Real Classic

RealClassic magazine features the very best British motorcycles from all eras, plus charismatic Continental machines (and the odd Japanese classics crops up occasionally, too). Long term classic riders will recognise many of the members of the RC team, which includes authors, historians and journalists like Steve Wilson, Dave Minton, Matt Vale, Odgie, Jacqueline 'PUB' Bickerstaff, Rowena Hoseason and editor Frank Westworth -- but the magazine's key feature is that it is firmly grounded in the real world. Our articles are written by real life riders and reflect far more than a simple road test ever can. We're never scared of getting grubby in The Shed (and we even admit it when things go horribly wrong!)

FROM THE FRONT

Real Classic

A FLASH IN BLUE • Is a Golden Flash with an electric starter the perfect real classic bike? Frank Westworth needed to find out

INCOMING! • RC readers write, rant and rattle on...

AMBITION ACHIEVED • Back when Chas was a lad, he made himself three promises regarding bicycles, guitars and a motorbike. The first two were fulfilled fairly fast, but his ultimate objective took a little longer to complete. Henry Gregson explains how a 350 lightweight played a pivotal role…

THERE’S A GOOD BOY… • When Italy builds a Japanese bike, the results are going to be interesting. Alan Cathcart rediscovers canine charms…

Meeting your Heroes • For many old bike enthusiasts, Norton’s Dominator represents what might just be the ultimate classic bike. Fred Harrington begs to differ…

WRITE4REAL • Have you got something to say about your old bike? Would you like to see your P&J preserved on the printed page? Claim your 15 minutes of fame and write for Real Classic…

MIX ‘N’ MATCH • In the 1950s, BSA and Ariel combined the best of their breeds to create a match made in heaven (well, Small Heath and Selly Oak.) These days, it’s a bit more tricky to assemble an Ariel 650, but RC reader Bob Ward has persevered. Rowena Hoseason tells his tale…

MADE FOR JAPAN • Back in the late 1980s, supermono sportsters were all the rage… especially in Japan. Stu Thomson finds a factory-crafted café racer, created in Italy specifically to cater for that market

THE ART of UPGRADING • If you’re looking for classic motorcycling with all mod cons, there’s an alternative to buying a current retro / replica. Doug Cross has converted his classic twin into a special designed to thrive in today’s riding conditions…

OUTWARD BOUND • Dates, times and places for your 2022 classic calendar…

BUILT from BITS • When a bike has been off the road for decades, you have to wonder why someone stopped using it all those years ago. Jon Pritchard discovered what was wrong with his Guzzi V-twin… after he’d rebuilt it!

FLASHBACK! • Simon Blease so loved the FS1-E from his impressionable youth that he decided to remake an XS650 in its image. In purple. Enter the XS1-E, aka the Popsicle Peril…

PUB TALK • The end of the last year found PUB out and about at events and a museum. Also, more work on the Pre-War Project…

TALES FROM THE SHED • How’s Frank getting along with his problematic Sunbeam? No idea, and neither has he…