Features

The Ulster GP’s formative years

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Sam Hewitt

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24th March 2017

Promoted as the world’s fastest road race, the Ulster GP began 95 years ago as the Ulster Grand Prix Handicap Road Race, for which the organiser’s major award was presented. Its formative years could also be entitled the Joe Craig years. Words: Richard Rosenthal Photographs: Mortons Archive Based in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, the Ulster…
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On trial

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Sam Hewitt

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17th March 2017

The DMW trials model was listed for many years, but never really enjoyed much success. It’s perhaps not hard to understand why… Words: Roy Poynting Photographs: Terry Joslin Did you ever ride a DMW trials bike back in the day? I ask Sammy Miller. “No,” comes the immediate and pithy reply, “I’m just glad some…
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A brief chat with… RICHARD BOURNE

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Sam Hewitt

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15th March 2017

Bringing someone’s memoirs to print is a huge undertaking for any author but imagine the pressure should the subject be your parent. Words and photographs: Tim Britton The task facing Richard Bourne, assisted by his brother Robert, was daunting – bringing to publication the memoir of their father, who also happened to be editor of…
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Sporting Sparkle

by

Sam Hewitt

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11th March 2017

Panther wanted a range-topper for its pre-Second World War line-up, and came up with this half-litre contender. Words and photographs: Phillip Tooth Finances must have been tight in 1937 for Phelon & Moore Ltd of Cleckheaton, Yorkshire, because the makers of Panther motorcycles couldn’t afford a stand at the biggest event of the year –…
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DOG ROGER*: *D.R.”, or Dispatch Rider, in the phonetic alphabet of the Second World War.

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Sam Hewitt

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11th March 2017

A two-part look at the role of Britain’s service motorcyclists, both men and women, in the harsh days of the Second World War. Words: Steve Wilson Photographs: Mortons Archive If the First World War saw the dawn of mechanised warfare, the Second World War, with its blitzkriegs, massive tank battles on the Russian steppes, and…
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Museum rejig

by

Sam Hewitt

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3rd March 2017

There’s been a big move around of motorcycles at the National Motorcycle Museum. Words: JAMES ROBINSON Photographs: Gary chapman The National Motorcycle Museum houses the largest collection of British motorcycles in the world, with over 1000 machines from 170 different manufacturers spanning no less than three centuries. Of the 1000-plus machines in the collection there…
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Special brew

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Sam Hewitt

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3rd March 2017

Steve Boakes has built an attractive V-twin, using his skills and a collection of parts acquired over the years. Words and photographs: James Adam Bolton The green V-twin special had caught my eye on a couple of occasions at local meets and it always stopped me in my tracks as it didn’t conform, and I…
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Two of a kind

by

Sam Hewitt

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3rd March 2017

On paper it’s often hard to separate the British 650cc twins of the late 1950s/early 1960s, but on the road they can be very different animals. Words: PHIL TURNER Photographs: GARY CHAPMAN The B1107 in Norfolk wouldn’t have been my first choice of road for my first ever outing on two of the finest examples…
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Manifestation magnifique

by

Sam Hewitt

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3rd March 2017

Details of a high-speed ride from Paris, to Geneva, and then on to Cannes. Featuring in a special supplement with the May 12, 1955, issue of The Motor Cycle was the account of Cyril Street and his friend Brian, who took part in the Deuxieme International Trophée Cannes-Geneve-Cannes, on a brace of BSA Golden Flashes,…
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The bug bites

by

Sam Hewitt

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22nd February 2017

“All I’m going to do is wipe an oily rag over it…” How many times have we heard that? Words: TIM BRITTON; Photographs: TIM BRITTON, STEVE PARRISH, MORTONS ARCHIVE Steve Parrish had only ever intended to service and use what had initially looked a tidy outfit, but having admitted during our chat he doesn’t have any patience,…
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