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.

Editor’s welcome

Motorcyclist sandwich men • Want to publicise your dance? Well, of course you need motorised sandwich boards then.

NEWS IN BRIEF

News & Events

Book Review • “Classic Superbikes” Inside stories of the world’s greatest classic and retro bikes

Mecum sale highlights

THE WAY WE WERE IN February

Cream rises • There were several ‘star performers’ at Bonhams’ winter sale, as the choice machines achieved huge sums.

THIS MONTH’S STAR LETTER WINS

Readers’ Letters • YOUR VOICE & YOUR OPINIONS

Worth the wait • Captivated by sight of one as a small boy, finally our man has the chance to try an NSU Max. And a ‘Spezial’ one at that…

FINER DETAILS

Cassandra the Canadian Commando • After landing a new job and with time on his hands, a young man in Vancouver decided to restore a British motorcycle considerably older than him.

Green WITH ENVY • Life aboard a 1950s 350cc British single is perhaps as good and as uncomplicated as it can get.

Hybrid chicken • BSA Bantams come in many forms, and the ability to interchange parts between different models permits an almost endless number of variants.

FINER DETAILS

The Giant of Provence • With so few events to report from, it’s time to look back over a spectacular French event and look forward to its hopeful resumption.

Store cupboard special • A big box of presents? Must be Christmas! More deliveries keep the project on track.

The Motorcycle DESIGN, ART AND DESIRE • The concluding part of a two-part feature, in which the history of motorcycle evolution is examined and a new book’s author interviewed.

Highs and lows • The demise of Villiers motorcycle engine production was sad and messy but there were highlights in the final decade, including the many successes of Thundersley, Essex-based Greeves trials and scrambles machines.

“By 1929, CJP Dodson was a bona fide top level road racer , pretty much unbeatable on the sand, too.”

A brief chat with... Paul Goff • Interviewing for these ‘chat’ features has revealed a regular theme – the subject has become involved in fettling old motorcycles because of a personal experience.

Bucks, formers, dollies and slappers • Every skill has its own range of technical terms which are particular to the job – panel beating is no different.

Read all about it

Stop-start motorcycling • Of course, everyone has been affected by 2020’s pandemic, though motorcyclists might have felt the restrictions much harder than others.

Oldies but goodies • Being an ‘artful dodger’ with a sound knowledge of mechanical make do and mends is arguably a prerequisite of running old vehicles.

You were asking • Your queries resolved with Richard Rosenthal

The decline and demise • From the hard-pressed mid-1930s onwards, the demand for large JAP engines fell, exacerbated by Matchless also entering this arena. Although some factories were still using 250-1000cc JAP engines, they weren’t buying enough.

Wrestling match • Excellent amateur picture of a big Ariel being overcome…

Next Month • ON SALE February 5, 2021

Classic Motorcycle