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F1 star joins crowd for a bumper Stafford
Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts left Staffordshire County Showground happy this past weekend as one of the world’s foremost classic events came to its conclusion – and among them was bike-mad four times Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel…
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ON NOW! Stafford Motorcycle Show
Welcome to the biggest show in the classic calendar! Come and meet our VIP guest Frankie Chili, or browse the autojumble, marvel at the restorations, hear the bikes fire up at the GP paddock, enjoy the Classic Dirtbike demonstrations, or simply just have a great day out…
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The judges have spoken!
After hours of deliberation from the judges, and months (if not years!) of hard work and dedication from the entrants, the decisions have been made and the results of the awards for the 21st Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show are now in!
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Honda 125cc Clubman’s Racer
This little Honda really is something special. This machine is based primarily on a 1970 Honda SS125. As it transpires, the only true SS125 components that remain on this machine are the crankcases, but that makes it no less exceptional…
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Sheene lots gleam at Stafford
The Bonhams autumn auction is underway here at the Staffordshire County Showground and the much anticipated Barry Sheene memorabilia collection have gone under the hammer…
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Spotted at Stafford – 1986 Honda CX650ED ‘Eurosport’
This lovely 673cc Honda Eurosport was entered by Robert Francis. The machine itself has an interesting past history; it had been abandoned in a spacious yard in South Wales, with nothing to indicate how it had gotten there or why. It was consequently rescued and restored.
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Spotted at Stafford – 1961 Triumph Twenty-One
This beautifully restored 1961 Triumph Twenty-One (a bike that would later be rebranded as the ‘3TA’) is the property of entrant Luise Williams. Recognisable due to its enclosed rear wheel in what some refer to as the “bathtub” fairing, the Twenty-One was a very mild machine in comparison to other Triumph bikes…
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Spotted at Stafford – 1992 Ducati 900SL Mk1
The “Superlight” Ducati is a limited edition variant of the popular 900 SuperSport model. The 900Sl first emerged in 1992 and featured a spec that was similar to the 900SS, but not quite identical…
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Spotted at Stafford – 1968 MV Agusta 4C6 Touring 600
From the mid 1950’s to the mid 1960’s, the mighty four-cylinder MV Agusta was one of the most competitive racing motorcycles around. It conquered race after race with its seemingly endless power, but its decade of domination was eventually quelled with the arrival of a more modern triple in 1966…
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Spotted at Stafford – 1967 Honda C72
This machine, entered by Andrew Gauntlett, is a later classic from Japan – a 250cc 1967 Honda C72. It had been stored in a shed for many years where it was beginning to rust and rot away in places. Thankfully it was rescued from its grim fate and restored…
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Suzuki MotoGP 2015 return
Suzuki Motor Corporation has produced this short promotional video for its MotoGP return aboard the GSX-RR in 2015.
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South of England show, Ardingly
The autumn Real Classic Show brought a delightful variety of machinery to the South of England Showground, in the bike park, in the exhibition halls and even in the jumble… 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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South of England show, Ardingly
The autumn Real Classic Show brought a delightful variety of machinery to the South of England Showground, in the bike park, in the exhibition halls and even in the autojumble…
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Buying Guide: Yamaha YCS1
Easy on the wallet but punching well above its weight, that’ll be Yamaha’s 180 twin, says Steve ‘Scoop’ Cooper…
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Road Test: Triumph TT Special
If Tonka made motorcycles, then one can’t help thinking they’d make something like this chunky and purposeful TT Special.
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Walter Villa, Assen, June 26, 1976
In front of a packed house at Assen, Walter Villa rides to one of his seven victories during the season on his way to the 1976 250cc World title…
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Road Test: Triumph TT Special
If Tonka made motorcycles, then one can’t help thinking they’d make something like this chunky and purposeful TT Special. James Robinson reports…
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Buying Guide: Yamaha YCS1
Easy on the wallet but punching well above its weight, that’ll be Yamaha’s 180 twin, says Steve ‘Scoop’ Cooper…
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Classic Racer Nov-Dec on sale now!
BMW’s forgotten TT wins, Alan Cathcart tests Alex Criville’s championship-winning Cobas, Dick Mann profile, Freeth TZ, Luke Chutes Honda and all the usual columnists and archive stories. On sale now!
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Road Test: Ariel Huntmaster outfit
The old adage of what looks right is right applies here.
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Fiery Frankie Chili
The Battle of Assen took place during the 1998 World Superbike season and was pivotal for two reasons…
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Road Test: Ariel Huntmaster outfit
The old adage of what looks right is right applies here. Despite this Ariel Huntmaster being the end of the line for Selly Oak, its handsome lines are complemented by an attractive third wheel. Even a reluctant sidecarist is bowled over by this Birmingham-London plot…
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Harley-Davidson Sportster
Most people would find the 1978 XLCH1000 too raw, too stubborn and too demanding. Dave Barringer agrees, but he has owned one from new and it’s still his favourite Hog…
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Classic Motorcycle Mechanics on sale – November 2014
Honda CB 500 Four road and race ridden by Niall Mackenzie, Suzuki GT 750 Kettle, Honda Gold Wing, VFR750 and NSR500 reviewed, Yamaha FS1-E, Kawa GPZ750 turbo, plus all the usual columnists and archive features. On sale now!
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JCM trials bike on loan to Sammy Miller Museum
Joel Corroy’s 1983 JCM trials bike has been loaned to the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum in New Milton, Hampshire, after being rebuilt by the maker himself…
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Road Test: BSA B40
As we followed Derek Mann’s neat Beesa B40 down a twisting Yorkshire lane, my wife summed him up: “You can tell he’s spent most of his life on two wheels, he looks part of the bike.” No flash, just smooth progress. A proper motorcyclist…
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Road Test: BSA B40
As we followed Derek Mann’s neat Beesa B40 down a twisting Yorkshire lane, my wife summed him up: “You can tell he’s spent most of his life on two wheels, he looks part of the bike.” No flash, just smooth progress. A proper motorcyclist…
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The way we were: November
In 1914 The Motor Cycle had just tried the 7hp inlet over side exhaust valve Spacke engine fitted to a Rex frame. We look back at key moments throughout the decades for November…
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THIS WEEKEND! The 34th Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show
The south-west and other parts of the UK have been battered by the recent weather but we can confirm this weekend’s 34th Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show at Shepton Mallet will take place and steps have been taken to make it as enjoyable and weatherproof as possible…
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Grab yourself a bargain at massive Stafford motorcycle show
It’s time to raid the change jar, empty the piggy bank and dig for coins behind the sofa as more than 500 traders make final preparations ahead of Staffordshire County Showground’s annual bike event…
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Going L for leather with Vintage range
Vintage and Veteran is now producing a range of high-quality leather toolboxes, doctor’s bags and personalised belts, all available to purchase…
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Nev Mason book review
To be born with a heart condition which doctors predicted would be terminal at 30 could floor lesser men than Nev Mason. Shrugging off such doomsayers Nev, still active at 70, has packed more into his life than seems possible for such a short time…
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Tracking down a Norton Commando
Roy Ramsbottom is looking to track down his old Norton Commando, shown below.The motorcycle, on which Roy covered more than 33,000 miles, was sold to someone in Keighley, but was then sold on again…
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Getting technical: Yamaha TY mono
With the Yamaha TY mono not performing very well, it was clear that the crank seals needed replacing. This is an owner service item as the editor Tim Britton shows 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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Air cooled twin shock and mono series
Proof of the populariry of the air cooled twin shock and mono series has come when the organisers secured a sponsorship deal from Kia Cars…. Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines.
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Top bikes of the Seventies: 1
At last! John Nutting’s top 10 motorcycles of the Seventies, whittled down from over 200 road tests. Do you agree with his findings? Post your comments in the discussion forums…
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All set for South of England RealClassic Show
A great line-up of vintage and classic motorcycles has been booked in for the South of England RealClassic Show & Bikejumble at the South of England Showground, Ardingly, West Sussex, on Sunday, October 12…
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Old Bike Mart Unearthed – October 2014
This month’s unearthed readers bikes and finds. If you have unearthed something recently and would like to share the news, or think I could help, write to me Mike Worthington-Williams, The Old Schoolhouse, Cenarth, Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire SA38 9JL email: [email protected] Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to…
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Swingfield Minnis, Kent
The Masters are the premier British grass track championships and this year the Astra MCC offered to run the meeting at its spacious east Kent track…
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Mole Benn’s MVs headline Stafford
Several rare, beautiful racing sub-250cc MV Agustas from the collection of late, well-known enthusiast Mole Benn provide the glamour at Bonhams’ sale at 21st Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show on October 19…
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Hammer goes down on Buddy’s bike
Buddy Holly’s limited edition 650cc Ariel Cyclone, part of the country musician Waylon Jennings’ collection, has been sold by Guernsey’s Auction House for $450,000 (£280,000). The bike with 4000 miles on the clock is beautifully perserved but not been run for 20 years…
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RealClassic 126 out now!
To coincide with the Stafford Show, this issue of RealClassic magazine features British superbikes galore, an overlooked Japanese UJM, and the usual collection of old clunkers and outright oddities. Here’s how to read all about them
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Buddy Holly’s bike up for auction!
A once in a lifetime auction will take place today, Sunday, October 5 where New York City-based auction house Guernsey’s will be auctioning country musician Waylon Jennings’s personal belongings…
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More bikes than ever join Tewkesbury line-up
More classic motorcycles than ever before, including many prewar models and classic scooters, joined a colourful line-up of veteran and vintage cars to make the Tewkesbury Classic Vehicle Festival on Sunday, August 17 an outstanding success…
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Buddy Holly and Ariel Cyclone
Rare home movie footage of Buddy Holly, Joe Mauldin and Jerry Allison trying out Buddy’s new 1958 Ariel Cyclone motorbike
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Classic archive: A James sidecar outfit visits the Arctic Circle
It is not uncommon for motorcycle enthusiasts to take their machines to warmer, southern climes when they are stricken with wanderlust, but Kevin Gover and his companion – whose name is never mentioned – resolved to point their 197cc James sidecar outfit in the opposite direction…
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The Classic MotorCycle on sale – November 2014
Twelve page Matchless G50CSR feature, all the glitz and glamour from Goodwood, Triumph CTT, New Imperial restoration, BSA A10 Golden Flash, sporting 1920s singles and all the usual archive material, plus your favourite columnists. On sale now…
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Reference: Rudge Special
One man’s lifelong love affair with his Rudge has resulted in a show winner that means far more than money to its owner…
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Reference: Bradbury ‘Speed’ Model
The Bradbury 3½hp single was unusual for having its engine case integral within its frame, an arrangement that offered several advantages…
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Reference: AJS Model 18
This 1947 AJS Model 18 has been owned long-term and, though originally used for trials, now finds itself at work on the hard stuff…
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Buying Guide: Panther Model 100
There’s much can be said about Yorkshire folk, but one thing in their favour is their thrift. So it was with Phelon & Moore, motorcycle manufacturers of Cleckheaton. Why make a new engine when the old one is perfectly adequate? Phil Mather finds a Panther Model 100 which proves the point…
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Buying Guide: Bridgestone 175SR
Bridgestone motorcycles established a reputation for solid engineering. The disc valve engines were well designed, simple to service and used the very best cutting edge materials including chromium plated bores in alloy cylinder castings…
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Buying Guide: Suzuki XN85 Turbo
If you really fancy something a little different, something with a little extra bolted on, then try Suzuki’s XN85 Turbo, arguably the best looking bike of the genre…
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Road Test: Triumph Speed Twin
Writing about a 1952 Triumph Speed Twin, arguably the most handsome and sleek member of a line that began in 1937 and set a fashion, it’s difficult not to repeat what has gone before too many times. Over to Jim Reynolds…
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Reference: Rudge Special
One man’s lifelong love affair with his Rudge has resulted in a show winner that means far more than money to its owner…
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Reference: Bradbury ‘Speed’ Model
The Bradbury 3½hp single was unusual for having its engine case integral within its frame, an arrangement that offered several advantages…
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Buying Guide: Panther Model 100
There’s much can be said about Yorkshire folk, but one thing in their favour is their thrift. So it was with Phelon & Moore, motorcycle manufacturers of Cleckheaton. Why make a new engine when the old one is perfectly adequate? Phil Mather finds a Panther Model 100 which proves the point…
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Reference: AJS Model 18
This 1947 AJS Model 18 has been owned long-term and, though originally used for trials, now finds itself at work on the hard stuff…
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Buying Guide: Bridgestone 175SR
Bridgestone motorcycles established a reputation for solid engineering. The disc valve engines were well designed, simple to service and used the very best cutting edge materials including chromium plated bores in alloy cylinder castings…
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Buying Guide: Suzuki XN85 Turbo
If you really fancy something a little different, something with a little extra bolted on, then try Suzuki’s XN85 Turbo, arguably the best looking bike of the genre…
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DMW P200 De Luxe
Not every concours champion needs to be a multi-cylindered superbike. Mick Knowles took top honours with his Villiers-powered DMW a little while ago…
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Road Test: Triumph Speed Twin
Writing about a 1952 Triumph Speed Twin, arguably the most handsome and sleek member of a line that began in 1937 and set a fashion, it’s difficult not to repeat what has gone before too many times. Over to Jim Reynolds…
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Sunbeam September Challenge a success
This year’s Sunbeam September Challenge in Yorkshire proved to be a tremendous success. The event was graced with a wide variety of attractive and interesting old motorcycles, and also with some good, clear weather…
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Road Test: BSA Super Rocket
BSA’s well loved pre-unit twins culminated with the Rocket Gold Star, pretty much a hot Super Rocket twin engine in the Gold Star cycle parts. Overshadowed by its Triumph Bonneville counterpart, the Super Rocket was arguably as good a machine. Jim Reynolds takes a ride out on one, which is probably as good as it…
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Road Test: BSA Super Rocket
BSA’s well loved pre-unit twins culminated with the Rocket Gold Star, pretty much a hot Super Rocket twin engine in the Gold Star cycle parts. Overshadowed by its Triumph Bonneville counterpart, the Super Rocket was arguably as good a machine. Jim Reynolds takes a ride out on one, which is probably as good as it…
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Gentleman’s spirit of adventure night
Suffolk-based custom motorcycle emporium Krazy Horse is joining up with Ravenwood Children’s Charity Trust and premier menswear brand Trotter & Deane to stage an evening of adventure for gentlemen based around ‘the need for speed, style and adventure’…
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Metzeler’s classic tyre
Metzeler has announced a tyre aimed at motorcycles built from the 70s, claiming the new compound and construction is in all respects a performance upgrade on traditional ‘classic’ rubberware and raises the level of performance to modern equivalents…
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A new dawn for Cadwell Park, August bank holiday 1961
Cadwell Park launched the newly extended 2.25 mile circuit with a star studded International meeting in August 1961, in front of more than 25,000 spectators…
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Musician donates motorcycles for auction
Graham Coxon, British musician and lead guitarist for Blur, is donating seven of his prized motorcycles for sale through Bonhams auctioneers, with proceeds to benefit the UK’s leading children’s charity, the NSPCC…
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New for October’s Stafford show
Cavalcade sessions on each day have been confirmed around the main ring for the upcoming Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show – adding an additional live element to the hugely popular annual event at Staffordshire County Showground…
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Gentleman’s ride out
This weekend, Sunday September 28th, hundreds of riders from across the country will meet together and give a two-wheeled ‘salute’ to prostate cancer – a disease that kills 10,000 men every year in the UK…
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Workshop: Fit an ignition booster
If you ride a classic bike for any period of time you will inevitably and inexorably find yourself fettling contact breakers and possibly changing condensers. But it doesn’t have to be that way…
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Road Test: Benelli 650
Benelli’s 650 twin was a radical take on the British parallel twin design. But the Italian BSA beater arrived as the British industry went into decline, and it soon began to look dated against Japanese exotica. Rod Gibson tells the story…
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Workshop: Fit an ignition booster
If you ride a classic bike for any period of time you will inevitably and inexorably find yourself fettling contact breakers and possibly changing condensers. But it doesn’t have to be that way…
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Classic Bike Guide on sale now – October 2014
Chopper shop does period restoration on 1951 Triumph Thunderbird, also EMU BSA superbike, Italian Ariel, classic drag racing, Ariel collector and all the usual columnists and archive material. On sale now!
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Rockers’ Reunion
This year marked a half-century since the seaside battles between gangs of Mods and Rockers made tabloid front pages and did the cause of powered two-wheelers few favours…
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Norman Hyde celebrates 50 years in the business
Triumph performance specialist and record breaking motorcycle sprinter Norman Hyde is celebrating 50 years in the motorcycle industry and he is still riding bikes that he modifies…
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Kawasaki GPZ900R: 25 things
When Kawasaki launched the GPz900R 25 years ago it turned the world of motorcycling on its head, shook it up and spun it around so many times that when everything settled back down the scene was almost unrecognisable…
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Barry Sheene memorabilia collection at Stafford
As part of The 21st Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show at the Stafford showground over the weekend of October 18-19, Bonhams is to offer a selection of racewear, trophies and awards from the Barry Sheene Collection within its auction on the Sunday…
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Chili set to fire up the fans at Stafford
A world superbike legend will add a bit of spice to proceedings this autumn as the red hot action of one of the world’s largest classic motorcycle events heads once again for Staffordshire County Showground…
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Yamaha RD500LCs at show
A good time was had by all Yamaha RD500LC owners at the Classic Motorcycle Festival. Thirty years of the crazy Yamaha V4 was celebrated as part of the event…
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Classic auction
A 1951 Vincent Black Shadow is set to be the star at Anglia Car Auction’s Classic Motorcycle and Automobilia Sale in King’s Lynn today, September 20th…
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Thundersprint takes a year off in 2015
Two consecutive years of poor weather have caused a halt for the iconic Thundersprint event in 2015 while organisers Frank and Carol Melling regroup and look at other venue options….
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National Motorcycle Museum announces insurance partner
Classic car and bike insurance brokers Footman James has been appointed as the exclusive insurance partner for the new National Motorcycle Museum Friends scheme…
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Classic British Legends: Rockers
Infamous through the hype of the local Press, Rockers ruled the highways in the 1960s with their black leather jackets, cafe racer style Triumphs – other models were available – and their rebellious lifestyle. Is it time for a comeback? Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one…
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Buying Guide: Honda CX500 Turbo
Continuing our buying guides on turbos – here’s something completely different… a turbocharged V-twin!
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Buying Guide: Honda CX500 Turbo
Continuing our buying guides on turbos – here’s something completely different… a turbocharged V-twin!
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Classic Motorcycle Mechanics on sale – October 2014
Suzuki GSXR 1100, Kawasaki KZ750, Suzuki Hayabusa, Spa Katana finished at last! Plus BMW R60 ridden, mastering the multimeter, four stroke oil change, Yamaha RD350 rebuild and all the usual regulars. On sale now!
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Museum meeting
The Midland Section of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club has recently changed its club meeting venue to the National Motorcycle Museum at Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ, meeting on the third Wednesday of each month from 7pm…
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New classic bike auction to debut at Bristol show event
Charterhouse Auctions will host a brand new motorcycle sale next February after announcing a partnership with Classic Bike Shows, organiser of the UK’s biggest classic bike events…
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Celebration of the first Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix
There will be a celebratory event to commemorate the first Australian motorcycle Grand Prix. The celebration will be held on the site of the original circuit at Kirkconnell, 30 kilometres east of Bathurst on November 8 this year…
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Motoball returns to Hamstreet’s Romney Marsh Classic Bikejumble
The sport of motoball, or five-a-side motorcycle football, will return to the Romney Marsh Classic Motorcycle Bikejumble at Marsh Road, Hamstreet, near Ashford, Kent TN26 2JD, which will be open from 10am on Sunday, September 21…
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The way we were: October
A look back at key events in October throughout the decades, beginning with the cancellation of the motor cycle show in 1914, as the country prepared for war…
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Thousands find their perfect part at spectacular eurojumble
There was a continental flavour to the 21st Carole Nash Eurojumble over the weekend as thousands of European motorcycle enthusiasts joined their British counterparts to rummage for precious parts at one of the UK’s largest motorcycle autojumbles…
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News in brief
A bikers’ remembrance garden has been opened at the Victoria Bikers’ Pub in Coalville, Leics, where plaques may be mounted on the floral wall for £10, with all profits being forwarded to the Air Ambulance Service…
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Villiers and the Black Country Vehicle Festival
When Peter March learned of a festival at the Black Country Living Museum on Sunday, August 10 to celebrate vehicles made in the Black Country, he rang to see if he could enter his Villiers-engined 1931 Francis-Barnett…
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Old Bike Mart Unearthed – September 2014
This month’s unearthed readers bikes and finds. If you have unearthed something recently and would like to share the news, or think I could help, write to me Mike Worthington-Williams, The Old Schoolhouse, Cenarth, Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire SA38 9JL email: [email protected] Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to…
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Panther Pegasus
This sprinter was built by three engineering apprentices in the early 1960s – and it’s continued to impress with its rapid pace in the decades since…
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Roman gymnasts June 1936
One of the oldest and most elite regiments in the Italian Royal Army is the fabled Bersaglieri…
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The Classic MotorCycle on sale – October 2014
Norton’s models Model 50, Cotton centenary at Brooklands, stupendous Brough Superior SS80, Douglas Boxer, Vintage AJS selection, amazing BSA B44, plus all the usual archive stories and guest columnists. On sale now!
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