The Classic MotorCycle

Started in 1903, The Classic MotorCycle has more to offer the true vintage motorcycle enthusiast than any other publication, backed by Europe's largest motorcycle image archive.

Welcome

The Classic MotorCycle

Policewomen who motorcycle • Vintage Royal Enfield two-strokes in use by First World War female police inspectors of the munitions areas.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Henry Cole for Stafford

East collection and much more up for auction

Strong competition at Cheffins’ vintage sale

Sammy’s new arrivals

Hesketh riders visit estate

Yorkshire classic

THE WAY WE WERE IN OCTOBER

Book Review

Ixion Cavalcade

The desert is his highway • The mechanisation of armies had reached a point where automotive was replacing animals all around the world.

On the skids • An Ariel sidecar outfit tackles the first bend on Doverhay, moments before overturning.

Readers’ Letters • YOUR VOICE & YOUR OPINIONS

Summer institution • Founders’ Day follows the same simple formula year after year. And that’s what makes it such a joy and success.

Golden touch • Though restored largely to catalogue specification, this glorious Thunderbird was finished in the slightly later, more eye-catching paint scheme, replacing the original grey.

Miracles do happen • Living proof that the seemingly impossible can occur, is the renaissance of Austria’s magnificent Top Mountain Motorcycle Museum, less than one year after it, and most of its valuable contents, were destroyed by fire.

The owner’s view • Top Mountain co-owner Attila Scheiber talks about how and why the museum started, plus the tale of the rise from the ashes.

Black and gold beauty • This description of the rebuild of an historic Mk.VIII KTT Velocette reveals the details and processes involved in returning this beautiful machine to its original specification.

Way out west • A fabulous cache of pictures gives a fascinating insight into American motorcycling in California, in the immediate post-Second World War years

Red rooster • BSA’s early 175cc Bantams had a reputation for middle-age spread, but this spiffy 1965 example held some surprises.

High-class engineering • From a box of bits to a rare-breed sidecar machine, this long-term owned Humber is a quality product.

Penelope the Panther • Bought in London nearly 50 years ago in bits, this New Zealand-domiciled Panther, affectionately known as Penelope, has ridden on five continents.

And four years later… • The Bressuire GP Historique took place over June 25/26, back after a hiatus, during which it was most-missed by competitors and visitors alike.

Deceptions, saddle tanks and sloping engines • Specification and performance apart, many motorcycle makers have put much value in petrol tank shape and finish, along with precise engine placement in or about the machine’s frame, in an attempt to stand out from the crowd and thus gain sales.

Royal Enfield Continental

New skills • Those who follow the manufacturer’s specification when rebuilding a motorcycle miss out on the creativity of making things and devising solutions. Though there’s a lot to be said (and a lot less frustration involved) for going the catalogue way…

Diary

Fact and friction (sic) • Though it is generally considered a bad thing in most engineering and mechanical environments, friction actually contributes plenty of good to our motorcycling lives.

Inappropriate behaviour? • It might not appeal to all, but there is a brand of classic enthusiasts who are having all kinds of fun, a world away from classic shows and concours judging.

Generation game • Supplying lamps for anything from horse-drawn carriages to lighthouses,...