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Spada retro clothing
Clothing and accessory manufacturer Spada has released a range of goodies which are super-60s-retro cool and not so hard on the wallet…
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Honda CBR600
Motorcyclists in 1999 have grown used to the idea that Honda’s CBR600 has been consistently the best selling machine of its class. It’s almost a permanent fixture at the top of the sports bike chart. But it wasn’t always like that…
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Two-strokes rule, squire!
Advance notice for the upcoming Two-stroke Gathering at the biker-friendly Squires Cafe in Yorkshire in September and news of a new app for the iPad and iPhone from Sealey…
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Grindlay-Peerless 500
The ‘Ton for an hour’ Bill Lacey Grindlay-Peerless comes back to life. But there’s always one know-it-all sourpuss hanging around, don’t you find? Like the one at the Brooklands Reunion Day gathering who, after studying Gerry Belton’s restored 500cc flyer, just had to say his piece…
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Classic camera: Lady rider, November 1911
Eminent lady motorcyclist Mrs M C Cooke poses with a twin-cylinder Douglas; riding it was her first try of a two-pot machine, most of her experience of riding in the half dozen years she’d been a regular participant having been undertaken on a specially modified, single-speed Triumph…
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MoT certificates to change again
The new style MoT certificate, introduced in October 2011, is set to go through more changes to deter forgery and ‘clocking’ practices. Changes will be phased in over the next 18 months…
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The way we were: August 1987
American Eddie Lawson (Yamaha) won the 500cc class of the British Grand Prix on August 2 at Donington Park, with Australian Wayne Gardner (Honda) second and Randy Mamola third…
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RealClassic 99 on sale now!
Every month RealClassic features ancient, classic and British bikes, with in-depth articles by expert and enthusiast authors, reflecting the old bikes we buy and ride in the real world. Unlike most classic motorcycle magazines, RealClassic isn’t available in the shops. So if you want to read the July issue, you’ll need to buy one online,…
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Reference: A to Z classic reference: DKW – Dot
Encyclopaedia of Classic Motorcycles: the definitive classic motorcycle guide
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Reference: A to Z classic reference: Moto Guzzi – Moto-Reve
Encyclopaedia of Classic Motorcycles: the definitive classic motorcycle guide
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Reference: Know your Monobloc
Four phase check for economy and performance on Amal’s popular Monobloc motorcycle carburettor by Don Bridgewood…
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Reference: Know your Monobloc
Four phase check for economy and performance on Amal’s popular Monobloc motorcycle carburettor by Don Bridgewood…
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Triumph Thruxton
Triumph’s Bonneville range has carved a very successful niche into motorcycling worldwide and the Thruxton version has filled a gap for those who want the traditional caf� racer look. However, there’s always someone who wants a bit more. Nigel C discovers one such man and gets quite a surprise…
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Asian motorcycle tours
From the balmy breezes of the Indian and Pacific Oceans to the unbeatable majesty of the Himalayas and the vast Gobi desert, Asian Adventures has the bike ride of a lifetime for everyone…
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Italian smoothie – MV Agusta
What would you sooner have in your shed, a Vincent Black Shadow or an MV Agusta? For some that would be a difficult question, but not for Mick Gowan, he knows exactly which he prefers. Video from Classic Bike Guide last November and the voice belongs to CBG editor Nigel Clark…
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The Classic Motorcycle’s on sale now!
The August issue of The Classic Motorcycle goes on sale today. Packed with the usual mix of archive material, workshop repairs, technical advice, tests, interviews and classifieds, it’s not to be missed. Look out for the stunning Triumph Speed Twin on the cover…
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The way we were: August 1962
Weather forecasters promised warm sunny weather for the Bank Holiday Monday meeting at Oulton Park. On the day it was both warm and wet (no surprises there then…), resulting in a steaming track…
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Watsonian-JAP
Bob Currie explains the background to the one-and-only 998cc Watsonian-JAP, now added to the National Motorcycle Museum collection. But Watsonian made sidecars, didn’t they?
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Road Test: Harley-Davidson SS350
We all know Harley-Davidsons, right? Made in Milwaukee, thundering great V-twin engines, pistons the size of dustbins, low-revving, weigh about the same as a Cadillac? Not necessarily…
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Honda CB400F
Honda’s CB400F four of 1978 was a ground-breaking machine, a little bike with a big heart that took to the race track with glee…
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Road Test: Harley-Davidson SS350
We all know Harley-Davidsons, right? Made in Milwaukee, thundering great V-twin engines, pistons the size of dustbins, low-revving, weigh about the same as a Cadillac? Not necessarily…
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Essex Bikefest
The 10th annual Bikefest at North Weald airfield, near Harlow, Essex, brought to you by Maitland Racing, kick-starts into action on Sunday, July 15, 2012 and promises to be another cracker…
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Highland Classic Two Day Trial at Alvie Estate
The picturesque Alvie Estate, near Aviemore in the highlands of Scotland, played host to the Highland Classic Two Day Trial in early June. Organised by the Inverness MCC, ‘The Alvie’ is fast becoming a ‘must do’ event in the trials calendar and one that is much to the taste of traditional trials competitors…
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Hesketh celebration
Owners of Hesketh motorcycles have two anniversaries to celebrate this year since both the bike and the owners’ club have turned 30…
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The way we were: August 1937
Following derision from some quarters of the press and industry regarding his claim that makers could manufacture a four-cylinder motorcycle for £20, famous designer Granville Bradshaw detailed his concept. Using Bradshaw’s pencil sketches a Motor Cycle artist created the impression published in The Motor Cycle on August 19, 1937…
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Road Test: Royal Enfield Bullet Classic
Justifiably playing up the retro image, Royal Enfield has gone the whole hog with the new Bullet Classic. Nigel Clark spent a day with one and reckons it just might be the best Bullet yet…
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Profile: Lawrie Watts part two
Ace draughtsman he might have been, but Lawrie didn’t just sit in front of a drawing board, he was often out chasing a story. And, as David Dixon recalls, one of his happiest hunting grounds was the Isle of Man…
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Lawrie Watts Manx sketchbook
Lawrence Watts shunned publicity but the classic motorcycle and automotive worlds were a better place for his stunning three-dimensional drawings which showed hidden mechanical detail through artwork cutaways…
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Royal Enfield Continental GT
The cafe racer from Redditch. We test Royal Enfield’s Continental GT
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Road Test: Royal Enfield Bullet Classic
Justifiably playing up the retro image, Royal Enfield has gone the whole hog with the new Bullet Classic. Nigel Clark spent a day with one and reckons it just might be the best Bullet yet…
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The Classic Motorcycle app
The brilliant TCM app means you can download each month’s magazine onto your iPad or Android tablet days before the magazine reaches the news stands, and you can take a stack of back issues of your favourite magazine with you wherever you are in the world…
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Free bike photos!
Do you fancy getting your bike photographed in our studio, here in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, and featured in a magazine, with a professional set of CD images to take away? We’ll chip in towards your fuel costs… and talking of chips, we may stretch to getting you a sandwich too…
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Brooklands Double Twelve
Although bike interest has been limited in more recent Brooklands Double 12s, this year the Francis-Barnett Owners’ Club attracted plenty of interest with a static display as well as the attempts on the circuit’s famous Test Hill on Sunday…
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The way we were: August 1912
Press announcements confirmed Holley Brothers of Northumberland Road, Coventry was ready to launch an automatic carburettor. Although the carburettor was known as a Hedstrom after the Indian design engineer of that name, early examples were made for Indian by Aurora…
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Wal Handley book
In the 1920s and 30s Wal Handley was one of the stars of motorcycle racing, a winner of four TTs and setter of nine lap records, as well as a front runner in countless others…
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Cholmondelay Pageant of Power
Cholmondeley Pageant of Power is a celebration of motor powered delights for the child in us all, and for this year’s event Classic Dirt Bike went along to the Cheshire estate to sample scrambling in the twice daily demonstrations…
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Reference: Ariel Red Hunter: which to choose
There were many versions of the Ariel Red Hunter, with its first incarnation a ‘sporting’ four-valver that had little relation to what was to come later. The switch to two-valves came quite quickly after, so the template was established…
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Reference: Ariel Red Hunter: which to choose
There were many versions of the Ariel Red Hunter, with its first incarnation a ‘sporting’ four-valver that had little relation to what was to come later. The switch to two-valves came quite quickly after, so the template was established…
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Route 66 tour success
Spectacular scenery and an unforgettable experience await bikers undertaking the Route 66 tour in the States, as you retrace the pre-interstate connecting road between Chicago and Los Angeles and soak up the nostalgia, plus visit the stores, museums and landmarks on the way…
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McFashionistas inspired in style by Grampian Museum
Fashion management students from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen celebrated the opening of Grampian Transport Museum’s 30th season with a special exhibition at Aberdeen Business School during March…
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SDoc100 Leather Care
New from SDoc100 is its Leather Care, a cost-effective way to keep riding kit in top condition. Simply spray directly onto the garment then wipe with a soft, dry cloth to clean and protect…
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Grand opening at Finnish museum
As might be expected, the road riding season in Finland is quite short and bracketed either end by the beginning and end of winter. When the weather starts to improve there is a big celebration from all riders and nowhere more so than the Riku Motor Museum in Lahti…
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Surtees stars at Burpham
Burpham Motor Racing Club will hold its third Classic Car and Motorcycle Show on the Cricket Pitch at Burpham, near Arundel, West Sussex on Sunday, September 2. And this year’s guest of honour is John Surtees, with the show supporting his charity, The Henry Surtees Foundation…
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Superbike ace joins Bikers’ Classics line-up
American racer Doug Polen will take a Ducati 888 out onto the track at Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium 20 years after he rode one to victory there during the 1992 Superbike World Championship…
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RSPCA show
The RSPCA’s ever popular – and seemingly ever growing – motorcycle show takes place on September 9, on the paddock behind the Hull RSPCA Centre, Clough Road, Hull…
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Bike security
Essentially the same principle as the combination barrel lock, but this one uses up to 100,000 combinations of a five letter word, useful for those who have too many PIN codes to remember…
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CBG Big Breakfast
Make a diary note for the fast-approaching Classic Bike Guide Big Breakfast on September 23 at Markham Moor Truckstop, off the A1-A57 roundabout, about five miles south of Retford, Notts…
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Dainese launches digital magazine
A new digital magazine featuring past and present sporting legends has been launched by Dainese to celebrate its 40th anniversary year…
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Donington Festival celebrates Yamaha
Yamaha will be celebrating its road racing heritage and 40 years of the TZ over the weekend of August 11-12 at the Donington Festival, an event organised by the CRMC…
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200 Miglia di Imola Revival
After two successful years, DG Sport, the organiser of the 200 Miglia di Imola Revival, has an even more exciting event planned for the weekend of September 21-23
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Powder coating dissolver
If you’ve ever tried to remove powder coating, then you’ll not need us to tell you that it’s difficult – sanders baulk at it, paint stripper struggles, but this fluid from Frost Auto Restoration Techniques, is simply brilliant!
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VMCC Banbury Run 2012
The Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s Banbury Run is the world’s largest pre-1931 motorcycle event and attracts entrants from around the world for the 600 restricted places…
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Studio photography
If you went along to the Newark Classic Bike Guide Show in January you will have probably noticed Ian Daisley’s Pro Bike Art stand. Ian offers studio photography for owners of classic, custom or cherished bikes – in fact any motorcycle or scooter that someone wants photographed…
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Croz stars at Stafford
Kiwi ace Graeme Crosby is confirmed as the guest of honour at the Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, held at Stafford County Showground over the weekend of October 20-21
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Norvin café racer
Any marriage of ‘the world’s fastest standard motorcycle engine’ to ‘the world’s best roadholder’ should be a contract made in heaven. And in this particular case, it is. Mike Lewis tells the story of an immaculate Vincent-engined special… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our…
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Hailwood v Read
The season long battle waged by Mike Hailwood and Phil Read for the 1967 250cc world championship was as competitive as it gets…
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Martinsyde Model B
Aeroplane maker-turned-motorcycle manufacturer Martinsyde had a brief production history. Tim Holmes tells the story of one a rare restoration…
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Jailhouse Cafe opens for business
After putting a shout out in the pages of Classic Motorcycle Mechanics, Adrenaline Motorcycles’ coach cafe is up, running and proving a popular meeting point for bikers in the area…
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Cafe reunion
Fifty years of memories were recounted when members of the Busy Bee Club rode over from Watford to meet their Windsor counterparts, for the Cellar Reunion, at the Black Horse, Windsor, on Sunday, May 13….
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GuardCam intruder light
GuardCam is a complete all-in-one PIR floodlight, camera, speaker and DVR system that will help protect your bike against intruders. Fitted in minutes, it’ll detect intruders up to a distance of 12 metres…
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Oil pumps explained
Oil pumps are usually hidden in the depths of an engine. Unfortunately the age-old saying ‘out of sight, out of mind’ often applies. As they are the heart of our motorcycle engines, they deserve regular health checks… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading…
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A ‘split single’ flat twin
Ingenious projected layout for a horizontally opposed two-stroke, to address the inefficiencies of unburnt fuel being wasted, and a 198cc German luxury lightweight motorcycle from Durkopp
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International Jampot Rally
The International Jampot Rally is a great highlight in the calendar of the AJS and Matchless Owners’ Club. With Britain already having various reasons to be cheerful this year, it seemed only right that the home country could also have the honour of marking the club’s diamond jubilee…
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Honington Sprint
Trying to address the shortage of suitable tracks, the Vintage MCC Sprint Section took the opportunity (and a financial gamble) to hire the long runway at RAF Honington, Suffolk in May for a quarter-mile event on May 20…
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NSU Quick 50
Quick and Quickly puns apart, the NSU Quick 50, based on a proven design, became one of the forerunners of the renowned sports 50s of the 1970s, though the diminutive NSUs are now rare. Richard Rosenthal reports… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading…
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CMM trackday filling up fast
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics’ summer trackday at Donington Park on Friday, August 3 is filling up fast. In conjunction with Classic Bike Trackdays we’ve secured one of the highly sought after ‘noisy’ days at Donington Park in Leicestershire…
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Crystal Palace Show and Sprint
The road race circuit at Crystal Palace in south London closed 40 years ago. When it was active, the motorcycle events that formed a large part of the calendar were extremely popular. In the years since closure there have been occasions when race engines have been heard again…
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Luggage Tidy
New from British bike kit storage experts BikerTidy, is the new Luggage Tidy. Designed to protect expensive top boxes, panniers and the like, the Tidy gets them off the garage floor so they don’t get scratched, kicked or even used as a tabletop!
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Court overturns award
Leading UK rider groups have written to Justice Minister Kenneth Clarke after a recent Court of Appeal overturned a judgment that had been made in favour of a motorcyclist seriously injured in a collision with a lorry…
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Post vintage class
There will be a post-vintage motorcycles class at the Sunbeam Club’s Garden of England Run for the first time this year. The event, the 26th of its kind, is due to take place on Sunday, July 15
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Gloucester Steam Extravaganza
The Gloucestershire Steam and Vintage Extravaganza, now in its 38th year, will take place once again at its new home at South Cerney Airfield, Cirencester…
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Workshop: Suzuki GT750: part three
The Suzuki GT750 engine is back in the frame at last, but there’s still some assembly work to do to reach the finishing straight with our restoration. Rod Gibson rolls up his shirt sleeves again…
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Workshop: Suzuki GT750: part three
The Suzuki GT750 engine is back in the frame at last, but there’s still some assembly work to do to reach the finishing straight with our restoration. Rod Gibson rolls up his shirt sleeves again…
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British Bike Bonanza
The annual extravaganza that is the British Bike Bonanza will take place at Sallywood Park in Gloucestershire on Saturday, June 30 and Sunday, July 1, 2012. This festival of classic off-road action will feature two trials, a grass track and a full programme of scrambling…
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One to ride: Royal Enfield V-twin,1913
Although most often seen attached to a sidecar, the ‘big’ veteran Royal Enfields make astounding solo mounts capable of cruising at a pace that will surprise those on machines built three decades later…
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The way we were: July 1912
Liverpool motorcycle dealer and Scott enthusiast Albert Reynolds invited pressmen and other interested parties to examine his prototype AER 350cc twin cylinder motorcycle during the month…
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New classic MZ spares supplier
Devotees of Eastern European motorcycles will be delighted to learn that their bikes have just become a little easier to keep on the road. MZ enthusiast Phil Speakman has converted his long-time hobby into a going concern and has opened for business with the all-new online MZ Shop…
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Freddie returns to Spa
US track star ‘Fast’ Freddie Spencer will be attending the Bikers’ Classics at Spa Francorchamps, marking 30 years since his 500GP win at the Ardennes circuit…
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Classic Racer collector’s issue
Classic Racer’s May/June issue has just gone on sale, and to help celebrate what is our 30th anniversay, we’re giving away a double-sided action poster of Steve Hislop and Giacomo Agostini…
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The way we were: July 1962
While Ernst Degner (50cc Suzuki), Luigi Taveri (125cc Honda), Bob McIntyre (250cc Honda), Mike Hailwood (500cc MV Agusta) and Florian Camathias (BMW s/c) scorched to victory at the blisteringly hot Belgian GP, Derek Minter took no prisoners at Brands Hatch…
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Banbury Run
Over 600 veteran and vintage motorcycles will descend on the Heritage Motor Centre for the 64th nostalgic Vintage Motor Cycle Club Banbury Run on Sunday, June 17…
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2012 National Road Rally
The annual ACU-organised National Road Rally is taking place on Saturday, June 30 to Sunday, July 1 this year, so why not give it a go?
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The Billing Bike Show
One of Britain’s biggest outdoor bike shows is about to hit the road in Northamptonshire. The Billing Bike Show is a celebration of everything that goes on two wheels and is due to take place at the Billing Aquadrome holiday park on Saturday, June 30, and Sunday, July 1
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The way we were: July 1987
In an effort to revitalise its National Rally the ACU revised the rules making it easier for riders to secure the coveted gold award. The scheme worked for the event held over the first weekend in the month…
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Healey 1000/4
A brave attempt to update and reintroduce the Ariel Square Four in the early 1970s led to an undeniably handsome and interesting machine… 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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Edmonds auction
Richard Edmonds auctions could be looking to its biggest auction of motorcycles yet, with the inclusion of an extremely rare 1949 Vincent White Shadow…
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Classic camera: an athletic pair, December 1931
This 1931 photograph celebrated the impending nuptials of Miss A M Stone of the Mitcham Athletic Club and Mr R O Bale, who was a noted sprinter, as well as being the trainer of the Mitcham cross country ladies…
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RealClassic 98 on sale now!
Unlike most classic bike magazines, the monthly RealClassic magazine isn’t available in the shops. So if you want to read the June issue, you’ll need to buy one online, or subscribe…
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Straight from the plate: Edinburgh Commemoration, 1954
In 1954, the Motor Cycling Club (MCC) held its 50th Edinburgh Commemoration Run, the Golden Jubilee celebration for what was reckoned to be the oldest sporting motorcycle event held anywhere in the world… Article continues below… Advert Enjoy more classic motorcycle reading, Click here to subscribe to one of our leading magazines. Article continues below……
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Workshop: Can-Am 250cc rebuild: 5
Part five of our Can-Am Bombardier workshop rebuild and we’ve proved that getting involved in off-road sport doesn’t have to be expensive. Tim Britton takes up the story
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Workshop: Can-Am 250cc rebuild: 5
Part five of our Can-Am Bombardier workshop rebuild and we’ve proved that getting involved in off-road sport doesn’t have to be expensive. Tim Britton takes up the story
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Classic Bikers Club: Pre ’65 Scottish Two Day Trial 2012
As the sun beats down on spectators, riders get all hot and bothered hauling classic trials bikes through the tricky rock sections of Lower Caillich during the 2012 Pre Scottish Two day Trial…
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Clymer built Enfield
A real rare bird on these shores, this beautiful 1970 Clymer built, Indian badged Royal Enfield was spotted on an internet auction site, advertised as an Indian, over in Weymouth, USA…
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Mk1 Concentric makeover
AMAL Carburetters has taken its Mk1 Concentric and given it a long lasting makeover, with material changes to the slide and body area, which will enhance carburettor life…
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Singles club
Three-bike cafe racer group test. Classic Bike Guide editor Nigel Clark talks us through the history and appeal of the three contenders, a 1957 BSA Gold Star, 1958 Velocette Venom Clubman Mk.1 and a Honda GB500TT, which is also CBC’s competition prize. Which is best?
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Back to basics
This is one dealer’s counter to the complex modern bike, and very good looking we think it is, too…
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AFS Matchless Register
Between 1953 and 1961 Matchless built and supplied 457 350cc single cylinder Matchless G3LS and G3 motorcycles to Home Office contracts. The purpose of the AFS register is to trace as many surviving models as possible…
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Triton Memorial Award
A special trophy to commemorate the life of Triton Owners Club founder member, the late Cliff Groom, was awarded at the recent Stafford motorcycle show…
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