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

GET YOUR FIX

The Classic MotorCycle

More questions than answers • Mysterious picture of a motorcycle with right-hand attached sidecar in 1911 London, being blown a kiss by a stage star.

CBG Winter Classic is back

Norton valve springs

NEWS IN BRIEF

NMM BSA raffle bonanza

H&H December sale

THE WAY WE WERE IN January

The battle for the Hastings mug

We need your help

Prince of Speed tribute

Sketchbook 2023 calendar

Book Review

Across Europe on a One-Fifty • So ran the headline of a three-part story, published in June 1932, telling the tale of a 150cc New Imperial, accompanied by a spring-frame, sidecar equipped 500cc model from the same maker.

Keep on Scotting • Has a marque ever had such a die-hard fanbase as Scott? For some, nothing else would (and will) ever do.

Readers’ Letters • YOUR VOICE & YOUR OPINIONS

A particularly pluvial pioneer • The Sunbeam MCC’s annual Pioneer Run, for pre-1915 motorcycles, tricycles and forecars, was held on October 2, 2022, with the conditions, to say the least, somewhat ‘testing…’

RESULTS

Good times • Held over the Halloween and clock-changing weekend (October 31/November 1) the National Motorcycle Museum’s live event proved, once again, a big hit.

Setting the standard • The first of the sporting Ducati V-twins set the bar high for the long line of thoroughbreds which followed in its wheeltracks.

Welcome return • In 2022, the GP Rétro du Puy Notre-Dame was back – and had lost nothing by being away.

Last of the line • By 1961, Royal Enfield’s Bullets, and big singles in general, were on the wane, in competition and commercially. But they were still a damned fine ride.

Centenary motorcycle • This Coventry-built motorcycle, from the largely forgotten but fascinating Omega concern, celebrates its 100th birthday in 2023.

M20 catch-up • With the summer weather of 2022 almost too good, it was time to get some miles in on the BSA side-valve. But first, there was work to be done.

Military service • Triumph provided 30,000 machines for the Allied forces in the First World War, most of which were its Model H, known, justifiably, by the sobriquet ‘Trusty’.

Benelli 650 Tornado

A rideable proposition • After all the frustration, dead ends and confusion associated with creating a motorcycle from unrelated bits, this particular one now moves under its own power.

Sketchbook Travels

You were asking • Your queries resolved with Richard Rosenthal

Diary

Where did it all start? • There are many reasons why people become interested in motorcycling, though, often, it can be traced to a childhood fascination.

Picture perfect • Of a couple of auction purchases made decades ago, one has remained a mystery until some recent digging provided some answers – along with more questions.

Taking control