Features

The Beeton family name was well-known in sidecar racing. Many a racer fruitlessly pursued Lincolnshire three-wheeled ace Jackie Beeton and, in another era, his son Pete. Now Pete Beeton is once more a leader, only this time, it’s Ariel Leaders he’s interested in. 

This event, which started at the BSA works in Small Heath, marked the midway point in a steady process of standardisation across all the big reliability trials in the Midlands. 

In early-1970s Germany, popularity of 250cc and 350cc machines increased. At Munich-based Zündapp it was decided to fight the growing army of Japanese strokers, though, sadly, the resulting machine never made it to production.  

Held on March 22, on this year’s Pioneer Run every machine was at least 100 years old.  

The National Children’s Day of 1924 was a truly special event for underprivileged children all over the country, and particularly those who were cultivating (or had already cultivated) an affinity for motorcycles and motorcars…

These Douglas motorcycles look rather dejected as they await a much-needed consignment of imported magnetos…

“I don’t suppose you’d be interested in looking at my rebuilding of a Kawasaki W1’s motor would you?” asked owner Dave Jupp. Of course we would; we’d leap at the chance. Steve Cooper reports…

Feared by some, girder front forks were a light, reasonably strong early solution to steering and front suspension. Today, most are at least 50 years old, so need regular checks and maintenance to make sure they remain safe to use…