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.

Classic Bike

WHAT IF…?

NW200 90th ROAD & RACE • Ian Foster’s comprehensive new book celebrates Ireland’s number one international road race in style

Bantamology • It’s now 50 years since the last Bantam left the production line at BSA in 1971. For many of us, the lightweight two-stroke was a route into motorcycling. Here we look back on some of the numbers that made the Bantam so great – and some that didn’t

On top of the world

My little bit of Brooklands • Gareth Pemberton turned what was a forgotten project into this jaunty pre-war special

Bidding his time

Emerging into the sunlight • With summer at its height, we’re all hoping for the freedom to enjoy these events without restrictions...

TOO MUCH TOO SOON • Stylish and with a radical frame that pre-dated the construction method later used by the most popular motorcycle ever, this McCandless prototype could have revolutionised Norton’s future. But it was rejected by small-minded management with a lack of vision

BATTLING FOR EQUALITY ON BIKES • In 1916, Augusta and Adeline Van Buren bravely transgressed social norms by riding a pair of Indian Powerplus V-twins across America. Their aim was to fight for women’s rights, but this gruelling road trip proved more of a struggle than they could ever have expected…

POTENT TRIDENT • Brian Eastham’s hot-rodded Triumph triple reflects his life in the fast lane – it’s rapid!

POWER COUPLE

Hallowed hut • We take a tour of the old John Player Norton race shop, conducted by Norman White, one of the few remaining members of the team who worked in this former hive of activity

Paul Dunstall • He grew up in the early days of café racers, progressed to racing on track, then built a world-famous accessories business before packing the biking world in altogether. Why?

PAUL DUNSTALL • Parts and podiums

MACHINES FOR RD MEN • Victor Shield and his two riding buddies went in search of wild days past when they created these three RD-LC-based specials

The engine tuner

Trackday Triton • For Ian Williets, building bikes is as big a pleasure as riding them. He’s created this low-compression special with the intention of letting his mates enjoy thrashing it round a circuit, too

Express delivery • How a sedate Danish postman’s bike was transformed into what a Nimbus Brooklands racer could have been like – complete with supercharger

POST MODERN CLASSIC

Back where I belong again • Rick enjoys some two-wheeled rehabilitation – an emotional reunion with his faithful old Trophy

Tapping tappets

RICK’S TOP TIPS

In need of Rex-toration • If you’re offered a bike that has been restored but built from all the wrong bits, most people would advise you to avoid it. But this is the only one in the world – and Rick happens to have the right bits…

REX APPEAL

The final countdown • Some point soon, there’s a chance Gareth’s 1971 Yamaha DT360 RT1 might emerge from lockdown,...