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Italian favourites part one
In the seventies the Japanese motorcycle industry was beginning to dominate the bike market, with its high tech performance designs. The Italian response was typically heart- rather than head-led. John Nutting picks 10 of his seventies Italian favourites…
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Island meeting
In the March 2013 issue, The Classic MotorCycle detailed the story of Dutchman Gerard NuBijer and his collection of Nortons, including his beloved Manx, of which he didn’t know the history..
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RealClassic 120 out now!
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of RealClassic magazine, issue 120 features an especially eclectic collection of classic bikes, ranging from BMW to Vincent. All yours for a smidgen over three quid!
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Raby Castle show
The 18th Classic Vehicle Show and Vintage Rally takes place at Raby Castle on June 15, 2014, between 10am – 4pm…
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Iconic HM Plant Honda Stars at Thundersprint 2014
If there is one bike, and one colour scheme, which gets the hairs on the back of every bike racing fan’s neck standing up straight it is the Honda Fireblade in the stunning HM Plant livery of orange and black…
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Classic Camera: Track attack, August 1958
Les Smith prepares to tackle the Sani Pass, a bridle track between Basutoland and Natal in South Africa on his 350cc Velocette MAC, “…a machine of uncertain vintage” as described in The Motor Cycle…
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The Classic MotorCycle on sale – May 2014
BSA’s ZB Goldie – the one to have! Plus John Surtees interview, Triumph twin sprunter, airfield racing at Brough, Harley-Davidson, Vincent Rapide restoration, plus all the usual archive stories and columnists. On sale now…
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Specialist cover for national classic day
Classic car and bike insurance broker Carole Nash has thrown its full support behind National Classic Car & Bike Day by providing policy holders with commuter cover as standard.
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Star lots at the Stafford show
A 1939 Brough Superior SS100 owned by the designer himself, George Brough, goes under the hammer at the Bonhams Sale on April 27 at The 34th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show at the Stafford showground…
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Bumper entries for classic TT races
Event race promoter, The Isle of Man Government Department of Economic Development, has received a total of 329 entries across the three races and four categories and the race organisers will now review the entries and agree the final start lists for the 270 starting places…
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Top 20 two strokes, part two
We continue our second instalment of the top 20 Japanese two strokes….
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Double Inter special
Reproduced in full from the original article in the May 1983 edition of The Classic MotorCycle, this is the tale of a remarkable engineer and his twin-engined Norton…
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Old Bike Mart Unearthed – April 2014
This month’s unearthed readers bikes and finds… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below… Advert Article continues below… Advert
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Photo competition teaser gallery
The Mortons Archive photo competition has closed and the judging panel are poring over the entries. As an appetizer, here are a few of the many entries we received. Bit of a mixed bag, but that’s what makes this type of competition so exciting… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here…
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TT for all those tiddlers
If you like life in the fast lane then there’s one event that is definitely not for you. The Scottish TT, or Tiddler Tootle, is a new idea hatched by the Vintage Motor Cycle Club in Scotland, to encourage riders to bring out their lightweights of up to 250cc and made before 1989…
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HB Suzuki RG500/XR45
Factory race bikes that fall into private hands are a rare enough thing. Finding out you may just own one by chance is even more so. But that is exactly what happened to Tony Salt when he bought a RG500 to parade. Malc Wheeler gets the lowdown…
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LAST DAY! Mortons Archive photo competition
Fancy yourself as a bit of photographer? Well, we’re giving you the chance to showcase your favourite snaps with the 2014 Mortons Archive photo competition! Top prize is a custom made motorcycle helmet from specialist supplier Davida!
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Sheene back to Cadwell!
Cadwell Park circuit will be honouring its 80th anniversary on Sunday, August 3 with a special event featuring racing and displays to celebrate the venue’s history and its legendary status within the biking community…
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Road Test: Norton ES2
From early sporting leanings in the roaring 20s, Norton’s immortal 490cc pushrod engine developed into a delightful lusty slogger, fondly remembered by many. The ‘Easy’ 2 was a mainstay of the Norton range for over three decades, and it’s not difficult to see why it had such a devoted following…
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Road Test: Norton ES2
From early sporting leanings in the roaring 20s, Norton’s immortal 490cc pushrod engine developed into a delightful lusty slogger, fondly remembered by many. The ‘Easy’ 2 was a mainstay of the Norton range for over three decades, and it’s not difficult to see why it had such a devoted following…
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Chicago-bound cafe from Kevils
Born in Bavaria, perfected in Paignton and shipped to the USA, Kevils Speed Shop’s latest custom build ‘Vault’ is an ultra-slick BMW R100 in gleaming grey bound for the USA, the custom cafe has been commissioned by Steve, an md of a multinational data security company…
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BMW’s lightweight off-roader
BMW customised classics are all the rage. Go on the Net and you’ll find any amount of cafe racers, street trackers, Brat-style bobbers, and even scramblers but no, this is not another BMW custom classic project – with the photo given some retro monochrome treatment…
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Classic Bike Guide on sale now – April 2014
Clymer Interceptor, 10-page Brooklands special, ultimate Douglas Dragonfly, BSA Super Rocket and Japanese twins. Plus the usual archive material and your favourite columnists. On sale now!
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British heavyweights at auction
British classic motorcycles feature heavily at the forthcoming Vintage Sale at Cheffins in Cambs, and could be the perfect opportunity to secure your next biking project…
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Track legends at Mallory Bike Bonanza
The Mallory Bike Bonanza, held over July 11,12 and 13, promises something for every bike enthusiast, with static displays of the various owners clubs through to on track action with parades for all types of machines, not forgetting the classics, among them a MV Agusta in the hands of the legendary Giacomo Agostini…
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Dunkirk jumble
It may sound like a continental event, but this Dunkirk is a village, north west of Canterbury…
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Suzuki extends Vintage Parts Programme
Suzuki has announced the addition of the iconic GT750 Kettle to its popular Vintage Parts Programme revealing that it has more than 1100 genuine parts still available for the sought after two-stroke…
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Classic British Legends: Barry Sheene
Twice 500cc World Champion, Sportsman of the Year 1977, MBE, model, playboy, you name it, he lived it. 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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Barry Sheene tribute
Barry Sheene, twice 500cc World Champion, Sports Journalists’ Association (SJA) Sportsman of the Year 1977, MBE, model, playboy, showman, you name it, he lived it. Last Monday, March 10, was the anniversary of his passing in 2003. He was 52…
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Reference: A to Z classic reference: Talbot – Thor
Encyclopaedia of Classic Motorcycles: the definitive classic motorcycle guide
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Reference: A to Z classic reference: Buchet – Cazenave
Encyclopaedia of Classic Motorcycles: the definitive classic motorcycle guide
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Mike Hailwood, 1964
Fifty years ago, during the USA Grand Prix at Daytona, Mike Hailwood and MV Agusta rewrote the record book…
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Classic Motorcycle Mechanics on sale – April 2014
Yamaha TDR 250 and XJ1100 Maxim reviews, Suzuki GSX-R750M tests and tips on buying Suzuki’s tiddler, the A100. Also Ducati 860GT MIRA files, Honda CX750 Turbo and getting close with Yamaha’s YZR500 Gauloises Replica. Plus all the usual regulars and archive material. On sale now…
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Cameron Donald to ride for Norton at 2014 IoM TT races
Norton Motorcycles has confirmed that Cameron Donald will contest the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races, with the Australian ace lining up in the Dainese Superbike and PokerStars Senior TT Races for the British manufacturer. Cameron will start both races from the number 19 position, made famous by the late Steve Hislop…
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Road Test: Triumph 6T Thunderbird
The late Pete Sole, who owned this Triumph Thunderbird for over 20 years, was well-respected as a pragmatic restorer with a taste for vintage machinery. The Thunderbird was his first post-war heavyweight and he used it regularly, as a workhorse and tourer…
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Road Test: Triumph 6T Thunderbird
The late Pete Sole, who owned this Triumph Thunderbird for over 20 years, was well-respected as a pragmatic restorer with a taste for vintage machinery. The Thunderbird was his first post-war heavyweight and he used it regularly, as a workhorse and tourer…
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Still time for Prescott
You’ve still got time to attend the splendid Prescott Bike Festival, which takes place on April 6. Even better, you could be one of the lucky winners in our Prescott ticket competition, currently running…
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Road Test: Kawasaki Z1300
Late in 1978, at the Cologne Show in Germany, Kawasaki unveiled its 1300, the most powerful bike yet built and prompted a debate that led to the (short-lived) voluntary manufacturers’ agreement to limit power outputs to 125 bhp. Bob Berry rides one of the last machines off the production line…
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Road Test: Kawasaki Z1300
Late in 1978, at the Cologne Show in Germany, Kawasaki unveiled its 1300, the most powerful bike yet built and prompted a debate that led to the (short-lived) voluntary manufacturers’ agreement to limit power outputs to 125 bhp. Bob Berry rides one of the last machines off the production line…
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National Motorcycle Museum sets stage for Superbike champs
Superbike legends Carl Fogarty and James Whitham are set to make a pit stop in Solihull on the latest lap of their UK chat show tour. Foggy and Whit have been revving up audiences across the UK for the last four years with their popular stage show ‘Foggy and Whit: Givin It Gas’…
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It’s Stafford showtime!
Motorsport legend John Surtees is set to be the star attraction as one of the world’s biggest and most famous classic motorcycle events returns once again to the Staffordshire County Showground this April…
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Workshop: Iconic engines: Villiers 37A
That the Villiers two-stroke engine has been a major part of off-road motorcycling is fairly obvious but what is it like inside? What are the points to look out for? Classic Dirtbike magazine pulls one apart…
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Workshop: Seat re-covering
When it comes to restoring motorcycles, you can almost bet your hat that the seat is going to be a bit tatty around the edges and requiring a bit of tlc. This month Steve Cooper brings us a guide to re-covering them…
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Buying Guide: Kawasaki KE175B
The KE175’s designers undoubtedly put a lot of thought into the design, ergonomics and practicality. When the getting down and dirty is finished the KE becomes a supremely usable road machine that’ll commute all day long…
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Workshop: Iconic engines: Villiers 37A
That the Villiers two-stroke engine has been a major part of off-road motorcycling is fairly obvious but what is it like inside? What are the points to look out for? Classic Dirtbike magazine pulls one apart…
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Workshop: Seat re-covering
When it comes to restoring motorcycles, you can almost bet your hat that the seat is going to be a bit tatty around the edges and requiring a bit of tlc. This month Steve Cooper brings us a guide to re-covering them…
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Buying Guide: Kawasaki KE175B
The KE175’s designers undoubtedly put a lot of thought into the design, ergonomics and practicality. When the getting down and dirty is finished the KE becomes a supremely usable road machine that’ll commute all day long…
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VMCC winter wandering
Organised by the Brooklands Section of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club, we looked in on one of its ‘Winter Wanderings’ road runs, starting from a cool and windswept Newlands Corner car park, on the top of the Downs near Guildford…
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The way we were: April
New Douglas 348cc twins given an outing in 1914 at Brooklands, Royal Enfield announces a new quarter litre model in 1964 and Norton’s new twin-rotor Wankel-engined bike is received by the Press…
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Archive image: The film Derby, June 1925
The film Derby’ had a special – unique? – place in motorcycle sporting history, as it was still, in 1925, a true race, in contrivance of the ACU’s ban on speed events on the road…
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Classic Camera: Dicing on the cheap, July 1964
David Dixon pushes off the Stevens Velocette at the start of the 1964 Skerries 100, held 18 miles north of Dublin. It was part of a feature called Dicing on the Cheap…
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The Classic MotorCycle out now – April 2014
Norton Dominator 88 super profile, weird but wonderful Beardmore Precision, the Sunbeam story, BSA V-twin, men that mattered, plus all the usual archive material, tech features and columnists. On sale now!
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Road Test: Triumph Trophy
A gap in the chilly rains of late January made a test of this lovely 1950 Triumph Trophy trials bike practical. Never mind the cold, the Trophy sat there looking gorgeous, slim and minimalist in the way of machines born of competition use. I don’t mind getting cold to ride such a gem as this…
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Road Test: Triumph Trophy
A gap in the chilly rains of late January made a test of this lovely 1950 Triumph Trophy trials bike practical. Never mind the cold, the Trophy sat there looking gorgeous, slim and minimalist in the way of machines born of competition use. I don’t mind getting cold to ride such a gem as this…
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Selwyn Griffiths guest of honour at 2014 Manx Grand Prix
Selwyn Griffiths, winner of the Senior Manx Grand Prix in 1964 is to be the Manx Motor Cycle Club’s guest of honour at this year’s Manx Grand Prix which takes place between August 16-29 and is part of the Festival of Motorcycling 2014…
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Ernie Lyons (1914-2014)
Irish road racing legend Ernie Lyons has passed away, just short of his 100th birthday. Lyons will always be remembered for his win in the 1946 Manx Grand Prix, the first ‘big’ race held after the Second World War…
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Novice sidecar day at Cadwell Park
British Historic Racing is holding its pre-season sidecar practice day at Cadwell Park on Friday March 28, which gives novices the opportunity to try their hand at riding an outfit on track, to see if they enjoy it, before investing in an outfit of their own…
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Road Test: Yamaha XJ900
Yamaha’s original XJ900 was biggest of a line of slim shaft-drive fours produced in the 80s that acquired a reputation as a wobbler. But John Nutting, who tested the bike at MIRA, thinks it’s undeserved…
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Road Test: Yamaha XJ900
Yamaha’s original XJ900 was biggest of a line of slim shaft-drive fours produced in the 80s that acquired a reputation as a wobbler. But John Nutting, who tested the bike at MIRA, thinks it’s undeserved…
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RealClassic 119 out now
This month in RealClassic magazine: a scintillating selection of British and Continental classic bikes being ridden, rebuilt and reviewed by the people who own them. Oh, and a Suzuki T500, too…
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New website for Classic Bike Shows
Classic Bike Shows, organiser of the Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show and the Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show among others, has revamped its existing web presence to give show visitors and exhibitors a friendly and easy to use source of information…
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Lampkin takes the high road
Graham Lampkin is all set to take the high road to Shetland… and aims to raise cash for charity in the process. However, ‘Lampy’ is also looking for help and suggestions from OBM readers as he travels to the Shetland Classic Motor Show…
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Changes for Classic Dirtbike
Classic Dirtbike magazine has announced that it will move to a subscription only format in the UK from issue 32, out in August…
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ACU Spring One Day Trial: March, 1914
The ACU Spring One Day Trial of March 12, 1914, attracted a record entry of 178 and offered a challenging day’s riding in the Peak District, which The Motor Cycle described as “tests of flexibility, restarting and weatherproofness in the Peak District”…
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Classic Bike Guide on sale – March 2014
Triumph Tiger 90 twins, Matchless rebuild, British 750cc+ guide, BSA Bantam guide, Mv Queen Indian, Vincent Indian, plus all the usual columnists and archive stories. Free 32-page events guide with this issue…
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Road Test: Kawasaki GPZ600R
Kawasaki’s GPz600R was the first liquid-cooled 600cc four, a breed that has defined sports machines in the 21st century. But was it launched too early with flawed technology? asks John Nutting…
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Road Test: Kawasaki GPZ600R
Kawasaki’s GPz600R was the first liquid-cooled 600cc four, a breed that has defined sports machines in the 21st century. But was it launched too early with flawed technology? asks John Nutting…
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Wheels Festival at Bournemouth
This year sees Bournemouth welcome the inaugural Wheels Festival to town from Saturday 24 May to Monday 26 May…
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Robbie Allan Memorial off-road celebration
Things are going well with the organising side of the one-off, celebratory meeting at Tinto Park called the Robbie Allan 50/50 Memorial Classic on July 19-20, 2014…
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Road Test: ISDT Royal Enfield Bullet
This bespoke Royal Enfield Bullet was built in 1966, when the model was obsolete, to tackle the International Six Days Trial…
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Road Test: ISDT Royal Enfield Bullet
This bespoke Royal Enfield Bullet was built in 1966, when the model was obsolete, to tackle the International Six Days Trial…
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Getting started
Shackleton Racing Powerstart roller starters, manufactured in association with Powerlite, in the West Midlands, offer a rider operated starter aimed at road and race machines…
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Prestigious award for IoM VMCC
The Isle of Man branch of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club has won a prestigious tourism award run by the Isle of Man government. The team won the best event category for their annual Festival of Jurby…
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Scott and Sammy star at Thundersprint
MotoGP rider Scott Redding, still just 20 years old and the youngest rider to ever win a Grand Prix, aged just 15 years and 170 days, stars alongside living legend Sammy Miller at the Thundersprint, which this year moves to Darley Moor…
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Cadwell Park anniversary celebration
With one of the UK’s most picturesque and popular race circuits, Cadwell Park, about to reach its 80th anniversary in 2014 plans are advanced for a celebration on Sunday, August 3…
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Red Marley Hill Climb 2014
Latest news from the Red Marley Hill Climb Club is about the changes for 2014’s event…
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March/April 2014 Classic Racer on sale now!
Yamaha TZ750 profile, Flying Kiwi Graeme Crosby reflects, the Rod Gould story, mountain man Dave Thomas, phase one endurance Kawasaki revealed, plus all the usual archive material and your favourite columnists. On sale now!
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Classic Dirtbike on sale – issue 30
Visionary ‘bar raisers’, Yamaha YZ 360A and why you need one, cylinder care, our Montesa comes together, plus Honda, BSA Bantam, Husqvarna and Montesa reviews. On sale now…
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Speedway anniversary
The annual celebration of the start of speedway in this country recently took place at the National Museum of Speedway, located within Paradise Park zoo at Broxbourne, Herts….
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Mallory Park Open Day
Mallory Park’s new management team, Real Motorsport Ltd, has announced that the Leicestershire circuit will officially re-open on March 1 with a special ‘Meet the Team’ day, where visitors will have the opportunity to view a host of cars and bikes, as well as the chance to talk to the stars…
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1959: Rickman brothers at the top of their game
A case of dissatisfaction with the products of the factories they were racing motorcycles for and the feeling they could do better was the catalyst for Don and Derek Rickman to make their own scrambler…
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Classic Motorcycle Mechanics on sale – March 2014
Yamaha R1, the last legend for £2500, Ducati 900SS, Honda CBR900RR Fireblade, Yamaha FZ750, Suzuki Spa Katana engine build and Susuki GS1000 guide, plus all the usual columnists and archive regulars. On sale now!
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New life for Mallory
Following months of uncertainty and numerous campaigns, the popular Mallory Park circuit has new lease holders…
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Road Test: Suzuki GSX-R750 v RG500
The early 80s was a hot-bed of motorcycle development where two-strokes took on four. Suzuki built both. The GSX-R750 and RG500 were about as hot as it got. 25 years on CMM stages a re-match…
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Road Test: Suzuki GSX-R750 v RG500
The early 80s was a hot-bed of motorcycle development where two-strokes took on four. Suzuki built both. The GSX-R750 and RG500 were about as hot as it got. 25 years on CMM stages a re-match…
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The way we were: March
In 1939 following its 1938 Maudes Trophy success, BSA set an even stiffer schedule for this year’s attempt, which began at the ACU offices in Pall Mall…
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Grand Prix ace Redding gets ready to roll at Thundersprint
The youngest rider ever to win a Grand Prix, Scott Redding, will be the star of Thundersprint 2014. Redding, now aged 21, was just 15 years and 170 days old when he won the 2008 British 125cc Grand Prix at Donington Park…
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Stars at Castle Coombe Grand National
The Castle Combe Circuit Grand National which takes place on June 21-22, 2014, will see some top stars riding famous bikes as well as a weekend of action-packed club racing around the famous Wiltshire circuit…
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Geoff Duke scrambling down under
In early spring of 1955, Motor Cycling pulled off something of a coup; in the magazine’s own words: “Exclusively Penned for this Journal by the Brightest Star in the Motor Cycling Firmament… here is the Champion’s Own Story of Experiences Down Under”
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Lots of interest at ACA
A mixed bag of motorcycles will be offered at Anglia Car Auctions’ first classic motorcycle sale, which will be held at its Norfolk base on Saturday March 1…
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Great Scottish show moving to Edinburgh
The Classic Bike Shows team is returning to Scotland once again in 2014, and is delighted to announce that the Carole Nash Great Scottish Bike Show is expanding and making a move to the Royal Highland Centre near Edinburgh…
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A Wright good show
The Putoline Oils sponsored Telford Classic Off-Road and Roadracing Show is all set for the off on February 22-23. The event popularly known as ‘Wrighty’s show’ is the place for motorcycle competition enthusiasts and it will be a fest of amazing stuff…
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Club stand winners, Bristol 2014
Meet the club stand winners at the 34th Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show 2014
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Brisk walk through Bristol Show 2014!
Take a walk with us around some of the club stands in the Main Hall at the 34th Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show, Feb 8-9, 2014
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Images and videos from 34th Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show, February 2014
Despite the recent weather conditions in Somerset, visitors flocked to the Bath and West Showground for another jam-packed show 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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Workshop: Honda C77 rebuild parts 4-6
The restoration nears completion. In this part Richard completes the engine strip, reassembles and finishes and refits the body parts
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Buying Guide: Kawasaki A1/A7
Anyone who knows a little about Japanese motorcycling history will be aware that when Ernst Degner defected to the west in 1961 he brought to Suzuki the hard won knowledge of MZ’s competition department…
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Road Test: Velocette Vogue
Velocette’s strangely futuristic glass-fibre clad Vogue was never the great success its makers hoped for and, in truth, it never stood a chance…
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Road Test: Velocette Vogue
Velocette’s strangely futuristic glass-fibre clad Vogue was never the great success its makers hoped for and, in truth, it never stood a chance…
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