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 • April 2024 Issue 438

A certain serendipity…

Ago to Yamaha 1974-1975

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

Tested • Riding kit worn, tools twirled & tyres turned

McCallen at Stafford!

BUY A BUSA

HAIRCUT 400!

PRE-ORDER YOUR CMM!

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

Meteor deal

SCRAMBLER BLING

On your guard!

Yamaha drops R1 road bike

FEEDBACK

Show us yours

The way we were… • Send us your nostalgic snaps of you back in the day with your steed! Either send to me at bsimmonds@mortons.co.uk or via our vibrant Facebook page. C’mon, we’ll send you a T-shirt if you are our first pick!

What a Guy! • If you’re a fan of Guy Martin then you’ll have to attend the International Classic MotorCycle Show, where he will be guest of honour on the Sunday of the show held over the weekend of April 20/21 at the Stafford County Showground. We interviewed him and it was a riot!

Tiger tale • Steve chases up a lost love and gets smitten (and bitten) by this Italian Tiger from 1979/1980.

Tiger Feat • Now more than 20 years old you can bag Triumph’s 955i Tiger adventure bike for around two grand. Bertie Simmonds goes big-game hunting…

Kawasaki Z650 • A legendary middleweight motorcycle that many felt was better than its bigger brother: we’re leading the call for a four-cylinder recreation of the classic Z650.

Jumpin’ Jack Flash! • Ralph Ferrand works with tools all day long – he sells them too at bikerstoolbox.co.uk so he knows what works.

Yamaha FZ750 Special • Lucky7/Steve Adams Yamaha FZ750 Special: refreshed engine by Pete Beale, many Thunderace parts including swingarm, forks, controls and wheels.

Q&A • Our very own wizened sages, Messrs Mark Haycock and Steve Cooper, are here to answer all of your woes, be they mechanical or spiritual. Every month we will be giving advice, as well as some general tips. Don’t forget to send in your own tips, too.

Finishing lines • Making the various parts of his latest project is satisfying for Malc, even if he admits it will not be financially rewarding!

A bright spark! • Our Scoop is left scratching his head when he tries to get the Apache fired up for the very first time.

Serendipity and swearing • Special bikes rarely get moved on but often end up sat in the back of the workshop while the owner scratches his head. Mark’s been doing plenty of that with this two-stroke!

Bay-watch* • Kev Raymond keeps his eye on the choppy waters of the classic world to see if any projects, donors and bargains are out there worthy of being dragged out of the surf for some mouth-to-mouth…

Suzuki GT550 Models J-M (1972-1975) • It’s the middleweight stroker triple that always gets overlooked, says Steve Cooper

BACK ISSUES • Whether it’s recent releases or vintage copies, step back in time and browse through the ages with the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics back issue collection.

Suzook soon sorted! • The finish line for the little Suzuki hoves into sight – and our Pip rather likes it…

SHOW US YER SHED! • 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...