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Lincs Aviation Wolds Run
A fantastic array of motorcycles will be on display during the Aviation Heritage Wolds Run on Saturday, May 5 in East Kirkby, Lincs. Plus you’ll get to see a taxiing Lancaster bomber!
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Churchill says ‘oh yes’
Actor Martin Clunes can be seen sitting astride a motorbike with an animatronic Churchill the nodding dog sitting beside him in a sidecar in the latest Churchill Insurance TV ad
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Dremel compact saw
The DSM20 is the latest addition to Dremel’s catalogue. It’s a compact saw with a powerful 710 watt motor and can make cuts up to 20mm deep in metal, wood, plastic, tile etc., via a variety of cutting wheels
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Duxford auction delights
H&H has already consigned a fine array of classics for its Duxford spring sale, with entries for the April 19 auction rolling in thick and fast. There’s a whole host of cars plus the motorcycle selection includes the 36-strong Roger Banks collection…
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Road Test: Velocette LE MKIII
It was a simple premise – build a upmarket commuter motorcycle for everyman, one that would appeal to everyone and be capable of doing all things for all men. And it succeeded when others fell by the roadside. So why was Velocette’s flawed LE so special?
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Road Test: Velocette LE MKIII
It was a simple premise – build a upmarket commuter motorcycle for everyman, one that would appeal to everyone and be capable of doing all things for all men. And it succeeded when others fell by the roadside. So why was Velocette’s flawed LE so special?
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Indian Scout Daytona
When American motorcycle manufacturer Indian sought to increase sales in the late Forties, they hoped success on the race track would filter through to the showrooms. Ian Kerr finds a rare survivor of their marketing strategy…
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Road Test: Suzuki RE5 v Norton Classic
Two rotary-engined bikes but they’re as different as chalk and cheese. Bob Berry is surprised to discover that it was the troubled Norton factory that got it right while Suzuki went high tech and high cost and must have lost a packet…
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Road Test: Suzuki RE5 v Norton Classic
Two rotary-engined bikes but they’re as different as chalk and cheese. Bob Berry is surprised to discover that it was the troubled Norton factory that got it right while Suzuki went high tech and high cost and must have lost a packet…
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Big draw at Vehikel
Thousands of visitors turned out to see dozens of vintage two-wheelers at Vehikel – one of the largest motor shows in the Netherlands. The event, which is held three times a year, took place at the Veemarkt in Utrecht in early March…
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Jampots’ Diamond Jubilee
The AJS-Matchless Owners Club is 60 this year and the club will be celebrating throughout the year, starting with a John o’Groats to Land’s End run made by the president and club chairman in May…
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DKW information request
A man who specialises in German motorcycle marque DKW is planning to establish a register dedicated to the DKW RT200VS, and would like to hear from owners…
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Bikers make case in Westminster
Key issues concerning the motorcycling world were brought to the fore at Parliament during the Motorcycle Lobby Day event, organised by the Riders are Voters (RAV) group…
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Harry Lindsay bike collection
Harry Lindsay’s wonderful collection of 42 motorcycles will be the star attraction of Bonhams auction at the 32nd Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle in Stafford in April…
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Bikers make case in Westminster
Father Bill Shergold hands over the 1966 petition against the Sixteener Law The day saw nearly 50 riders and businesses attending a lobby meeting in Westminster and this was followed by an Associate Parliamentary Motorcycle
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Motorcycles to join tractors at festival
Classic motorcycles will rub shoulders with classic cars, tractors and even military vehicles at the Festival of Motorcycles and Classic Vehicle Rally in Cornwall on April 14th and 15th…
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Yamaha V-Max: development
Yamaha’s V-Max is a two-wheeled thug, created so impressionable American bike buyers took notice. The scoops and tank were fake, but the high-octane performance was real. We look behind the scenes at the development…
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Sammy Miller museum latest
At the Sammy Miller Museum, there is always something unusual turning up, and that was certainly the case here – a broken footrest and some IoM racing bibs and number plates of the 1930s were dropped off by Jeff Waddington of Lymington…
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Dougie takes final ride
The mighty partnership of Ron Langston and Dougie Cooper finally came to an end in glorious sunshine and high spirits on Monday morning, March 26, 2012
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CBG wake up call
A reminder to make a note in your diary for September 23, for the Classic Bike Guide Big Breakfast, at Markham Moor Truckstop, off the A1-A57 roundabout, about five miles south of Retford, Notts. Last year’s event went down a storm…
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Australian V16
That man Mark Walker, whose outrageous V-twin ‘Big Ned’ was featured in the February 2012 issue of Classic Bike Guide, has been out in the shed again, busying himself with another project…
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Classic Bike Guide on sale now!
Nigel Clark reviews a couple of special Beezas, Triumph 3TA restoration, achievements of the ’Welsh wizard’ Gary Bryan, 50-year celebration of Kawasaki, looking back at the Bristol show and much more…
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Thundersprint attractions
Northwich will resonate to the sound of some pretty tasty machines over May 12-13 when the annual Thundersprint comes to town. Topping the bill will be Sammy Miller’s Moto Guzzi V8 currently being prepped for a Thundersprint appearance
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Vintage experience
The VMCC will hold two of its enormously popular Vintage Motorcycle Training Days this year. The training days offer both VMCC members and non members the opportunity to experience the type of machine they might not normally get the chance to ride, all within the safe confines of a closed circuit…
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Classic Jazz!
An array of classic motorcycles will be one of the added attractions at a charity jazz dance on Tuesday 22nd May 2012 at the Preston Cross Hotel, Little Bookham in Surrey
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Frank Farrington
Frank Farrington, the doyen of classic motorcycle technical writers, has died. A motorcyclist all his life, in the 1970s Frank’s ‘Vintage Workshop’ article series made the Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s journal a captivating read…
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CMM trackday is back!
You kept asking us, so here it is… the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Trackday is back! We’ve teamed up with the great guys and girls at Classic Bike Trackdays to bring you the event of the summer…
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Print correction: Tec Bike Parts
With apologies to Tec Bike Parts, as we gave the wrong stand numbers for the forthcoming 32nd Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle show at Stafford on April 28th and 29th…
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AJS 996cc V-twin
Brought back from a 40-year exile in Tasmania and now fully restored – the world’s fastest challenger that didn’t quite make it. Bob Currie tells the story of a very special ‘Special’…
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Mick Walker
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Mick Walker, who lost his battle against cancer in early March, aged 70. Mick was one of the world’s leading motorcycling authorities and author of 130 motorcycling books…
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Buying Guide: Honda Gold Wing GL1000
Maurice Keen’s love affair with his Honda Gold Wing spans 30 years and two countries. It all started when he bought a mint low mileage KO model, one of the first batch of Wings imported into the UK, at a local dealership. We tracked him down at his home in Eire
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Buying Guide: Honda Gold Wing GL1000
Maurice Keen’s love affair with his Honda Gold Wing spans 30 years and two countries. It all started when he bought a mint low mileage KO model, one of the first batch of Wings imported into the UK, at a local dealership. We tracked him down at his home in Eire
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Road Test: Ariel VB
In the hands of its first owner, this Ariel VB covered over quarter of a million miles, usage which obviously took its toll on the machine, but an exacting restoration has given it a new lease of life. Roy Poynting takes up the story…
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Road Test: Ariel VB
In the hands of its first owner, this Ariel VB covered over quarter of a million miles, usage which obviously took its toll on the machine, but an exacting restoration has given it a new lease of life. Roy Poynting takes up the story…
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Cable and hose kits
Wouldn’t it be great to have a whole kit of cables and hoses ready to go in your workshop or out in the field, if you’re a racer or a classic eventer?
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1955 Norvin Superbike
Think of a special and you’ll probably cite the Triton as the archetypal, but if you’re going for a special, that’s a bit more special still, then surely the ultimate engine to squeeze into that Featherbed must be the Vincent. Nigel Clark sampled a very special, special!
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Quick draw
Up and coming motorcycling artist Phil ‘Magostini’ Magson is now taking commissions for custom artwork. It could be the ultimate gift..
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Reference: A to Z classic reference: Zanella-Ziejanu
Encyclopaedia of Classic Motorcycles: the definitive classic motorcycle guide
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John Wallace and the Duzmo
The programme for the 1922 Olympia Show listed 310 exhibitors of one sort or another, of which no fewer than 94 were displaying complete motor cycles. All the well-known names were there, of course – but also some less well known, but innovative nonetheless
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Workshop: Yamaha XT500 part two
Second part of Rod Gibson’s reassembly of Yamaha’s XT500 single engine
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Workshop: Yamaha XT500 part two
Second part of Rod Gibson’s reassembly of Yamaha’s XT500 single engine
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Spa Francorchamps 1977
It looks nice and warm at Spa Francorchamps as the grid lines up for round seven of the 1977 500cc world championship. Suzuki could only dream of this sort of pole publicity now…
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Suzuki RMH470
Just because a bike is good looking doesn’t mean it cost a fortune, as Nick Haskell found out when he spotted something special on the start line at Farleigh Castle
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Yamaha HL 500 – Viking raider
Monark, Husqvarna and Crescent developed the big four-stroke into the ultimate MX tool but, by 1979, such machines had been consigned to the history books, outclassed by the two-strokes. Or had they?
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Road Test: Husqvarna: Karma chameleon
Given the many guises this Swedish thumper has been seen in, then it could be a bit of a chameleon, but this big bike is no lizard but a thoroughbred stallion in the hands of Bill Nilsson and Rolf Tibblin
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Road Test: Monark: super Swede
When the world was young, bold men rode big bikes and the ground shook at their passing, CDB turns back the clock
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Road Test: BSA B44
Well aware of the rumours of exotica hiding within the body of Andy Roberton’s BSA, tester Vic Allan was pleased to find the machine was more a reflection of attention to detail by the builder
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Road Test: BSA B44
Well aware of the rumours of exotica hiding within the body of Andy Roberton’s BSA, tester Vic Allan was pleased to find the machine was more a reflection of attention to detail by the builder
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Road Test: Husqvarna: Karma chameleon
Given the many guises this Swedish thumper has been seen in, then it could be a bit of a chameleon, but this big bike is no lizard but a thoroughbred stallion in the hands of Bill Nilsson and Rolf Tibblin
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Road Test: Monark: super Swede
When the world was young, bold men rode big bikes and the ground shook at their passing, CDB turns back the clock
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Rotary Nortons
It’s a Norton Commando, isn’t it? Er, no, because owner Dave Green has gone out of his way to make the air-coooled rotary-engined Norton ‘look’ like a Commando. Classic Bike Guide’s editor Nigel Clark tests the air- and water-cooled versions…
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Bay Area Clubman show
An annual event in the Bay Area, now in its 25th year, the Clubman’s All-British Weekend centres around a motorcycle show that is made up 100% of classic British motorcycles. If you’re over the pond at the end of March, look up the show for a great day out…
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Workshop: Yamaha XT500 part three
The motor’s rebuilt and all the parts are refinished. All that remains before the final assembly is to patch up the exhaust. Rod Gibson breaks out the welder
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Workshop: Triumph Trident T150V: 2
Rod Gibson finishes his rebuild of the complicated three cylinder engine with work on the transmission. A hugely satisfying job – but Japanese bikes are easier to work on he says
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Workshop: Triumph Trident T150V: 1
A box of engine parts arrives in Rod Gibson’s workshop masquerading as a 1973 Triumph triple engine. Rod is told that everything is there but inevitably he’ll have to go in search of some parts
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Workshop: Yamaha XT500 part three
The motor’s rebuilt and all the parts are refinished. All that remains before the final assembly is to patch up the exhaust. Rod Gibson breaks out the welder
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Workshop: Triumph Trident T150V: 2
Rod Gibson finishes his rebuild of the complicated three cylinder engine with work on the transmission. A hugely satisfying job – but Japanese bikes are easier to work on he says
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Workshop: Triumph Trident T150V: 1
A box of engine parts arrives in Rod Gibson’s workshop masquerading as a 1973 Triumph triple engine. Rod is told that everything is there but inevitably he’ll have to go in search of some parts
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Exotic classic bikes at Thundersprint 2012
Northwich will be rocking to the sound of some of the world’s most exotic bikes over the weekend of May 12-13 as the world’s biggest motorcycling street party comes to town…
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Mystery tool
Collective heads are being scratched at the CBC offices, as we wonder what mystery tool Classic Bike Guide editor Nigel Clark has stumbled across. It was part of a job lot from a garage clearout…
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Floating nicely
Anyone who has had a split carburettor float will appreciate this product from the AMAL Carburettor Company. Unsplittable floats, using military specification closed cell construction!
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Wistanstow gearing up for Show
Some of the finest examples of motorcycling history roll into a South Shropshire village on Sunday, March 25 for the 21st Shropshire Vintage and Classic Motorcycle show at Wistanstow Hall near Craven Arms…
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News snippets
War and Peace Show in Kent, replacement for Jim Reynolds steps up to organise the Borders Classic Bike Show, a September Challenge for pre-1931 machines
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Road Test: Suzuki GSX550
Poor old Suzuki. It’s not often that a bike that is technically advanced and a good performer gets sidelined very quickly, especially after it’s had a very positive reception from the press. However, it happened to the Suzuki GSX550…
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Road Test: Suzuki GSX550
Poor old Suzuki. It’s not often that a bike that is technically advanced and a good performer gets sidelined very quickly, especially after it’s had a very positive reception from the press. However, it happened to the Suzuki GSX550…
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Buying Guide: Suzuki TS125L
Suzuki was influential in moulding the tralbike concept and this TS125, launched in 1971 and following on from the Trail Cat, continued the theme
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Buying Guide: Suzuki TS125L
Suzuki was influential in moulding the tralbike concept and this TS125, launched in 1971 and following on from the Trail Cat, continued the theme
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Buying Guide: BMW R90/S
The R90/S was ground breaking when launched. Better equipped than the Japanese equivalents – albeit more expensive – and fast and exciting to ride
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Buying Guide: BMW R90/S
The R90/S was ground breaking when launched. Better equipped than the Japanese equivalents – albeit more expensive – and fast and exciting to ride
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Fine fabrication
If you’ve ever admired and hankered after some of the fancy alumiunium work seen on motorcycle ‘specials’, now there’s a company prepared to help realise your dreams…
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The Pioneering spirit…
A 1903 Triumph awaits the start of the 1951 Pioneer run… Riders start from Epsom racecourse, ending up on Madeira Drive in Brighton, where they form a magnificent display. It’s well worth a look –
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South of England Show Preview
At the South of England RealClassic Show on Sunday, March 11 sponsor RealClassic magazine will start its 10th anniversary celebrations with birthday cake, free giveaways and competitions for magazine subscribers
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Reference: Triumph Terror
In the early 1950s, small capacity race machinery was almost impossible to come by – this wonderfully preserved example shows how enthusiasts tackled the problem
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Reference: Triumph Terror
In the early 1950s, small capacity race machinery was almost impossible to come by – this wonderfully preserved example shows how enthusiasts tackled the problem
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Brough Superior SS100
This Brough Superior may look like any other 1926 SS100, but its vee twin engine outpaced Sir Henry Segrave’s two-litre supercharged Sunbeam racing car. Peter Watson tells the tale…
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Toolbox’s added attraction
If you’ve ever lost key parts when working on your motorcycle – and who hasn’t, let’s be honest – then this magnetic tray from Wemoto may just be the answer to your dreams
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Dinner with legend ‘Ago’
Racing fans will have the opportunity to sit down and have dinner with a legendary sports rider at the 32nd Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show at the Stafford County Showground over the weekend of April 28th and 29th
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The 32nd Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show
A fantastic new auction with Bonhams, a brilliant new classic motorcycle website and record crowds meant this year’s 32nd Carole Nash Bristol classic MotorCycle Show was a massive hit
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Special military salute
This year’s Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s (VMCC) Founders Day at Stanford Hall on July 22, near Lutterworth, in Leicestershire will be bigger and better, with more autojumble stalls, and an extension to the classic clubs area along with more special interest exhibits…
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Bonhams inaugural sale of Collectors’ Motorcycles
You could hear a pin drop as attentive auctioneers listen to Bonhams’ Jamie Knight as he begins the company’s inaugural sale of Collectors’ Motorcycles at the recent 32nd Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show, held last weekend, February 18th. Show and auction were a huge success
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Tap and die set
Many is the time when restoring or repairing classic motorcycles that internal threads can be damaged or stripped or a stud can break or what have you, so a set of taps and dies is practically obligatory for the workshop…
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Kop Hill Revival 2012
Veteran and vintage motorcycles let rip on one of the country’s oldest hill climb courses – Kop Hill. This year’s event is scheduled for the weekend of 22nd and 23rd September. More pre-war entrants are invited to attend by the organisers…
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Road Test: Suzuki GSX 1100/1000 Katana
Every once in a while the Japanese produce a motorcycle that takes your eyeballs, stretches them, and then pops them back in their sockets. The sensational styling of the Suzuki Katana made it a motorcyling classic even when it was still on sale…
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Road Test: Suzuki GSX 1100/1000 Katana
Every once in a while the Japanese produce a motorcycle that takes your eyeballs, stretches them, and then pops them back in their sockets. The sensational styling of the Suzuki Katana made it a motorcyling classic even when it was still on sale…
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Bullet hits the spot
Did you know, last year 70,000 bikes rolled off the Royal Enfield production line and demand is so great that the company has begun work on a new factory, close to the existing one in Chennai?
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32nd Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show video preview
A short video from setup day of the 32nd Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show. Most of the show is indoors, so don’t let the forecast put you off the first major classic show of 2012. If you’re attending, do visit the Classic Bikers Club stand. We’ll be pleased to see you!
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Triumph Daytona
A Meriden Mini-Bonnie! True enough, brand-new from Triumph for 1967 comes a searing 500 sportster in five-hundred form, with twin carburettors, codenamed T100T
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Aviation Heritage Wolds Run
The ever popular, Classic Bike Guide-backed, Aviation Heritage Wolds Run is on Saturday, May 5 – that’s the Saturday of May Day bank holiday weekend. Make a date in your diaries as it promises to be a super day out…
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Weise Montana gloves
The Weise Montana is the first motorcycle glove to feature Thinsulate Supreme, a 120g liner designed to reduce bulk while offering maximum warmth and comfort. Featuring a Hipora inner liner, the Montana is also waterproof, windproof and breathable.
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Classy clothing
No matter what anyone says, modern clothing styles don’t look right on older motorcycles. Unless you’ve got a stash of period gear… and are still the right shape to fit it, what is the self respecting racer to do?
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Ariel pump from Morgo
New from Autovalues Engineering – the people behind Morgo – comes this Ariel single cylinder plunger oil pump. Designed as a straight swap with no modifications, performance is improved over the stock oil pump…
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The 32nd Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show
All the clues are here that another great season for classic motorcycling is upon us. The days are getting a little longer, the sun has a little more warmth (he says hopefully), and it’s time for the Bristol Show once again.
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Activ8 oil additive
Activ8 oil additive gives outstanding metal-to-metal protection by reducing friction and heat generation thus reducing wear and running costs and increasing performance
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Manx GP Festival survey
A new 20-question survey has been launched to review all elements of the Manx Grand Prix Festival, to help organisers shape future events. Log on and make your views heard
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Road Test: Triumph 500 CD
With its range for 1932, Triumph fought shy of radical innovation. But they did list 350 and 500cc competition models for the first time, and by doing so started a trend which all other manufactuers have followed ever since. Alan Berry owns a rare survivor of the 500cc CD version…
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Road Test: Triumph 500 CD
With its range for 1932, Triumph fought shy of radical innovation. But they did list 350 and 500cc competition models for the first time, and by doing so started a trend which all other manufactuers have followed ever since. Alan Berry owns a rare survivor of the 500cc CD version…
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Bonhams Historic GP changes
For 2012 the Bonhams British Historic Grand Prix Championship (BBHGP) for original specification Group 1 GP machines, will be run on Avon control 19 inch tyres
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BSA Bantam eight spring clutch
The BSA Bantam’s standard six spring clutch is pretty marginal, especially on competition engines, and will start slipping and protesting with even modest engine tunes. But the good news is now there’s a reasonably priced answer…
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Newark 2012 – The Other Halls
Welcome to the first ever Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic Show at Newark Showground. Join me as I take a look around the private entries in the relative calm before the gates were open to the public. When you see the bikes on show, you’ll appreciate just how difficult a job the judges had to…
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Norton bearing shells
Andover Norton now has in stock newly manufactured Commando con-rod bearing shells, offering improved wear characteristics over the original equipment
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