Features

More trials and tribulations along the way prove that if life is easy, you’re doing it wrong… Words and photographs: Tim Britton Deciding to assemble a pile of parts into a working motorcycle seemed to have several advantages. It would free-up shelf space for a start and allow a bit of relaxing ‘working with my…

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Hoppy was always one for the art of getting a move on. Words: Adam Rear Herbert ‘Bert’ Hopwood was a Midlander who held very definite views and had no hesitation in expressing them in a forthright manner. Born in Birmingham in 1908 to a poor family, he left school aged 14 and started work at…

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For a few years, Team JAP have been making a bit of a name for themselves in classic motocross. We chat to team manager Cecil Pearson. Words and photographs: Tim Britton The classic motocross scene is an interesting one and it encompasses an almost bewildering range of classes to hopefully ensure all sorts of bikes…

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The year of 1965 was not, on the whole, a good one for the British motorcycle industry. Confusion, doom and panic led to some baffling decisions from the chaps in charge. Yet, from this tumult came some worthy models, like this AJS Model 33. Words: RACHAEL CLEGG Photographs: GARY CHAPMAN It’s doubtful that Sir Norman…

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Since its inception in 1947, the Motocross des Nations has been held annually with the 72nd event run at Red Bud in the US in 2018. During its lifetime, the event title has been anglicised and the format manipulated. Here, we look at the inaugural quintet of events. Words: Richard Rosenthal Photographs: Mortons Archive After…

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If only motorcycles could tell stories then this Indian would surely have plenty to tell, quite possibly from battlefield to silver screen. Words and photographs: James Adam Bolton Approximately one hour and 32 minutes into the epic 1977 war film ‘A Bridge Too Far’ (a staple Saturday afternoon film for Second World War-obsessed kids of…

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In the second part of our feature on the BSA Group’s misadventure in the lightweight market, we come to the nadir – the Ariel 3 and the NVT Rambler. Words: STEVE WILSON Photographs: Jonathan Fleetwood 1970 K2 Ariel 3 What was it? The moped market was growing in the late 1960s. Because UK legislation allowed…

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This V-twin, branded an ‘ECW’, is a real conundrum, without any information about where, when or by whom it was built. Words: Rob Davies Photographs: Rob Davies/Peter March Too many motorcycles, too little time; that’s a saying that could apply to many of us. My small area of interest and perhaps expertise – if I…

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Russell Knight has owned this 1950 BSA B31 single for 43 years, and together they’ve had some adventures. Words: Steve Wilson Photographs: Jonathan Fleetwood Memories can be notoriously tricky. Sitting in a rain-soaked June, those of us of a certain age are still likely to recall childhood summer holidays on sandy south coast beaches as…

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