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

Chris Vincent (1935-2021) • Though he won many races and championships, it’s a single performance which will ensure immortality.

NEWS IN BRIEF

News & Events

H&H sale

Book Review

THE WAY WE WERE IN MAY

THIS MONTH’S STAR LETTER WINS

Readers’ Letters • YOUR VOICE & YOUR OPINIONS

In defence of ET systems

First-hand witness

Bullnose Bulldog • Sunbeam’s rare and racy OHV machine has been much in the news of late, with prices realised recognising just how good a machine it was, and remains.

A toast to success • The BMW R75/5 – aka ‘The Toaster’ – is a model worthy of raising a glass to, a classic that will work in the modern world.

FINER DETAILS BMW R75/5

Surrey’s supreme speedbowl • A wealthy landowner and his industrious wife created Britain’s first purpose-built racetrack, which opened in 1907.

Angela’s Twenty-one • No, not a big birthday, but a Triumph-loving lady’s first foray into Meriden’s unit twins.

Store cupboard special • The list of jobs to do is getting smaller as the project nears completion. Although it’s not quite as complete as appearances suggest.

Comrade Daredevil Part II • The second and concluding part of the story of Clem Beckett – blacksmith, speedway star, Wall of Death rider and Spanish civil war soldier.

Balancing acts • While a single, hefty dab on Grey Mare’s Ridge was all Gordon Jackson took on his way to his fourth and most famous SSDT win, the all-important manufacturer’s team competition remained in the balance for much of the duration.

A brief chat with... GORDON JACKSON • Though defined by one specific moment in time, Gordon Jackson’s motorcycling career was so much more than the single ‘Dab’ on Grey Mare’s Ridge.

Triumph pre-unit Thunderbird

Terminal zone • In the Chuck Berry song Promised Land, the poor boy is desperate to reach the terminal zone, yet events conspire to prevent this nirvana being reached.

The times they are a changin’ • As Bob Dylan famously sang in 1964, things are moving on, not just in the world in general, but in the classic motorcycle world too.

Banked Track Heroes Presents: McDuffee vs Taylor paced by steam

Fishing for tiddlers • There’s lots of fun to be had with smaller capacity motorcycles, whatever one’s age or physical size.

You were asking • Your queries resolved with Richard Rosenthal

Diary

Ignition coils • Motorcycle ignition coils (aka spark coil) are electromagnetic induction coils. In common with those employed with many types of petrol engines, they transform the battery’s 6V or 12V into thousands of volts to produce a spark at the plug.

Wireless technology • Experiments with the merging of new technologies, in 1912.

Period piece BSA Al0 and child/adult chair • The Classic MotorCycle is brought to you by...

British twins on test • A selection of reprints celebrating some exciting models.

MODEL 99 NORTON

BIG SPORTSTER TESTS

TRIUMPH 'BONNEVILLE 120'TEST-Continued

117 MPH !

The 998 c.c

VINCENT-H.R.D. RAPIDE

SUPERB

NEW B.S.A.TWINS

The 249 c.c. ARIEL 'ARROW'