Features

Super Onslow Special and So Obviously Superior were two suggestions what the ‘SOS’ badge stood for. Whatever the terminology, the bike was an appeal to discriminating riders, to try something different in the lightweight utility market…

It may have looked undramatic, but Kawasaki’s shaft-drive GT550 four proved to be a solid seller for around 20 years. John Nutting rode versions at the beginning and end of the run…

Perhaps overshadowed by its more glamorous and sporty sibling, the Red Hunter, although the overall specification isn’t that different, Ariel’s NG is a practical and stylish 30s mount nonetheless. James Robinson tells the story of a special NG and even more special owner…

Velocette’s sporting single was the last bastion of the traditional thoroughbred single cylinder sports bike. Tim Britton takes a look at the Velo range, then hops aboard a Thruxton for a test…

Take an ex-125 racer with a background in the bike trade, an old Triumph engine, a load of shiny new Metisse bits – and stir…

Vincent’s Black Prince rode at the vanguard of a brave campaign. It was a visionary product, offering rider protection and clean lines in 1954, but the motorcycle buying public, traditionally a reserved bunch, didn’t take to it. Mike Lewis tells the story…

Suzuki, like Kawasaki, adopted the two stroke triple engine in the seventies, but it offered a more rounded product than its performance rivals…

I’ll never forget the look on my mother’s face when I brought my latest motorcycle back home; she didn’t look very impressed! It was over 25 years ago and the motorcycle in question was a 1937 AJS Model 26 OHV 350cc…

Mention Honda CB750 at club night and everyone raises eyebrows, whistles and starts thinking five figure sums. The machine that started it all is quite rightly iconic but it’s also expensive…

Taking a crack at the military market, Norton developed this handsome sidevalve twin. Sadly it was not to be. Signalman Reynolds, JE, does a brief tour of duty…