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

The longest day • France’s Bol d’Or 24-hour race celebrates its centenary this year. Here, we have a brilliant action photograph from the 1924 edition, where solos and sidecars ran together.

Nearly time for Stafford • It’s not long to go now until we’re all headed back to the Stafford showground, for what, hopefully, will be a welcome return to a normal show. To buy a ticket call 01507 529529 or go to www.classicbikeshows.com

NEWS IN BRIEF

Bonhams sale boasts some beauties

Cheffins April sale

Museum raffle prizes

THE WAY WE WERE IN MAY

Book Review

David Kay

Tony East

Muddied waters • Slightly mysterious Ariel, ridden by the Cambridge cox, as he arrives for training at Putney Boathouse, prior to the 1946 boat race.

Saint set for duty • The Royal Signals display team, otherwise known as The White Helmets, welcomes the latest in a long line of Triumphs – the team’s preferred choice, right up to its demise – into its ranks

Readers’ Letters • YOUR VOICE & YOUR OPINIONS

THIS MONTH’S STAR LETTER WINS

Back in the groove • The crowds came, the sun shone, the motorcycles sparkled (and shrieked, and roared), the conversations flowed and rosettes were awarded. The show season has restarted.

Just a ticket away • This pair of rather stunning classic motorcycles are the latest duo to feature in the National Motorcycle Museum’s prize draw.

Truly one of the family • After nearly seven decades of same-family ownership, this rare Douglas will be offered by Bonhams in their Spring Stafford sale, on the weekend of April 23/24.

Improving on excellence • In standard form, the iconic Ducati Mach I is a superb motorcycle, while this one has just been subtly tweaked, to make it an even better road-use machine.

Lansdowne • With the 2022 Lansdowne Classic Series imminent, one of the kingpins of the series has a look back at what happened in 2021.

2021 Championship results.

What is the Lansdowne?

Underground, overground… • British Royal Enfields were built at Redditch, right? Not all of them, as some emerged from a below-the-surface facility in Wiltshire.

part 2 Local hero • Karl Pugh’s lifetime of motorcycling mostly centred around the Kent town where he ran his eponymous dealership.

Tenterden & District MCC

Winds of change • By 1936, BSA were in a trough. For once, their competition team of Bert Perrigo, Jack Amott, Harold Flook and Marjorie Cottle failed to win a major trial, and sales, although steady, weren’t picking up, as the UK struggled out of the world recession. Time for a different approach.

A whole world of engineering history

BMW R90S

Restoration guide

Classic life

Going dotty • “When you have eliminated all which is impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth…” Sherlock Holmes.

Sketchbook Travels • MOTORCYCLES, SEEN THROUGH THE SKETCHBOOKS OF MARTIN SQUIRES

You were asking • Your queries resolved with Richard Rosenthal

Rectifier regulator unit fitted and A50 in action

Diary

You meet the nicest people… • The Puch project has piqued interest, while some things are just too good to turn down.

New season, new prospects? • After two years of limited opportunity, at least this year’s activities won’t – hopefully – be disrupted by a pandemic.

Tyseley two-stroke engines • Primarily a motorcycle factory, Excelsior also made a range of two-stroke engines, hoping to...