Features

Keith Newton’s CBX1000 Honda – an across-the-frame six – was chosen as the top machine at the October spectacular. Words: GARY CHAPMAN  Photograph: JOHN ROBINSON The October Stafford show, which runs under the title of Classic Motorcycle Mechanics, attracts a varied and eclectic range of machinery, and although the accent is Japanese, there’s plenty there…

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Riding four motorcycles – two Velocettes and two Morinis – around Cadwell Park isn’t a bad way to spend a day! Words: JAMES ROBINSON Photographs: GARY CHAPMAN The Morini Riders’ Club track day at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire has been running for 35 years and for whatever reason, has always attracted good support from the…

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Of its time There was a range of James’ known as Pineapples in the pioneer period. This is a lightweight survivor that gives a valuable insight into the period in which it was built. Words: ROY POYNTING Photographs: TERRY JOSLIN It’s an unfortunate fact that financial constraints usually delayed the application of advantageous developments to…

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This full-dress, flawed but fun 350cc light twin was your tester’s first motorcycle – a very long time ago! Words: STEVE WILSON Photographs: JONATHAN FLEETWOOD If I had one distinction during my student life at Oxford, it was in 1963, persuading the uni film society to show the still-banned 1954 movie ‘The Wild One’ –…

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This special build is the result of lots of hard work and determination, the result being a stunning creation. Words: CHELSEA BORCHERT Photographs: GARY CHAPMAN Many people have asked me “Why one of these?” Surely, you only have to look at it to understand. I fell in love with the Rickman Metisse look and story…

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While the herds went one way, with formulaic designs, Douglas went in another direction completely, with a quirky flat-twin. It worked well, too. Words: ANDY WESTLAKE Photographs: GARY CHAPMAN The famous motorcycle scribe, the late Jeff Clew, once said: “There’s something special about just sitting on a mark Douglas. I swear that if I was led…

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Small is beautiful. And nowhere is this more evident than the Isle of Man Post Office website. Here, alongside gushy stamp sets of Meghan and Harry’s wedding, are six philatelic examples celebrating stars of a different, less emetic kind: great British motorcycles. These exquisite graphic objects were created by graphic designer David Bloomfield and painter Graham…

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Throughout the history of British motorcycle manufacture, entrepreneurs from Brough to Wooler (and many lesser-known ones) have marketed their products under their family names. Not many would have thought of using their forenames though, and I’m pretty certain nobody except Oscar and Cedric Hanwell ever decided to combine both of their first names. The result…

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Let’s get it out there straightaway – there’s nothing wrong with restoring a motorcycle until it dazzles passers-by and a close inspection has to be done while wearing darkened glasses. Nope, nothing wrong with that approach at all, and to be honest I’m in awe of those who have the single mindedness to achieve such…

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The Flywheel Festival, held this year over the weekend of June 23/24, is an event which combines cars, aeroplanes and motorcycles, and although it has tagged itself as a ‘show’ it’s by no means a static event; cars and motorcycles are demonstrated on the figure-of-eight circuit, while aeroplanes fill the skies overhead. Plus there’s also…

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