Classic Bike Hub UK

Launched in late 1949, the Golden Flash was BSA’s first 650cc parallel twin and although it looked rather like the 500cc A7, it was in fact a new design; indeed, the updated A7 was to be based on the A10. Initially available in rigid and (more often) plunger framed guises, of the first year’s A10…

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Phillip Webb, a lab assistant from Surbiton, aboard his Norton special at Castle Combe The ordinary clubman had no chance of securing a new, state-of-the-art racer, so was left with two options. One, soldier on with the old, outdated machinery, or, two, update what they had. Phillip Webb chose the latter. Webb, a 27-year-old Admiralty…

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Kelly (seated) was first in the 1935 Senior Manx GP Kelly Swanston was born in Kirkcaldy, Fife in 1908 where his father was a well known architect. Kelly got the motorcycling ‘bug’ from riding a 1913 FN outfit on a farm in Methlick, Aberdeenshire. He and his brother, Jack, also a keen motorcyclist, were founding…

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Twelve more riders were involved in the ensuing, horrific pile-up. In 1972, Saarinen had beaten ‘Paso’ to the 250cc crown by a solitary point, in what was the closest the Italian rider was to ever come to world championship glory. He’d also finished runner-up in 1968’s 350cc championship chase, on the Benelli. Pasolini’s committed riding…

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1957 Ariel Cyclone The Ariel Cyclone is not a particularly well-known model – but if there is one thing an enthusiast will know about the model, it’s that rock and roll god Buddy Holly had one. While the rest of the Crickets went for Triumphs, Buddy plumped for the rather rarer glamour red Ariel. The…

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