Features

Horsepower: (1) An imperial unit of power equal to 550 foot-pounds per second (2) the Royal Automobile Club measurement for tax purposes calculated from the diameter of the bore and the number of cylinders in a engine (3) A rally for pre-1920 motorcycles that has been running for 36 years. Rondom Gees: A random ride…

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There’s a theory expounded that in any event report, if the writer mentions the weather then they’re struggling for things to say. Of course, that’s not the case about the VMCC’s Banbury Run, but fact of the matter is, it’s not possible to report on the event, on June 18, without commenting on the scorching…

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Words: Phil Turner Photographs: Gary Chapman Alongside fast, lithe, racing thoroughbreds, Moto Guzzi could turn its hand to more utilitarian two-wheelers when needed. The Superalce was one of the finest. As the dark clouds of conflict drew in across Europe for the second time, Moto Guzzi – like most established motorcycle manufacturers – would have to…

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Words: Steve Wilson Photographs: Gary Chapman In 1951, when Wiltshireman Cyril Griffin was called up for National Service, he bought a 1950 Triumph Speed Twin for trips home on leave weekends. Being stationed at Epsom with the Experimental Mobile Column, an early part of the Civil Defence organisation, meant a 160-mile round trip. The sprung hub…

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Test of skill – and nerve – during two-wheeled competition at Brands Hatch, Kent. Photograph: MORTONS ARCHIVE During the August 1963 contest to find RoSPA’s (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) motorcyclist of the year, M Swift balances his 600cc AJS twin on the start-finish straight at Brands Hatch. Alas, Mr Swift wasn’t among…

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While there are many rude nicknames for the Wal Phillips injector, they aren’t for the pages of TCM… but a description of the device is because it’s an important part of our history. Words: Richard Rosenthal Photographs: Mortons Archive Born in Tottenham, north London, in 1908, Wal Phillips (d.1998) is today best remembered for his fuel…

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Your queries resolved with Richard Rosenthal Do you or any of your readers know of any motorcycles fitted with impulse starters? In the 1920s, many engines were fitted with impulse starters including cars, tractors, motorboats and aircraft. The impulse starter works by driving the magneto through a strong clock-like spring. To start, the magneto is…

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This attractive 500cc replica of a Production TT winner started life as a 350cc Viper. Words: Andy Westlake Photography: TERRY JOSLIN Bombing along the wide empty roads of the Mendips with my head tucked behind the Velocette’s race screen, it needed little imagination to transport my mind back to 1967 and picture myself on the…

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Once the only means of family transport available to the working family, sidecars still have a loyal following. Watsonian helps gets Steve Parrish’s back into fine fettle. Words: Tim Britton Photographs: Gary Chapman Given Steve Parrish’s earliest experience of a sidecar, when he was left sitting in one outside a shop while his older brother…

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“Catt returned to Northampton for a hero’s welcome, having ridden 2557 miles in six days.” There has been a long history of tough, hardy souls chasing long distance motorcycle records, both in the UK and all around the world, but Albert Catt, from Northampton, was arguably the grandaddy of them all – and the toughest…

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