Practical Sportsbikes

Practical Sportsbikes magazine is about buying, fixing, restoring and riding sportsbikes from the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s. Every issue of PS – the magazine home of new-wave Japanese and Italian classics – is packed with: - The most inspiring and ingenious reader restorations - The most in-depth road tests and buyers’ guides - Unmissable workshop tips and how-to features Practical Sportsbikes gets under the skin of the bikes that really matter to our readers and explains how best to maintain, rebuild and enjoy them. So if you’re in to sportsbikes from the 1970-1990s, PS is essential reading.

Welcome

Go-getters and gofers • In truth neither. Try getting any of these imbeciles to do anything remotely constructive

Contributor of the month

FIRECRACKER RETRO REVISIT • There are only so many colours in the spectrum, so why not not the old combos again to boost appeal?

2022 EVENTS GUIDE • Unless another new COVID-19 variant turns up (that’s the coronavirus), 2022 is go

specials we like • ☆ From St Petersburg, Russia, from Los Angeles, USA, and Chiba, Japan

Replica loons keepin’ it wheel for Phil • Write a letter to The PS and if it’s Star Letter material you win a grey T-shirt ‘designed’ by Damo. Who has that?

ps mail • Write a letter to The PS and if it’s Star Letter material you win a grey T-shirt ‘designed’ by Damo. Who has that?

PS social club

IN YOUR SHED • Part way through a restoration? Just completed a trick special? Send us your pics, and details

FAST(ER) FREDDIE • Replicas of Spencer’s RSC-built Honda CB750F are nothing new: but this is the first FireBlade version we’ve seen paying homage to its AMA forebear. It shouldn’t work – but it does

DIY IMPORTS • Brexit has made importing bikes from Europe more expensive, and more hassle, but there’s still a whole world of options out there

The key rules of the game

What we found…

FRAME ACADEMY • Kalex is the third most successful constructor in MotoGP’s intermediate class, with just Yamaha and Honda and ahead. How did a tiny German company starting from scratch reach such dizzy heights?

FUTURE CLASSICS • Get them while you can. These are our tips for the next bikes to gain classic status and disappear into collectors’ vac-bags

Practical Sportsbikes

PS SELECTOR TRIUMPH 995i DAYTONA, APRILIA RSV MILLE, SUZUKI TL1OOOR • Stop dreaming about fantasy litrebikes, and get with the reality programme: there is plenty of top value enjoyment to be had beyond Yam R1s and Duke 996s. Just take a look...

RESTORING KAWASAKI KR-IS • With proven fixes for known issues, and ready engine parts availability, only plastics are a problem

What’s the problem? • Bike not running right? Our experts have the answers to the toughest questions

THE REAL LONG-TERMERS • Why change bikes if what you’ve got still does the job – and more? This 750 Slabbie still ticks every box for Aaron, so he’s in no hurry to swap

LIVING WITH A SUZUKI GSX-R750G

BARGAINS TO BIMOTA • Alan’s trade-up dream is still alive as his first buy ZXR400 begins fighting him a little. But the PS tech ed soon gets right on top of the bother

PROJECT ZX990 TURBO IN A BLACK HOLE • Welcome to a strange world where time stands still along with the ‘skilled craftsmen’ trying to put some distance between a finish and earth getting hit by a meteorite

Mammoth Mirage makeover • Extent of graft needed to restore garden-find Laverda swiftly becomes expensively clear

Piston his chips • Daddy Matt pays the full price for his paint shortcut

Saved from the valley of death • It’s time (once again) for Alan to rescue the poor Fazer from traditional chronic neglect

Tiger Kat set for major surgery •...