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 • Struggling to get to the shops?

The Classic MotorCycle

Early Abarth success • The man who was to make his name by being closely associated with tuning Fiat cars, started out as a winning motorcycle racer.

Giacomo The Great is star guest

Flying fish • In the world of motorcycle racing, new ideas are put forward aplenty, but few actually make it to the race track. The Norton streamliner bucked that trend, albeit briefly.

From another planet • The Mars 956cc Type MA 20 ‘White Mars’ (‘Weiße Mars’) looks truly ‘otherworldly.’ This 1921 example was part of the fascinating collection belonging to Dr Peter and Ulrike Bühner, which was auctioned by Bonhams in Paris on February 1, 2023.

Readers’ Letters • YOUR VOICE & YOUR OPINIONS

West side story • The Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show, held at the Royal Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet over the weekend of February 25/26, attracted an enthusiastic crowd of dedicated classic enthusiasts.

In the name of the father • Though Neil Mildenhall will never ride this perfect example of his late father’s Matchless twin, his young grandchildren are already keen.

Return of the Rudge • This record-breaking Rudge was back and running at Brooklands on November 17, 2022, 100 years after its glorious successes.

Most with the least • Marking a half-century since its most famous win, the John Player Norton Monocoque was one of the most remarkable racing motorcycles of any era.

Pipe dreams and Indians • When publishing magnate Floyd Clymer decided to reintroduce the Indian name to the motorcycle market, it didn’t all go smoothly.

il lavoro ITALIANO • A chance encounter at a set of Turin traffic lights led Jon Fraser to own this rather fine example of Moto Guzzi’s much-loved Falcone – as well as sparking a lifelong friendship.

New home visit • After relocating from a site at Bicester, Bonhams’ motorcycle department has moved into spacious new premises in Milton Keynes.

On trend • ‘Trends’ have been with us for hundreds and, in some cases, thousands of years. Style, music, architecture, sport and engineering have all had them. In this series, we’ll look at the design and engineering trends which have shaped our motorcycles.

AJS and Matchless Lightweight Singles

Standard is easy • Following the parts book makes life simple, but going off-piste makes for more work…

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

You were asking • Your queries resolved with Richard Rosenthal

Diary

Taxing matters • The history of road tax and power ratings has always resulted in some strange anomalies.

Testing times • Insurance renewal time leads to some questions needing answering, and reflections on the motorcycling driving test.