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.

Welcome

Classic Motorcycle

Endurance test • Covering upwards of 2000 miles, on a 350cc sidecar outfit carrying two full-grown men, in February, sounds like purgatory, though it was in the name of publicity…

NEWS IN BRIEF

News & Events

THE WAY WE WERE IN April

Book Review

TSS on test • The eight-valve Bonneville twin which could’ve perhaps been original Triumph’s saviour.

Jimmy riddle • ‘An exceptional Touring Lightweight – comfortable, manoeuvrable and fast’ crowed the headline accompanying the AMCengined James road test, which doesn’t quite fit with how the AMCengined two-strokes are largely remembered…

Readers’ Letters • YOUR VOICE & YOUR OPINIONS

THIS MONTH’S STAR LETTER WINS

Braving the elements • A bit of rain, fog, drizzle, mizzle, mist… None of that stopped the AJS and Matchless Owners’ Club members celebrating their club’s foundation.

Style and substance • This Catalina ‘lookalike’ has the go to back up its show, making for an extremely impressive motorcycle.

FINER DETAILS

Scarcest Scout • It was proclaimed ‘You can’t wear out an Indian Scout’ but, with the rarest and best, the 101, you’ll have to find one first, then learn to ride it, before having a go at proving the slogan right or wrong

Generation games • The 1989-launched Moto Guzzi 1000S harked back to the 1970s. Here, on a family-themed trip, it joins a younger sibling on tour.

Local hero • Karl Pugh’s lifetime of motorcycling mostly centred around the Kent town where he ran his eponymous dealership. This is part one.

Four-stroke fun • The Talmag Trophy Trial is a traditional event for the ‘big bangers,’ held on military land. The ethos is a good day out for all – and who can argue with that?

2022 TALMAG TROPHY TRIAL • PROVISIONAL RESULTS JANUARY 30, 2022

Drawing office merry-go-round • During 1932, Valentine left his chief designer position at Ariel for an identical role with Triumph, taking charge of the motorcycle drawing office. Back at Selly Oak, Edward Turner was promoted from chief development engineer to chief designer, replacing Val Page.

Bantam built • During lockdown, this ex-racer and self-confessed ‘impatient’ soul needed to keep idle mind and hands active. This is the concluding part.

BSA Dandy

Classic life

Patience is… • …A virtue, or a commodity, and one stocks are running low of, with yet more

WHERE THERE IS…

STORMIN’ NORMAN RETURNS

You were asking • Your queries resolved with Richard Rosenthal

Diary

Chop and change • Plug ‘chops’ have been great tuning aids for years, but perhaps a bit of modern monitoring technology won’t hurt the quest for speed and power.

Keeping the wheels turning • The nature of classic events has changed over the years, with different machines now often dominant, but it’s perhaps ensured the survival of all examples.

Smooth drive • Without any form of transmission shock absorber, riders will feel the effect of impact loads on their motorcycle’s transmission systems and over prolonged periods, their machine will suffer mechanically.