Features

Mixing and matching componentsmakes for hours of fun. Words and photographs: Tim Britton There is a point in a rebuild (or in this case a ‘recreation’) of a motorcycle when the major work is complete and the ‘fun’ of adding the little bits and pieces can begin. I use the term ‘fun’ loosely, as I…

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The electrical trade wasn’t really to his liking, so young Kershaw sought employment in the motorcycle industry. Herbert Sydney Kershaw was born on August 7, 1892, in Sydney, Australia, the only son of a shipping clerk and his young wife. When his father died in 1895, young Bert and his bereaved mother moved to England,…

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The outspoken journalist, enthusiast, engineer and feet-forward advocate still has strong opinions on what he believes is the way to do things. Words: TIM BRITTON Photographs: Royce Creasey Those of us who came to British motorcycles because they were just cheap, old nails before the ‘classic scene’ really got underway, found a champion to our…

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Sleep deprivation is a fact of life for the parents of small children – and long distance trials riders – who keep going through the night as the rest of the world slumbers. Words: Richard Rosenthal Photographs: Mortons Archive Friday, May 20,1904, saw the first competitor, Mr C W Brown, 2¾hp FN, await the starter’s…

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In the pioneer days of motorcycling, hill climbs – and hill climbing – were popular proving grounds. Words: Rachael Clegg Photographs: Gary Chapman/Mortons Archive Hunter House Road, Sheffield, is not a place that is synonymous with motorcycles. The street is home to umpteen students, several Green Party activists and the cause of many parking-related headaches.…

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The somewhat surprising collaboration resulting from the Harley-Davidson purchase of Aermacchi actually produced a raft of good motorcycles. Words: James Adam Bolton Photographs: Sara Zinelliand James Adam Bolton It would be reasonable enough to expect that an engineering company originally founded in 1912 to manufacture aeroplanes and then turned its hands to building motorcycles 40…

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Although there were around 11,600 lightweight Triumph two-strokes made in a production run of a dozen years, survivors are now rarities. Words: ANDY WESTLAKE Photographs: GARY CHAPMAN If you are someone who gives your motorcycles a name, let me introduce you to ‘Hugh’ (Hughie to his friends), a 1924 Triumph Junior now belonging to West…

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No two Silks are the same and their bespoke build and subsequent scarcity means they’re a rarely seen or experienced machine –which is a real shame. Words: ROY POYNTING Photographs: TERRY JOSLIN Nobody would deny that two-strokes tend to have uneven slow-speed running and tickover, but their fans forgive that because of the delightful way…

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The appeal of Small Heath’s early unit 250cc model comes through loud and clear in this expertly revitalised 1963 SS80 sports version.

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Popular wins for home-made machines in two of the classes. Photographs: MORTONS MEDIA ARCHIVE The Motor Cycle was glowing in its praise of the Grand Prix d’Europe held in Geneva at the end of July 1928, saying the event: “…will go down in history as the best of its series to date, since it is…

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