Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Dedicated to the later classics and Japanese machines, Classic Motorcycle Mechanics has it all. Now 116 pages of road tests, rebuild guides, 'Street Specials' reviews and much much more... Staff Bikes - Classic Motorcycle Mechanics is the only magazine that "Buys its own bikes, rebuilds 'em and rides 'em".

Classic Motorcycle Mechanics • November 2023 Issue 433

Can’t I keep them all?

Delectable Desmo!

The latest riding kit, top tools, tyres, retro clothing and more!

BOOK CORNER

Riding kit worn, tools twirled & tyres turned

Go to Motorcycle LIVE!

LAV LOVE BOOK!

SHED & BURIED IS BACK!

Pete Gibson – a tribute

SCOOPERMAN! • The sunny side of the classic world, with the VJMC’s Steve Cooper

Paul Bird 1967-2023

Come see Stavros!

CRMC DATES ANNOUNCED

FEEDBACK • Post to Mechanics, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ or email your pictures to editorial@classicmechanics.com

Show us yours

The way we were…

Sonny and care • Sometimes bikes are more than just bikes – they're part of the family, or at least part of the furniture. So it is with this 1978 Moto Guzzi Le Mans, bought from a bloke called Sonny.

Boxing clever… • For almost 30 years now, one model in BMW’s range has been, for many, the pick of their big tourers… Bertie Simmonds shamelessly waves the flag for the early noughties’ 1150 RT.

Bert’s Boxer and the case for a 1200…

Kat conundrum! • We’re spreading the love with the 2023 Suzuki Katana – but will hard-to-please Paul Berryman like or loathe the copy-Kat of his own old race bike?

TIME WARP • Why go for a modern retro classic machine when there are lovely examples of bikes like Honda’s CBX750F available for a song? John Nutting tries out a lovely restoration

“I restored this CBX750F”

“I’ve owned my CBX750F for 30 years”

Suzuki GSX1250E / ES • It ruled the drag strip for a decade; Suzuki’s brutal GSX has easily earned a reboot.

Fluid testing • Ralph Ferrand works with tools all day long – he sells them too at bikerstoolbox.co.uk so he knows what works.

Suzuki GSX1250 Skoal Special • Kar Lee’s take on a naked Suzuki GSX1250 resplendent in Skoal Bandit colours: rather ravishing retro cool!

Q&A

Buttoning up… • It seems like ‘Down Under Dave’ is getting close to finishing off the engine build of the DOHC.

Forking out! • PB gifts his Monster S2R 800 a whole new front end!

Building blocks! • In typical Scoop, verbose fashion, we get to part three and he admits he’s finally getting cracking!

Bay-watch* • *and FB Marketplace, and Gumtree, and anywhere else we spot something we like…

Honda CBR900RR FireBlade • Now more than 30 years old, the original Honda CBR900RR FireBlade rewrote the rules for sportsbike design and following models improved on the original.

THE ‘OTHER’ 900 BLADES

What to buy and how much to pay

Treasure Hunt

Ex-zorsting times! • It seems the end is finally in sight for the long-running stocker saga. It’s almost time to press the button and hope it all works…

SHOW US YER SHED! IN CONJUNCTION WITH Machine Mart • We want to see YOUR shed, your workshop, your garage space, your man/person cave – call it what you will! We want to know what you love and loathe about the space you have to fettle, and each month we have a £50 Machine Mart voucher to give you if you’re selected! Contact us at: bsimmonds@mortons.co.uk. Don’t forget the pictures!

A CHRISTMAS GIFT THAT LASTS ALL YEAR • If you’re looking for a big-value pressie for your friends or family, look no further! This magazine is the perfect gift for loved ones (or to yourself!)… and...