Features

Your queries resolved with Richard Rosenthal Name that scooter I’m busy cataloguing and captioning what I can of my late uncle’s photograph collection for our family archive. He attended many classic motorcycle events until about 10 years ago. Many machines we have identified with the event programmes he bought, but this one is undated, unknown…

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Progress is being made and there is an end goal in sight, even a plan to get there… Words and photographs: Tim Britton I know I’m not alone in hitting obstacles when putting a motorcycle together, and choosing to assemble a pile of largely unrelated parts maybe wasn’t the best idea in the world, but…

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Though he wasn’t one of the superstar names, for nearly 20 years, Rob Fitton, a true privateer and hobbyist racer, was a fixture on the continental circus. Born Edwin Robin Fitton in West Yorkshire, on April 5, 1928, he went to school at Aireborough, just north of Leeds. From there it was to the local…

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The British motorcycle industry consisted of many talented and creative people, even at the end, but, sadly, little resource to capitalise on the talent. Words: Tim Britton Photographs: Mick Ofield collection While the industry floundered to its end in the 1970s and the press was filled with the politics of it all, there were still…

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By the end of the First World War, motorcycles had become vital military equipment. While most were lusty singles or V-twins, odd lightweights were pressed into service. This feature enters tiddler territory, to look at some of the under 125cc machines signed up later. Words: Richard Rosenthal Photographs: Mortons Archive It’s 1943. An aircraft can…

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Among the ISDT machines auctioned at Stafford in April were these two majestic Triumph twins, each bearing the hallmarks of a lifetime in trials. But there’s more to these machines than medals – NEA 1F and HUE 256D are microcosms of motorcycle history. Words: RACHAEL CLEGG Photographs: GARY CHAPMAN/MORTONS ARCHIVE It was the beginning of…

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During the 1950s and 60s, the Arter Brothers’ business supported British racing, with success continuing into the 1970s. Words: ALAN TURNERPhotographs: MORTONS ARCHIVE From his earliest involvement in sponsorship, Tom could be sympathetic to any overseas riders, hopefuls from around the globe who had sold up everything to finance a trip to Britain to try…

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A series of discreet modifications ensure a 1930s cammy Velo is comfortable in the modern world. Words: TIM BRITTON Photographs: Gary Chapman Does anyone remember the early classic press, as far back as 1977, when a ridiculous idea was launched for a magazine about old motorcycles. ‘ Everyone’ laughed at the absurdity of the idea……

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The four-stroke Gilera B300 twin is a good but often overlooked machine that was made in significant numbers. Words: James Adam Bolton Photographs: Sara Zinelli Chatting to an Italian friend the other week, he was telling me he fancied buying another old bike, but perhaps a machine a bit different to the older singles he…

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There are myriad different Gold Stars, each with acclaim as being the ‘best’ – but the late 350cc version, the Clubman DB32, makes a strong claim. Words: ANDY WESTLAKE Photographs: GARY CHAPMAN In a variety of guises which included scrambles, one and six-day trials, touring, racing and clubman’s trim, there is little doubt that the…

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