Sam Hewitt

A brief chat with… RICHARD BOURNE

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Sam Hewitt

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15th March 2017

Bringing someone’s memoirs to print is a huge undertaking for any author but imagine the pressure should the subject be your parent. Words and photographs: Tim Britton The task facing Richard Bourne, assisted by his brother Robert, was daunting – bringing to publication the memoir of their father, who also happened to be editor of…
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Degens at South of England show

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Sam Hewitt

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12th March 2017

Dave Degens of Dresda Triton is guest of honour at the South of England Classic Show & Bikejumble on April 2. Dave will be bringing his rare 1958 Matchless G45 to the South of England Showground, Ardingly, West Sussex. Although never overly successful, only 200 were made of this 500cc triple-valve-spring twin. You can listen…
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Hitchcocks purchases Enfield history

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Sam Hewitt

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12th March 2017

In 1967, when the Royal Enfield factory in Redditch closed, the Enfield Cycle Company Ltd was purchased by Norton Villiers Ltd. Norton Villiers contracted Enfield Precision Engineers to carry on production of the Royal Enfield Interceptor. Enfield Precision Engineers had been producing virtually all the postwar Royal Enfield twin engines from the early 1950s and…
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Sporting Sparkle

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Sam Hewitt

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11th March 2017

Panther wanted a range-topper for its pre-Second World War line-up, and came up with this half-litre contender. Words and photographs: Phillip Tooth Finances must have been tight in 1937 for Phelon & Moore Ltd of Cleckheaton, Yorkshire, because the makers of Panther motorcycles couldn’t afford a stand at the biggest event of the year –…
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DOG ROGER*: *D.R.”, or Dispatch Rider, in the phonetic alphabet of the Second World War.

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Sam Hewitt

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11th March 2017

A two-part look at the role of Britain’s service motorcyclists, both men and women, in the harsh days of the Second World War. Words: Steve Wilson Photographs: Mortons Archive If the First World War saw the dawn of mechanised warfare, the Second World War, with its blitzkriegs, massive tank battles on the Russian steppes, and…
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Bonhams in Vegas

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Sam Hewitt

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3rd March 2017

The rare 1914 Feilbach 10hp Limited, pictured, was the stand-out lot in Bonhams’ Vegas auction, selling for $195,000, which equates to £156,000. The rare 1130cc twin had been assembled after the company closed, and was the personal property of Charles Feilbach, son of the company founder. Other interesting prices included $150,000 for a Vincent Black Knight…
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Museum rejig

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Sam Hewitt

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3rd March 2017

There’s been a big move around of motorcycles at the National Motorcycle Museum. Words: JAMES ROBINSON Photographs: Gary chapman The National Motorcycle Museum houses the largest collection of British motorcycles in the world, with over 1000 machines from 170 different manufacturers spanning no less than three centuries. Of the 1000-plus machines in the collection there…
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Panther V-twin

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Sam Hewitt

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3rd March 2017

Please find attached a picture of Geoff Stray’s V-twin Panther, a work in progress pictured at the Bristol show on the Panther OC’s stand – notice the square-section swinging arm. I think you must agree he has made a good job of the bike so far and I look forward to seeing and hearing the…
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Win a Thruxton R and Ajay

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Sam Hewitt

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3rd March 2017

The National Motorcycle Museum still has tickets on offer for its winter raffle draw. Museum director James Hewing said: “We have an amazing first prize for our current winter raffle, a brand-new Triumph Thruxton R 1200cc, (retail value £13,800), with factory fitted Track Racer Kit, which will be registered new to the lucky winner in…
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Display your classic at Stafford

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Sam Hewitt

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3rd March 2017

If you’ve got a classic bike you think the world should know about and fellow enthusiasts would appreciate, now’s your chance to get it on display. The 37th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle show at Stafford is the biggest of the season, and organisers are keen to hear from more owners of quality, restored classics…
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