin Turbett, who lives on the Isle of Arran, is writing a book about the extraordinary life of Olga Kevelos, who was a champion British trials, scrambles and racing motorcyclist from the 1940s to the 1960s.
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1938 BSA Empire Star shines in Beamish Trophy Trial
The long journey from Witney, Oxfordshire, to take part in the 43rd Beamish Trophy Trial, organised by the South Durham section of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club on Sunday, September 20, was well worthwhile for Andy Glading, who took home the Richard Hore Memorial Trophy for the best overall performance on his 1938 BSA Empire…
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Chestnut woods make perfect setting for Sidcup’s Jack Thompson British Bike Trial
The emphasis will be on British rather than Classic or Pre-65 trials irons when the 26th running of the Jack Thompson British Bike Trial is organised by the Sidcup & District Motorcycle Club in the delightful chestnut woods surrounding the Canada Heights international motocross course on Sunday, December 6, writes Brian Edwards.
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RE 250 Crusader MX
If the family business is based around Royal Enfield then there’s only one choice of machine for your scrambles debut… we check out Daniel Hitchcock’s Crusader 250 scrambler.
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A Triumph of ingenuity
A stint as deputy manager for the Vase team in the 1973 ISDT gave Chris Oliver first-hand experience of the Triumph Adventurer based team bikes… handy when he came to build a replica.
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2015 Vets MXDN: Farleigh Castle
Speak to any EVO or Twinshock motocross fan and they will probably say the highlight of their season is undoubtedly the Vets MXDN at Farleigh Castle.
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Cholmondeley Pageant of Power: Classic Scramble Demonstration
The Annual Cholmondeley – pronounced ‘Chumley’ – Pageant of Power takes place every June in the beautiful grounds of Cholmondeley Castle near Whitchurch in rural Cheshire where the Cholmondeley family have lived since Norman times.
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Miller’s ‘other’ Ariel
It was well known in the 1960s that Sammy Miller ran two almost identical Ariels –though 786 GON was often sidelined in favour of the more famous GOV 132.
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Cantilever Beezer
These days a monoshock or cantilever suspension system is considered ‘normal’, but in 1962 John Wilkinson must have caused a bit of a stir when he turned up at a scramble with this Goldie.
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Over-shadowed
Vincent’s single is inevitably eclipsed by its twin cylinder siblings. Yet it’s the better bike for real world riding
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Family fun
Big Brit single cylinder sloggers were built to haul sidecars. So what’s their purpose in the modern world?
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Quaint BUT PRACTICAL
“These are bespoke machines for the refined rider.” All those fabled ancient virtues in a rigidly simple machine which provides a refreshing change of classic clothes…
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TWINSHOCK TRAIL FINDER
Well, it’s that time of year again! The entry gates are open for Austin Vince’s epic Twinshock Trailfinder event out in the Pyrenees.
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CLASSIC BRITISH MX SERIES
Round 7 (final); Llanthony Classic MCC @ Llanthony, nr Abergavenny, September 20.
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2015 CLASSIC MOTOCROSS des NATIONS
The best of the best join forces to represent their countries in one of the biggest classic MX team events of the year. Dave Gittins was there.
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Brand new Bonnevilles
A four-year project was revealed last month, when Triumph unveiled its family of five new retro-roadsters. Two engines, tuned for torque or power, incorporate all types of high-tech enhancements, while the bikes’ revised styling finally gives them the clean, uncluttered appeal that’s so in vogue. Looks like the new Bonnies will be the ones to…
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The Classic Dirtbike Show
It is almost time for the big event of our classic year, the one event that kick-starts the season for us.
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Keeping a warm Welsh welcome for everyone
Dave Harrison tells the story of the South Wales Sunbeam Motorcycle Club, founded 37 years ago.
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Long live the vertical twin!
Concluding his two-part feature about four-stroke vertical twins, Brian Sanderson brings the story right up to date as he traces the development of such engines from the 1960s to the present day.
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Alpine star! 2500 miles on an MZ Trophy
After buying an MZ ES250 Trophy like the one he once owned many years ago, Harry Stanistreet wasted no time in entering it in the 50th anniversary Stella Alpina Rally this year – it was a journey to remember.
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‘Distinguished gentlemen’s’ outing raises £7000 towards prostate cancer research
The worldwide Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride to raise funds for prostate cancer research on Sunday, September 27 was supported by a Bournemouth Ride organised by James Page in which almost 200 bikes took part.
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Chinese ‘takeaway’ fails to sell
A 1947 1000cc HRD Vincent Rapide made £30,000 at Richard Edmonds Auctions’ sale at Allington, just outside Chippenham, on October 24.
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Another record-breaker!
More visitors and two outstanding bike sales make the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show one of the best yet
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Riding high: fourth Colombres Rally is another winner
This year’s Colombres Rally, organised by the Moto Club Indianos among the Picos Mountains of northern Spain from October 4-11, attracted another full entry of 350 pre-1980 classic motorcycles, writes Tony Page, who also took the photos.
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A bounty of thrills at Crystal Palace
A 10,000-strong crowd turned up to watch the racing on Sydenham’s mile-long circuit in May 1927, and they were treated to some fine displays of skilful riding from the entrants.
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Last of the old stagers
Though it was a success in the late 1960s and into the 1970s, the Norton Commando had its roots much further back.
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Commemorating a CENTENARY
Held on September 27, 2015, Brooklands’ ‘Great War 100’ commemorated the final events before the hostilities halted play.
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Top days at Kop
The Kop Hill Climb continues to grow and grow, attracting a big and eclectic crowd.
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New restoration projects at the Sammy Miller Museum
The Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum has recently been presented with quite a challenge.
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Bonhams’ Vegas sale
Among the machines consigned already are the barn find motorcycles from the de Guigne collection.
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Blue Plaque at the former home of Siegfried Bettmann
A Blue Plaque has been unveiled at the former home of Triumph founder Siegfried Bettmann by the Lord Mayor of Coventry.
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Live Tweed, Ride Dapper: The 2015 Worldwide Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride
With dapper clothing and plenty of facial hair to the fore, the 2015 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride took place on September 27.
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The 77th Pioneer Run
The 77th Pioneer Run is scheduled to be held on Sunday, March 20 next year.
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A practice ground near Sheffield
Sherco Test Day – Saturday 7 November 2015 Even though the focus of Classic Dirt Bike is not surprisingly ‘classic’ it is occasionally nice to explore the modern scene to see how far it has advanced since the editor rode ‘modern.’ Being as his last ‘modern’ bike was an air-cooled Mono Yam when they were…
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Wandering to Germany
The purchase of a German-made machine and a quest for information leads to a continental jaunt to take in an event.
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Triumphant return
On August 15-16, sprinting returned to east Kent, as Ramsgate reverberated to the sound of racing.
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Dutch delight
The 16th Anglo-Dutch Trial brought together a host of veteran machinery for four days of historic riding.
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Dance of the Dragonfly
Douglas’s fame was built upon its legendary fore-and-aft flat twins and its huge contribution to the 1914-18 war effort. The marque reached the height of its achievement in the 1920s and early 30s.
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Middleweights make so much sense
While large-capacity Japanese classics remain breathtaking to ride, many older enthusiasts are returning to the all-round virtues of the 500cc middleweight. Steve Cooper sets the theme for his next few articles.
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All this and a barbie too – a great weekend with the Culm Vale club
En route to Devon during their marathon sidecar tour to help and publicise the work of The Alzheimer’s Society, Mike Payne and Kate call in at the friendly and relaxed Culm Vale Sidecar Club Rally.
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It’s the right break for 147
After a disastrous end to the 2014 ‘Scottish’ for James Noble it all went well for the lad in 2015. CDB asked if we could have a wobble on his bike.
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Champ’s bike
Hakan Andersson (above), gave Yamaha their first MX title back in 1973. He is surely remembered as a 250 rider but back in the early 1970s he also used a 360 version of Yamaha’s factory 250cc bike. This is the story of Hakan’s former Yamaha YZ360 from 1972.
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Team player
Though Jeff Smith was BSA’s superstar at GP level the factory’s support reached all levels of MX. How did they do it? With old team bikes, CDB checks one out.
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Golden days in the Golden State
Part 1: Experiencing the ‘trail bike boom’ and riding off-road purely for the fun of it.
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Built to go – good enough to show
This little beauty is the latest addition to Irishman Trevor Calderwood’s ever-growing CZ collection.
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A perfect storm
Did Benelli successfully blend a trad Brit twin and Italian engineering excellence?
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A FLYING SQUIRREL
Alfred Angas Scott was a genius. Besides inventing the first motorcycle with a twin cylinder two-stroke engine, he also came up with telescopic forks and even the kick-starter. We test a 1929 Flying Squirrel TT Replica, one of the best of his vintage fliers…
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Italian quandary
Classic or retro? Retro style with modern performance? New wine in an old bottle? Moto Guzzi offers a choice
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More or less
There’s nothing inherently wrong with BMW airheads: there’s just too much of a good thing. 2WheelsMiklos take an R80 back to basics
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EUROPEAN CLASSIC MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP 2015
The premier classic international MX championship series has been decided for 2015.
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Kia renews sponsorship deal with Twinshock series
Car giant KIA has renewed its sponsorship deal with the National Trials Twinshock series for 2016.
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OBM Subscribers
Old Bike Mart is published the first Saturday of every month. The November issue will arrive by Sat 7th November.
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An ‘L’ of a way to help Cancer Research UK
Graham Lampkin from Colne, Lancashire, is planning an off-road trip through Spain on a classic Royal Enfield next year, in aid of Cancer Research UK, taking in as many towns as possible beginning with the letter L.
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Don Rickman presents Sammy Miller Run awards
Almost 100 motorcycles took part in the 18th Sammy Miller Run on Sunday, August 30 and this time a 30 mile veteran course was included to supplement the usual 52 mile route.
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Brough rallyists take part in Holland’s 50th Hengelo Run
No fewer than 18 Broughs from England, Switzerland, Germany and Holland took part in a week-long rally organised by Henk ten Ham, a Dutch member of the Brough SuperiorClub.
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Good times roll again at Ace Cafe Reunion
With the ‘Rocker’ culture arguably almost done and dusted by the mid-1960s, there was little in the way of protest when the Ace Cafe finally closed its doors in 1969 – and it took 24 years before a visionary called Mark Wilsmore, with a passion for bikes and rock ’n’ roll, thought about marking its…
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Date fixed for Sunbeam MCC’s 2016 Pioneer Run
More than 370 entries are anticipated for the Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club’s 77th Pioneer Run for pre-1915 solo motorcycles, sidecar combinations, tricycles and quadricycles on Sunday, March 20, next year.
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Revived Kop Hill Climb is still on the way up
In 1999, in conjunction with the Bean Car Club, the town council in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, ran a commemorative event to celebrate the original Kop Hill Climb that had last been run in 1925, writes Ian Kerr.
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Auction Do’s And Don’ts
For many it’s the highlight of the show weekend, but if you think you can just turn up at the Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale this October 17-18 and expect to walk away with a bargain, think again. Buying at auction needs careful planning and consideration. After all, fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Here are…
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October’s Stafford Show Gets A Restoration
WOULD-BE motorcycle restorers have the opportunity soak up knowledge from a TV expert later this month when he makes an appearance at Staffordshire County Showground.
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Meet Peter Williams
The pair will recall Williams’ career from L-plate days through winning the 250 class at Thruxton on an AJS, developing and winning on the legendary single cylinder Arter G50 Matchless. Then starts the Norton chapter during which Williams claimed victory at the Isle of Man TT, before a near fatal crash at Oulton Park ended…
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‘L’ of a charity trial
A CLASSIC TRIALS riding enthusiast has found an ‘L’ of way to raise money for charity.
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Norton Dominator Diary, Chapter 8
Wherein Jim Algar discover the pitfalls of working on a classic bike that has spent almost 50 years in the hands of… other people…
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Norton Dominator 99: Chapter Seven
Wherein 50 years of steel pounding on aluminum gives Jim Algar, our Californian correspondent, a hole in his head… and a headache!
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Norton Dominator 99: Chapter Six
Wherein small bits and lumps come together to form a recognisable larger lump… all without major problems. Puzzling. Jim Algar wonders if he should start to worry?…
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Diesel-Engined Royal Enfield Bullet
Anarchy rides an old Enfield fitted with a diesel engine and, true to form, makes the most of this opportunity to reflect on a few political truths. This, he suggests, might be our future when the oil runs out…
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Triumph T100C and T100R
Trevor (Ozboy) Brooks swapped a 1970 Triumph 500 for a 1969 Triumph 500. Out on the road together, the pair turned out to be non-identical twins…
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1971 Triumph T100 Daytona
If you’ve revelled in the power and performance of a 750 triple, can you really be happy trading down to something smaller? Andy C shares his early impressions of a 1970’s 500 twin…
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Crazy Odge: Confessions of an Esoteric Engineer
Bike builder, demon scribbler and so much more, Odgie celebrates one of those ‘special’ birthdays this year. And to commemorate the moment, he’s written an autobiography…
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Champions 4 Celebration by Jeremy Jackson
Every so often, small scale publishing turns out an absolute gem. We’re delighted to recommend this excellent book about the motorcycle sport scene in Cornwall…
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 250 – Part 5
Kel Boyce looks back upon owning and riding his GT, and compares its engineering to Italian and Japanese machines of the era. Then he decides he quite liked after all…
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 250 – Part 4
Kel Boyce tells us what happened once he’d completed his rebuild, and how he learned to live with an ‘oilfield’…
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 250 – Part 3
Kel Boyce lusted after a little Enfield back in the 1970s. Then he bought one. Then he took it apart. And then… it had to be put back together again!
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 250 – Part 2
Kel Boyce paid £40 for his non-running Continental back in 1979 and, bearing in mind how much work it needed ,that might have been over the top…
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 250 – Part 1
Which bike lived in your teenage dreams when you first started riding? Kel Boyce aspired to Enfield’s sporting 250, and he didn’t manage to grow out of it…
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Daisy’s Diary: new edition
We have new books about old bikes and old books about old bikes coming out of our ears. Oh, and the chance to grab a signed copy of the original Daisy’s Diaries…
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Chang Jiang CJ750 Side Valve – Part 3
After running-in this traditional-but-modern motorcycle, Fiery Fred finds that his 750 boxer twin behaves almost exactly like a proper classic bike. The ‘Beemer with beansprouts’ has needed some fettling…
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Chang Jiang CJ750 Side Valve – Part 2
Fiery Fred bought a new old-style bike in the shape of a Chang Jiang 750. The first thing it did was to break down. Could he solve the problem?
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Chang Jiang CJ750 Side Valve
Fiery Fred bought a modern classic – a brand new Chang Jiang 750 built into a 1950’s frame. And behold! On its maiden journey it behaved almost exactly as a 50 year old bike would…
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Bultaco Sherpa
BikerBabe has spent quite a while getting her Bultaco trailbike fettled and ready for some winter mud-plugging. So, naturally, it refused to play fair at the first sight of snow…
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Royal Enfield 500 Clubmans GT – Part 2
After taking a test ride on a new Bullet Andy C just had to own one. So did the reality live up to the dream?
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Royal Enfield 500 Clubmans GT – Part 1
Andy C wanted a traditional British single, and found himself leaning towards Enfield’s Clubman GT. Or did he really want a Sixty-5?
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BSA Singles Gold Portfolio, 1945 to 1963
Do you know the difference between a B31, a B32 and a B33? With the aid of this book, you could become a BSA boffin…
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BSA M21 Outfit
Steve Wilson rides an ex-AA patrol Beesa, and finds terror and delight — at less than 40 miles an hour!
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BSA Gold Star
Some experts consider the Gold Star to be the best bike ever built by BSA. Make up your own mind, after examining our quick fire classic bike guide to the breed…
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BSA A10 and A7
Jonathan Hoare meets three BSA twins (and a Bantam) and revels in that old Miller magic at the Manor
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1956 BSA B31 Scrambler Rebuild – Part 13
Phil has spent months and months building his ideal 500cc single off-roader into Gold Star guise. Now NVNL takes it for a spin around the block…
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1956 BSA B31 Scrambler Rebuild – Part 12
After months of work, Philip Rashleigh’s scrambler-special is coming home and it just needs an MoT and registration to hit the road…
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BSA 250 Fleetstar
When Geoff Reid bought a cheap restoration project, he wasn’t expecting to unravel the working history of a 250cc police machine. Classic bikes tend to bring you more than you bargained for…
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1956 BSA B31 Scrambler Rebuild – Part 11
The end of Philip Rashleigh’s scrambler-special project is in sight. But no matter how close you think you might be to actually finishing a rebuild, there’s always more to do than you might imagine…
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1956 BSA B31 Scrambler Rebuild – Part 10
At last! Philip Rashleigh can get his scrambler special engine assembled…
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