Features

  • Best of Bologna

    Best of Bologna

    by

    Audi has honoured Ducati, its relatively new acquisition, with an impressive exhibition marking the Italian maker’s 90th anniversary. Rather than come from Ducati’s museum, machines for this event, which lasts until April 30 this year, are all private loans. And, strange but true, the 54 solo motorcycles add up to 109 wheels… Words and photographs:…

    Continue reading »

  • Marvellous middleweight

    Marvellous middleweight

    by

    After an extensive reconstruction, this glorious BSA is ready to go back to its patient owner. Words: JAMES ROBINSON Photographs: GARY CHAPMAN As Dave Rosser, co-owner of Robin James Engineering Services, and I stood back in the shadows and let photographer Gary do his work, Dave looked at this BSA and mused; “I’m glad it’s…

    Continue reading »

  • Ironheart

    Ironheart

    by

    With Royal Enfield’s new all alloy-engined, unit construction, EFI fuel-injected Bullet single well-established, the old iron engine, pre-unit Bullets are arguably now…classics? Words and photographs: Steve Wilson Oxford Royal Enfield, and its customising arm BMCC, inhabit a reassuringly petrol-head location. It’s an industrial estate behind a farm, where in other units you keep getting glimpses of…

    Continue reading »

  • So near…

    So near…

    by

    Words: Roy Poynting   Photographs: Terry Joslin If only battery technology and understanding had been better, the Norton Electra could have been a huge hit. When I reported on Brian Jeffery’s rare Triumph TSX (TCM, November 2015), I mentioned the almost equally elusive Norton Electra was another entry on his very short wish-list of British motorcycles…

    Continue reading »

  • Reputation ill-deserved

    Reputation ill-deserved

    by

    Words: Phil Turner Photographs: Gary Chapman Triumph’s TR25W was saddled with a less than favourable reputation in its day, and one that has stuck with it. But this fine example puts up a strong argument for the defence. ‘A breed apart’ read the headline in Triumph America’s advert for the Trophy 250. The image accompanying…

    Continue reading »

  • How to build a 130mph Goldie engine

    How to build a 130mph Goldie engine

    by

    Words and photographs: Phillip Tooth Philip McGurk became the first man to lap the Isle of Man TT circuit at over 100mph with a BSA Gold Star engine when he covered the 37.73 mile course in 22 minutes 24.43 seconds. His 101.030mph second lap of the Senior Classic TT brought his average for the four…

    Continue reading »

  • Calm before the storm

    Calm before the storm

    by

    Photograph: MORTONS ARCHIVE There’s just a few finishing touches to put in place before the show doors are opened. The stands are set, the motorcycles in place, the placards up, and there’s a fair few potted plants in position on the Norton stand in the foreground on the left too, as the final finishing touches…

    Continue reading »

  • Changing times

    Changing times

    by

    Billed as ‘the most glittering international show ever,’ the 1967 Motocyclorama organised by the British Cycle and Motor Cycle Industries’ Association may have sparkled, but it was a much leaner affair than in recent years. Despite occupying much less floor space than a year earlier, the press endeavoured to hype up the event, with The…

    Continue reading »

  • Triumph’s forgotten two-strokes

    Triumph’s forgotten two-strokes

    by

    Triumph histories devote pages to lusty belt-drive veteran singles, the First World War DR favourite Model H, Turner’s twins, Cubs, Terriers and more. But often Triumph’s two-strokes are at best given a couple paragraphs, or ignored. Time to let them speak. Words: Richard Rosenthal – Photography: Mortons Archive No brief magazine feature can cover in…

    Continue reading »

  • The future?

    The future?

    by

    Based in Seattle, the Tacoma concours looks set to become a leading international event. Words and photographs: Ian Kerr Many with an interest in classic vehicles in general will have heard of the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance event which takes place in California each year. Started in 1950 with just 30 cars, it now…

    Continue reading »