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T E Lawrence’s penultimate SS100 attracts attention at Brough Rally
A surprise visitor to the Brough Superior Club’s Annual Rally in Oxfordshire over the weekend of August 16-17 was UL 656, T E Lawrence’s penultimate SS100…
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30 years of the Kawasaki Ninja
The Kawasaki Ninja was introduced at Laguna Seca in the summer of 1984, and the week of World Superbike USA saw this 30th anniversary celebrated both at the track, and with an open house at Kawasaki USA in Irvine, California.
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Scott Trial Centenary
Is the Scott the world’s toughest one day trial? Quite possibly and the list of winners includes just about anyone who’s anyone in the trials world…
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NMM 30th anniversary details announced
This year the National Motorcycle Museum is celebrating 30 years since first opening to the public and plans include a free open day on Saturday November 1st with many other ‘in-house’ attractions…
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Steam Packet investment
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has announced plans to expand the motorcycle capacity on its fast craft Manannan by 30%, which will provide the capacity for thousands of extra motorcycles during the 2015 TT and Festival of Motorcycling…
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RealClassic 125 out now!
In this month’s magazine you’ll find vintage and classic bikes from almost every era and all over the place, including a vintage AJS, Norton 750 superbike, BSA and Triumph 650 twins, an unusual Italian single and an extremely strange Sunbeam scooter
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New from Nourish
The eight-valve Nourish cylinder head was originally developed by the Rickman brothers, working with the famous Weslake Company 40 years ago…
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New publisher for Fast Bikes magazine
Mortons Media Group has announced a new addition to its stable of motorcycle magazines with the acquisition of Fast Bikes from Future Publishing…
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Oxford seeks race machinery
Following the recent opening of its newly developed 100,000 square foot distribution centre, Oxford Products is on the hunt for some of its historic race machinery…
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Michael Dunlop laps Island at 109mph on NMM bike
Michael Dunlop put in a 109mph lap from a standing start at last week’s Classic TT on his late father’s ex- works Norton Rotary race machine which is now owned as part of the National Motorcycle Museum collection…
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Trophies stolen from NMM
At around 11.00pm last evening (August 27) the inner foyer of the National Motorcycle Museum was broken into and a large amount of the Museum’s trophies and TT replicas stolen…
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Road Test: Norton Dominator Model 88
In 1953, a Featherbed-framed Norton Dominator would have been an unusual sight on the UK roads, being hampered by a very high price tag. But that aside, the early Norton Dominator gives off an unmistakeable aura of competence and quality…
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Road Test: Norton Dominator Model 88
In 1953, a Featherbed-framed Norton Dominator would have been an unusual sight on the UK roads, being hampered by a very high price tag. But that aside, the early Norton Dominator gives off an unmistakeable aura of competence and quality…
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Britons chasing gold medals
Fifty years ago this month, there was a lot of pressure on British teams as they prepared for the 1964 ISDT, the biggest off-road event of the year…
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Classic Bike Guide on sale now – September 2014
Triumph TR6 with a twist, dual purpose BSA B32, Ace Vincents, Brooklands Ton-Up Day, EMU BSA B66, Honda CB500/550 marque history plus all the usual regulars and archive stories. On sale now!
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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…
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New for October’s Stafford show
Two 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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Dennis Crane
The Manx Motor Cycle Club is saddened to announce that Dennis Craine, winner of the 1965 Lightweight Manx Grand Prix, passed away at his home in Australia on Saturday, July 12…
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Phil returns to finish the job
Former TT racer and Manx Grand Prix winner, Phil Armes, looked to defy the odds last year at the Manx Grand Prix when he swapped his wheelchair for an SV650 Suzuki and donned a set a leathers for the first time since breaking his back at the Ulster Grand Prix in 1995…
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Fork renovation
Can anything be done to repair leaking, pitted or bent forks? And is it likely to be an expensive fix? Yes and not normally. Tim Britton examines the operation of a company in Bedfordshire…
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George Cross
Former sidecar grass-track racer George Cross passed away on 13 August, aged 97. He raced at Brands Hatch when it was still a grass track and continued competing until the mid-sixties, after which he had a go at hill climbs…
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Classic Racer Sept/Oct issue on sale!
Flyin’ Fred Merkel, world’s most successful Yamaha TZ500, Spa bikers, Isle of Man pre TT Classic, Mallory festival, Rod Scivyer, plus all the usual regulars and columnists. On sale now!
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Wil Hartog hammers form book
In typical Ardennes weather two-time world champion Barry Sheene splashes around La Source hairpin in a vain pursuit of Kenny Roberts and rain master Wil Hartog…
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BMCRC: Brands Hatch
Bemsee (otherwise, the British Motorcycle Racing Club) made its second visit to Brands Hatch for this season, but this time the meeting, held over August 9-10, was run over the full 2.43 mile GP circuit…
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Classic Motorcycle Mechanics on sale – September 2014
Honda’s fabulous CB400 four remembered and ridden, Hinckley Triumph special, Kawasaki Zephyr, Yamaha TZR250, Suzuki Spa Katana, better brakes, plus all the usual columnists. On sale now…
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Bargains galore at 21st Netley autojumble
The odds will be stacked in favour of the bargain hunters next month as thousands head toward the New Forest to rummage through the deals at one of the UK’s biggest bike autojumbles…
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Classic Dirtbike out – issue 32
Pre-65 Scottish Triumph tested, win a Honda CRF450, Bill Brown on building his Trico special and why it’ll never be raced, Yamaha XT, tech talk, Stafford show and all the usual regulars and archive material. Subscribe now!
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Bainbridge MC hill climb
They say you can’t turn back the clock but the Bainbridge & DMCC had a pretty good go when it staged its grass hill climb on Wednesday evening, July 23…
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Road Test: Bimota SB2
Bimota’s SB2 was both the Italian factory’s and Massimo Tamburini’s first production road bike design and offered the motorcycle-buying public a glimpse of the innovation they could expect from future projects. John Nutting tested it on the Isle of Man in 1978…
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Classic Dirtbike checks out the Pre-65 Scottish winner
Given the level of competition in the Pre-65 Scottish Two Day Trial it stands to reason that the winning bike must be something really special. It has to be because if it wasn’t how could it cope with the tough sections that make up pre-65 events these days? Or at least that’s the way the…
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Road Test: Bimota SB2
Bimota’s SB2 was both the Italian factory’s and Massimo Tamburini’s first production road bike design and offered the motorcycle-buying public a glimpse of the innovation they could expect from future projects. John Nutting tested it on the Isle of Man in 1978…
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The way we were: September
It’s 1914 and with Europe at war it was apparent there would be no motorcycle show in Berlin or Vienna, though there was a slight hope that if the war was short lived the Paris Show would go ahead, and a slim possibility of a British Show…
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Wright move as Classic Dirt Bike Show joins Mortons stable
After over a decade of success, Britain’s leading classic dirt bike show is set to step up a gear as part of the Mortons stable of motorcycle events and magazines…
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Dave Bickers (1938-2014)
Two-times European 250cc motocross champion (in 1960 and 61, the final two years before world status was gained) Dave Bickers reckoned not contesting the first year of the world title was his
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Founders Day event at Lutterworth
Renowned for its friendly, welcoming atmosphere and outstanding exhibitions of veteran, vintage and classic motorcycles, the huge Founders Day event organised by the Taverners section of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club at Stanford Hall, near Lutterworth, Leics, on Sunday, July 20, more than lived up to its reputation…
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KICKBACK Custom motorcycle show
Over 200 custom motorcycles will be on display at KICKBACK: The (4th National) Custom Motorcycle Show, held at Donington Park in Derbyshire over the weekend of September 20-21…
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New bike show a roaring success in Edinburgh
Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts poured through the Ingliston venue’s gates on August 9 and again on August 10 for the Carole Nash Great Scottish Bike Show – the event that is set to become a summer staple in the classic bike shows calendar…
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Team Obsolete set to mark 1984 Historic TT success
Dave Roper, the first American to win a TT, is returning to the Isle of Man this year to mark the 30th anniversary of his success in the 1984 Historic TT Race…
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An engineer’s Goldie tribute
What does it take to stop you in your tracks at a motorcycle show? This beautiful BSA Gold Star did it for the Classic Dirtbike editor, Tim Britton… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert Article continues below… Advert…
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Classic Dirtbike checks out the Pre-65 Scottish winner
Given the level of competition in the Pre-65 Scottish Two Day Trial it stands to reason that the winning bike must be something really special. It has to be because if it wasn’t how could it cope with the tough sections that make up pre-65 events these days? Or at least that’s the way the…
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THIS WEEKEND! The Carole Nash Great Scottish Bike Show
It’s set to be a highlight of the motorcycling summer… the Carole Nash Great Scottish Bike Show takes place on the weekend of August 9-10 in its new home, the Royal Highland Centre near Edinburgh. Modern and classic machines in one superb celebration of biking!
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Bruce Anstey to ride McIntosh Norton in the 2014 Classic Senior TT
The fastest man ever around the famous Isle of Man Mountain Course, New Zealand’s Bruce Anstey will be teaming up with fellow Kiwi Ken McIntosh for a second attempt at the Classic TT on August 23…
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Wells charity event
Wells marketplace was the starting point for the fourth Tortoise and Hare Run organised by Wells Classic Motorcycle Club to raise funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance on Sunday, June 8…
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Road Test: Triton test
When standard just won’t do, in comes the special builder with the Triumph-engined, Norton-framed ‘Triton’. It’s not an easy route and it is quite possible to create a dog of a bike, but not in this case as Phil Mather finds out…
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Road Test: Triton test
When standard just won’t do, in comes the special builder with the Triumph-engined, Norton-framed ‘Triton’. It’s not an easy route and it is quite possible to create a dog of a bike, but not in this case as Phil Mather finds out…
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TCM studio day
The Classic MotorCycle magazine will be hosting a studio day within the next few months, where the mag’s readers will be invited to bring their machines over to the TCM headquarters for a photographic session…
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Reference: Excelsior Manxman J14
The Excelsior Manxman is, without question, one of the most visually appealing motorcycles of the 1930s. The 500cc version is also especially rare…
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Reference: Excelsior Manxman J14
The Excelsior Manxman is, without question, one of the most visually appealing motorcycles of the 1930s. The 500cc version is also especially rare…
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Win a Honda CRF450R at the International Dirt Bike show!
Europe’s largest dedicated off-road event – the International Dirt Bike Show – is set to open at Stoneleigh Park NAC on October 30 for four fabulous days of off-road indulgence. Read all about it and how you could win a Honda off-road bike worth nearly £8000!
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Michael Dunlop to ride father’s Norton rotary at Classic TT races
Eleven time TT Race winner Michael Dunlop is set to ride his father Robert’s Rotary Norton in the ‘Joey Dunlop Road Racing Legends’ parade on the Isle of Man…
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Towcester ton-up day
The 1960s returned to Towcester on Sunday, July 13 when a Ton-Up Day organised by Chester Dowling resulted in the front of Jack’s Cafe becoming jammed solid with old English iron…
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BHR battles rage at Lydden Hill
British Historic Racing took full advantage of the one-mile Lydden Hill circuit in east Kent with a 44-race programme over the weekend of July 5-6…
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Road Test: AJS Model S3
The AJS S3 was a bright and bold new design from AJ Stevens of Woverhampton. Unfortunately, its release couldn’t have come at a worse moment…
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South Liverpool club gymkhana, August 30, 1930
The South Liverpool Motorcycle Club found a novel but not entirely unexpected way of injecting some more excitement into an egg and spoon race on August 30, 1930 – by seating the brave participants, spoons and all, on their motorcycles…
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Road Test: AJS Model S3
The AJS S3 was a bright and bold new design from AJ Stevens of Woverhampton. Unfortunately, its release couldn’t have come at a worse moment…
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RealClassic 124 out now!
Three Triumph motorcycles are featured in this month’s magazine, but not one of them is a twin. Two alternative V-twins also make an appearance; one Hesketh and one Moto Guzzi, and a whole heap of other classic bikes
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Dambusters2014: Bike to the Bridge
A bide ride is being organised to Arnhem in September as part of the 70th Anniversary of Operation Market Garden, the airborne attempt to capture the bridges that marked the route into the heart of Germany during the Second World War…
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Flintoff Goldie brake
This is a new twin leading shoe front brake plate, for fitment to the BSA 190mm front hub. Although it is based on the famous Eddie Dow Duetto, this brake has improvements over the Duetto design…
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The Classic MotorCycle on sale – September 2014
BSA Rocket Gold Star guide, original Velocette KTT story, MV Agusta scrambler, plus Scott guide, Ariel Model A, BMW R67, Royal Enfield Motor Carrier and all the usual regulars and archive articles. On sale now!
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Old Bike Mart Unearthed – August 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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Action-packed Museum weekend ahead
Free test rides and incredible stunt displays will feature when Yamaha’s Dark Side MT Tour arrives at the National Motorcycle Museum on the weekend of August 2-3. Test ride opportunities will be available on models across the MT range, including the MT-09 as well as a host of other free activities…
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Blown BSA Sprinter
Built by Geoff Garside, this A10/A65 hybrid was built during the heyday of straightline racing…
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Classic Bike Guide on sale now – August 2014
Vincent Black Shadow, Ace Cafe Tritons, Moto Legende, Capriolo Boxer, wheels and waves and all the usual archive material, user guides and guest columnists. On sale now!
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Honda RC181 replica
There are almost as many Honda RC181 four race replicas around these days as Honda have built road bikes. And they range from fantastic, like the RC181 featured here, down to ‘really shouldn’t have bothered’. Malc Wheeler takes up the story…
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Ride to the Wall planned
A charity motorcycle event will be taking place on October 4, 2014, in support of the National Memorial Arboretum…
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Parallel twins
A classic layout, the parallel twin is experiencing a resurgence in the modern market, thanks to a new range of Hondas. But was the layout any good in the first place?
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Uncover your dark side at action packed Scottish Motorcycle Show
Free test rides, incredible stunt displays, the latest machines and competitive racing are among the attractions visitors can enjoy at Scotland’s biggest and best motorcycle show in just a few weeks’ time…
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Red Marley Freak Hill Climb
A test of speed, nerve and cunning every Easter Monday in Worcestershire Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert Article continues below… Advert Article continues below… Advert
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Sounds like a good idea
Using sound waves to clean tricky bits of a motorcycle is a non-invasive way of true cleanliness, Classic Dirtbike editor Tim Britton listens to an expert…
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British icon returns to racing
Bike insurance specialists Bennetts is backing the return of the iconic British Brough Superior brand by sponsoring the reborn marque’s one-off entry into the British Grand Prix at Silverstone next month…
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Dates announced for Festival Of 1000 Bikes
The Vintage Motor Cycle Club has announced that next year’s Festival of 1000 Bikes will be returning to Mallory Park on the weekend of July 11-12, 2015…
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NMM Friends membership scheme launched
The National Motorcycle Museum marks its 30th anniversary in 2014 with the launch of an innovative membership scheme and the chance to win a Matchless G80 in a free draw…
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New Classic TT Trophies
New Classic TT Trophies, named after four of the greatest names in TT history, have been created for this year’s Isle of Man Classic TT Races in August…
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Northern Brit Bike Series 2014
Action from the Classic Dirtbike/Rock Oil-backed Northern Brit Bike Series 2014. Great weather and highly competitive! Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert Article continues below… Advert Article continues below… Advert
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Classic archive: Long standing trick rider, 1952
Accompanying a picture in The Motor Cycle in March, 1952, was the explanation: “Forty years ago tomorrow, in the issue of The Motor Cycle dated March 21, 1912, there appeared an illustrated account of a trick riding performance by a slim young man by the name of Albert Milner. Now the slim young man is…
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Classic Motorcycle Mechanics on sale – August 2014
Suzuki GSX-R restoration, Morini 3½ review, seventies superstar, Ducati 900SS ridden, plus projects on Kawasaki ZRX1100, Yamaha RD350LC, Honda VFR400 and more. On sale now!
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Project Can-Am Strip down and rebuild Part 1
Classic Dirtbike editor Tim Britton begins the stripdown before the prettying-up begins of the Project Can-Am…
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Sounds like a good idea
Using sound waves to clean tricky bits of a motorcycle is a non-invasive way of true cleanliness, Classic Dirtbike editor Tim Britton listens to an expert… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert Article continues below… Advert Article continues…
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Apico celebration
Apico – the biggest off-road parts distributor in the UK – turned 30 this year and celebrated with cake and a change of ownership Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines.
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The TT comes to the Wheatsheaf, Louth!
Less than two weeks to go for the TT Riders Association fundraising event in Louth, Lincs, organised by the TT RA in association with Classic Racer magazine…
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The Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance 2014
Salon Privé 2014 will be showcasing some of the best motorbikes, across two classes, for the fourth year in succession at Syon Park this September 3, 2014…
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Metzeler village at TT 2014
Accommodation is often a problem in the Isle of Man during TT time. The Metzeler village offers a solution to some; it’s camping, but without having to put up tents, as they’re assembled prior to ‘camper’s’ arrival…
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Gasket teach in
Engines, gearboxes, carburettors and some electrical components are assembled with a mass of joints, which need sealing to prevent oil and fuel loss, or the ingress of water. Despite advances in technology, gaskets remain the favourite joint sealer…
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Westonzoyland Sprint
The NSA (Southern Section) was blessed with better weather for the second of its two day meetings at the Somerset venue. As ever, a fascinating variety of machinery made its way up the quarter-mile course…
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Cameron Donald confirms classic TT return
Two time TT Race winner Cameron Donald will make his return to the Mountain Course in August for the Isle of Man Classic TT Races with the Australian ace contesting both the Bennetts 500cc Classic TT and Okells 350cc Classic TT Races for Ripley Land Racing…
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Sprinting returns to Leighton Hall
For the first time in 45 years, Leighton Hall, near Carnforth, Lancs will be hosting a Bike Sprint on Sunday, September 28, when the grounds will be open from 9.30am until 4pm…
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Michael comes onboard
The Classic MotorCycle gets a new full time staffer in the shape of 21-year-old Michael Barraclough, the Cottons owners club is holding a centenary rally next month and reporting from the recently held Les Newman Run…
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Norton rallygoers roar into Norfolk
Based at an ideal sports club venue at Hingham, Norfolk, and organised by the NOC’s Norfolk branch, the Norton Owners’ Club’s National Rally from June 20-22 enjoyed warm, sunny weather all weekend and attracted well over 120 members and their machines…
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All-Japanese show at Great Blakeham
If you fancy a good day out this month, why not head towards Ipswich and find your way to Great Blakenham village hall (IP6 0NJ) on July 20 between 10am and 3pm?
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COYS to auction over 90 motorcycles at Blenheim Palace
COYS is to put over 90 motorcycles under the hammer at Blenheim Palace on Friday July 11. Included in the auction is an extremely rare 1974 Ducati 750 and a Harley-Davidson XR750, described as one of the most famous racing bikes in American motorcycle history…
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Sporting icons, bikes, bikers and more
Giacomo Agostini heads the list of sporting icons lined up to take part in this weekend’s Bike Bonanza at Mallory Park. The multi-times World Champion and Isle of Man TT hero will take to the Leicestershire circuit aboard an MV Agusta…
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RealClassic 123 out now!
Big twins abound in the July issue of RealClassic; beefy classic bikes built in Britain, Italy and even America. Plus a couple of lightweights for fans of smaller motorcycles. Here’s how to read all about them…
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Restored Dot delivery tricycle revealed
No sooner do we mention buying tuppenny cornets from a Dot motorcycle ice cream trike (Stafford Show report, last issue) than Sammy Miller sends us a photo of one that he has just restored to perfection…
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Blindfolded pillion rider Chris raises awareness of sight loss
Riding pillion blindfold may sound like a crazy thing to do, but for Chris Bostock it had a very serious message…
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Middle Eastern adventure, 1956
If you are going to embark on an 8000 mile motorcycle holiday to see the ruins of some ancient Middle Eastern empires, you’re going to need a pretty special motorcycle. Enter BSA’s Golden Flash…
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The Classic MotorCycle out now – August 2014
Royal Enfield Constellation, extraordinary low-miles Norton Navigator, Panthers to suit all pockets, the Banbury Run, Reynolds runabout, plus all the usual archive features and columnists. On sale now…
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John Surtees presents £75,000 cheque to Air Ambulance charity
Motorsport Legend John Surtees OBE, has presented a £75,000 cheque to charity Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance, on behalf of the Henry Surtees Foundation…
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VJMC parades at Donington’s WSB round
The UK Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club carried off a coup by running 20 machines from the 1988-96 WSB era around the Donington Park circuit on May 24-25…
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Workshop: Suzuki GS750 rebuild part three
After sorting through the pile of bits last month I’m now ready to start reassembling Jason’s GS750 engine…
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