Road Tests

The components for this Rickman Metisse were all bought in the classic period, but never assembled into a complete machine until 2003. It shows that though Don and Derek Rickman were off-road specialists, the twosome also made high quality road kit too…

The 1968 Triumph Bonneville was the culmination of the company’s quest to marry ‘precision, power and performance’ and is arguably its best ever twin…

The Ariel KH perhaps lacked the glamour of some of the other 500cc twins available in the 1950s, but it had a lot going for it. It’s possible to get too hung up on the colours of classic bikes, you know. Roy Poynting tells the tale…

Despite a few minor niggles, and the motorcycle trade’s reference to bike as the ‘hand grenade’, because it went a short distance then exploded, the BSA Starfire was a capable 250. But just a shame that it was 10 years too late…

Triumph’s SD was based upon the despatch rider’s favourite, the Model H, but used Triumph’s own three-speed gearbox rather than the H’s Sturmey Archer and had chain replacing the belt final drive…

As the Americans are reported to say ‘there’s no substitute for cubes’ and Royal Enfield’s Interceptor range was aimed at this important market. Tim Britton has a ride on some export examples…

The Norton Dominator 99SS is a rarity anyway, so an original and unrestored one is quite possibly unique, if there’s such a thing. Roy Poynting explains…

Panther claimed ‘the Perfect Motorcycle’ in its catalogue of 1911, and it had earned a formidable reputation as a sidecar hauler, but popularity was waning as four-wheelers were becoming more appealing to the family motorist. Phil Mather takes a look at a 600cc Model 100 version of the breed…

Team Paton was the most enduring privateer effort in Grand Prix racing, with a presence in the world’s top championship, which began in 1967 with the four-stroke twin-effort and, with a short break, ran through until 2001. Malc Wheeler rides the last of the great privateer GP bikes…

University professor Mike Starr admits it was the mystique surrounding the marque which caused him to consider ownership of what must be one of the world’s most famous motorcycles. It’s a stunning example and we can only imagine how our writer felt when offered a test ride…