Classic Bike

Classic Bike helps and inspires enthusiasts to get more from their passion for classic motorcycles. The magazine shares their fascination with motorcycling’s heroic past while also helping them buy, fix and improve the bikes in their shed. Our main areas of content are: - Inspirational and entertaining reads that celebrate the glory of motorcycling, from riding stories that put the reader in the seat of history’s greatest bikes to incredible racing tales - Restoration stories and instructional features that inspire and help people get their tools out and sort out their old bike - In-depth technical features from the most expert and authoritative writers in motorcycling If you share our passion about classic motorcycles from the last century, you'll enjoy reading Classic Bike.

WELCOME

Manx GP 2023 • The Centenary Manx Grand Prix had the makings of an outstanding event – and it didn’t disappoint, with the world’s fastest TT riders thrashing everything from Manx Nortons to Ducati 916s. Plus there were fascinating oddballs throughout the field – and in the pubs…

Classic Superbike

Solitary 916 taking the battle to the Japanese hoards

Lightweight

Classic Senior

How about this for diversity? • The racing is only one of the attractions on the Isle of Man during Manx Grand Prix week. There’s also the VMCC Rally, the Ramsey Sprint, Jurby race day, great roads and a rolling classic bike festival. These are some of the people and bikes we met

Are these yours? • Visitors’ bikes make the Manx Grand Prix the most eclectic motorcycle show in the world – and they’re all being used. These are six of our favourites; if your bike’s here, drop us an email about it at: letters@classicbike.co.uk

Stately pile-on • Hesketh Owners Club members recently converged on Easton Neston, family seat of the Lord who conceived the bikes as patriotically-produced all-British V-twins. The reunion featured the oldest and newest of the breed

Flying along at Shuttleworth • Classic Bike’s Rick Parkington has first-hand experience of joining in the activities on a pre-war bike at the Shuttleworth Race Day Air Show. He explains why it’s such fun – and a great day out for the whole family

Show us yours • We love to see your acquisitions, regular rides and projects – keep ’em coming to the address on the right...

Your 50 Greatest additions • September’s ‘50 Greatest Things in the Classic Bike World’ issue prompted you to suggest your personal favourites to add to the list…

Muscle memory • An unforgettable pillion ride led Rob Jenkins to buy this Laverda Jota special. We sling a leg over the rare slice of beefcake and hang on... tight

Mike Trimby • He helped revolutionise Grand Prix safety and got on the podium at Macau in 1978. We distract Mike Trimby from organising the British GP and ask: Did you really hire a Jumbo Jet to fly to Daytona?

WHEN T WO TRIBES GO TO WAR • Honda and Yamaha were swimming in cash in the ’80s and spent most of it trying to defeat each other. The resultant bikes were some of the best – and worst – of the era

Douglas MkV • Douglas beat BMW to the flat-twin format – but can this outré 350 offer more than just extra eccentricity? Our resident road tester takes a journey of dicovery to find out...

Return to the source • A new documentary film about Phil Vincent takes the great designer’s daughter and grandson back to where the story of his magical motorcycles began

The times, are they a-changing? • Rick ponders the changing dynamic of classic bike values and viability – and where it’s all leading to

Clutch stick part I

Time for an Indian

Clutch stick part II

At the workbench • This month, Rick has been getting involved in a bit of plumbing by fiddling about with...